How to know if your moisturizer is no longer good for your skin
Sometimes we use a great moisturizer and after a while it stops being so great. There are a variety of reasons why you may no longer be as pleased with your product as you were previously. Perhaps the formula feels off. Or you are no longer seeing the beneficial skin benefits that you used to. It might not be as good at protecting your skin. Or oddly when you apply this moisturizer, your skin doesn’t actually feel moisturized. We outline four ways to ensure that you and your moisturizer are still on track.
1. It Has A Bad Consistency
You may have been in love with your moisturizer but lately it’s been feeling strange. It no longer goes on as smoothly, has become watery or comes out in a piecemeal consistency rather than as a smooth liquid. Your moisturizer might be past its sell by date or gone bad through external impact from sun exposure or water getting into your product. It can also develop an odd smell. Once you notice that your moisturizer no longer looks or feels like the product you originally purchased, you should definitely replace it with a new one.
2. It Doesn’t Have The Desired Effect
Moisturizers can promise a lot of great skin-benefits. They can brighten, smooth, and perfect your skin. It can also help fade the appearance of fine lines or dark spots. Most of all it should be giving your skin hydration and moisture. What happens when it stops providing these benefits? The reason your moisturizer might not be performing as well can be determined by the season or our age. “Our skin changes everyday and has different needs,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes. “With weather changes, switch to a lighter moisturizer when the temperature and humidity rise. For those with dry skin, the same moisturizer may no longer be moisturizing enough. As we age our skin’s barrier function decreases due to slowed production of lipids in cell membranes. Adding glycerin and hyaluronic acid will increase hydration. Our skin also loses its ability to fight free radicals that can damage our collagen. Time to add peptides.”
3. The SPF Has Expired
Nothing will protect your skin from aging more than SPF. However SPF can expire so keep an eye on the expiration date to make sure your skin is still protected. A daily moisturizer with SPF can help protect your skin and strengthen its barrier function with antioxidants. Garnier SkinActive’s Clearly Brighter Brightening & Smoothing Moisturizer SPF15 offers broad spectrum protection from the sun. Its formula also contains Vitamin C and E, pine bark essence and gently exfoliating lipo-hydroxyl acid (LHA). Replace your old SPF moisturizer with this product to shield your skin from the sun and fight free radicals.
4. It No Longer Moisturizes Your Skin Enough
As Dr. Madfes mentioned earlier, a product that used to moisturize your skin may no longer be hydrating enough. If your skin is on the drier side this can be really challenging as your skin may feel tight or look cracked. Give your skin an extra surge of hydration by using an overnight mask also known as a sleeping cream. Garnier SkinActive’s Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream is extremely moisturizing. Its refreshing formula combines the deeply hydrating power of a mask with the lightweight feel of a lotion. This overnight mask formula is infused with lavender essential oil, hyaluronic and hydroxy acids, which helps refresh your skin. You’ll wake up with recharged, hydrated skin that looks and feels moisturized. When your skin is feeling parched rather than apply more products, look for formulas with ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to quench your skin’s thirst and effectively moisturize it so it can function at its best.
