Best Moisturizers for dry and oily skin

Struggling with finding the best moisturizers for your specific skin type? You’re not alone! Plus, the one you use can really make or break your skin.

Moisturizing is a crucial step in every skincare routine. It helps to protect our skin’s barrier from irritation and maintain healthy skin cells. In addition to protecting the skin barrier, moisturizing also helps to soften fine lines and wrinkles; balances the skin’s complexion; and can even help with decreasing acne breakouts.

The type of moisturizer you use should depend on your individual skin concerns. Is your skin dry or oily-prone? Recognizing the needs of your skin will allow you to select the best product for you. Let’s break down the best moisturizers for both dry and oily skin!

By: Kristin Gaskins, NP

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Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Let’s first discuss what products to look for if you suffer from dry skin. If you have dry skin, you will want to look for moisturizers that are a cream or an ointment rather than a lotion. These types of products are more hydrating when compared to lotions.

There are three key ingredient categories to look for in a good moisturizer if you have dry skin. These include:

• Occlusives: form a barrier on the skin to help prevent the loss of moisture.
• Emollients: help to hydrate the skin and soften the rough outer layer.
• Humectants: like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, do not directly hydrate the skin, but they are able to pull water into the skin to hydrate and plump

Hydration Boosting Cream from SkinBetter is an amazing option for those patients with dry skin. It has short and longer-acting moisturizing properties. This provides hydration to the skin without the feeling of heaviness. It works very well under makeup. It can be used once or twice daily depending on the needs of your skin.

When and How to Apply Moisturizer

Whether your skin is dry or oily, it is best to apply your moisturizer after getting out of the shower or washing your face. By applying while the skin is still slightly damp, you can lock in the moisture.

Typically, a pea-size amount of product will be enough to cover the face. Use your fingertips and apply in a circular motion over your entire face until all the product has been absorbed. Ideally, moisturizer should be applied after you cleanse and use any antioxidant products.

If you are using a good product, chances are it is full of beneficial moisturizing ingredients. This typically means you only need a small amount to cover your entire face. It is possible to use too much moisturizer. If you start to notice your pores are clogged—meaning you have more black heads and white heads, consider how much product you are applying.

When to Change Your Moisturizer

Pay attention to how your skin looks and reacts to the changes in weather or humidity throughout the year. If your skin fluctuates from season to season, you’ll want to consider switching up which moisturizers you’re using to counteract any adverse weather effects.

In winter months, the air tends to be drier. This strips the natural moisture from our skin and so you may need a product that replenishes this moisture and supports the skin barrier.

In the summer months when there is more humidity, you may need a lighter product such as aloe vera to account for this change.

Not Sure Where to Start?

The bottomline: when investing in skincare, you want to make sure you are using the best product for your individual skin type in order to get the best possible results! Don’t just follow the current skincare trends as they come and go if they don’t align with your skin type—it can take weeks, even months, to get your skin back on track from using the wrong product.

If you’re struggling with where to start in picking out the best moisturizers for your skin type or not even sure what your skin type really is—we can help! Give us call to set up a free skincare consult.

We’ll assess your skin, take some photos with our VISIA Facial Analysis System to see if there are any underlying skin concerns beyond the surface, and then work together to formulate a skincare plan of action that works for both your skin type and your budget.

Give us a call or fill out the consultation form on our website!

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