The Wholesome Guide to Choosing and Using The Right Moisturizers

Whether you look up an online beauty store or an offline one, the range of skin moisturizers is always overwhelming. The creams, ointments, and lotions, some accompanied by an exfoliant, others with a sunscreen, make you wonder which to pick up. You’ll also find some moisturizers containing specialty ingredients which might throw you back.

Each product has its own reasons for being your choice, but there are others crying for your attention for different reasons. Does this make your head spin? Save it, because we can help you choose the right one.

How to choose the right moisturizer?

Here are some ways by which you can choose the right moisturizer for your skin type:

• Go with a reputable brand. The store shelves may be full of brands but you need to choose one that’s reliable, so without looking too hard at the price, go with a respected brand, such as Replenish Hydrating Moisturizer Cream. And by using it in the long-term, you may use it for all seasons, even in your skincare regimen for winter.

• Check out its active ingredients. If the first few ingredients listed on its label include glycerin, petrolatum and lanolin, you’re in safe hands as they won’t cause any skin allergy.
• Does it have sunscreen? If the moisturizer you’re looking at has SPF 30, it will keep your skin from suffering any skin damage, so go with it.
• Buy skin-appropriate moisturizer. You needn’t buy a generic moisturizer when skin-appropriate moisturizers are available. If you have oily complexion, go with a “non-comedogenic” one or if yours is sensitive, choose a hypoallergenic moisturizer.
• Combine Retinol with your moisturizer. At bedtime, use a moisturizer in combination with Retinol, which is Vitamin A and works perfectly on your skin. Not only does it give you flawless and healthy complexion but it also works as a good anti-aging cream.
• Prescription moisturizer could be the solution for you. For dry skin, a prescription moisturizer is the answer. They come with AHA lactic acid, which works to soften the dermis and leaves your skin looking and feeling soft and supple.

Must-have ingredients

All moisturizers have a range of ingredients, some of which work for you, and some that don’t. To choose among the best face creams, check for these parameters.

Get adequate sun protection. Whatever your skin type may be, your moisturizer must be rich with sunscreen, certainly not below SPF 30. If you’re on the lookout for facial moisturizer, ensure that it contains neither oil nor fragrance.

Give yourself fresh-looking skin with antioxidants. If your moisturizer contains chamomile, pomegranate, green tea, chamomile and licorice root extract, it could certainly do a lot for your skin by way of giving it a fresh and youthful look, besides also keeping it healthy. Antioxidants also play a large role in negating the ill-effects of free radicals in breaking down skin cells.

Look for specific benefits suited to your complexion. Go with AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids), since they have anti-aging properties. Besides, if your complexion is acne-prone, opt for a non-comedogenic moisturizer that will not clog your pores.

Keep dry skin hydrated. Your dry skin can get all the required hydration if you choose a heavy moisturizer with ingredients like dimethicone and hyaluronic acid that work to keep your skin moisturized. Ensure that your moisturizer contains glycerin, urea, proteins and propylene glycol, ingredients that draw water to the skin, while petrolatum, lanolin and mineral oil work to retain moisture in the skin.

Fewer ingredients for sensitive skin. By using a hypoallergenic moisturizer without any fragrance, you could do a big favour to your sensitive skin, as you will reduce the chances of negative interactions with your skin. The thumb rule is to use a moisturizer that has lesser than 10 ingredients.

Ingredients to avoid

There are certain ingredients that your moisturizer should not contain. Here’s a list of them:

Added colours and fragrances. Added colours and fragrances could irritate your skin, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin. Even antibacterial agents can be extremely harsh and can result in your skin losing essential oils, so ensure these ingredients aren’t part of your moisturizer.

Lanolin, shea butter and mineral oil. These ingredients could do very well for your body, but they aren’t great for your facial skin. Avoid using moisturizers containing shea butter, lanolin, mineral oil or waxes for your face as they could contribute to clogging your pores and causing facial acne.

Harsh acids. Certain moisturizers contain AHA, retinoic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid, for dry and sensitive complexion. They are so harsh on the skin that they could not just penetrate it but also damage delicate skin.

If moisturizers contain some types of alcohol, keep away from them. If moisturizers contain lactic acid or urea, keep away from them as they can aggravate any pre-existing skin irritation you might have.

Use a minimum of steroid cream. If you have a skin itch, use just the minimum steroid cream, according to your doctor’s advice, but don’t overdo it, else it can thin your skin and cause other skin issues.

How to use the right moisturizers?

Your moisturizer can be of any type–an ointment, a lotion or a moisturizing cream for skin. Whichever you choose to go with, applying it might seem like an easy task, but you need to do it the right way. Like everything else in life, there’s a procedure to applying moisturizer too. So, let’s follow the procedure to reap the maximum benefits:

• First, wash your hands and face. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of cream or lotion into your palm. The moisturizer should settle in the middle of your palm, not on your finger-tips.

• Rub your palms together to generate some warmth. This will also warm the moisturizer in your hands. This will ensure that your face and body receive the moisturizer evenly.
• Using circular movement, apply moisturizer to your cheeks first since these are the driest parts of your face.
• Next, apply moisturizer to your forehead and the rest of your face. Now, dab it on to our T-zone, followed by your ears, chin and neck. While applying it on your neck, use light upward strokes. Don’t rub it in using pressure as it will be absorbed by the skin naturally.

When to moisturize your skin?

If you’ve finally found the product that suits your skin type, it’s time to moisturize your skin. Once you do this regularly, you can hide your wrinkles and enjoy your soft complexion. Moisturizer can’t get rid of your wrinkles entirely but it can plump up the skin and reduce the chances of their surfacing.

So, when should you moisturize your skin? Here’s when:

• In your bath: Once you shut off the water, it’s time to moisturize your skin.

• At the wash basin: If you’ve just washed your face and patted it dry, reach out for your moisturizer and dab some on your face.

• At bedtime: If you have dry skin, do it twice a day, once in the morning and the other at bedtime. Apply it 30 minutes before you turn in so that it has sufficient time to penetrate your skin and get absorbed.  

Concluding Remarks

By using a good moisturizer in the long-term, you can get glowing and healthy skin. Plus, you get a soft, dewy complexion that’s everyone’s envy. And you stave off signs of ageing by years by including this one habit in your daily life.