How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin?

‘There is no one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to choosing the right skincare product. And if it is a moisturizer, things are no different.

Let’s us make it simpler:

Do you check your skin type, sun protection factor, or antioxidants before adding a moisturizer to your cart?

If you do, great. If you don’t, you can wonder why your skin hasn’t been behaving well lately.

However, considering the broad range of varieties available in the market, it can be confusing to pick the right product. From face creams and facial moisturizers to lotions and ointments; there are a lot of moisturizing products to choose from. So, how do you know which is the right product for you?

Well, that’s what we will discuss in this blog. Read on to know some of the dermatologists recommended top strategies to choose the right moisturizer for your skin.

Why Should You Use a Moisturizer?

Before we jump into the strategies, it’s crucial to know the science behind using a moisturizer cream. According to dermatologists, regular use of these creams increases the water content in your skin or helps build moisture.

Not only does it prevent dryness, but also reinforces a healthy skin barrier which keeps the irritants at bay and makes your skin feel hydrated and plump.

And if you follow proper moisturization at least two times a day, it will also help diminish the appearance of dull skin, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Tips to Choose the Right Moisturizer

Know Your Skin Type

Do you know what your skin type is? You might think it’s all the same, but we all have a different skin type. Based on factors like genes and diet; your skin majorly falls into these five categories:

• Dry
• Oily
• Normal
• Combination
• Sensitive

A great way to know your skin type is to observe how your skin looks and feels at the end of a day. If it shines or feels oily, you probably have oily skin. If you feel oil in your t-zone area ( forehead, nose, and chin) and normal in other parts; you have a combination skin type.

And, if you get a tight and flaky feel, you’re most likely to have dry skin. Knowing your skin type would help you get the right product and your skin will thank you for that.

Types of Moisturizers

There are different types of moisturizers with different ingredients which provide unique benefits to your skin. Majorly, these are four main types of skin moisturizers that people use:

• Humectants
• Emollients
• Occlusives, and
• Combination

Emollients help fill the cracks and seal in moisture for a smooth skin, while humectants bring water into the top layer of the skin. Speaking of Occlusives; these are thicker and provide a protective barrier from water loss.

Your everyday facial moisturizers have humectants and emollients while creams for hands, feet, and knees contain occlusives.

Now, if you have dry skin; dermatologists recommend a thick ointment which helps lock moisture and keep your skin hydrated. Lotions are suitable for oily skin as these are the lightest. For normal or combination skin, creams help in proper hydration.

Things to Look For in Your Moisturizer

Now that you know your skin type and different types of moisturizers, you might plan to buy one for yourself. If so, here are five important things that you must look for in your moisturizer.

SPF

The importance of SPF in skincare routines has become quite evident over the recent years. SPF not only protects your skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays, but is also a great anti-ageing solution. Experts recommend picking a product with at least SPF 30 or higher. Although most people use sunscreen for sun protection; it’s better if it’s in your moisturizers as well.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals, such as green tea, vitamins A, C, and E that protect your skin from free radicals. If you’re wondering what free radicals are, these are environment drawn molecules that stick to your collagen and weaken its elasticity. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals and prevent skin damage. Thus, it is essential to use an ultra hydrating moisturizer that contains antioxidants.

For Dry Skin

If you are looking for a skin balancing moisturizer for dry skin, go for a heavier and thicker one with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone. Other ingredients, such as propylene glycol, proteins, urea, and glycerin bring in more water to your skin, keeping it hydrated.

For Oily or Acne Prone Skin

Other than antioxidants and minerals, you should use a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer for oily skin or even if you have acne. Also, what you should keep in mind is that your skin already has enough oil, so you definitely don’t want to add to it. Therefore, look for an oil-free, water-based formula that prevents clogging of your pores and keeps it hydrated.

Sensitive Skin

A general rule of thumb for picking a moisturizer for sensitive skin is to look for a product that contains less than 10 ingredients. Fewer the ingredients, fewer would be the interactions with your fragile skin. Avoid ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, sulfates, dyes, and preservatives as these might irritate your skin.

Things to Avoid When Picking a Moisturizer

Perfumes

No matter if you want a moisturizer for dry, sensitive, or normal skin; it’s better to avoid certain irritating and unnecessary ingredients, such as perfumes and added colors.

Acidic Ingredients

If you have dry or sensitive skin, it’s recommended to avoid salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinoid acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids. Too much application of these ingredients can trouble your delicate skin.

Body-friendly Ingredients

You may not bother if your moisturizer contains body-friendly ingredients like shea butter, lanolin, waxes, and mineral oil; but it isn’t the best approach to follow. Dermatologists warn that these ingredients can cause acne on the face, especially if you have oily skin.

The Bottom Line

Finding the right moisturizer for your skin can be a real challenge. Thus, it is always helpful to experiment with different products until you find the one that works best for you.

Next time you plan to buy a moisturizer, refer back to these above-mentioned skincare tips.

Until then, have a happy and healthy skin!