Tried and true tips for selecting your next moisturizer - hydrating the key to beautiful skin

Carol Belanger

Everyday our face is bombarded with free radicals (pollution), exposed to UVA and UVB rays, and extreme weather conditions. Applying moisturizer before you start your day not only moisturizes as the name implies but it also protects your skin.

We all know that we need to moisturize and protect our skin everyday, but the hard part is finding the right moisturizer that works for you. There are numerous questions that need to be addressed when selecting your moisturizer. Some of these questions are: Do I need a lotion or a cream? What ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin? My skin is already oily; won't a moisturizer make my skin oilier? With so many questions and so many products to choose from selecting the right moisturizer can be frustrating.

Below are some tips to help you select the right moisturizer for your facial skin type.

Do I need a lotion or a cream? Dry skin is usually best hydrated with a cream rich in emollients. These usually come in the form of creams. For daytime wear your moisturizer should have a SPF of at least 15 even during the winter months. For nighttime go with an emollient rich cream and stay clear of harsh cleansers. Oily skin is best served with a light gel or lotion. Again, for daytime it should include an SPF too.

What ingredients should I avoid if I have sensitive skin? For those with sensitive skin, the most common skin irritants are fragrances, dyes, lanolin, and the preservatives parabens and formaldehyde. Consider doing a patch test prior to a full application on the face. For those with sensitive skin even natural ingredients such as aloe, almond oil, etc., can cause allergic reactions or topical skin dermatitis.

My skin is already oily; won't a moisturizer make my skin oilier? A moisturizer protects the skin and well as hydrate, because hydrated skin feels better. Think water content in the skin not oil. Consider a light lotion or gel that is oil free is recommended. Select a product that is water-based and is labeled noncomedogenic. If you are using products to dry up excess oil a moisturizer is needed to relieve dryness and flakiness. The more harsh products you use to dry up excess oil, the more oil your skin will produce. Think gentle when considering a skin treatment; a homemade oatmeal mask will do wonders to absorb oil. Watch the video on how to whip up your oatmeal mask.


As a Shine Beauty Guru, I just did a product review on Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, I just loved the hydration and would recommend this product for dry to normal skin. You can read the Shine Beauty Guru's reviews here.

Unfortunately, I really can not recommend a moisturizer for oily skin as there are two many variables to take into consideration such as: do you suffer from acne, mild or intense breakouts, large pores, etc. However for some great products for oily skin at a reasonable price visit Skin Energizer.

Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, toners, facial peels and masks, etc., visit Complete Skin Care Therapy