Video:How to Moisturize the Face

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Transcript:How to Moisturize the Face

Hi, I'm Lynn Reynolds, for About.com. Using a moisturizer as part of your daily skin routine is important to keeping your skin soft and supple. It only takes minutes and I'll show you how.

Reasons to Moisturize the Face

Facial moisturizers hydrate the skin, and also retain its moisture. When choosing a moisturizer, select one that matches your skin type, such as normal, dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. If you don't know your skin type, you can get help on the internet. Moisturize in the morning and again in the evening. And if your face feels oily or dry, it's fine to moisturize less or more as you need it. Moisturizing should be done when your skin is damp. So, an excellent time to moisturize is after your shower, or after your daily face cleansing.

Methods of Moisturizing the Face

Before you moisturize, be sure to remove any makeup, cleanse your face, and apply toner if you wish. While your skin is still damp, dot the moisturizer over your face. Very gently massage and pat the moisturizer into your skin, using your middle and ring finger. Use upward and circular motions. Don't tug on your skin, as this can stretch it. If you feel you need to tug or pull to get the product in, try a lighter formulation. Continue this upwards across your whole face. Don't forget the neck and chest area. These are the first areas to show aging, because the skin there contains fewer oil glands.

Moisturize Your Face Safely

If you're moisturizing in the daytime, be sure your moisturizer contains at least SPF 15, to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. When you come to your eyes, you may want to use an eye cream that's formulated specifically for this area. The skin here is especially delicate, so it's very important to pat and not rub. Using your ring finger, apply the eye cream in small dots below and above your eye. Very gently pat the cream into your skin until it's absorbed. This may require going over the area more than once. And there you have it: well moisturized skin that's fresh and glowing.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com.