How to choose the right moisturizer?
Buy moisturizer – it seems quite easy enough when you jot it down on your to-do list. But you wander theskincareaisles, and you quickly learn that the choices could be confounding. There are a face, body creams and facial moisturizers, and lotions or ointments for sensitive, dry, dark or light skin. Add in anti-aging ingredients and sunscreens, or the confusion grows.
And how do you know what moisturizer is best for you? Use these practical strategies from top dermatologists to help choose the right moisturizer for giving your skin the healthy glow you are after.
Cream, Lotion, or Ointment?
Picking a moisturizer is necessary, no matter what kind of skin you have – dry, oily, or a combination of both.
If you have got itchy ordry skin, you will probably want to lock in moisture with a thick ointment. Creams are thinner, help hydrate, and are suitable for healthy skin. Lotions are the lightest and are a good match for oily skin.
Base the thickness of the moisturizer on when and where you do use it on your body. Florida dermatologist Andrea Cambio, says, “Choose a light moisturizer for day and a heavier one for nighttime.” You could also use a thicker cream for your body and a lightweight moisturizing lotion for your face. You should stick with lighter, hydrating moisturizers in the summer months.
Moisturizing Product Guidelines
- Sun protection.No matter your skin type, about every dermatologist, recommends getting a moisturizer with asunscreenof at least SPF 30. If you are getting it for your face, Cambio suggests looking for one that is oil- and fragrance-free.
- Antioxidants.Moisturizers with antioxidants such asgreen tea, pomegranate, chamomile, or licorice root extract may help keep any skin type looking fresh and healthy. Antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals – molecules that break down skin cells.
- Oily oracne-prone skin.“I like alpha-hydroxy acids, which are anti-aging,” Chicago dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD, says. If you are prone toacne, you will also want to look for a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer that will not clog pores.
- Dry skin.Aim for a heavier moisturizer and search ingredients likehyaluronic acidanddimethicone, which help keep the skin hydrated.Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea help attract water to your skin:mineral oil, Lanolin, and petrolatum lock in moisture.
- Sensitive skin.You should use a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer. “In general, choose one that contains less than ten ingredients,” California dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal says. Fewer ingredients mean fewer potential interactions with fragile skin.
- Itchy skin.Because if a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream does not relieveitching, try a 1%hydrocortisonesteroid skin cream for one week but no longer. Talk to your doctor if this does not resolve the itch. You may have a more severeskin problem.
- Eczema.You can use a thick moisturizing ointment containing petrolatum or use petroleum jelly to help soothe cracks and keep skin supple.
What to Avoid When Choosing a Moisturizer
More is not always better when it comes to the list of ingredients in a moisturizer. To get an excellent benefit for your skin, you should avoid some popular extras.
- Colorings and perfumes.Whether you want to moisturize sensitive skin,dry skin, or something in between, most experts say to avoid unnecessary and irritating ingredients, like added colors and perfumes. Antibacterial agents can be unnecessarily harsh, stripping the skin of essential oils.
- Body-friendly ingredients.What’s right for your body is not always suitable for your face. Cambio suggests avoiding facial moisturizers with popular body product ingredients such as lanolin, waxes, mineral oil, or shea butter. “These could clog pores andcause acneon the face,” she says.
- Too many acids.Avoid alpha-hydroxy acids, retinoic acid, glycolic acid, andsalicylic acidif you have dry or sensitive skin. These ingredients can penetrate the skin too profoundly and trouble delicate skin. Stay away from products with alcohol, as well.
- You are overusing steroidal ingredients (for itchy skin).Should limit your use of steroid cream or ointment to one or two weeks unless your doctor recommends using it longer. Overusing these creams can make the skin very thin and lead to otherskin problems.
- Need Urea or Lactic acids.You stay away from moisturizers that contain these dry-skin friendly ingredients. They could aggravate existing skin irritations.
Read Labels
The label on any skin product seem completely incomprehensible, but you can learn a lot from reading it carefully. Specifically, you look for moisturizers that are labeled “allergy tested” (less likely to cause allergic reactions) and “non-comedogenic” (less likely to clog pores). These labels do not guarantee that a moisturizer will not irritate your skin, but they are a solid starting point for most people.
Finding the perfect moisturizer could be a challenge. Frequently, consumers will get there with some trial-and-error, which works differently for each individual.
Some tips to Get the Most Out of Your Skin Moisturizer
- Use more than one moisturizer.No one needs a cabinet full of moisturizing products. But a thin lotion for your face, thick cream for your body can be just right for your all-over skincare.
- Apply your moisturizer while your skin is damp.Smooth on your favorite moisturizer for a few minutes after a bath or shower. Then you pat your skin dry.
- Make your moisturizer do double-duty.Be sure the moisturizer contains a sun protection factor of 15 or higher. The pros want to recommendvitamin Aor alpha-hydroxy acid for an anti-aging boost. Want to even out your skin tone? We should look for a tinted moisturizer suitable for yourcomplexion.
- Change to choose the right cream: Find a moisturizer that suits your skin type and makes it soft. You may need to try many brands with different ingredients before finding the right one.
- The moisturizer can protect the skin from the sun. You can choose a moisturizer with built-in sun protection. It will do both the task of moisturizing the skin and protecting it from the damaging effects of the sun.
- Choose affordable products. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive brands to bring the highest efficiency. You must find a suitable cream that still fits your budget.
- Using a moisturizer on both hands and body is necessary. Apply moisturizer to your hands and body after bathing, before exercising outdoors in cold weather, or whenever you wash your hands. Although many people ignore it, their hands are more exposed to the stimulant than to any other part of the body.
- Use appropriate fast-acting creams. You do not use any cosmetics that have a fast, substantial effect on your face unless the skin is excessively dry. However, you can use this cream on your feet, hands, and feet as these areas tend to be drier.
And:
Here are our tips to help you find the right moisturizer for your skin. If a moisturizer does not improve your skin condition or you notice skin problems after use, see a dermatologist soon. They can help you devise a skin care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating skin condition, and recommending effective moisturizers.
Also, when choosing a moisturizer, you should even know that not all moisturizers work as advertised or contain enough ingredients on the packaging. You know, the food and drug regulatory agency do not regulate cosmetics, including strict moisturizers.
You will find useful tips and quick and effective to choose the right moisturizer! Good luck!
Also, you should readsome other articlelike “How to Get Rid Of Bad Breath“, “How to Stop Yourself From Overthinking“, ”How to Stop A Baby from Crying At Night“, and “How to stop hiccups“… to know more!