Choosing the Right Moisturizer

There are two elements in maintaining a healthy, youthful skin: proper cleansing and moisturizing. Cleansing removes deep-seated dirt and dead skin cells, while moisturizing hydrates the skin to increase its water content. Cleansers tend to dry out the skin, and that’s when the importance of moisturizers takes over.

There are abundant commercial, over-the counter brands available, with over a hundred kinds. Most cosmetic and therapeutic products contain moisturizers, such as the lipstick you are wearing. Formulations are specifically put together to cover your different needs; from sensitive skin, anti-aging, whitening, to sun protection. They are sorted for men, women and for a specific age group. Moisturizers basically work to protect, treat and prevent dry skin. It also improves skin tone and texture.

To know the best facial moisturizer for you, there a few factors that need to be considered. But generally, you have to know your skin type. Determine if you have normal, oily or combination(oily &dry) skin. Once you know your skin type, it is then easy for you to find the right product.
Oily skin – It is easy to recognize an oily skin. It is prone to pimples and acnes on what we call the T-zone, which is the forehead, nose and chin. Though skin is already oily, proper care and the right product must be used to remove oils and dry out the skin a bit. A light, water-based and oil-free moisturizer works best for this skin.

Dry Skin – Dry skin is noticeable by the appearance of flakes on your face. In order to restore moisture to dry skin, a mild, oil-based moisturizer will keep skin hydrated. For very dry skin that tends to show cracks, petrolatum-based moisturizers are recommended. It stays on the skin longer and prevents water from evaporating.

Combination Skin – Harder to recognize than the two previous skin types, combination skin will have both oily and dry skin at the same time. It could show oily traces on the T-zone but also have dry areas in the cheeks. The routine could include moisturizing it with an oil-based moisturizer when skin tends to get dry, and switch to a lighter, water-based moisturizer if skin gets oily.