Winter is coming and it’s time to prepare by keeping our skin moisturized and soft during the dry weather. However, did you know that only water can hydrate your skin? That’s it, nothing else.
So moisturizers have a bit of a misleading name, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important! Moisturizers actually works to trap water into your skin or deliver it to where it needs to go in your skin.
There are two main types of moisturizers: day and night. While you could find one that suits a happy medium, each have their own purposes and functions.
Day moisturizers should contain an SPF rating between 30 and 50 and broad spectrum protection to keep your skin from damage.
Night moisturizers should be richer and creamier, often containing retinoids and peptides that you don’t want in a day moisturizer.
Retinoids are a form of Vitamin A that help fight wrinkles and fine lines, but can make your skin extremely vulnerable in the sunlight and when exposed, could increase the likelihood of skin tumors.
Peptides on the other hand trigger the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, both of which naturally deplete over time and age. These are great ingredients for night time moisturizers but be sure to avoid them in your day creams!
Besides for day vs. night creams, your moisturizer also depends on your skin type. For some tips, check out what Reviews.com and find out about face moisturizers and their ingredients.
Oily Skin
Oily skin needs moisture to control oil production. If oily skin is dried out, the skin will actually go into an overproduction of oil, compounding the problem.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is due to a naturally low production of oil. It lacks moisture and requires ingredients that help reduce TEWL. Heavier occlusive and emollient ingredients are necessary to literally trap water in the skin’s upper layers.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is a catch-all name for a whole host of skin concerns: excessive dryness, inflammation, water loss, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis — the list goes on.
Combination Skin
Normal skin gets a free pass. Most face moisturizers will work just fine. If you’ve got combination skin, use a heavier moisturizer in the winter months and go light on the T zone. Or pick a lighter moisturizer designed for oily skin and apply it all over, even in the T zone — you need to make sure to moisturize those areas.
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