The complete guide to moisturizers and finding the best one for your skin

Abundant nourishment and hydration are the keys to healthy, soft, and supple skin. While cleansing, exfoliating and using a sunscreen are also crucial for the health of the skin, the essence and importance of a moisturizer is simply irreplaceable.

The benefits of a moisturizer are multifold and goes beyond the maintenance of the skin’s hydration levels. For instance, when formulated with ceramides, a moisturizer does the job of repairing the skin’s compromised barrier. When infused with broad spectrum SPF, it also doubles up as a sunscreen. And when mixed with a slight tint, it becomes a tinted moisturizer that reduces your summer makeup layers allowing your skin to breathe. Additionally, a moisturizer is also often created with ingredients that combat specific skin concerns like sensitivity, acne, hyperpigmentation and signs of ageing.

[Hero Image Credit: Nati Melnychuk/Unsplash; Featured Image Credit: Juriel Majeed/Unsplash]

How to choose the best moisturizer

As essential as using a moisturizer twice daily is, choosing the one that’s meant for your skin type and its concerns is equally necessary. For that matter, any skincare product that’s not meant for your skin can have adverse and negative effects on it and worsen its condition. Hence, here are a few things to consider before you set out on your search for that perfect moisturizer.

• Ingredients

Always choose a moisturizer that’s formulated with ingredients that cater to your skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, look for hydrating components like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, oils like coconut, almond or jojoba, vitamin E and barrier-repairing ceramides. For oily skin, moisturizers with ingredients like green tea, tea tree, niacinamide and salicylic acid work the best whereas, soothing ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides and shea butter are perfect.

• Formula

Apart from the ingredients, what also matters and you should be careful about is the formula and consistency of the moisturizer. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, non-comedogenic moisturizers that have a lightweight, water or gel-based formula should be your go-to. Similarly, if you have dry skin, rich and creamy-textured, milk-based concoctions work the best whereas, normal or combination skin will benefit with a consistency that’s neither too watery nor too heavy.

• What to avoid

No matter what your skin type is, make sure that your moisturizer is formulated without any alcohol, artificial dyes and fragrances or harsh chemicals and toxins. It is also recommended to opt for dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic skincare products.

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