It all depends on your skin type.
Have you seen a moisturizer advertised as “the best”? Tread carefully. Skincare products are highly subjective to your skin type. And we’re not talking just Dry or Oily. When choosing our skincare, we should also consider our age, our skin tendencies, our personal skincare goals, our habits, our activities, etc. As always, we highly recommend being self-aware and thinking critically about what you need, not just what looks good in the advertisements or what works for this person or that person. But to get you started, we’ve compiled some guidelines for the basic skin types. DryThose 3pm dry itches don’t lie. If you have dry skin, you need a moisturizer that lasts. But short of lathering yourself up like a grease ball, is there such a moisturizer? There is! Obagi Hydrate Luxe Moisture-Rich Creamis ideal for dry skin that craves moisture. OilyDo people with oily skin need a moisturizer? Yes, not as often, but oily (especially acne-prone) skin still needs a moisturizer because as you apply drying products to combat acne (face wash, toner, acne cleansers), your body might try to actually rev up oil production. You need a light moisturizer to keep the oil production in your skin balanced without adding to it. Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion by Dr. Dennis Grosshydrates skin while controlling oil and shine. Look for Noncomedogenic labels on moisturizers, or non-pore clogging. That will be crucial! CombinationAre you prone to oiliness on your forehead, nose, and chin while the rest of your face runs dry? You probably have combination skin. Similar to oily skin, you should use a light moisturizer. Unlike oily skin, opt for a cleanser that won’t dry out your face with strong amounts of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser, a cleanser that controls the oiliest parts of your skin will leave you with a matte, shine-free finish. Sensitive Sensitive skin prone to redness and flare-ups needs a moisturizer to calm the skin. Ideally, a moisturizer with soothing ingredients without any added irritants. NeoStrata Ulta Moisturizing Face Cream moisturizes and gently exfoliates while creating a protective barrier for sensitive skin. Mature SkinAge means a decline in our oil production. Sounds great, right? The upside may mean fewer blemishes (although I do know women in their sixties who still get breakouts) but the downside is dryer skin and the wrinkling of our skin (those women in their sixties getting breakouts may grumble, but their skin is still supple and beautiful!). Keep skin ultra-hydrated and use an oil-based moisturizer like Eminence Coconut Age Corrector Moisturizer to help combat wrinkles and signs of aging. Filled with electrolytes, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, this anti-aging moisturizer will help to restore suppleness.
Our skin changes over time. What worked for you a decade ago may not work now. Finding the right products for your skin may seem overwhelming, but finding the best product FOR YOU is possible. Know your own skin.