A 10-second tip: Put a small amount on the back of your hand and leave it for a moment before applying a thick moisturizing cream.

 

 

On days when the weather gets dry or my skin is sensitive, I tend to use thick moisturizing creams rather than light lotions. In particular, I find myself reaching for barrier creams or rich, oily creams often because they leave my skin feeling comfortable after application.

 

However, while this cream is good, there were days when the texture felt heavy, so if I applied it directly to my face, it would clump on one side or be difficult to spread. I felt this even more during the winter or on days when the indoor temperature was low.

 

I used to just apply it directly to my face, but I tried dabbing some onto the back of my hand first and letting it sit for a moment before using it. It’s a simple step, but I found it actually easier to apply than I expected, so it has become a routine I naturally follow.

 

First, wash your hands thoroughly before use.

Since the product is dispensed onto the back of the hand, I make sure to wash my hands thoroughly before starting. There can be more dust or oil on the hands than you might expect, so I tend to lightly wash and dry them before use. Given that the product comes into direct contact with the face, I find that taking this extra step makes it feel a bit cleaner.

 

Second, dispense a small amount onto the back of your hand and leave it for about 10 seconds.

Rather than dabbing thick moisturizing cream directly onto my face, I prefer to put the necessary amount on the back of my hand first and leave it there for about 10 seconds. Even though it is a short time, I felt the texture soften slightly as the warmth from my hand transferred to it.

 

Since it had loosened up a bit more than when I first applied it to my face, it felt less stiff and spread much more smoothly.

 

Third, it is much easier to spread on the skin.

When I applied it immediately while it was cold and heavy, it would tend to clump in one spot, or I sometimes had to rub it in multiple times. However, if I let it sit on the back of my hand for a moment before applying it, it spread much more smoothly and applied naturally.

 

So, I apply it to wider areas first, like the cheeks or forehead, and then lightly apply the remaining amount to the chin area or neck.

 

Fourth, controlling the amount also becomes easier.

I found that dabbing it onto the back of my hand first allows me to double-check the amount, which helps reduce the tendency to overuse it. There were days when I ended up using more than I intended when applying it directly to my face, but since I divide it on the back of my hand before applying, I tend to use only the amount I need.

 

It was also easy to control the amount, such as applying just a small amount in the morning and a slightly more generous amount at night.

 

I find this habit surprisingly satisfying, so it has become a routine I naturally follow whenever I use a thick moisturizing cream!