How can I tell if I need a moisturizer?

Dr. Irwin
August 25, 2011
Dr Irwin, I went through all your older answers and didn't find an answer to the question I have for you. Based on your am and pm regimen recommendations I don't see when moisturizer can be used, while as I understand everyone needs to use it for skin repair, to help with wrinkles, etc. Retin-A doesn't flake my skin, so that's all I use at night. In the morning, it's vitamin C serum, cell growth factors product and sunscreen. I'm fair skinned female in late 30s who lives in CA. How do I figure out if I do need moisturizer?

You bring up a good point and this confuses a lot of people.   Moisturizer is tricky because that decision is a combination of your basic skin type (which changes as we age  and with our hormones), the environment (humid, hot, cold, wind, air conditioning, etc) and the product itself.

So for you, you already use the 3 products on your skin in morning and all have some moisturizing ingredients in them.  Also, you use another product at night which is in a cream base.  You may not need a separate moisturzer unless you go skiing, to the desert, etc.   I hope that makes sense!   Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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