Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you need a facial moisturizer?
“Moisturizers are an important part of any skin care regimen,” says Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Just as our bodies need to drink water, so does our skin.” While our skin appears dewier almost immediately, the real benefits appear over time. Consistent use of moisturizers reduces the rate and intensity at which fine lines and wrinkles appear, says Dr. Idriss.
This daily philosophy works for all skin types not just dry skin. “Excessive washing without using the right moisturizer can cause your skin to overproduce oil,” says Divya Shokeen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California. In short, if you don’t rehydrate your skin, it will become dry and irritated, which opens your skin up to a host of problems.
“People confuse oil with hydration, so they don’t give it well to the skin,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD. “Now we have great ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, which balances oil and water in the skin.” Increased hydration supports a stronger barrier, Dr. Day says, which also helps curb oil production.
What is a moisturizing step in a skin care routine?
Think of your moisturizer as a cellophane that seals your entire skin care routine. In our beginner-friendly skin care guide, dermatologists recommend three simple steps: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (of course, during the day).
The rule of thumb is, after cleansing, use products with lighter formulas first and work your way down to thicker formulas like moisturizers. Using your moisturizer after serums and treatments like toners and essences is important to get the most out of your products, according to Wilson. “They lock serums into your skin, making them more effective.” After moisturizing, you can apply oil to make your skin look brighter. And again, never forget to use your last (and arguably most important) layer, sunscreen, if you’re going out for the day.
Meet the experts
- David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California
- Doris Day, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist based in New York City
How our employees test and review products
When Seduction reviews the product, our editors look at it from all sides to help you better. We review ingredients, scrutinize product claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each product included in each review, we rely on experts in their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us evaluate ingredients and formulas.
To come up with our list of the best facial moisturizers, we considered each product’s performance in five main categories: product ingredients and effectiveness, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product is determined to be a winner in each category by our editorial team, made up of in-house writers and editors and contributors—with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists who test and recommend moisturizers almost every day. To learn more information about our reporting and evaluation processes, read our full review process and how-to page.
Meet our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You may be looking for a face cream to combat persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday skincare routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launch to hit the hair market. Whatever your wants or needs and concerns, Seduction you want to make sure you like whatever we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse group of writers and editors – in addition to the extensive range of external reviewers and industry experts we regularly call upon – is essential to achieving that goal.
After all, we can indeed Are we saying that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 when the only testers we asked for were people under 30? Can we honestly consider a premium diffuser worth your hard-earned money if it’s never been tested on curls? We pride ourselves on the fact that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair colors, genders, and backgrounds, which means we are able to thoroughly evaluate any beauty product that enters the beauty closet.
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