How to Choose a Facial Moisturizer
Buy the Right Skincare Products for your Skin Type and Lifestyle
Aug 23, 2009
It is easy to accumulate a drawer full of half used beauty products and some purchases can be disappointing. With so many brands on the market confusion over what to buy is hardly surprising. Finding a couple of good basic products can help provide a permanent feeling of having comfortable skin. After this, extras for specific concerns and can be swapped around or left out
What a Moisturizer Does:
A basic moisturizer protects and replenishes, helping the skin to feel comfortable and look smooth. Until recently, skincare products have not been able to penetrate the skin deeply. Now there is technology in the beauty industry to deliver ingredients much deeper. High-tech creams like this typically give quick results, and many fall in the anti-wrinkle category of skin care.
Products without this type of technology protect and maintain the skin whilst preventing premature ageing and they can also improve the skins appearance. Some brands believe in helping the skin to rejuvenate and protect itself, so their results may be more long term and less focused on repairing wrinkles or severe damage.
Skin Type
Most skincare brands cater for a few different skin types. These are usually oily, dry and combination. Some people may consider that their skin is fairly normal and can try different products without many consequences.
Oily Skin
This is rich in natural protection. The skin can look shiny, pores enlarged and prone to getting blocked leading to spots and blackheads. Keeping this kind of skin clean is essential.
- Choose a lotion or oil-free product for maximum comfort.
- Oily skin can become dehydrated if treated with harsh cleansers or due to age. This can cause dull, flaky skin which feels tight in patches but still breaks out if a cream is used. Oil-free hydrating moisturizers are very useful in repairing this; try Shu Uemura, Elemental Herbology and Chantecaille.
- Consider leaving the skin bare at night. Many natural brands believe that this gives the body breathing space as it repairs itself in sleep. Using a hydrating water or just a serum is also an option at night time to leave the skin energized rather than greasy.
- For maximum comfort look for a gel based moisturizer. These are usually oil free, cooling and soothing feeling for oily skin.
- Be scrupulously clean with products; anything which accumulates bacteria could cause spots. Tube or pump bottle packaging keeps the product sealed or use a spatula to take product from a pot.
- Be careful if buying anti-wrinkle products. Many of these come in ultra-rich formulas, though not every mature skin is parched. High-tech brands which cater for mature oily skin include Natura Bisse and Chantecaille.
Dry Skin
If skin feels tight or looks dull and flaky, finding a good replenishing and protecting moisturizer is important.
- Due to a natural lack of protective oils, dry skin can dehydrate easily leading to flaky patches, fine lines, redness and stinging. For this reason, look for a super hydrating moisturizer.
- Rich, creamy formulas which leave some moisture on the surface of the skin are ideal for dry skins. These restore comfort.
- Pay attention to skin in winter as it will inevitably dry out suddenly in the cold. Keep a balm such as Wind and Cold Therapy at hand to moisturize any stinging patches and choose a richer daily cream than in the summer.
Combination Skin
Combination skin can be hard to balance; the most common type being where a person has an oily t-zone prone to spots or blackheads, and drier cheeks.
- Choose hydrating products as these moisturize without stressing either part of the skin.
- Look for moisturizers which feel lightweight without being watery or greasy. Try Shu Uemura, Chantecaille or Ren.
- Natural anti bacterial ingredients such as rose or honey can be useful in preventing spots but will not strip drier areas. Essential oils are also useful in soothing, clarifying or detoxing without adding grease.
- If skin looks dull or spotty at different times, consider using a detoxifying, hydrating moisturizer once or twice a year just to energize and clear skin; try Natura Bisse's Oxygen range.
General Tips
- Many people suffer from dehydration before a lack of oil, so if in doubt try a hydrating product.
- Smokers or city dwellers might look for products containing anti-oxidants which help to neutralize free radicals that damage the skin. Try Caudalie or Zelens.
- Sunscreens in moisturizers can be an added extra but will mostly break down over the day so should not be relied upon for extreme sun protection.
- Retinol is an effective anti ageing ingredient and it provides constant exfoliation to the skin. Only use retinol products at night unless otherwise instructed and use sun protection in the day. Retinol products should never be used in pregnancy so always check ingredients if unsure.
 |
