How To Choose The Right Moisturizer For Your Skin
Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of infinite products when it comes to moisturizers? You’re not alone. The beauty industry is flooded with so many different options that it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
Ideally, you should get your skincare needs assessed directly by a skincare professional, like an esthetician, who can recommend the right products for you. But if you’re just looking to research your options, for now, we can help narrow down your search and provide some of our tried & true suggestions.
How does including a moisturizer in your skincare routine help the health of your skin?
Moisturizers are used to hydrate and nourish the skin. They work by helping fill in cracks and crevices where moisture can get trapped, preventing water loss from occurring. This helps prevent dehydration, which results in dryness and irritation to the skin. They also provide nutrients that help promote a healthy complexion by stimulating cellular activity and improving circulation within tissue layers.
When is the best time to apply moisturizer?
The best time to apply moisturizer depends on your skin type and needs, but it's generally best to apply it when your skin is still slightly damp from washing. This helps lock in moisture and seal out environmental pollutants that can cause breakouts and irritation.
What is the importance of choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type?
Different types of moisturizers contain different ingredients that target specific needs of different parts of your body. But which moisturizer is best for you? This depends on your specific needs—whether you have dry or oily skin, whether you have acne-prone skin or mature skin—and what kind of product you're looking for. There are so many different types of moisturizers out there!
Here's a breakdown of some different types so you can find one that works best for your unique needs.
What is the best moisturizer for dry skin?
We've tried dozens of moisturizers over the years in search of the best ones for dry skin (and our favorite ones by far are from Lira Clinical). But before we get into that, let's talk about what makes a good moisturizer for dry skin types.
If you have dry skin, here are some things to look for in a moisturizer:
Plant stem cells. Plant stem cells are an ingredient that helps skin regenerate, which is great for people with dry skin because it helps boost collagen production and improve elasticity.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is another ingredient that helps boost collagen production and protect against free radical damage from pollution or UV rays — both of which can cause wrinkles and fine lines in dry skin.
Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid acts as a "sponge" for moisture in the top layer of your skin, helping lock in hydration without feeling greasy or heavy on the face.
It's best to avoid ingredients that can irritate dry, sensitive skin, such as fragrances, dyes, and alcohol.
Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin: What We Recommend
Bio Caviar Creme is one of our top picks for those with dry skin. It's formulated with caviar extract and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish your skin. The formula also contains antioxidants that help protect against free radicals that cause premature aging. This moisturizer is light enough to wear under makeup without feeling greasy or heavy but thick enough that it provides ample hydration on its own. It has a light floral scent that's not overpowering at all — just enough to add an extra layer of luxury without being overwhelming.
Bio Lift Creme is a non-greasy cream that instantly hydrates and softens skin. It's also packed with antioxidants including vitamins A and E as well as green tea extract for anti-aging benefits.
Mystiq Illuminating Beauty Oil is an all-in-one product that offers anti-aging benefits while also hydrating skin at night before bedtime. It contains hyaluronic acid which works to plump up fine lines while adding moisture so they appear diminished upon waking up in the morning. Plus it contains organic rosehip oil to help fight free radicals caused by pollution and stress!
What is the best moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin?
If your skin is oily, acne-prone, and sensitive, then it's safe to say that you have combination skin — a condition where both dry and oily patches appear on different areas of the face. Oily and acne-prone skin types need a moisturizer that will balance the skin's oil production, while also helping to prevent breakouts.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, here are some things to look for in a moisturizer:
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, it's important to look for a moisturizer that will balance out your skin and fight off the excess oil. One of the best ingredients for this is salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and is one of the most effective ingredients for treating acne. It helps remove excess sebum (oil) from the pores, which can lead to breakouts. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne.
Natural oils are another beneficial ingredient for oily and acne prone skin types, contrary to popular belief. Oils like jojoba oil, hemp oil and argan oil are great for nourishing and softening the skin without clogging pores. They also contain antioxidants that protect against free radical damage and help keep your skin looking fresh and healthy.
Peptides are protein fragments that help boost collagen production and fight wrinkles while keeping your skin hydrated. They also combat acne by helping reduce excess oil production on the surface of your skin.
Best Moisturizers for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: What We Recommend
Ice Balancing Lotion: This lightweight lotion contains natural ingredients like salicylic acid, which helps prevent breakouts. It's formulated specifically for combination skin and works well on both oily areas and dry patches. It also contains grapefruit extract, which helps fight free radicals caused by environmental stressors such as pollution and UV rays.
Mystiq Beauty Oil: This is another great choice for acne-prone skin types because it has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and irritation caused by breakouts. The formulation also includes botanical extracts that help soothe inflammation and calm irritated skin.
What is the best moisturizer for your anti-aging routine?
So what is anti-aging, anyway? The real meaning of anti-aging is to prevent or reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. The best anti-aging products will also help your skin maintain its elasticity and firmness as well as even out skin tone.
The first step is to find the right moisturizer for your skin type and concerns. When you're trying to fight off the signs of aging, it's best to find a moisturizer that goes beyond just hydrating your skin and actually helps repair damaged cells in the process.
When shopping for a moisturizer with anti-aging properties, look for ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, which help repair sun damage and stimulate collagen production. These ingredients are particularly helpful for aging skin that's lost some of its natural elasticity over time.
Best Moisturizers for Anti-Aging: What We Recommend
Bio Lift Creme: This product is great because it contains ceramides, peptides and hyaluronic acid, all of which help restore the skin barrier and reduce wrinkles. It also has vitamin C and retinol, which promote collagen production and stimulate collagen synthesis. The result? Younger-looking skin that feels smoother, softer and firmer!
Bio Caviar Creme: This cream contains superfoods like caviar extract and algae extract, which have been shown to promote cell growth in the epidermis layer of your skin. It’s great for anti-aging because it contains retinol, which helps boost collagen synthesis so your skin looks plumper and more youthful. It also features hyaluronic acid, which retains hydration to prevent dryness that leads to wrinkles. Plus, it contains ceramides (lipids) that help strengthen your skin's barrier function.
The Takeaway
Having the right skincare products can be the difference between looking your best and feeling your best. At Enlightened Beauty, we believe that the key to a healthy and glowing complexion is not just about how you care for your skin, but how well you understand your skin and self.
As you can see, there are several options available to you, depending on the specific needs of your skin. Our recommendation of Lira Clinical products is a great place to start, but if you're still not sure which one is right for you, we’re here to help.
Schedule a consultation with us today so that we can learn more about your skin type, lifestyle and goals in order to recommend the best skincare regimen for you!