Facial Moisturizers
There are so many facial moisturizers  on the market these days. They range from inexpensive over-the-counter creams and lotions to high-priced department store anti-aging serums. Nonetheless, rumors and misconceptions about the effectiveness of beauty care products are plentiful. The truth is that most inexpensive moisturizers are as good as expensive ones and many of the claims on labels are marketing gimmicks.
Choosing a Moisturizer - Choosing a moisturizer has a lot to do with personal taste, but more so with skin type and age. Learn more about this important step below.
- You don't need to spend a lot on a facial moisturizer unless you want to. Most drugstore brands cost from $5 to $20 while department store brands range from $20 to $100+. Don't let this fool you - ingredients are the best indicator of quality, not price. Use this guide to help you choose a moisturizer that suits your preferences, your skin type, and your wallet.
Quick Tips- Moisturizers are meant to moisturize, not act as a miracle serum.
- Remember that "dermatologist tested" or "dermatologist approved" doesn't amount to much since these approvals are not based on any common scale of quality.
- Moisturizers that claim to reduce wrinkles often exaggerate the actual effects of a product. Again, the more informed you are as a consumer, the better chance you'll have at finding your "holy-grail" of moisturizers.
- Products slowly lose their efficacy once being opened or being exposed to sunlight. Those that include an SPF have a specific shelf-life and you can usually find the expiration date printed somewhere on the bottle.
Moisturizer Types
Remember that you can mix and match moisturizers. - Heavy, rich moisturizing night creams are best right before bed since they will then have time to absorb into the skin while you sleep. Heavier creams are also recommended during dry winter months when skin is prone to becoming parched and flaky.
- Light lotions are optimal for use during summertime when extra heat and sweat adds to clogging pores.
- During the day a sunscreen/sunblock is of the essence. Most of the aging that skin will incur throughout a person's lifetime is caused by harmful UV rays. If you buy a moisturizer without sunscreen, make sure to purchase sunscreen on the side and apply it along with your face cream every day to protect against wrinkles and skin cancer.
- Light diffusing or tinted moisturizers are great for low-maintenance daily use in place of foundation since they help even out the skin tone without adding another step to your beauty routine.
Skin Type
All facial moisturizers come labeled for a certain type of skin: regular, dry, oily or combination. Don't get boxed in by using only one lotion for a particular skin type especially if you have combination skin. Remember that certain ingredients in one product might be better suited for your skin even if they are labeled for a skin type other than your own.
Dry or Sensitive Skin - Product Type -- Moisturizer for dry and/or sensitive skin.
- Ingredients -- Alpha hydroxies, antioxidants, and emollients such as vitamin E, aloe vera, shea butter, sweet almond oil, etc.
- Sun Protection -- When choosing UV protection, get sunblock rather than sunscreen since it contains essential nutrients such as zinc and titanium, which are especially helpful for those with sensitive, dry skin.
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Acne-Prone or Oily Skin- Product Type -- Oil-free moisturizers and non-comodegenic lotion.
- Ingredients -- Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinoids,
- Sun Protection -- Just because you have acne doesn't mean you can skip an SPF. Moisturizers that contain it help eliminate an extra (potentially pore-clogging) step in your routine. SPF is also extremely important to use in conjunction with acne medications because they usually increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun.
- You might also be interested in the Acne Treatments guide.
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Aging Skin- Product Type -- Products that help increase skin's natural collagen and provide lots of moisture are best for fighting wrinkles.
- Ingredients -- Exfoliating AHAs (alpha hydroxies) and BHAs (beta hydroxies) help remove the top layers of skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines. Look for ones with glycolic and lactic acid. Also look for antioxidants such as vitamin A, E and C. Retin-A is a prescription product long lauded for its positive wrinkle-fighting effects but because it can be harsh on dry skin and reacts negatively to sunlight, Avage is recommended as an alternative.
- You might want to check out the Anti-Aging Skin Care guide for more product information.
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Top-Rated Moisturizers
Be sure to check out the extensive product reviews at Makeup Alley for more information on face moisturizers.
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