Dudes aren’t known for their exceptional skincare habits, but if you’re at all woke to your skin’s 

need for proper routine and care, you’re definitely using a moisturizer. 

Moisturizers are an important, essential step of all skincare routines, and if you don’t have one, you need one. Every skin type deserves moisture, and we’ll explain why and tell you how to use them properly and how to make sure you don’t overdo it (not that you’d go HAM on anything at all, ever). 

What Is a Moisturizer?

It’s lotion, but so much more. Moisturizer goes on after you’ve cleaned your skin, and no, we don’t mean with a splash of water or the same bar soap you use on your ass. If you’re clueless about cleansers (and skincare in general), click here. 

After your cleanser, you’ll apply a moisturizer to:

• Hydrate your skin
• Alleviate dryness
• Reduce irritation and blemishes
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin tone and texture
• Keep your skin feeling soft and smooth all-day

Moisturizers also can create a protective barrier on your skin, making it harder for your skin to lose moisture or dry out during the day. 

Do I Need A Moisturizer?

Short answer, yes. Long answer, still yes. 

You need a moisturizer, even if you feel like your skin is oily. In fact, we’d argue if your skin is oily, you need one even more. Here’s why.

Oily skin is often dehydrated. Dehydrated skin causes the sebaceous gland to produce more sebum (your skin’s natural oil). Sebum keeps your skin hydrated and protected. When your skin senses there isn’t enough moisture, it’ll make more sebum to compensate. 

More sebum usually means oilier skin. Oilier skin usually means you skip your moisturizer because you think you don’t need it. Bad move. You’re trapping yourself in a vicious skin cycle or perpetual greasiness. 

Moisturizers For All Skin Types

All skin types need moisturizers, here’s why.

• Normal. For normal skin types, a moisturizer will serve as a means of keeping moisture locked in tight, preventing natural moisture loss, and helping treat skin concerns. Developing fine lines and wrinkles, grab a moisturizer with vitamin C to promote collagen production and plump them out. 

• Dry. Dry skin practically begs for a moisturizer. If your skin is dry, forgoing moisturizer is like skipping water during your workout; it makes no sense, and it’s super uncomfortable. 
  Dry skin benefits from hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, which works like an emollient to soften and condition the skin. While we’re at it, make sure the cleanser you use isn’t harsh and leeching the hydration out of your dry skin. Disco’s face cleanser stick is made with coconut oil to cleanse the skin and keep it moisturized. 

• Oily. Your skin needs a moisturizer for the same reasons above, but the type of moisturizer you choose matters. Stay away from chemical ingredients that can weigh skin down or cause irritation. 
  Look for natural ingredients that help balance your skin’s natural moisture levels. Throw in a deep cleansing mask a few times a week to clean out pores, eliminate excess oil, and keep your skin feeling more comfortable. 

You can moisturize your skin with a moisturizing lotion, but you can also start the process when you cleanse. Additional products, like scrubs and masks, can also help clarify your skin and help it feel better and look sexier. Let’s be honest; that’s the goal. 

How Much Is Too Much?

You’re probably not going to over-moisturize your skin. Those at the highest risk of using too much are guys with super dry skin, and even then, it can be difficult to overdo it if you’re using a quality moisturizing product. 

However, if you tend to go big or go home with everything you do, this one’s for you. There is a right way to apply your moisturizer, and learning how to do it with finesse can make a serious difference in your skin.

How To Apply Moisturizer

It’s easy, but not so easy you can’t mess it up. 

1. Use a pea-sized amount of moisturizer (you can always go back and add more). 
2. Using clean fingers, gently dot the moisturizer on your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. 
3. Using gentle, upward motions, massage the moisturizer into your skin until it is well absorbed. 
4. Let it dry before you put anything else on your face. 
5. Go forth and be hydrated. 

Your moisturizer should absorb in a matter of seconds. If it doesn’t, you’re using too much. If you can’t spread it around to cover all areas of your face, you need a little more. 

How To Tell You’ve Used Too Much

You only need to use moisturizer twice a day. Even if your skin is dry, a good moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated long enough that one application in the morning and one in the evening will be all you need. 

If you’re concerned you’re using too much, you might notice the following signs:

• Increased blemishes, especially blackheads. If you’re using too much moisturizer, you’ll probably start to notice an increase in the amount of blackheads and whiteheads you have. Blackheads especially love to live rent-free on your skin when it’s overly saturated with moisturizer. 

• Your skin feels greasy. You just washed your face and added moisturizer, but even after a few minutes (more than enough time for it to absorb), your skin still feels greasy, heavy, or weighed down. 

• You’re going through a bottle of moisturizer faster than a month. Generally speaking, the average moisturizer should last you at least a month, with two applications per day. If you’re flying through it, you could be using too much. 

Don’t worry. If you’re using too much, you can easily dial it back by applying it correctly and ensuring the moisturizer you use is high quality. We can help.

Let’s Disco

Disco is the skincare line made by a man for men. Our products are formulated to work perfectly with the pH balance of a man’s skin. Unlike products you find in the store, which are largely made for women, our products consider how different our skin is (after all, it makes hair). 

Disco’s moisturizers and cleansers are the solutions for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. The best part, they’re virtually foolproof, so you don't have to worry about over or under-doing it. 

With Disco, you can have great skin without a lot of hassle. 

Sources:

Dry skin - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic 

Skin Dehydration | Medlineplus.gov