Skin moisturizer is one of the most important aspects of your daily skincare routine, considering how it acts as a protective barrier for your skin and keeps it thoroughly hydrated.
It is vital for you to choose the right moisturizer because you want one that suits your skin type and doesn’t cause adverse reactions.
However, when buying a skin moisturizer, many people tend to wander around the skincare aisles back and forth because they are confused as to which one they should get. Not just that, but the plethora of different types of skin moisturizers available out there further adds to the confusion.
So, how do you decide which skin moisturizer is the best one for you?
Here are a few essential things you should look for in a skin moisturizer to find the one that is just right for your skin.
Contents
The Skin Type
It is important to consider the fact that everyone’s skin type is different, and there are different kinds of moisturizers that cater to each skin type.
The first thing you need to do here is to identify your skin type. Then, when buying a skin moisturizer, find out if it’s suitable for your skin type. Is the moisturizer for dry skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, or sensitive skin?
After all, there is nothing worse than using a skincare product that doesn’t cater to your particular skin type, as it is likely to impact the skin negatively.
Ingredients
Once you’ve sorted the skin type, the next thing to look for in a skin moisturizer is its ingredients.
The ingredients of any skincare routine are primarily what help determine how good or bad it is for you.
Read the ingredient label on the back, where you will see a list of active ingredients followed by inactive ingredients.
Try to look for a skin moisturizer that contains natural ingredients and is void of fragrances and artificial colors because these can seriously irritate your skin.
Expiration Date
This is a vital factor to consider when buying a skin moisturizer because using expired skin care products can result in skin infections and irritations.
The expiration date is usually mentioned on the back of the product, so make sure you look for it before you purchase a skin moisturizer.
The Scent
Some skincare products come with unique fragrances, while others are scent-free. It all comes down to individual preferences as some people like scented products and others don’t.
An important thing to know here is the difference between unscented and fragrance-free. The latter refers to the fact that no fragrances have been added to the product, while the former refers to how a product may not contain any scent but could possibly contain a fragrance to mask unpleasant odors.
So, when buying skin moisturizer, make sure to see if it’s scented or not as per your liking.
Broad Spectrum
This is a term that refers to a skin product offering sun protection by blocking UVA and UVB rays from the sun.
While not all skin moisturizers are broad-spectrum, so you must choose the one that does offer protection from the sun. This is because the sun rays can seriously damage your skin, resulting in rashes, allergies, and irritation.
However, if you don’t find a broad spectrum moisturizer, make sure to always apply sunscreen on your skin after putting on the moisturizer.
Non-Comedogenic
You might have often noticed this term written on the back of skincare products.
If a product does contain this term, it means that it’s oil-free and non-clogging. What it means is that the particular skin product won’t strip your skin off of its moisture while breaking down excess oil. A non-comedogenic skin moisturizer is excellent for those who have combination or acne-prone skin since it will help prevent the moisturizer from clogging the pores, thereby reducing the occurrence of pimples and acne.
The Order of Ingredients
Did you know that ingredients mentioned on skincare products are generally listed in the highest-to-lowest concentration order?
This order basically aims to help you determine what products you should avoid and which ones you should go after.
So, a good rule of thumb to follow when buying skin moisturizer is to pay attention to where the primary ingredients fall on the list.
Look at the first five ingredients on the back of the skin moisturizer because they are the ones that account for as much as 80 percent of the moisturizer’s product make-up.
Price
You might have noticed that many skincare brands are more towards the expensive side, and their products come with high price tags. So, another thing to look for in a skin moisturizer is its price.
However, make sure that you never compromise on your skin by getting a low-priced product just because it costs less.
You might be tempted to opt for a skin moisturizer that has a low price, so make sure to check its ingredients first before buying it.
Final Takeaway
When buying a skin moisturizer or any other skincare product for that matter, it is extremely important to consider the above-mentioned factors.
If you are still confused about which one to get, or you aren’t sure which moisturizer is the right one for your skin, you can always consult a dermatologist.
Schedule an appointment with your go-to dermatologist or any other and seek their advice on the matter. In case you suffer from any skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, make sure that you mention it to the skin doctor so that they are able to guide you better.
In a nutshell, there is no blanket answer when it comes to choosing the right skin moisturizer. From ingredients to the product make-up to skin type to other essential features, make sure to take all into consideration before you finally buy one.
