A moisturizing cream or lotion helps keep your skin supple and younger-looking by moisturizing it from within. However, there are several brands and types of moisturizers available in the market leaving one confused about what to choose. The products vary according to your skin type and using the wrong one can lead to skin issues like pimples, oily skin, etc. In order to choose the right moisturizer for different skin types and to be able to select the best one from the several available, we need to understand few thinks

Why should one use a moisturizer?

Moisturizing your face helps you look younger as it keeps your skin soft. Your skin has more elasticity and it also keeps your skin hydrated. All of these are important if you want to make sure you look as young as you can in the years to come. However, even though making sure to moisturize daily sounds easy enough, there are certainly things that you will need to keep in mind before you use it.

What are the ingredients one should look for in a moisturizer?

Check the label of the moisturizer and see if it has these ingredients: Pentylene glycol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate, Squalene esters, Tocopheryl acetate, Liquid paraffin and ceramides. A moisturizer with these will work for any skin. 

What people with oily skin need a moisturizer?

Oily skin already has natural oils that is produced by the skin but that does not mean that people with oily skin do not need a moisturizer. They just need to use one that suits their skin and does not clog pores. For oily skin, water-based moisturizers for example, oil in water type of emulsions are preferred so that the greasiness of skin is not increased.

What kind of moisturizer is best-suited for people with acne-prone skin?

Acne-prone skin needs to be dealt with care as using the wrong skincare products will only aggravate the condition. Non-comedogenic moisturizers are preferred. Oil in water based emulsions is also preferred as they do not block the sebaceous pores and do not increase the production of acne.

Which moisturizer should people who have dry skin use?

Dry skin definitely needs more moisturizer that can grease the skin in a healthy way. For dry skin, oil in oil based emulsions are preferred as they provide the much-needed extra moisture that the skin needs.

What moisturizer suits all the other skin types?

For people who have normal, combination and sensitive skin, standard moisturizers containing liquid white soft paraffin, vitamin E, Propylene glycol, are preferred. They do not have to bother much but they can check the label for these ingredients before they buy it.

When should one apply a moisturizer: before or after Bath ?

Moisturizers should be applied on moist, damp skin so ideally after a bath when the body is still moist. This helps to capture the moisture inside the skin.

Is it necessary to buy two moisturizers: one for face and one for body?

Ideally, it is better to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer for face as it will not block your pores and prevent pimples, and any standard moisturizer for the rest of the body. Your body’s skin is not as delicate as the face so both require a different moisturizer.