Final answer:
A moisturizer is typically applied to clean skin, making the statement that it is the finishing touch after makeup has been removed false. Moisturizers contain active ingredients like occlusives and humectants that hydrate and protect the skin.
Step-by-step explanation:
A moisturizer is not typically considered the finishing touch after makeup has been removed; this statement is false. Moisturizers are designed to be applied to clean skin to hydrate and protect it. The main goal is to modify the rate of water loss by using active ingredients such as occlusives, which form a coating on the skin to keep moisture from escaping, and humectants, which absorb water from the air or draw it up from the dermis into the epidermis.
Moisturizers often contain a combination of water, oil, an emulsifier, and a thickening agent. They may also include additional components such as antioxidants, ceramides, emulsifiers, fragrances, penetration enhancers, preservatives, and solvents. These ingredients help protect, moisturize, and lubricate the skin, which are functions normally performed by the sebum produced by healthy skin. The presence of water in these products acts as a temporary hydration agent, aiding the absorption of components and the evaporation of the moisturizer, therefore, it is important to apply moisturizer to clean skin, that is, before makeup application or after makeup removal.