When it comes to skin care, the word "moisture" gets tossed around frequently - and with it comes a slew of misconceptions and misinformation. Today, we're tackling four of the most common M-word myths so that you (and that glowing face of yours) can rest easy.

Myth #1: "Oil-free" means you're home free.

Even products that say they are "oil-free" may have trace amounts of oil derivatives and compounds - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Why? A moisturizer with humectants (which helps draw moisture out of the air) will need some sort of oil to help it seal in the moisture. If you have oily skin, look past the labels and go straight to the ingredient list. Or, use blotting papers and finishing powder to keep your skin shine-free throughout the day.

Myth #2: The heavier the cream, the more hydration it will deliver.

Don't judge your moisturizer based on how thick it feels to the touch. Instead, check to see what's in it. Moisturizers are usually made up of a combination of humectants, emollients and occlusives - all three of these have a different role. Humectants attract moisture to the skin, emollients soften and soothe, and occlusives seal in hydration. Look for a moisturizer with ingredients that suit your unique skin type. If you aren't sure what to look for, a quick chat with your dermatologist will help you pinpoint the best products for you.

Myth #3: If you don't have dry skin, you don't need to moisturize.

This is probably the most common misconception about moisturizers. If a moisturizer's job is to deliver hydration to your skin, then you can skip it if your skin is naturally oily, right? Wrong. Oil does not equal moisture - skipping moisturizer can actually cause your skin to produce excess sebum to make up for lack of hydration. Instead of skipping moisturizer to try and minimize oil production, find a light moisturizer with mattefying properties or use a mattefying face primer like after moisturizing to keep shine at bay.

Myth #4: If your moisturizer has SPF in it, you don't need any other protection.

Make sure your moisturizer contains at least SPF 30 and is a broad spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. If those two requirements are fulfilled, then you don't need to apply a separate product to protect your skin against the sun; if not, look for sunscreen specially formulated for your face, like L'Oréal Advanced Suncare Silky Sheer Face Lotion .

Did you believe any of these moisture myths? Tell us in the comments!

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