How to Pick the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
Moisturizing is arguably the most important step in any skincare routine, regardless of the skin type. Without proper hydration, your skin can become dull and lose its elasticity, which will result in premature wrinkles. To provide your skin with the moisture it needs, you should pick the right moisturizer that is tailored for your skin type.There are four basic types of skin: normal, dry, oily and combination. They differ from one another by the amount of sebum (skin oil) each skin type produces: normal skin produces just enough sebum to be well-balanced, dry skin produces less sebum than it needs, oily skin produces too much sebum, and combination skin is oily in the T-zone and normal or dry on the cheeks. Each skin type needs a different kind of moisturizer to keep it healthy.
Normal Skin
Normal skin is the envy of people with other skin types because it has fine pores, a soft and smooth texture, a fresh complexion, and few to no blemishes. This skin type needs a light, non-greasy moisturizer most of the year and a heavier cream in winter. We recommend that you look for products with additional benefits like sunscreen protection or anti-age properties.
Ingredients to look for in a moisturizer: hyaluronic acid, squalene, lightweight carrier oils (jojoba, grapeseed, avocado).
Things to avoid: rich and heavy moisturizers with comedogenic ingredients.
More on the subject: How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Normal Skin
Dry Skin
Dry skin is the skin type that benefits from moisturizing the most because it is prone to increased sensitivity, tightness, irritation, flaking, and premature wrinkles. Such skin loves rich and heavy moisturizers with natural oils. If your skin is sensitive in addition to being dry, you should look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizers designed for sensitive skin.
Ingredients to look for in a moisturizer: nourishing oils (shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil), soothing chamomile extract, petrolatum.
Things to avoid: lightweight emulsions and gels, products with synthetic fragrances and dyes.
More on the subject: How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Oily Skin
Contrary to a popular misconception, oily skin does need a moisturizer. Moreover, a good moisturizer for oily skin will help normalize sebum secretion and control greasy shine. If you have oily skin, you should look for a lightweight product with a water based, oil-free formula. If you often get breakouts, opt for a moisturizer that is labeled as non-comedogenic.
Ingredients to look for in a moisturizer: silicones, lactic acid, salicylic acid, retinol.
Things to avoid: all kinds of vegetable oils, paraffin, petrolatum, mineral oils.
More on the subject: How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Combination Skin
Finding a good moisturizer for combination skin is tricky because this skin type is greasy in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks. The best solution is to buy two products, one for oily skin and one for dry skin. If you don’t want to buy two moisturizers, opt for a lightweight product for oily skin but without drying ingredients such as salicylic acid.
Ingredients to look for in a moisturizer: squalene, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid.
Things to avoid: rich and heavy texture, comedogenic ingredients, anti-acne ingredients.
More on the subject: How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Combination Skin
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