A cream helps keep water in the skin; it does not have to audition as an entire skincare routine. For your particular Aveeno product, follow the directions on the pack rather than treating general moisturizer advice as product instructions.2
Will it suit your skin?
- Dry skin benefits from a cream's thicker texture and greater ability to retain water compared with a lotion.
- For oily skin, consider a lighter gel instead of a rich cream. Too much moisturizer can clog pores in some people.
- For combination skin, moisturize the dry patches rather than automatically covering oily areas such as the forehead, nose and chin.
- For sensitive or easily irritated skin, favor a fragrance free moisturizer. Fragrance can irritate dry skin.
- For skin prone to acne, look for wording such as "oil free," "noncomedogenic" or "won't clog pores." These indicate a moisturizer is unlikely to cause acne, not that breakouts are impossible.
You can use a different moisturizer on your face and body, so one tub does not have to take on every available assignment.4
How to apply it
- 1Wash your face, then gently pat it dry, leaving some moisture on the skin.
- 2Smooth the cream gently over the areas that need moisture, in the direction the hair grows. Avoid vigorous rubbing.
- 3Use moisturizer daily when your skin feels dry, and reapply when it feels dry or tight, within your product's directions.
- 4Include broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher in your daytime routine.
What should you expect?
Moisturizers soften skin and reduce water loss. If you use benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or prescription acne medicines such as tretinoin or isotretinoin, daily moisturizing can help your skin tolerate their drying effects. Moisturizer supports that treatment; it is not a substitute for acne medication.13
If you use a steroid cream or another treatment for a skin condition, leave 20 to 30 minutes between it and an emollient moisturizer. Ask your doctor which to apply first to avoid diluting the treatment or spreading it onto areas that do not need it.2
When should you stop?
Stop using the cream if your skin reacts, and speak to a pharmacist about an alternative. Persistent burning or stinging, a facial rash, or inflamed hair follicles warrant advice from a pharmacist or doctor. See a dermatologist if dryness is worsening, painful, cracked or bleeding despite moisturizing.124
If the cream comes in a tub, use a clean spoon or spatula to reduce contamination. Keep fabrics that have absorbed emollient cream away from flames and cigarettes; washing does not completely remove the buildup.2
