12 Moisturizer Hacks To Optimize Your Skin Care Routine

We’ve extolled the virtues of daily moisturizing plenty of times, so it’s safe to say that you’re probably a pro when it comes to using a moisturizer in your skin care routine. But even though you’ve got the basics down pat, you might be wondering if you’re using your moisturizer to its fullest potential. 

While you know that applying moisturizer morning and night is an essential step in your beauty regimen, there are quite a few easy tips you should keep in mind to help maximize your moisturizer’s benefits. From how you apply it to other products you can mix it with, we have a feeling the following 12 moisturizer hacks are about to find a regular place in your skin care regimen. 

1. Apply It to Damp Skin

It’s not enough to put your moisturizer on post-cleansing — it’s about how you do it too. After washing your face, don’t towel-dry. Instead, apply your moisturizer to damp skin, which can help lock in hydration. 

You should also use the same technique when it comes to your body. Once you hop out of the shower, resist the urge to wrap yourself in a towel for a minute or two longer and apply body lotion while you’re still damp. Pay particular attention to areas like your knees, elbows and feet, which tend to get drier and rougher than the skin on the rest of your body.

2. Try a Water-Based Formula

When it comes to using moisturizer, finding the right formula for your skin type is key. After all, those with oily skin have different needs than those with dry skin. If you’re in the market for a new skin hydrator, it may be time to take a water-based moisturizer for a test drive. They’re popular right now — and for good reason. They tend to have a lightweight feel  while providing long-lasting hydration. 

Try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30, which contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to brighten and nourish the skin. 

3. Add in a Little Highlighter

When it comes to your skin, getting a pretty-looking glow is always the goal. One way to help achieve that is by mixing a few drops (a little goes a long way) of highlighter with your face lotion. Try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, which can be mixed with moisturizer or used on its own under makeup for a sun-kissed glow.

4. Or a Little Self-Tanner

You can do the same for your body by mixing your body moisturizer with self-tanner. Just remember to let the self-tanner mixture dry completely before getting dressed — and opt for dark, loose clothes to avoid any staining when you do. We love the Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion Medium Natural Tan, which can also be used on its own to create an instant bronze color. 

Editor’s tip: Prefer a bronzed glow that will wash off? Use a little bit of bronzer in place of self-tanner.

5. Mix It With Your Liquid Foundation

If you want to help sheer your liquid foundation out a bit, mix a small amount with your moisturizer before applying it to your face. That way you’ll still get coverage without looking like your makeup is overdone, and basically create a DIY tinted moisturizer. 

To apply this moisturizer-foundation combo, take a makeup blender, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, and use quick dabbing motions to bounce and blend the mixture onto your skin.

6. Use a Facial Oil Beforehand

If your skin is on the dry, dull side, consider using a facial oil before applying moisturizer. After cleansing, place four to five drops of the facial oil in the palm of your hand and dab it onto your face in small dots. Smooth it from your nose to your ears, your eyebrows to your hairline, and your neck to your jawline. Then, follow up with your moisturizer of choice for even more hydration.

7. Try One Formulated With SPF

If you’re always in a rush in the mornings, it can be easy to skip out on your sunscreen — which can be detrimental to your skin health. That’s because when you spend prolonged periods of time in the sun without protection, it can lead to damage — which can show up as visible signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles down the road. The AAD recommends wearing a broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays) SPF of 30 or greater every day.

Of course, we get that sometimes it’s a struggle to fit extra steps into your morning skin care routine. The good news is, you don’t have to apply a separate moisturizer and sunscreen. Just reach for a moisturizer that’s formulated with broad-spectrum SPF. 

Try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Collagen Expert Day Moisturizer with SPF 30, which is formulated with collagen peptides, niacinamide, and broad-spectrum SPF 30. Apply it every morning as the last step in your skin care routine. 

Editor’s tip: If you’ve started wearing sunscreen, you’ve made a major step in the right direction — but it’s not enough. You’ll also want to limit time in the sun (especially during the sun’s peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM), seek out shade, and wear protective accessories like a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

8. Extend It Past Your Jawline

Think about it — when you’re moisturizing your face, do you tend to just stop when you reach your jawline? It’s time to pay attention to your neck and chest too. 

Typically, you can use your regular moisturizer to help hydrate your neck and décolletage — or you can use a moisturizer that’s specifically formulated for the face, neck, and chest. 

9. Exfoliate Regularly

When you exfoliate, you can help your other skin care products — like your moisturizer — work better since they won’t be sitting on top of dead skin cells and can penetrate the skin easily. As far as how often you should exfoliate, there’s no right or wrong answer — everyone’s skin is different, so pay attention to how yours responds in order to determine what’s best for you. 

Of course, at this point you probably know what we’re going to say next — don’t just think about your face. Try using a dry brush before bathing or break out a scrub in the shower. Whether you’re exfoliating your face or your body, remember to be gentle.

10. Use a Separate Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of the skin on your face — and that means it deserves some specific attention — hence the existence of eye cream). Don’t use your regular moisturizer to hydrate the skin around your eyes. Since eye creams are  specifically formulated for use around the eyes, you reduce your chances of experiencing irritation — a big win in our books.

Need a rec? The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Eye Cream Treatment is a hydrating, non-greasy gel-cream specially formulated to defend against the signs of premature aging around the eyes, including puffiness, fine lines, bags, and dark circles. Morning and night, apply it in small dots around your eye until it’s absorbed.

11. Switch It up Based on the Season

Just as you do with your wardrobe, it may be a good idea to change up your skin care routine as the weather changes. In the winter, you might find that your skin is drier than usual (thanks to the low moisture in the air) — which means that a rich, thick cream could help provide more hydration. 

But when it’s warm outside during the spring and summer, a lightweight face lotion could be all you need to help keep your complexion hydrated. Make it a priority to pay attention to how the weather affects your skin to see if your regimen needs any tweaking.

12. Care for Your Feet While You Sleep

Your feet go through a lot — you’re on them all day, and sometimes they’re cooped up in tight heels or heavy boots. Needless to say, sometimes they deserve a little extra TLC. If your feet are dry, slather on a foot cream and put a pair of socks on top before you go to bed.

Next: 7 Best Night Creams to Add to Your Anti-Aging Routine

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Design Credit: Crystal Miller