No matter if you have dry skin or want to prevent wrinkles, choosing the appropriate moisturizer is crucial. There’s an array of choices out there from gels to creams and ointments; all can provide relief.
Formulas featuring ingredients like leopard lily and green tea will help maintain an even complexion, as they contain humectants and emollients to plump fine lines and reduce dryness.
Moisturizing
Moisturizing is an integral component of daily skin care for those suffering from dry and irritated skin, particularly patients suffering from acne. Moisturization products such as creams, lotions, emollients or oils provide much-needed oil-water balance in the upper epidermal layers (the epidermis) in order to maintain soft, flexible epidermal layers able to shed dead cells efficiently.
Most moisturizers are oil-in-water emulsions; however, some contain only water; these “hydrosols” are often referred to as “fresh creams”.
Moisturizers can be divided into four distinct categories depending on their ingredients: Occlusives, Humectants and Emollients. Occlusives are heavy lipid-based substances that form a protective seal over the surface of skin; examples include petrolatum, beeswax, lanolin mineral oil or dimethicone. Humectants draw moisture to the stratum corneum which prevent trans-epidermal water loss while encouraging desquamation while emollients fill intercorneocyte cluster gaps to provide skin softness and smoothness – these substances are commonly found in anti-itch and eczema treatments.
Soothing
Moisturizing with the appropriate moisturizer can provide soothing relief from irritated skin by reducing redness and itchiness, helping improve overall tone and texture, and slowing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. An ideal soothing moisturizer typically contains anti-inflammatories along with other emollients for soothing relief.
An effective moisturizer for the face should be free from fragrance and dyes and non-comedogenic (will not clog pores). It should include ingredients that hydrate skin such as glycerin and shea butter while providing protection with occlusive oils or ceramides to create an invisible protective barrier on the skin.
Colorescience Barrier Health Dream Duo offers an effective face and body moisturizing system that supports the microbiome. Featuring the Barrier Pro 1-Step Cleanser and Barrier Pro Essential Moisturizer, this duo helps remove makeup and dirt quickly with one step while replenishing hydration levels with replenishing moisturizer. Together these products strengthen natural barriers as well as supporting healthy microbiomes for stronger complexions with greater hydration levels.
Anti-ageing
Moisturizers that serve as anti-aging creams often include humectants (which draw in moisture), emollients (which smooth the skin) and occlusives (to seal in that moisture). Additional components may include ingredients like peptides and shea butter to soften fine lines and wrinkles; vitamin C/retinol combination products which even out discoloration/fade dark spots; plus other key anti-oxidants to combat age.
These moisturizers contain hydrators like shea butter and hyaluronic acid to draw water to the upper layers of skin and temporarily plumping it up, masking fine lines and wrinkles while giving you an overall refreshed appearance.
If your skin is oily or prone to breakouts, search for a lightweight moisturizer marked “oil-free” and “noncomedogenic”. Finding an anti-ageing product suitable for sensitive skin can be challenging; consider trying GH Beauty Lab’s top pick: its light formula contains powerful ingredients that boost hydration while diminishing brown spots, brightening and improving wrinkle appearance.
Sunscreen
Making sunscreen part of your everyday skin care regimen may feel cumbersome and overwhelming, which is why some dermatologists advise choosing an all-in-one product that offers broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. To keep this task manageable, moisturizers with built-in SPF are recommended by some. Just ensure it provides protection from both types of rays.
Moisturizer-sunscreen combinations offer another method for providing cosmetic coverage, including tints and anti-ageing benefits. Caroline Chang from Greenwich RI recommends this formula because it offers “both hydration and anti-ageing benefits in one bottle”.
Studies have demonstrated the benefits of pairing moisturizers and SPF to increase sun protection, but reapplying SPF throughout the day remains essential. Dr. Zeichner advises using a lightweight SPF spray that can easily be stippled over makeup or applied throughout the day, for instance when needed reapplying after swimming or sweating heavily. His product boasts wide shades as well as plumping hyaluronic acid and soothing licorice root extract for maximum sun protection.
