How to Choose the Best Facial Moisturizer for Healthy Skin
Flaking, itchy, accustomed and dull skin is not fun at all. Some, like yours truly, struggle with this more than others. We can blame our genes to some extent, but there is a lot we can do on our own to make our skin look beautiful, such as following a skincare routine that includes hydration.
Factors that dry out your skin
We’ve previously helped you choose the right cleanser for your skin type. As a reminder, your face naturally produces oil or sebum , the amount of which varies from person to person. Some sebum is beneficial as it helps to retain water in the skin making it beautiful and smooth, but it is also a substance that, when too much on the skin, causes acne and breakouts. However, if you overdo it with cleansing the sebum when washing your face (or hands), your skin can dry out.
Dry skin usually occurs when the skin lacks oil, water, or both. You will know you have dry skin when your skin looks a little dull, with fine lines visible, and it just feels uncomfortable and tight. If you have dark skin, you will even become “chalky” or “ashy”. You’ve probably noticed a lot of dryness in winter when the climate in general becomes dry. Even if you stick to the ideal face wash regimen, environmental factors such as low humidity and turning on the heater will still keep your skin looking its best.
In extreme cases, dry skin can lead to cracking and bleeding, insane itching, and severe rashes. They are usually associated with skin conditions, the most common of which are eczema and psoriasis .
Choose the right moisturizer
Moisturizing saves the day (and your skin) by adding some water and using oil to trap existing moisture. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying moisturizer immediately after washing and blotting dry .
Moisturizers usually come in the form of a lotion, oil, ointment, or cream. As with a facial cleanser , choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. You will know almost immediately if a moisturizer is right for your needs. When you apply it, it should feel nice and enjoyable. A moisturizer that doesn’t match your skin type usually leaves you dry and uncomfortable, or worse, causes a burning sensation shortly after you apply it.
For people with oily skin
While oily skin means you can retain moisture better than some other skin types, you are still susceptible to cold, harsh weather, wind, and dry environments during the warmer months. You will probably want to avoid oils (such as coconut) to minimize the feeling of “heaviness” and oily sheen. Dr. Cynthia Bailey , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California, told me that fat-free moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great for oily skin. She recommends Clinique Dramatically Different Gel . Also look out for Neutrogena-Free Moisture , which doesn’t feel overly greasy, leaving skin soft.
For people with dry skin
Those of us with conditions like eczema are more prone to very dry skin, but sometimes it’s not enough just to apply moisturizer over and over throughout the day. Lotions and moisturizers that contain shea butter, jojoba oil, or coconut oil work well. If you’re not a fan, try cream-based moisturizers like the Olay Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream as the cream has more butter in it. And for really very dry skin, AAD recommends looking for urea , lactic acid , hyaluronic acid , dimethicone , lanolin or mineral oil on the ingredient label.
For people with sensitive skin
Really sensitive skin has a weakened immune function, as in people with eczema and psoriasis. This means they are more easily irritated by certain ingredients and fragrances (even those that claim to be “natural” on the label) in a moisturizer. Odorless, hypoallergenic moisturizers containing aloe or chamomile are great. Dr. Bailey suggests avoiding anti-aging ingredients such as retinoids , alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Vanicream is a good option here.
For people with “normal” skin
If your skin is not too oily or too dry, then you have normal skin type and people with other skin types might envy you. Keep your moisturizer neutral, lightweight, and non-greasy. Most moisturizers designed for normal skin contain light oils or silicone-based ingredients such as cyclomethicone . Check out Aquafor or Aveeno moisturizers.
For people with “combination skin”
Combination skin is the normal type of skin around the cheeks, but oily forehead and the area along the nose, also known as the T-zone. You may not need additional moisturizer along the T-zone, but Dr. Bailey recommends strong moisturizers for other areas such as the cheeks, chin, and sides of the jaw. As with people with normal skin, simple, neutral and light moisturizers like Cetaphil do the trick .
Adjust your moisturizer with the climate
Don’t be surprised if what worked for you in one season doesn’t seem to affect your skin in another season. As an eczema sufferer, I am currently switching from the thinner hydrating gel from Atorrege AD + , which seems light in summer and still moisturizing; and a Laneige cream for the winter when I need something heavier to hold on to the precious moisture of my skin. In very cold climates, ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions .
Trust me, finding moisturizers that work for you year round can seem like a scientific experiment of a lifetime. I am still discovering new products to try myself. Be open to trying new products and brands, but be careful if you have particularly sensitive skin. Perform patch tests on any new products by applying a swab and rubbing a little on the side of your neck. If everything is in order on the neck, then everything is in order on the face.
If you are not worried about grease, another option is plain old petroleum jelly or any petroleum jelly product. Also, some moisturizers can be used as moisturizers and sunscreens, so skip the extra moisturizing step if you have oily skin. If you use both, the order in which you apply is still valid: some say sunscreen is needed before, some after. I wear sunscreen last and find it good.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with choosing a moisturizer because most of the time it comes down to whether you like the feel and smell .
To help your dry skin in dry environments or climates, consider using a room humidifier and take a quicker and shorter shower in warm water rather than a hot shower; turning off the heater a little, and, of course, following the washing procedure, which will not make your face drier.
If all else fails, you may need to stick to a specific prescription dosing regimen. Talk with a dermatologist to work together to develop an action plan to tackle dry skin.