Doing without moisturizer?
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free skin care · Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:37 pm

I read this thread yesterday and found it quite disconcerting.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=31227

Has anyone who stopped using daily moisturizer after reading this stuck with that plan?

My face looks so much older after a few days without a moisturizer of some kind I dread giving it up. Just wanted to know how others are doing without it - particularly women over 45 and/or menopause. When I was younger/had estrogen don't think it would have been as much of an issue.

free skin care · Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:51 am

I don't specifically use a moisturiser and have never missed it. Nor does my skin suffer as a result. I think it is a case of using good products with ingredients that do not strip the skin of moisture. For instance, when I was using the Remergent line, I would quite often just use the DNA Repair by itself. With Valmont, I can get away with using just one of their products such as DNA Repair or Bio Cellular or Regenerating Serum. With the Neocutis line, I normally just used the Hydrogel. This applied night and day and the only exceptions would be in the day when I needed to use a sunscreen. So I never specifically use a moisturiser. Another example is ZO Skincare where you can just use the Daily Power Defense in the morning and the Growth Factor Serum at night.

free skin care · Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:59 am

I did change my skin regime after the article.

Now I only use moisturizer when I need it and where I need it. And... I started doing my own "home-made" moisturizer so as to replicate as much as possible the composition of human sebum.
I started trying to "listen" to my skin's needs as opposed to just smearing moisturizer all over. Now I barely ever put moisturizer on my forehead, nose, chin, part of the cheeks.

I still use actives, mainly RetinA at night and a morning serum.

free skin care · Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:50 am

I use jojba oil and nothing else. Though I am searching for the right active to use.

free skin care · Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:58 am

Very interesting article. I have found that my skin does seem better when I stick strictly to the Dr Hauschka regime which means no night creams. Just cleansing cream and toner followed by nothing. The premise of that is to allow the skin to perform it's natural functions of repair and elimination etc unimpeded.

I do still wear a moisturiser during the day the Dr H day oil but less is probably more the only thing is I don't want to skip the Sunscreen and that obviously coats the skin.

I have noticed that a lot of people with perfect skin don't even wash it, just splash with water but I never know what comes first, do they have great skin and so don't have to do anything or does the great skin come from the low key routine?

Less is more in my experience anyway.

free skin care · Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:00 am

Yes, I wondered about sunscreen. For over 20 yrs. putting sunscreen on my face in the morning was the only type of moisturizer I used. Now I only use it when I will be out in the sun for more than 20 min.

It's odd to me that some people are almost religious about applying sunscreen every day as part of their routine, yet don't consider it a moisturizer in itself.

free skin care · Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:42 pm

I think its good to use moisturizer, but only where you need it; like around the eyes and mouth and the neck. The way your skin feels could be due to the type of cleanser. If you use a gentle cleanser than your skin shouldn't feel dry.

free skin care · Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:28 pm

I was going to start another thread with my question, but it seems this could be the right thread anyways.

I'm doing the Remergent 1% retinol treatment once a day (I started a few weeks ago, and after 2 nights my skin started peeling, a little bit at a time. So, now I am more sparingly using the retinol.

My question - I'm having a hard time finding a moisturizer to use after the retinol. My Ole Hendrickson Expressing the Truth, which is usually OK for me, now burns a bit (maybe the Vitamin C?). Should I stop using moisturizer and only use sunscreen? If a moisturizer would be good, which one would you suggest (no actives). I tried the Remergent refoliator and it seems perfect for this application, but it gave me horrible bumps.

I was even wondering if cetaphil moisturizer would work...

free skin care · Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:24 pm

I'm still not using mositurizer unless I am definitely dehydrated (like after a flight) and don't miss it a bit!

free skin care · Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:51 am

Smoky1 wrote:

I was going to start another thread with my question, but it seems this could be the right thread anyways.

I'm doing the Remergent 1% retinol treatment once a day (I started a few weeks ago, and after 2 nights my skin started peeling, a little bit at a time. So, now I am more sparingly using the retinol.

My question - I'm having a hard time finding a moisturizer to use after the retinol. My Ole Hendrickson Expressing the Truth, which is usually OK for me, now burns a bit (maybe the Vitamin C?). Should I stop using moisturizer and only use sunscreen? If a moisturizer would be good, which one would you suggest (no actives). I tried the Remergent refoliator and it seems perfect for this application, but it gave me horrible bumps.

I was even wondering if cetaphil moisturizer would work...

Your best solution would be to use the Remergent Barrier Repair if you can still find it somewhere. Perhaps you could let us know what your skin type is to give a suitable recommendation.

free skin care · Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:52 am

I probably won't give up moisturizer completely, but I start to wash my face only using water without applying cream afterwards sometimes, and let my skin adjust itself. I didn't notice anything negative yet.

free skin care · Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:54 pm

^^ My derm gave me this Pinetar cleanser by ego naturals and I love it!

I use it almost every day unless on days I feel my skin is super dirty, then I'll use a milk cleanser.

But I still moisturise, if I dont, my face will be really really dry

free skin care · Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:56 pm

Since starting facial ex's and retin a, my obsession with moisturizing my face has subsided. I only put a bit of oil (squalane or vit e) on at night if I am getting the retin a flakies. Don't think my skin has suffered from discontinuing with the moisturizer.

free skin care · Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:52 am

I am in my mid-20s. I sometimes go without moisturizer. But I do that because if use moisture cream, there will be white stuff after applying sunscreen. And if I do that, I will make sure a good hydrating serum is used.

free skin care · Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:34 am

I hadn't seen the thread linked by the OP previously, but I rarely use moisturizer. I do use hydrosols and actives and occasionally an oil (jojoba, emu, camellia, etc.) but I often go without putting anything on my face at all.

If you're not used to this, it takes skin some time to normalize its oil production so you don't feel and look dry - but also it's very important not to be using drying cleansers! Even many cleansers labeled "gentle" are too harsh and overstrip the skin, meaning they create the dryness you then try to solve with a moisturizer.

free skin care · Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:10 pm

bushy wrote:

Smoky1 wrote:

I was going to start another thread with my question, but it seems this could be the right thread anyways.

I'm doing the Remergent 1% retinol treatment once a day (I started a few weeks ago, and after 2 nights my skin started peeling, a little bit at a time. So, now I am more sparingly using the retinol.

My question - I'm having a hard time finding a moisturizer to use after the retinol. My Ole Hendrickson Expressing the Truth, which is usually OK for me, now burns a bit (maybe the Vitamin C?). Should I stop using moisturizer and only use sunscreen? If a moisturizer would be good, which one would you suggest (no actives). I tried the Remergent refoliator and it seems perfect for this application, but it gave me horrible bumps.

I was even wondering if cetaphil moisturizer would work...

Your best solution would be to use the Remergent Barrier Repair if you can still find it somewhere. Perhaps you could let us know what your skin type is to give a suitable recommendation.

Unfortunately, I cannot use either the Remergent refoliator or the barrier repair! My skin tends to dryness, more breakouts in my 50's than ever before, and appears to be very sensitive to as yet unknown ingredients in many skincare products. Funny that the Remergent retin product is quite powerful, yet my skin seems to like it! Now just to find something to complement it...

free skin care · Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:30 pm

Smoky1 wrote:

bushy wrote:

Smoky1 wrote:

I was going to start another thread with my question, but it seems this could be the right thread anyways.

I'm doing the Remergent 1% retinol treatment once a day (I started a few weeks ago, and after 2 nights my skin started peeling, a little bit at a time. So, now I am more sparingly using the retinol.

My question - I'm having a hard time finding a moisturizer to use after the retinol. My Ole Hendrickson Expressing the Truth, which is usually OK for me, now burns a bit (maybe the Vitamin C?). Should I stop using moisturizer and only use sunscreen? If a moisturizer would be good, which one would you suggest (no actives). I tried the Remergent refoliator and it seems perfect for this application, but it gave me horrible bumps.

I was even wondering if cetaphil moisturizer would work...

Your best solution would be to use the Remergent Barrier Repair if you can still find it somewhere. Perhaps you could let us know what your skin type is to give a suitable recommendation.

Unfortunately, I cannot use either the Remergent refoliator or the barrier repair! My skin tends to dryness, more breakouts in my 50's than ever before, and appears to be very sensitive to as yet unknown ingredients in many skincare products. Funny that the Remergent retin product is quite powerful, yet my skin seems to like it! Now just to find something to complement it...

It sounds like your skin is becoming too dry and sensitive from something you are using and that can cause breakouts. I know that Valmont is expensive but I think you need to give your skin a break from aggressive actives and that may include the retinol. I would recommend something like the Valmont DNA Repair or Bio Cellular High Performance. There are probably lots of products that would suit but I know these two products will not cause you breakouts, will help to normalise your skin from the dryness and add a bit of anti aging as well.

free skin care · Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:37 am

I wish I could live without moisturizers, but in cold climate they're needed. My skin under eyes is thirsty all year too.

free skin care · Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:57 pm

I can't live without a moisturizer,from spring to winter, moisturizer plays the most important role in my life

without it, I have no idea how my skin will look like, all kinds of wrinkles will appear, like dry land thirsty for a rain pouring

free skin care · Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:02 am

starxiao wrote:

I can't live without a moisturizer,from spring to winter, moisturizer plays the most important role in my life

without it, I have no idea how my skin will look like, all kinds of wrinkles will appear, like dry land thirsty for a rain pouring

Well, you can try not use any moisturizers sometimes to let your skin moisturize itself, it helps to keep skin healthy other than totally rely on moisturizers. Don't forget to use gentle clenser either.

free skin care · Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:10 am

I stopped moisturizing for over 6 months and I have to say that I had days when my skin was fine and then there were days when it was dry and flaky. I think I could do without moisturizer but I noticed that an eye cream/gel is a must. I actually developed fine lines around my eyes (which I never had) when I stopped moisturizing but overall facial skin was unaffected.

I do think moisturising seems to make the skin look abit more plumped up though.

free skin care · Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:51 pm

nevava wrote:

starxiao wrote:

I can't live without a moisturizer,from spring to winter, moisturizer plays the most important role in my life

without it, I have no idea how my skin will look like, all kinds of wrinkles will appear, like dry land thirsty for a rain pouring

Well, you can try not use any moisturizers sometimes to let your skin moisturize itself, it helps to keep skin healthy other than totally rely on moisturizers. Don't forget to use gentle clenser either.

i don't understand when you say let the skin moisturize itself, how can the skin moisturize itself?
I'm sensitive skin,so gentle cleanser is a daily must,I just don't know how to let my skin work normally if no moisturizer applies

Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:59 am

Hi there,

The trouble with this 'new study' is that it is new. I for one shall contunue using moisturiser because I am pleased with how my complexion looks and I know it works.

I also know how my leather settee would dry out if it were not 'nourished' and I do not want to end up with skin that looks like leather.

Dr Nicholas Perricone, a leading dermatologist has extolled the virtues of moisturizing, and he regards 'keeping the skin moist and hydrated is extremely important'.

Avoiding moisturizing can result in tight, parched skin which can cause wrinkles and we all know how hard [impossible?] they are to get rid of.

We all want more supple and radiant skin. Using moisturizer is the way to go for me and spares me any future disappointment over the appearance of my complexion.

Also, no moisturizing creams means NO SUN-BLOCK!!

Best wishes,

pinkrose

Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:27 pm

it would be sufficient during summer to go with lotion only...

but never think of it during winter.

free skin care · Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:02 am

That's the point though: lotion IS a moisturizer. So is any kind of oil. So is any kind of liquid sunscreen.

I don't moisturize my arms and legs very often, so by following this theory, they should be in better shape than my face. They aren't. The skin on my face is much better in terms of texture and pigmentation.

I liked the leather couch analogy. Without SOME kind of moisturizing my face starts to resemble old leather. Maybe the validity of this study has to do with how oily a person's skin is to begin with? Or how old? There is no need to daily moisturize a baby's face, but uh...after a certain age? Wink

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