Hydration tips for wrinkles

How to keep skin hydrated

1. 1Cleanse gently. Wash your face at least once daily with a mild cleanser. Avoid rough washcloths and gritty scrubs, which can damage the skin's moisture barrier, the outer layer that keeps water in.
2. 2Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp. Gently pat after washing rather than rubbing, then massage moisturizer into your skin. Include moisturizer in your morning and evening routine, and reapply when skin feels dry.
3. 3Protect your skin each morning. Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing. A moisturizer containing that protection can combine the two steps; otherwise, apply sunscreen after moisturizer.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

For dry skin, choose a fragrance free cream or ointment rather than a lotion: creams and ointments add more moisture. Look for ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid or dimethicone. Hyaluronic acid absorbs moisture and helps plump skin. A moisturizer can contain useful ingredients without an expensive price tag, despite the jar's apparent ambitions.34

For oily or acne prone skin, look for a moisturizer labeled "noncomedogenic," meaning formulated not to clog pores. If your skin is sensitive, avoid fragrance. "Unscented" is not the same as fragrance free: products can contain ingredients that hide odors and irritate sensitive skin. Test a new product on your inner forearm twice daily for 4 to 5 days before using it on your face, even if it says "hypoallergenic."134

What else helps with dryness?

Keep showers and baths to 5 to 10 minutes and use warm water. If your bedroom air is dry, run a humidifier while you sleep and clean it regularly to prevent mold. These steps help with dryness; they are not a reason to buy another wrinkle cream. Avoid duplicating active ingredients across products: a separate retinol serum plus a retinol moisturizer gives the same ingredient two job titles.23

What should you expect, and when should you stop?

Moisturizer's immediate plumping differs from the slower effects of other wrinkle products, which generally take at least six weeks and sometimes three months. Stop products that sting or burn unless they were prescribed by your dermatologist. If you use a prescription that causes these symptoms, discuss them with your prescriber. Tell a dermatologist if moisturizer itself causes irritation, dryness persists despite these changes, or your wrinkle routine is not giving the results you expected.13