How to Choose the Best Moisturizer for Your Skin
by Wendy Kim on Dec 18, 2017
How to choose the best moisturizer?
1. Ingredients: Long Lasting Hydration
If you are aware of the importance of hydrating factor of a moisturizer, it’s no surprise to at least take a look at the ingredient list before you make the purchase. These are some of the ingredients that will moist moist. There are mainly two ways to hydrate your skin. Attracting moisture and retaining moisture on your skin to keep it hydrated.1) What ingredients gather moisture?
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Many refer to this as Hyaluronic Acid, however technically they are different. Both attracts moisture to your skin significantly but Sodium hyaluronate has a much lower molecular size which allows it to penetrate the skin better.- Glycerin: Glycerin is also called glycerol and it is humectant, meaning that it attracts water. When glycerin or glycerol is applied to the skin, it seals in moisture that might otherwise escape from the skin- Beta-Glucan: Beta-glucan is extracted from the cell wall of oat kernels, has a number of benefits for the skin. When applied topically, it helps to moisturize the skin as well as minor burns and wounds. It can also help to reduce wrinkles and promote anti-aging.2) What ingredients lock in moisture?
- Shea Butter: Shea butter is a skin superfood that comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea (Karite) tree that is naturally rich in vitamin A,E and F. The concentration of natural vitamins and fatty acids in Shea butter makes it incredibly nourishing and moisturizing for skin. It is often used to remedy dry skin and to help protect the skin’s natural oils.- Jojoba Oil: The scientific name for it is simmondsia chinesis (if you don’t see jojoba oil on the ingredient list, look for this) The ingredient gained importance due to its moisturizing and emollient properties. It penetrates the skin with a high absorption rate and is suitable for all skin types. This will leave you with a soft and moisturized skin.- Ceramide 3: Ceramides are beneficial for reinforcing the natural water retention barrier in dry skin. They promote long-term moisturizing and help to protect skin from harmful external influences.
2. Texture: How Does it Feel on Your Skin?
Once you are done with checking the ingredients, now it’s time to test the texture of the cream. Of course, whatever feels best on your skis the best cream. But if you aren’t sure what is good or what is not, see if the texture is first, not sticky, second, light but hydrating and lastly fresh. When you are so focused with hydration, you might just free pass the stickiness of the product. However, hydrating moisturizers aren’t necessarily heavy or sticky. See if it hydrating but absorbs well and is light. This will leave your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated however your skin condition is.
3. Oil & Water Balance: The Optimal Balance
If your oil & water balance breaks down, your skin will suffer in either ways; your skin to protect itself from becoming too dry produces excessive sebum which can make your skin oilier leading to breakouts or your skin becomes extremely dry inside & out leading to formation of wrinkles. That is why no matter what skin type you are, having the optimal balance between oil & water is crucial. So how do we know if a cream has great oil & water balance? You can definitely feel it just through the texture but to be precise, it’s what you have to figure out while you actually use the moisturizer for a period of time. See how your skin reacts and feels about the moisturizer. Remember, not too oily, not too watery.
