Face moisturizers are vital for healthy skin. They increase the skin’s water content, balance your skin tone, and keep your face blemish-free. This article compiles a list of facial moisturizer ingredients to look out for and why.
Top 5 Facial Moisturizer Ingredients
Whether trying to make your moisturizer or buying one from the store, your moisturizer should contain these five ingredients. Here are the top five ingredients you should look for when selecting the best face moisturizer.
1. Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient has soon become a trend in the beauty world. The humectant ingredient holds water to the skin’s surface, hydrating it. It is one of the many substances produced by the body that depletes with time making it crucial for people to get moisturizers containing this compound, especially so for the elderly.
2. Glycerin
Glycerin, also called glycerol, works like hyaluronic acid. It is a sweet-tasting lipid found in all fats. As a humectant, it works to absorb water from the atmosphere and draw water from the dermis to the skin’s surface. It keeps the skin hydrated, and this reduces dry and flaky skin.
In 2016, a review held glycerin as the most effective moisturizer ingredient. Many face moisturizers now include glycerin, but before you get one, check the labels to confirm that your choice of moisturizer contains a healthy amount of this ingredient.
3. Petrolatum
Petrolatum, also known as petroleum jelly, is occlusive and emollient. As an occlusive ingredient, petrolatum works to prevent skin dehydration. It builds a protective coating over your skin, preventing water from evaporating. Vaseline, a wildly standard petrolatum, has become a staple in many cabinets.
If you struggle with dry and flaky skin, get a moisturizer with both glycerin and petrolatum. This combination helps draw water to your skin surface and bind it to the skin keeping it hydrated, smooth and supple. As an emollient, petrolatum keeps the rough dead cells on the skin surface hydrated.
4. Ceramides
Ceramides are natural proteins found in the outer layer of the skin. They are the skin’s biggest weapon against aging and sun damage. Ceramides help keep moisture in the skin and protect the skin from environmental toxins and pollutants. Adding this to your skincare regimen helps to enhance and strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The skin stops producing these ceramides over time, and dry and scaly skin is believed to be responsible. Such deficiency makes the skin more vulnerable to environmental factors like dirt and pollution.
5. Dimethicone
This ingredient helps the uneven texture and fine lines on the skin, leaving you with smooth and flawless skin. Dimethicone is the main ingredient in most oil-free facial moisturizers, perfect for people with oily skin. As a light emollient, it forms a protective layer over the epidermis and helps to hydrate the skin by keeping the moisture in.
Emollients like dimethicone also help heal damaged skin and hide skin defects like flaky and scaly skin. They also make your skin look younger and smooth.
Types of Facial Moisturizer Ingredients
The best face moisturizer combines three kinds of ingredients. Most times, your skin type, age, and other factors will determine what combination of the trio your skin needs.
Here is a breakdown of these elements and how they function in your moisturizer:
1. Humectants
Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera and Propylene Glycol work as humectants and are the dominant ingredients in most moisturizers. The humectants attract water to themselves and bind water on the skin to keep it hydrated. They draw water from the atmosphere and deep layer of the skin (Dermis) to the outer layer of the skin (Epidermis), increasing the water content in the epidermis.
2. Emollients
These ingredients stay on the skin’s surface and act as lubricants. They help soften the skin leaving it looking lovely and smooth, and they work by filling in skin cracks with hydrating oils and lipids. They are perfect for dry and combination skin as it helps hold down the humectants. Ingredients like Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oils, Ceramides, Rosehip function as emollients.
3. Occlusives
Occlusives include ingredients like petrolatum, cetyl alcohol, and lanolin. They seal in moisture and stop water from evaporating. Occlusives are perfect for mature, dry and dehydrated skin.
Many facial moisturizers contain all three elements. However, the best facial moisturizers have fewer occlusive ingredients.
Tips to Get the Best Out of Your Facial Moisturizer
After choosing the right moisturizer for your face, take note of these tips to get the best out of your facial moisturizer:
Apply Moisturizer on Damp Skin
A widespread assumption is that you should apply moisturizers on dry skin. This isn’t true. To maximize your facial moisturizer, you should use it on your damp skin. After washing your face, wait a few minutes, apply your moisturizer to your face, and then pat dry. This allows the moisturizer to penetrate quickly and lock in hydration. You can also use this technique for your body.
Get a Double-duty Moisturizer
Applying sunscreen should be part of your skincare routine; however, this could be a burden. Get a moisturizer with a broad spectrum SPF of 15 or higher, so you do not need to bother with a moisturizer and sunscreen. It would help to prioritize moisturizers with vitamin a, alpha-hydroxyl and retinol components as anti-age boosters or tinted moisturizers to brighten your skin tone.
Don’t Ignore Your Neck
Facial moisturizers target wrinkles and fine lines, which you can also find on the neck, chest and arms. When applying your facial moisturizer, don’t stop at your jawline.
Use an Eye Cream
Do not use facial moisturizers on or around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of the skin on your face; you should give those sensitive parts more attention. Eye creams are ideal to use around the eyes, and using them will reduce your chances of puffy eyes and skin irritation.
Apply Moisturizers in Upward Strokes
Over time, gravity pulls the skin downwards, and this causes wrinkles and sagging. Skin experts recommend applying the moisturizer in an upward stroke. Though this might do little to reverse the situation, it makes the situation better.
Conclusion
Buying a facial moisturizer will no longer be a hassle. Now you know what ingredients to look for before getting your facial moisturizer. These ingredients are perfect for all skin types, and you can even combine them to boost efficacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Toxic Ingredients?
They can be hazardous to your skin. Ingredients like Aluminium, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Siloxanes, and Synthetic fragrances are toxic. You should ensure your moisturizer does not contain these ingredients.
What is the Most Hydrating Ingredient?
All humectant ingredients work to keep your skin hydrated. Glycerin is the most effective ingredient for hydration for dehydrated and scaly skin. In addition to retaining water on the skin surface, it also draws moisture.
What to Use Instead of Face Moisturisers?
The best replacement for your facial moisturizer is natural moisturizing agents. Coconut oil, Olive oil, Almond oil and Aloe vera gel are effective moisturizers. They also help with skin blemishes like scars, sunburns, wrinkles and stretch marks. Though perfect for dry skin, they are not effective for oily skin. When concentrated, they could clog the skin pores causing other skin problems.
What is the Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin?
Ceramides and Glycerin-based moisturizers are the best options for sensitive and dry skin. They provide natural proteins to the skin that repairs and protects it from environmental toxins.
Are Face Serums Better Than Moisturizers?
Serums are lighter than moisturizers, more concentrated and very potent. You can use them with your moisturizers as they have more active ingredients. It is recommended that you consult your specialist before you try one.