DO I APPLY SKINCARE ONTO DRY OR DAMP SKIN?

The human face is the root of much confusion because of how it appears sometimes and the procedures we need to follow while taking care of it for effective results.

We know when to beautify our faces additionally, and therefore it is very important to understand whether to apply skincare onto dry or damp skin? If you are a resident of this planet and wish to get the best performance from your serums /face oils/moisturizers, knowing the kind of skin to apply is not exceptional. This article elaborates more.

Importance of Dampening Your Skin

Dampening your skin before applying your skincare prepares it to absorb whatever product you follow. Damp skin is easier to penetrate than dry skin. Damp skin is just cleansed or misted skin, not wet. This means that serums, face oils, and moisturizers will get their best before starting to work.

Ways to Dampen Your Skin

Toners

According to Packianathan & Kandasamy (2011), using a toner provides a balancing preparatory process that aids in neutralizing your skin’s PH to enhance absorption of the best skincare.

Essences

They share the same properties as a toner in prepping capability, but the essence is less cleansing and more the first step of treating your skin. Additionally, it helps your serums and face creams soak in more.

Hydrating Mists

They are extremely helpful to obtaining that damp skin while also giving your skin hydration energy.

Water

Water can perform the same task, do not dry off fully after cleansing and go straight into your routine. Applying your skincare within a minute after cleansing also helps avoid Tran's epidermal water loss, which keeps moisture from your skin.

Although damp skin is better for getting the most out of your products, it doesn't mean you apply all your skincare onto damp skin. This is because the heavy active ingredients could potentially end up working too hard and irritating your skin.

Products Applicable To Dry Skin

• Retinols and retinoid
• Acne medications
• Exfoliators
• Oil-based cleansers (cleansing oils and balms)

Products that apply To Damp Skin

• Serums (as long as they don’t contain anything potentially irritating like retinol or chemical exfoliates)
• Face oils
• Moisturizers
• Hydrating masks
• Water-based cleansers (mousses, gels, creams, etc.)

Moisturizing Ingredients for a Damp Skin

Moisturizers require to be placed on damp and freshly washed skin. They trap moisture, so putting the moisturizer on fully dry skin doesn't do that much to moisturize. If your facial routine is simple and you are just applying a moisturizer after, you should do this as soon as possible while your skin is still wet. The same goes for hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. If you want to use the moisturizing serum, apply it immediately after the shower while your skin is still wet, and let your skin dry for a few minutes before adding the moisturizer on top. Your skin should be moist enough from your active serum to allow it to penetrate well.

Active Ingredients for a Dry Skin

Whenever applying an active ingredient mentioned above that positively changes the skin, you do so because you want the ingredient to be able to fully sink instead of just staying on top of wet skin. It performs well if you apply it, and it stays where you need to put it.

Sunscreen: Dry Skin

Sunscreen does well on dry skin, whether chemical or mineral, because the chemical sunscreen may blend into wet skin. Chemical sunscreens work by interacting with the stratum corneum with the top layer of the epidermis to absorb ultraviolet rays so that they don't go into your skin and cause damage. Applying to wet skin affects the absorption of the chemical sunscreen, causing the skin to easily absorb ultraviolet rays, which are dangerous to the skin.

Essence for the Skin

This water-based skincare product contains many ingredients to hydrate, protect, and boost the skin's overall health. When applied to clean skin after using a cleanser and toner, it helps restore hydration to the skin cells.

Ingredients Present Essence

• Musa et al. (2017) stated that water provides a base of the essence and hydrates your skin
• Glycol is a moisturizing agent that helps trap moisture in the skin
• According to Nobile et al. (2014), hyaluronic acid helps further burdens up your skin.
• Kidd (2009) discovered that botanic plant extracts provide carotenoid benefits.
• Wastes from yeasts host many benefits, for example, ultraviolet protection.
• Tomlinson et al. (2004) commented that vitamins and minerals together with lipids add strength to skin cells and nourish them.

Skin Care Benefits of Essence

Its primary role is allowing the skin to be a better absorber of other products, as one of your best serums. Other than offering moisture, most  products have  a high concentration of vibrant ingredients which are helpful in :

• Protecting the skin barrier
• Rehydrating the skin cells
• Boosting the health of the skin
• Rebalancing the PH of the skin
• Softening and smoothening the epidermis

Researchers have found that the use of essence improves the hydration of skin and water loss, firmness, elasticity, and lift. There may be other benefits of the essence of relying on active ingredients. Antioxidants, in essence, show anti-aging goodness and protection from UV. These benefits are found in many plant-like formulations. The essence contains unique ingredients which merely cause damage to your skin. Due to this, the essence is considered the safest skincare product for every type of skin. It’s crucial to list skincare ingredients unfavorable to your skin.

Conclusion

Applying skincare products to damp skin helps your product to go further. You can keep your skin damp with products like mists, toners, essence, or some old–fashioned. Regardless of how old you are or your lifestyle, it is important to make a bigger effort to look after your skin. The skin you live in belongs to you eternally, so take time and the right order to treat it well. In return, it will take care of you. There isn't enough clinical research to fully support applying skincare on damp or dry skin. If considering applying for one, talk to a healthcare provider or a dermatologist to learn how it might affect your skin and its overall condition.

References

Kidd, P. M. (2009). Bioavailability And Activity Of Phytosome Complexes From Botanical Polyphenols: The Silymarin, Curcumin, Green Tea, And Grape Seed Extracts. Altern Med Rev, 14(3), 226-246.

Musa, S. H., Basri, M., Masoumi, H. R. F., Shamsudin, N., & Salim, N. (2017). Enhancement Of Physicochemical Properties Of Nanocolloidal Carrier Loaded With Cyclosporine For Topical Treatment Of Psoriasis: In Vitro Diffusion And In Vivo Hydrating Action. International Journal Of Nanomedicine, 12, 2427.

Nobile, V., Buonocore, D., Michelotti, A., & Marzatico, F. (2014). Anti‐Aging And Filling Efficacy Of Six Types Of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dermo‐Cosmetic Treatment: Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial Of Efficacy And Safety. Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology, 13(4), 277-287.

Packianathan, N., & Kandasamy, R. (2011). Skincare With Herbal Exfoliants. Functional Plant Science And Biotechnology, 5(1), 94-97.

Tomlinson, D. J., Mülling, C. H., & Fakler, T. M. (2004). Invited Review: Formation Of Keratins In The Bovine Claw: Roles Of Hormones, Minerals, And Vitamins In Functional Claw Integrity. Journal Of Dairy Science, 87(4), 797-809.