Every skin type needs moisturizer. Every skin type differs in the type of moisturizer it needs.
You could easily become overwhelmed with the choices if you simply wander into the skin care aisle. The best method is to determine which product best suits your skin before you shop.
Pick the Right Moisturizer
Determine what body part you want to moisturize. All over body parts moisturizers use a different composition than those designed solely for faces. Some moisturizers focus on one area such as feet, heels, or elbows. You’ll have much better results using a moisturizer designed for the body part you want to moisturize. A heavier product works well just before going to bed, but lotions work well for daytime use.
Decide if you want a moisturizer plus a sunscreen. You can buy combination products that do both jobs. If you want to moisturize before bed though, this amounts to a waste of product. You might want two products.
Decide on any special needs before shopping. You’ll need a special moisturizing product if have dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, allergies, or anti-aging needs.
Do you want a cream, lotion or ointment? The thickest of the three is an ointment. It works best on dry or itchy skin to hydrate and lock the moisture into your skin. A cream provides a slightly thinner consistency that hydrates. These work well for normal skin types. The lightest of the three choices, the lotion, provides the best choice for oily skin.
You need different products during the summer and winter. Summer calls for a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer. Winter requires a thicker product such as a cream to help provide additional hydration during winter.
Determine your skin type. This does not change. Wash your face and pat it dry. Wait two hours to view your skin and feel it with your hands. Review this quick guide to determine which skin type you have.
- Combination skin has both oily and normal or dry areas. The T-zone is often the oily section.
- Dry skin feels tight and may flake or peel.
- Normal skin appears smooth without oily areas or flaky skin.
- Oily skin appears shiny and slick to the touch.
- Sensitive skin reacts badly to certain ingredients. It is also sensitive to weather changes.
When to Moisturize
Right after washing your face provides the ideal time to moisturize. Close your pores by rinsing with cold water. Pat dry your skin. Apply the moisturizer. This is the time that your skin soaks up moisturize best. It works to hydrate your skin throughout the day.
Literally give yourself a minute to let the moisturizer sink into your skin. It needs to penetrate the upper layer of your skin before you put another product on over it whether it’s foundation or sunscreen.
Never skip on sunscreen. It helps save your skin from the sun and stave off skin damage. It also helps protect you from skin cancer. Using it makes the job easier for moisturizers. Choose products with SPF 30 or greater, but if SPF 15 is all you have – use it. It’s better than nothing.
Carefully read the labels and avoid ingredients that could harm your skin. If you have a reaction to dyes or perfumes, avoid products with those in them. Excess acids can cause harm. Choose a glycolic or a salicylic acid, but not a product with both. Steroidal ingredients can further damage dry or sensitive skin. Alcohol further dries skin. It can also cause rashes.