Understanding What It Does & How to Choose Wisely
Have you ever asked yourself what a moisturizer actually does, and why it’s so important to use one daily? Our guide can enlighten you on the impacts of hydration your skin will experience once applying a moisturizer. Read our helpful guide now and discover how beneficial using a moisturizer truly is for maintaining balanced, glowing skin.
Properly moisturizing your skin is essential, regardless of whether it’s oily, dry, combination or sensitive. Selecting the right kind of moisturizer for you will help to keep your skin hydrated and protected from environmental damage while also preventing premature signs of aging!
Why is moisturizing essential?
Imagine a plump, juicy grape. As it embarks on its journey through the layers of the epidermis, water content is gradually lost until finally reaching its destination in the stratum corneum with only 10% moisture left – essentially becoming a raisin! That’s how skin cells transform during their epic voyage from birth to life-sustaining maturity. We have to recognize the significance of preserving correct outer layer hydration in our skin, as this is its main job: protection. We require a firm and reinforced surface to ward off invaders. A moisturizer acts like an armor by filling in any minor breaks that may develop from environmental stressors or dryness. This product provides vital shielding for your skin.
Skin’s foremost responsibility is to act as a barrier of defense, and that calls for fortified protection from external elements. This powerful shield is known as the skin’s moisture barrier–healthy skin must retain this defense in order to remain even-toned and luminous. When your moisture barrier becomes impaired, however, you may notice dryness or flakiness on your complexion; fortunately, there are specially formulated moisturizers created with restoring the protective layer in mind.
When a skin cell is born, it contains approximately 90% moisture. As this little cell journeys through the epidermis, however, its contents are steadily diminished until only 10% of that original moisture remains. Fortunately, your favorite face cream or moisturizer can help restore any lost hydration and return your skin to peak health.
The stratum corneum, the uppermost part of our epidermis, contains Natural Moisturizing Factor or NMF – an essential compound that draws and retains in moisture from the environment. This allows us to properly hydrate our skin and maintain optimal health.
Moisturizers are carefully formulated with powerful, nourishing ingredients such as humectants, emollients and occlusives:
- Humectants attract and maintain hydration in the skin, with popular ingredients like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, glycerin, and sodium PCA.
- Emollients keep your skin nourished and soft. Easily found in jojoba oil, squalane, and shea butter, these lubricants will give you smooth and supple skin.
- Occlusives help to reduce the amount of moisture that escapes your skin. Examples include dimethicone, cyclomethicone and caprylic/capric triglyceride — all of which will help maintain hydration.
Dehydrated skin equals impaired performance, which can affect the natural exfoliation process and lead to a dull, flaky complexion. Additionally, it may cause highly sensitive and irritable skin.
During the frigid winter weather, it’s essential to incorporate an extra dose of hydration into your routine. Reach for a richer face cream or opt for a luxurious facial oil if you don’t have oily skin and make sure that you use a humidifier while sleeping at night.
Finding the Ideal Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Despite having oily skin, moisturizing is still an essential part of your skincare routine – because oily skin can also be dehydrated. If you’re looking for the best option available, look no further! Our top picks are lightweight and quickly absorbed by your complexion without leaving behind any residue.
- 100%Pure Tea Tree Balancing Moisturizer – Treat acne-prone skin with this lightweight and quick-absorbing formula that deeply hydrates while helping to heal inflammation. This Tea Tree Oil Face Moisturizer is packed with soothing aloe, cooling peppermint oil, and antibacterial tea tree – perfect for balancing oily or acnegenic skin.
- COSRX AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer – With Asiatic acid to balance and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, Niacinamide for oil regulation, and zinc PCA for a revitalized look, this gentle moisturizer will not only soothe acne-prone skin but also prevent future breakouts.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer – This lightweight moisturizer is specially formulated for oil-prone skin, effectively hydrating and mattifying your complexion without clogging pores. With its powerful oil-controlling properties, this product leaves a powdery finish while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores to leave you with a shine free look all day long.
Combination Skin
Do you have areas of your face that are oily and other parts that feel dry? If so, you likely have combination skin. Fortunately, this type of complexion usually doesn’t experience major breakouts or require intense moisturizers. Instead, opt for products designed to hydrate and nourish without making skin greasy.
- Lancer Skincare The Method – This nourishing formula utilizes the power of antioxidants and hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin all day long, so you can flaunt a glowing complexion. Peptides are also included for enhanced collagen production, ensuring that your skin is deeply conditioned and hydrated from within.
- 100%Pure Hydra Drench Cream – If you’re looking for a lightweight, high-performance formula to instantly recharge your skin with omega fatty acid-rich gel from chia seeds, then this hydrating solution is perfect for all types of skin. This face moisturizer will help quickly saturate your complexion and restore lost moisture – but if you find yourself needing more hydration in particularly dry areas, simply add an additional oil boosting cream on top.
- Filorga HYDRA-FILLER MAT – Enjoy a more luminous complexion with this daily moisturizer! Powered by three kinds of hyaluronic acid, it reduces irregularities in the skin while providing intense hydration to plump and soften its texture. With regular use, you can see your pores begin to shrink for even better results over time.
If you have combination skin, maximize your moisturizing efforts by utilizing an oil-free cream for the T-zone and a more restorative product elsewhere to alleviate any dry patches.
Dry Skin
Do you suffer from dry skin? If so, chances are nine times out of ten that you’re also dehydrated. Dry skin can be tight, itchy and even chapped with a dull or flakey appearance due to the lack of natural oil. To combat this it is essential to utilize a heavier moisturizing formula that actively replenishes lost hydration. Trust in these products specifically created for those with chronically dry skin.
- 100%Pure Watermelon Cucumber Water Locking Serum – This long-wearing serum is cruelty-free and contains skin nourishing watermelon, cucumber waters, hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acids that help hydrate, plump, rejuvenate, and smooth your skin. Irish Moss Extract also plays a part in providing intense moisture to the cells while Hyaluronic Acid locks in all those wonderful benefits into your skin without leaving an oily feeling. Furthermore olive squalene serves as a powerful antioxidant which helps reduce signs of aging for a fresher look.
- Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Nourishing Moisturizer – Unveil a revived and replenished complexion with this intensely hydrating cream that simultaneously reduces wrinkles, strengthens skin, and soothes discoloration. Combining the power of olive polyphenols, squalene and vitamin E, this face cream for dry skin helps to reduce scarring while restoring vitality to your visage.
- SENTE Dermal Repair UltraNourish – If you have dry, sensitive skin, then this luxurious face cream is the perfect solution for you. Patented Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) technology and a powerful blend of lipids work together to deeply hydrate and protect your skin while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and redness. Not only will it nourish your complexion so that it looks smooth and supple; but its innovative formula also works to prevent water loss in order to maintain long-lasting hydration levels.
Anti-Aging Moisturizer
With dry skin, the signs of aging may become visible sooner than you’d like. If that’s already happened to you and fine lines or deep wrinkles have made an appearance, don’t despair! An anti-aging cream can help reduce the effect – bringing back your youthful look.
- 100%Pure Bakuchiol Moisturizer – Infused with potent antioxidants, this natural Retinol alternative works wonders to replenish and soften the skin. Packed with deeply hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane, its powerful botanical stimulates cellular turnover while boosting collagen production. This formula is your perfect solution to lighten age spots, reduce wrinkles and lessen the appearance of lines – all in a gentle but mighty way.
- Kate Somerville Peptide K8 Power Cream Advanced Anti-Aging Moisturizer – Transform the look and feel of your skin with this moisturizer. This specialized formula, developed in Kate’s Skin Health Experts Clinic, works quickly to reduce visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines while increasing elasticity and firmness for a rejuvenated complexion.
- 100%Pure Seaberry Moisturizer – This formula utilizes plant stem cells and peptides that promote accelerated collagen, elastin, and ceramide production for increased suppleness, firmness and elasticity. The thin texture allows for maximum absorption of active ingredients as well as optimal water hydration.