How to make your skin retain the most moisture?

I think this is something that everyone wants to know but is not very sure if it's true or if it's just a rumor because I'm pretty sure many of you would have read somewhere before that you need to start toning and moisturising within 3 to 5 minutes of getting out of the shower and I dare say now that IT IS TRUE!

To better prove the theory and why I am actually believing in it, I got myself a moisture analyser from Qoo10 to check the percentages. You can find many similar versions of the moisture analyser online from Qoo10, Lazada and more. Anyhow, for the first experiment, I dried my face with a towel, took the first measurement, and waited 5 mins to take the second measurement without anything on my face - just my bare fare after cleansing.

Moisture loss is a whopping 13% within that 5 mins, and the oil ratio just rocketed from 18% to 30%, a crazy 12% difference. It's like with every bit of loss in moisture, your skin works harder and produces more oil and I'm honestly shocked. I knew I have a relatively oily face, but the figures are scary.

So on another day, I did the similar experiment but this time after drying my face with a towel, I slapped on toner immediately and took the first measurement. Waited 5 mins and took the second measurement and below is what I got.

Sorry the word "Moisturiser" is misleading.
I only used Toner at this point in time.

Moisture ratio reduced only 3% within that 5 mins and oil percentage was relatively well controlled. Compared with the previous experiment, are you able to see the difference of locking in the moisture within the first 3 minutes of wash? So, start slathering on your toners and moisturises immediately after your shower. I'm pretty sure you can spare that extra minute in the shower before you head on to other stuff.

Right! One more thing!
Know how I started this post saying the theory is "to start start toning and moisturising within 3 to 5 minutes of getting out of the shower"? I've most recently heard people say it's actually 3 secs after wash!!! Honestly, I think it is impossible to prove this. But, I had an idea... To dry my face using toner pad instead of a towel.

Logically, when you pat your face dry with a dry towel, that towel absorbs every bit of water from your face. So, if I were to skip it up and use a toning pad instead, I'll be wiping water off with relatively wet tissues. Would it help?

So I brought the analyser into the bathroom with me and on the top photo, I towel dried my face and the moisture reading was 51.4%. On the lower photo, I toner dried my face and moisture reading was 58.3%. To be very honest, I don't know if anything else affected these results but I do feel more "poing-poing" on my face when I try the Toner Drying method and I think my skin likes it more.

As much as possible, keep a small pump bottle of toner in your bathroom and dry your face using the "Toner Dry" method instead. All you have to do is, pump a few pumps of your toner onto some cotton/ toning pads, and wipe them across your face.