The Best Facial Moisturizer

Buying Guide

Using the right facial moisturizer protects and revitalizes your skin, helping it stay healthy, smooth, and supple. As a result, facial moisturizer is a necessary part of your face care routine. But with so many facial moisturizers on the market, how do you know which one to use?

Consider what kind of skin you have first and go from there. If you have dry or itchy skin, then it’s best to use a facial moisturizer that is thick and oll-based. This will help to lock in moisture on your skin. If you have normal skin, then opt for a creamy texture. Lotions, which are water-based, are ideal for those that have oily skin. For daytime, it’s best to go with a lightweight moisturizer and save a heavier one for nighttime.

Don’t forget to look for ingredients that work well for your skin. Green tea and pomegranate, for example, are antioxidants that may be included to help skin look healthy, glowing and fresh. Alpha-hydroxy acids in a non-comedogenic solution will help those who suffer from acne.

Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and propylene glycol help attract water to the skin. You’ll want emollients like shea butter, cocoa butter and octyldodecanol to seal in moisture and fill cracks. And you’ll also need occlusives, like petrolatum and lanolin, to form a protective barrier over your skin.

You may wish to have some sun protection in your facial moisturizer, if you don’t put on sunblock separately. However, note that moisturizer with SPF is less effective than actual sunblock, since it gets diluted by other ingredients, and an SPF 30 moisturizer probably is only giving you about 10 SPF protection. Dermatologists recommend using them separately, but do say using moisturizer with SPF is better than nothing at all.

• If your skin is constantly dry, scaly or itchy, then you may need a facial moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and dimethicone. These ingredients help to attract more water and moisture to your skin. You will need to apply the facial moisturizer consistently in order to see the effects.
• Avoid facial moisturizers that contain perfumes or colors, as these can actually irritate your skin or strip your skin of its natural essential oils.
• Don’t use a body lotion on your face, as your body and your face need different things. While body lotions that contain lanolin or waxes help to hydrate your arms and legs, these ingredients can actually clog facial pores, leading to acne.
• Ideally, it’s best to put moisturizer on when your skin is damp. Wash your face and lightly pat it dry. You just want to remove excess droplets of water. Now apply your facial moisturizer and then use a towel to pat away additional moisture. This method helps your skin feel fresh and dewy.
• Does your skin have dry patches in some areas, like on your cheeks? If so, use a thicker moisturizer in the dryer areas and a thinner one in the normal or oily areas. This way, you can provide the right amount of hydration to different parts of your skin.
• Always be sure to wash your face on a regular basis — either with just water or with a facial cleanser — especially at the end of the day. In addition to your beauty products, the skin on your face picks up dirt, oil, perspiration and other elements which can cause clogged pores and irritated skin. Washing it daily keeps your skin clean and fresh.
• Depending on where you live, the season may affect what kind of facial moisturizer you need. If the summers are particularly hot where you live, a thick moisturizer may lead to breakouts as a result of increased humidity and perspiration. A water-based moisturizer can prevent this. Similarly, in the winter weather, your skin may feel drier as a result of the chilly air. During these months, go with a richer moisturizer.