The selection is wonderful. Usually this means that you will find a product that perfectly suits your needs. But when it comes to your skincare, the sheer variety of moisturizers, coupled with the sometimes confusing label jargon, is usually enough to make you want to grab the first thing you see on the shelf and hope it gets the job done.
Applying a moisturizing product to the skin of the face and body (if necessary) is a cornerstone of proper skin care. And although it sounds self-explanatory, it may be useful to know why.
Why It Is Crucial to Use a Moisturizer on the Skin
Basically, using one of these products helps build up moisture or increase the water content in the skin, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Not only does it prevent dry skin that can feel uncomfortable and itchy (and potentially aggravate skin conditions like eczema), but proper hydration also strengthens a healthy skin barrier that penetrates water and keeps irritants away. And well-hydrated skin is plump skin, which reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The problem is that there are three main types of moisturizers: lotion, cream and ointment, each with its unique properties and the best use for the skin. In addition, there are several types of ingredients that are included in moisturizing formulas, which, although they provide hydration to the skin, they do so in different ways. Many of them can be integrated into a single product.
Here’s the 411 on moisturizers, including the information on the label and the different types of moisturizers to consider for your skin problems.
Moisturizing cream vs Moisturizer: What’s the difference?
The answer to this frequently asked question is not exactly simple. Moisturizers return moisture to the skin, while moisturizers block it, says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a Boston-based dermatologist. That said, the difference is usually in marketing, and considering them as separate product types probably won’t benefit them, says Dr. Hirsch. “This is one of those times when the jargon goes beyond what most need to find an effective product,” she says. So, it’s okay to use these two terms interchangeably.
It is important that you use a moisturizing/moisturizing cream first of all. “Everyone should apply a moisturizer regularly to their skin, regardless of whether it’s oily or dry,” adds Dr. Garshick. These products can help keep the skin in balance; even oily skin can become dehydrated.
3 Types of Moisturizers and What They Are For
Here are the different types of moisturizers and how to choose the right one for your skin.
1. Lotion
Lotions have a thinner, lighter consistency than creams or ointments, and lotions are best used for “normal” skin, says Dr. Hirsch. If you have combination skin, since the T-zone and chin are oily and the cheeks are drier, use a lotion (or cream) for the drier areas and a gel moisturizer for the greasier ones. (Hybrid products, often called gel-cream, can be used all over the face if you have combination skin, she adds.)
You can apply a lotion to the body or face. If you use one on your face and are prone to acne, make sure that it is a non-comedogenic product, which means that it is unlikely to clog pores.
Try: Daily oil-free Facial Moisturizer Cetaphil SPF 35 (Target.com ) This lotion nourishes with glycerin and vitamin E; in addition, it is non-greasy, feels good, absorbs quickly and leaves a matte finish.
2. Cream
Creams are more moisturizing than lotions, but less moisturizing than ointments. With a thick, silky texture, creams contain less oil than lotions and are therefore not as viscous, notes the National Eczema Association. If you have eczema (often called atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema), an ointment is the best option, but creams are also fine, although sometimes they may contain irritating ingredients.
For dry body skin, choose a body cream or ointment, says Garshick, and to get the right coverage, be generous with the amount of product you apply.
Try: Paula’s Choice Daily Replenishment Body Cream (Paulaschoice.com ) This product contains ceramides to maintain a healthy skin barrier, as well as shea butter and avocado and grape seed oils to soothe dryness.
3. Ointment
An ointment is the thickest of all. The ideal is to apply an ointment on dry skin of the body. “For the skin of the body, we tend to think that a thicker product is better,” says Garshick. These are heavier than creams and lotions because they have a higher oil content, which makes this product more effective for treating dry and flaky skin, she says. The ointments, including those formulated with petroleum jelly and mineral oil, are recommended for eczema-prone skin, according to the National Eczema Association.
Try: Aquaphor Healing Ointment (Walgreens.com ) This ointment contains a base of petroleum jelly and mineral oil. A tub container can also make it easier to take a good spoonful of what you need (clean!) hands, says Garshick.
