How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin

“ moisturizer — which works by putting moisture into the skin, as well as preventing water from leaving the skin — can describe a number of different products, including lotions, gels, creams, and ointments. There are subtle differences among them. A gel is often water-based and tends to feel lighter on the skin than a lotion. A cream is thicker and has higher oil content than a lotion and gel, making it more hydrating. An ointment is the thickest of all, making it the most effective in remedying dry skin. Emollients in these moisturizers keep your skin soft and smooth.

Choosing the right moisturizer for you depends on your skin type and the severity of dryness you’re experiencing. For the most precise, tailored advice for your skin type, it helps to visit a dermatologist. But for general purposes, follow this guide.

Normal skin: If you’re experiencing seasonal dryness in otherwise-normal skin, lotion is sufficient for most younger people. With age, however, the skin holds less moisture and needs more assistance.  perimenopausal people and everyone 50 and older should be using a cream-based moisturizer.

Dry skin: If your skin tends to be dry, and winter is making it even more so, skip the lotion and go for something thicker and more effective. “Creams are going to add more moisture to the skin and preserve more water than lotion, and ointments even more, So somebody with dry skin is going to want to start with a cream or ointment and bypass lotions altogether.

Oily skin: For some people, too much moisturizer can clog pores and lead to acne; in people with black or brown skin, acne can cause discoloration and hyperpigmentation.  consider skipping the moisturizer or opt for a gel, which is lighter than other types of moisturizer.

Combination dry and oily skin: If you have combination skin, your skin is dry in some spots and oily in others — often in what’s called the “T-zone,” which is the T-shaped area on your face that includes your forehead, nose, and chin. treat your face as though it’s two faces: moisturize the dry spots and skip the oily areas.  never put moisturizer on the center of your face.

Do

• Put on moisturizer right after you get out of the shower: When your skin is damp, thicker creams and ointments spread more easily, and the moisturizer is more effective because it traps water in the skin and keeps it from evaporating, says. Apply moisturizer to your skin right after you get out of the shower to prevent water loss.

• Listen to your skin: It’s great to have a skin care routine, but it’s important to switch it up in some instances, such as adjusting for a different season, be careful about new products that you introduce. Avoid products with alcohol, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), and fragrance to help your skin retain its natural oils.

• Pay attention to certain ingredients:  If you scan the ingredient list of a moisturizer, look for things such as ceramides, which are waxy lipid molecules that help hydrate skin, and hyaluronic acid, which is also known for its intense moisturizing qualities. Avoid items with fragrances, because they can be irritating to dry skin. And for people with sensitive skin.

Don’t

• Forget the sun protection: The sun and other types of light cause damage all year long. Protecting your skin from the sun by seeking shade when appropriate, wearing sun-protective clothing, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher should be a part of your daily routine, regardless of how dark or light your complexion. Besides protecting against skin cancer, sunscreen is the No. 1 anti-aging treatment we know of. 

• Exfoliate:  people often make the mistake of exfoliating dry, peeling skin in the winter, further stripping it of moisture. Instead, they should be moisturizing. You don’t want to strip your face too much, because then you end up putting on too much moisturizer and then you end up with dry skin and pimples, which is a problem.

If your skin is red, cracking, itching, stinging, or has a rash, it may be excessively dry. make some adjustments to your personal hygiene regimen.

First, select a fragrance-free cleanser or moisturizing body wash. Then, pick a moisturizer you feel comfortable using at least twice a day. Make sure it is labeled as “non-comedogenic,” meaning it doesn’t block pores. If that doesn’t seem to help, or if the dryness gets worse and becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging, or very irritating, he says to make an appointment with a dermatologist. “You may need a prescription and help optimizing your home skin care routine,” he says.