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All skin types need moisture, including oily and combination. Finding the perfect facial product is not an easy task, but we will help you solve it. First, let’s explain why the skin needs moisturizing ingredients and how to choose a cream based on them.
When Skin Needs Hydration
A moisturizing face cream should be your go-to (without exaggeration) remedy. After all, any type of skin reacts to a lack of moisture.
- Dry skin experiences discomfort and tightness, peeling appears.
- Oily skin can simultaneously suffer from oily sheen, clogged pores, inflammation on the one hand, and dehydration, which only aggravates the situation, on the other.
- The combination often reacts to a lack of moisture with a greasy sheen in the T-zone and peeling in the cheeks and nasolabial folds.
- Normal skin loses its natural radiance, the complexion becomes dull, the tone is uneven, and an unpleasant feeling of dryness may occur.
“All skin types need moisture, even if there are no signs of dehydration at the moment. Oily and problematic skin is also important to moisturize, especially against the background of drug treatment with aggressive drugs.
Elena Eliseeva, medical expert of the brand Vichy
Most modern acne treatments damage the lipid barrier of the skin (this is their mechanism of action) – as a result, moisture is quickly lost. Therefore, a competent doctor, along with medicinal preparations, must prescribe moisturizing care.
“Normal skin is hydrated to maintain perfect texture and a healthy complexion. Dry skin is especially in need of hydrating agents, as the lack of a lipid barrier leads to moisture loss and premature aging,” says Elena Eliseeva, medical expert at Vichy.
“Moisturizers for dry skin include both hydro-fixatives, such as hyaluronic acid, and lipid-replenishing components, such as oils and ceramides in high concentrations.”
Take our test to see if your skin is getting enough hydration.
How does a moisturizer work on the skin?
Moisturizers tend to work in two ways:
They supply moisture to the cells of the epidermis with the help of hygroscopic components that take water molecules from the atmosphere.
The forces of moisture-locking ingredients form a protective film on the surface that does not allow this moisture to evaporate.
Dry skin products contain hydrating agents.
The composition of the moisturizer
Hygroscopic agents, by absorbing moisture from the atmosphere, bind it to the cells and create a water-retaining barrier on the surface of the epidermis, which softens and smoothes the skin. In the composition of cosmetics, these substances are hidden under the following names:
- hyaluronic acid;
- glycerol;
- propylene glycol;
- panthenol.
In addition to these components, a number of other useful components can be found in the list of ingredients of a moisturizer.
- Oils (shea, coconut, jojoba, avocado) have lipid-replenishing properties and do not allow moisture to evaporate.
- Antioxidants (vitamins E and C, green tea extract, allantoin, coenzyme Q10) slow down oxidation processes, protecting cells from free radicals and skin from premature aging.
- emulsifier combine all the components into a single formula. On the label, you will recognize these substances by the names Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate.
- Stabilizers (Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Carbomer) keeps the formula from breaking down into oil and water phases.
- Emollient ingredients allow the product to be easily distributed over the skin. Silicones (dimethicone, amodimethicone) and esters (Isopropyl Palmitate) can act as a softener.
Seasonal features
In the cold and warm seasons, a moisturizer solves different tasks and performs different functions.
in winter
In the period of frosty and windy weather, as well as the drying effect of central heating, it is necessary to carefully monitor the integrity of the hydrolipidic layer of the skin. Moisturizers alone will not be enough, so when choosing a winter cream, look for lipid-replenishing components in the composition: these can be either natural oils and waxes, or ceramides.
Lettom
Dry air, high temperatures and the sun’s rays pretty dry the skin. And since our skin releases twice, or even triple, more sebum in the heat, it is recommended to prefer lighter textures that do not leave the skin feeling greasy or sticky. Gel, cream-gel or fluid do not weigh down the skin, do not interfere with the free secretion of sebum and do not provoke the appearance of inflammatory elements.
The presence of a sun protection factor in the product will be a plus. For the city, “twenty” is enough, but for outdoor activities under the sun, look for a product with a protection factor of at least SPF 30.
How to choose a moisturizer
The main need for dry skin is hydration.
When looking for a daytime moisturizer, look for texture first.
- Dense oily balms are not suitable if you constantly use tonal products – such formulas contribute to the rolling of the foundation, and even without decorative cosmetics, you will experience discomfort from too dense texture.
- Rich textures are good for evening care. Usually they contain the maximum concentration of active substances: oils, antioxidants, vitamin C, retinol. At night, the skin’s metabolism accelerates, which means that the skin absorbs valuable ingredients better.
Rules of application
Apply any cream only on a face that has been previously cleansed of impurities and makeup. If the cream contains moisture-retaining agents (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), it is desirable that the skin be slightly damp before application. Treat it with tonic.
Distribute the composition with your fingertips along the massage lines, moving from bottom to top: from the chin to the cheekbones, from the corners of the lips to the temples, and so on.
Moisturizing cream can be “closed” with oil or serum with an oily texture, this method is especially relevant for owners of dry skin.
Funds overview
For dry skin
Creams for dry skin
Name | Advantages | Composition |
Hydra Zen Soothing Moisturizer for Dry Skin, Lancôme | Lipidure microcapsules, vectorized ceramides and hyaluronic acid are responsible for rapid hydration here. This combination “seals” the water inside the cell, providing it with an optimal level of hydration for a long time. | ceramides, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, French rose, peony, moringa oil, sea fennel extracts |
Moisture Expert Day Cream for dry and sensitive skin, L’Oréal Paris | The formula works in three directions: intensively moisturizes, helps to retain water molecules in skin cells, eliminates discomfort. | rose and blackcurrant oils |
Intensive moisturizer Hydraphase Intense Riche, La Roche-Posay | The tool provides long-term hydration of the epidermis. The sealed bottle protects the cream from bacteria. | thermal water La Roche-Posay, fragmented hyaluronic acid |
For oily and combination skin
Creams for oily skin
Name | Advantages | Composition |
MOISTURIZING gel-cream ULTRA FACIAL OIL-FREE gel cream, KIEHL’S | Light gel does not leave a greasy film, prevents dehydration, providing hydration for a long time. In the composition you will not find oils, parabens and fragrances. | antarcticin, extract of imperata cylindric, tocopherol |
MOISTURIZING CREAM FOR NORMAL AND COMBINATION SKIN AQUASOURCE, BIOTHERM | Maintains a feeling of comfort and optimal level of skin hydration for 48 hours. | thermal plankton |
INTENSIVE MOISTURIZING REGENERATING GEL Hydratation B5, SKINCEUTICALS | Non-greasy gel maintains an optimal level of skin hydration, charges it with health and beauty. | hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, urea, trehalose |
For normal skin
Creams for normal skin
Name | Advantages | Composition |
Brightening and smoothing moisture treatment, Kiehl’s | Reduces pigmentation, evens out skin texture and gives the face a rested look. | vitamin C, glycolic acid, white birch and peony extracts |
TOP SECRETS, YSL BEAUTÉ GLOW MOISTURIZER | The tinted cream saturates the skin with moisture, and light-refracting particles are responsible for the effect of soft radiance, visually leveling the tone and relief. | hydroactive complex |
CREAM FOR NORMAL AND MIXED SKIN “VIVIVING MOISTURIZING”, GARNIER | The light texture softens the skin, eliminating flaking, saturates it with moisture and provides comfort throughout the day. | blue lotus extract |