It is with immense shame that I admit I can go days without remembering to moisturize. I have a terrible tendency to wait until I see obvious signs of dryness before I reach for a cream. And we can add this bad skin-care habit to the list of things I definitely don't have in common with Elizabeth Hurley, who apparently dedicates an enormous amount of time to making sure her skin is very hydrated.
In a new interview with U.K.-based magazine Woman & Home, the 53-year-old actor and model reveals that she doesn't moisturize morning and night — she moisturizes morning, noon, night, and then some.
"The one thing I swear by is moisturizer, and lots of it," Hurley said. Presumably, she's using an Estée Lauder moisturizer, considering she's been a spokesperson for the brand for years. "I'll moisturize my face about six times a day and my neck about 10 times a day."
OK, wow — that's a lot of moisturer. But when you see how incredible Hurley's skin looks, you have to wonder if she might actually be on to something with these multiple moisturizing breaks. I asked New York City-based dermatologist Shari Marchbein if, like Hurley, we all should be slathering our faces and necks with cream at least half a dozen times a day.
"Dermatologists recommend moisturizing your skin immediately after each time you use cleanser, which is typically morning and evening," Marchbein tells Allure, noting that moisturizer should be applied on damp skin for the best results. Hurley doesn't indicate if she washes her face before each application.
While her frequent moisturizing may seem excessive, Marchbein says that moisturizing more than twice a day isn't unreasonable. "If you have dry skin, you may need to moisturize more frequently during the day than someone with oily or combination skin. This is especially true in the fall and winter, as the temperature and humidity drops," she explains.
As for the neck, it doesn't necessarily need to be moisturized more than the face. "Neck skin is more delicate than that of the face — and often an overlooked area — so moisturize here as often as you would your face," Marchbein advises.
But that doesn't mean you should start setting a moisturizer alarm every couple of hours. Aside from frequent moisturizing being a potentially pricey habit, Marchbein warns that it is entirely possible to over-moisturize: "If the moisturizer has too much oil or is not noncomedogenic, you can end up with clogged pores and acne."
Clearly, Hurley has found a noncomedogenic moisturizer that her skin is happy to drink up on a near-constant basis.
You can never read too much about moisturizing:
- 13 Moisturizers to Hydrate Your Dry Skin This Fall
- These Are the Best Moisturizers Under $20
- How to Tell If Your Skin Is Dry or Dehydrated, According to Experts
Now watch 100 years of bedtime beauty routines:
Follow Marci on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to Allure's newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.
