Choosing the Best Moisturizer for Your Skin Type: A Comprehensive Guide

Moisturisation is one of the most important steps of your skincare routine. It helps restore your skin’s hydration levels and slows down the signs of ageing.

How Moisturisation Helps Your Skin

By moisturising the skin you make sure you are giving it adequate hydration and nourishment. Oily, dry or sensitive, no matter whatever skin type yours is, moisturization is a must!

When to Moisturise?

Typically one should moisturise the face after cleansing. This will help provide moisture to the skin that has lost its natural oils after the wash.

Importance of choosing the right moisturiser for your skin

Selecting the right moisturizer is of utmost importance. Using a moisturizer meant for dry skin may tend to turn oily skin even oilier. One meant for oily skin can make dry skin stretchy. This mix up can lead to breakouts and other skin problems.

Here are a few things that will help you in selecting a moisturiser based on your skin type:

1. Oily Skin:

It is a common misconception that those who have oily skin do not need to moisturize their skin. This is completely incorrect. People with oily skin use strong products and cleansers to treat acne and other breakouts on the skin. They definitely need to moisturize their skin. A moisturizer that is meant for oily skin will in fact help decrease the oil production in the epidermis. It will also hydrate the skin.

• Choose a light water-based moisturizer.
• Simply dab the moisturizer over your cleansed face and slightly massage until it gets absorbed.
• Moisturizer should be an essential part of your night skin care routine too.
• Look for the label that says meant for oily skin
• The description should have words like non-comedogenic. This means that the product won’t cause breakouts.
• It should ideally also have words like oil-free and water-based.

2. Dry Skin:

Those with dry skin will typically have a feeling of skin being stretchy and tight. This is due to lack of moisturization. If you use a moisturizer and still feel like this, it means that your moisturizer is not able to provide enough moisture to the skin. Dry skin is the first to show signs of ageing. Fine lines, wrinkles and other signs appear faster if the skin lacks adequate moisture. To keep your skin well hydrated at all times, it is important you use a moisturiser that can work on dry, or very dry skin, based on your skin type.

• Check for the glycerin content and go for an oil or cream based moisturizer. This will do justice in hydrating your skin with its ingredients.
• For those who have very dry skin, it is ideal to go for heavier and creamier moisturizers.
• Make sure to reapply your moisturizer once in every 4-5 hours. This will help to balance the moisture that is lost in dry skin, especially in winters.

3. Combination Skin:

Combination skin is skin that has both oily and dry patches. People with combination may usually experience oiliness in their t-zones and nose and chin area. The area around the mouth and some other areas may experience dryness though. Extra care is required to care for those with combination skin to normalize the skin texture. The biggest challenge for someone with combination skin is to find a product that stops their T-zone from getting oilier.

• Get an oil-free moisturizer for the T-zone and a mild nourishing one for the cheeks.
• Dab on some of the product and gently massage until absorbed.
• Do not mix and match the moisturizers. Let them work separately for separate areas.

4. Sensitive Skin:

Those with sensitive skin should stay away moisturisers that are perfumed, dyed, or artificial. These may cause severe breakouts and lead to other side effects. Sensitive skin can react to the preservatives and other chemicals present in the moisturizer.

• Choose a mild herbal moisturizer.
• Check with your dermatologist to see if they can prescribe some skin specific product.
• Choose a moisturizer that has sufficient SPF in it. This will prevent your skin from the harmful UV rays.
• If your moisturizer doesn’t come with SPF, you need to apply your sunscreen lotion separately.
• Remember to read the labels of all the products you purchase. Most moisturisers will specify the skin type they are made for. Read through carefully and in case of any skin irritation, stop using it.

Don’t forget:

That is all you need to know! Do comment and let us know if this article has helped. Do need more info? You can ask us in the comments below.