What Is A Moisturizer
Many people believe that moisturizing your skin is optional. Not only are there benefits of keeping your skin moisturized, but it is also necessary. Whether it's your body or face, a moisturizer included in your daily routine is key to healthy and hydrated skin.
What Does A Moisturizer Do?
A moisturizer is a lotion, cream or balm that is applied to the skin to prevent or relieve dryness.
Moisturizers for your body and face have the same purpose although the ingredients may differ just a little. Moisturizers work to hydrate the skin while also protecting it from harmful environmental factors.
When you neglect to use a facial moisturizer, the skin must work harder to produce oils in order to keep your skin moisturized. Using moisturizers that contain skin compatible ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid can help replenish the skin from essential elements that are lost overtime.
Including a moisturizer that compliments your skin type in both your morning and evening skincare routine can provide many benefits over time.
What Type of Moisturizers Are There?
Today, there are many types of moisturizers marketed with various claims attached. Here we will categorize and differentiate between the ones that are important, what they're best used for, and where or when they should be applied.
Body Moisturizers
Commonly referred to as body lotion, body cream, or body moisturizers are generally used from head to toe and help relieve the skin of dryness and irritation.
Some body moisturizers are formulated to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and keratosis pilaris. Body creams can be prescribed by a physician or found over the counter to address skin concerns that include dryness, flaking or itchiness.
Facial Moisturizers
Whether it's a cream, balm or water consistency made for day or nighttime use, facial moisturizers come in different formulations to tackle all skincare needs.
Facial Cream
Most facial creams are smooth in texture with a white or light tint that absorbs colorless into the skin. A facial cream is a mixture of water and oils that lock in moisture to keep the skin hydrated.
They can be lite or heavyweight and worn during day and night unless specified. For example a moisturizer with added spf should be used only during the day and a nighttime moisturizer is generally thicker and sometimes listed as an overnight product.
Facial Balm
The texture and consistency of a facial balm differentiates this product from facial creams but shares its benefits. Balms are waterless, consisting of only oils and are usually transparent in color with a thicker texture similar to petroleum jelly.
Facial balms are formulated to treat severely dry skin and heal wounds. Balms are solid and become liquified when warm making it easy to apply once in contact with your skin.
Facial balms are best used at night to provide ultimate moisture while your skin is in its rest and repair stage.
Water Gel
The lightest of all facial moisturizers, water gels are airy, silky, and oil free formulas that hydrate and replenish the skin. A gel allows the skin to absorb hydration from the environment while protecting it from harmful substances.
This is a favorite amongst oily skin types and individuals who prefer the lightest moisture application throughout the day. Water gels can also be used seasonally during the spring and fall for normal skin types.
Benefits Of A Facial Moisturizer
Facial moisturizers are an essential part of your skincare routine for both your face and body. They benefit the skin in ways you can both feel and see.
- Hydrates skin
- Prevents chronic dry skin
- Prevents skin conditions from worsening
- Slows down signs of aging
- Protects your skin from the environment
- Calms irritated skin
- Provides a smooth base for makeup application
- Balances the production of oils
Drawbacks of A Facial Moisturizer
Although there aren't many drawbacks of using a facial moisturizer, using the wrong moisturizer for your skin type can slow down or inhibit the progress of your routine.
- Can clog pores of oily skin types
- May include fragrance and dyes
- Some formulas can irritate sensitive skin
What should I look for in a facial moisturizer?
This is a good question, the most beneficial moisturizers will include skin loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin. These are only a few but the most common and easiest to spot when reading the ingredients label.
What are the different types of facial moisturizers?
- Creams: Seal in hydration
- Balms: Provide extra moisture
- Water Gels: Attract hydration to the skin from the environment
How do I choose the best moisturizer for my skin?
You should consider the consistency and ingredients of a moisturizer when determining if it's right for you.
- Oily Skin: This skin type does better with a mattifying or water gel moisturizer during the day, and a lightweight moisturizer containing an AHA at night.
- Dry Skin: Either a heavier moisturizer for both day and night or a rich moisturizer during the day and a balm for nighttime use.
- Normal Skin: Pay close attention to your skin as it likely changes with the seasons. A lightweight moisturizer may work for you day and night year round, or you could use a water gel to accommodate your skin during seasonal transitions.
- Combination Skin: Your skin type can also include a few different types of moisturizers. Consider using a lightweight or water gel moisturizer during the day and a lightweight moisturizer containing AHA’s in the evening.
Moisturizers are just as important in your skincare routine as the other products you use. Not only does it provide hydration and moisture, it seals in your corrective treatment products.
Regardless of what moisturizer you use, it will protect your skin from the environmental stress and debris you come in contact with daily.
If your chosen moisturizer doesn't include a spf, be sure to apply one on top at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.
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