I once read on a forum that it is important to allow my facial skin to absorb in moisturizer itself, and that I should do this by lightly applying layer on my face, all the while avoiding actually touching my skin. People also said that if I rub it in, I won't achieve the maximum benefits from the product.

I had always thought that I should massage in the moisturizer, or else it would just sit there on my face… and according to the Beauty Brains website, “it is not true that whatever you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body. Skin is designed to keep things out of your body.”

So I was wondering - can your skin actually absorb moisturizers/lotions by itself? Which is the best, most effective way to apply them to ensure hydration for the skin?

Thank you in advance! :)

Answer:
The top few layers of your skin are already dry and dead - that's where the moisturizer goes when you put it on your face. Moisturizers applied after bathing (which hydrates the skin) will create a barrier and help keep the skin from drying out too much and cracking. Intact, soft skin prevents microorganisms from entering and causing problems.

Use your ring and pinkie fingers and a gentle touch to rub the lotions or creams into the skin so you don't pull or tug too much. Same goes with applying foundations.

Answer:
Shea Butter melts at body temperature. This is the most important factor in skin absorption of oils and moisture. It is vital that the moisturizer you use is “wet” at body temperature. If the “butter” melts at body temperature then it keeps moisturizing steady all day. Rubbing heats the skin and can affect absorption but isn’t as necessary if the butter melts steadily at body temp. Then the oils feed the skin like a furnace gradually rather than expecting absorption by simply rubbing for a bit.

I find my fingers/hands alone are the gentlest and most precise cleansing tools for exfoliation.

Answer:
Rub them in right after wetting your face, if you rub moisturizer into your skin when it's totally dry it actually makes it harder to absorb and is mostly just sitting on top of your skin. My physician told me this a while ago.
Answer:
I've always massaged mine in and never had any problems.
Answer:
I would rub it in.