Intro
Face moisturizing, at first sounds so easy, until you discover the overwhelming amount of products and information regarding it.
Every product out there claims to be the best for your needs but how do you choose.
How do you answer what is best for you or for certain use? How do you discern the right price, or how to use the moisturizer in the first place?
In this face moisturizer buying guide, we answer these and many more questions. The guide looks into different elements, benefits, and characteristics of moisturizers.
All geared to help you make the right decisions. The guide also lists the best face moisturizers in the market, to point you towards the right products.
Best Face Moisturizers 2020
#1 Elta MD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
Best Overall
We chose this as our best overall because of the number of features this product has. All other face moisturizers specialize in something but this one is good in pretty much everything. It has a nice sunscreen protection of 46 SPF, it’s oil-free and good for sensitive skin. All while being an amazing daily moisturizer.
This face moisturizer promises long-lasting hydration and is recommended by dermatologists for its ability to help calm and protect sensitive skin types prone to rosacea, acne and discoloration.
It also helps with conditions like eczema, psoriasis, bug bites, and rashes. While maintaining a youthful glow to your skin by preventing sunburns and wrinkles.
Features:
- Works for all skin types as moisturizer and sunscreen.
- This cream is hypoallergenic hence very safe for everyday use.
- Paraben, fragrance, and gluten-free
- 9.0% transparent zinc oxide
- 30-day free returns along with free shipping.
#2 Clinique Moisturizing Gel
Best Oil-Free
If you have oily skin or acne issues, then this cream is for you. This is a water-based, oil-free gel that contains Dimethicone and Butylene Glycol for optimum hydration and poreless skin.
It works nicely on tightening pores and smoothing the skin.
This amazing moisturizing gel also has anti-aging qualities that leave your skin looking healthy and youthful.
This cream doesn’t contain mineral oil, urea, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, or any chemical that might harm the skin.
It is dermatologically tested, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and non-sensitizing.
Features
- Work great for those with oily skin since its oil-free
- The Clinique moisturizing gel has many anti-aging properties
- Fragrance-free
- 30-day full money back guarantee. Free shipping
#3 Olay Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen
Best SPF Moisturizer
If you enjoy being out in the sun, then this cream is great for you. It has a zinc oxide-based formulation that gives it SPF25 guaranteeing you maximum protection throughout the day.
Olay Face Moisturizer’s SPF25 does not only provide protection against damaging UV rays but also moisturizes the skin, helping it maintain a natural glow throughout the day.
It features a Weightless face cream formula that helps fight any visible sign of aging caused by stress, sun, or pollution. It improves the appearance of wrinkles while the antioxidant plant extract helps fight the effects of skin damage.
This cream also works very well for any post-procedure skincare providing a gentle and soothing feel to your skin. Making sure you say protected and looking youthful all day long.
Features
- SPF 25 Moisturizer
- Weightless face cream formula
- For oily, normal or combination skin
- 30 day Amazon Prime return policy
#4 Maryann Collagen Face Moisturizer
Best Anti-Aging
The Maryann Moisturizer is formulated to protect and hydrate dry and sensitive skin and give you a more youthful skin.
Maryann organics which is the anti aging and firming cream with hyaluronic acid will support cell renewal, which boosts elasticity and skin radiance. The ingredients work together in harmony to reducing the signs of age bringing you a younger looking face.
This 100% natural Collagen moisturizer will uses vitamins that will penetrate the skin to provide great nourishment, hydrate, and soften the skin.
Features
- 100% natural ingredients with Collagen
- One of the best anti aging creams out there with many happy customers
- Lightweight, non-greasy formula that delivers deep hydration to skin which smooths fine lines and wrinkles.
- 30 day full money back policy
#5 CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Best Least Expensive
If you’re looking to take care of your skin and still save some coins, then the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream will be your go-to cream.
It works great for all skin types from normal to dry. This moisturizer replenishes moisture and nourishes your skin, to give it a smooth and soft feel.
The cream is formulated with a perfect blend of ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acids That aid in softening rough skin texture while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
To avoid any pore blockage, this cream has a non-comedogenic quality that prevents breakouts.
Features
- Non-comedogenic
- For normal to dry skin
- A blend of peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acids
- lightweight
Face Moisturizer Buying Guide
Questions To Ask When Shopping For Face Moisturizers:
Buying Face moisturizer can be a scary thing. There are plenty of products in the market, all promising to give great results
. This claims might or might not be true. Without the right information, you can end up damaging your skin with the wrong kind of products.
The right face moisturizer is dependent on a number of factors such as your skin type, the weather, ingredients, and many other factors. In this section, we discuss these factors in what to look out for when shopping for face moisturizers.
1- What Do You Need The Face Moisturizer For?
In the case of face moisturizer, one size or one type doesn’t fit all. There are various skin types with different needs. Before buying face moisturizer, you have to determine what you need it for.
Here are a few of the uses of Face Moisturizer:
To Soothe Dry Skin
Dry skin lacks moisture because it’s devoid of a barrier layer mostly made up of oil (sebum from the body).
This causes dry skin to often feel tight, itchy and generally irritated. In some instances, the skin could flake, though not all flaking is a result of dry skin.
Another type of flaking is contributed by various medical conditions. Very dry skin can contract a condition known as eczema. The symptoms are painful itchiness.
Some treatments such as breast cancer treatment can cause dry skin as well. Because they normally interfere with hormone production.
Menopause as well causes dry skin. People with dry skin need to moisturize adequately and avoid using harsh soap cleansers. Emollients or heavy moisturizers with ingredients such as petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oils make great moisturizers for dry skins.
To maintain normal skin type
Normal skin types have a good balance of moisture and are well-nourished. This type of skin is refined and has very small pores. Normal skin is the most preferred type of skin and the goal of any skincare routine.
If you have this kind of skin, you need to maintain it. Any gentle, light, and oil-free moisturizer will work well.
Pro Tip: Always go for moisturizers with SPF 30 and above to protect the skin from sun damage and wrinkles. Doctors recommend you get in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily because the sun can see you even if you can’t.
To control oily skin
A common misconception is that oily skins don’t need any moisturizing. This is not necessarily true. Most moisturizers aimed at oily skin, help control the overproduction of oil, preventing this type of skin, which is prone to acne, from breaking out.
Oily skins are characterized by excess oil on the face. This oil is known as sebum and it’s produced by the oil glands in the skin. It is mostly an inherited trait or it develops during puberty.
To protect the skin from sun damage, oily skin should consider sun screen-based moisturizers.
Humectants such as Hyaluronic Acid and glycerin make great oily skin moisturizers. Oily skins should always use light, oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers.
To balance combination skin
Combination skins feature a mixture of both oily and dry skin. The T-zone area of the face is usually the oily part while the cheeks and jawline remain dry.
To care for this skin type, you need different products.You can use a mild cleanser and moisturizer for the cheeks and anti-acne products for the T-zone.
To calm sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is highly reactional to many elements. This could be a result of conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or genetics. Moisturizing any skin type is necessary to hydrate and keep the skin hydrated.
The best moisturizers for sensitive skin should be hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and not contain harmful synthetic elements. Avoid alcohol-based moisturizers unless expressly advised by a dermatologist.
Doctors recommend going for products with less than 10 ingredients as it minimizes potential interaction with substances that can irritate the skin.
To slow aging using antioxidants
Antioxidants help fight free radicals which damage healthy skin cells resulting in pigmentation and wrinkles. Most moisturizers contain anti-oxidants which helps keep your skin fresh and youthful. Look for such ingredients as pomegranate, chamomile, or green tea for antioxidant properties.
For sun protection
Protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays is very important. Skincare experts recommend wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 and above, even during snowy or rainy days.
The fact that there is cloud cover, doesn’t mean that UV rays are not affecting your skin—the sun is still there, just hidden.
Since applying too many products on your skin can be stressful, opting for a moisturizer with sunscreen, is a good option.
2- What Are The Ingredients?
The secret to landing the perfect face moisturizer lies in the ingredients. A good moisturizer will contain a certain combination of ingredients.
To help you understand which ingredients are best for your skin type we use three categories of moisturizing ingredients here below:
Occlusive
Occlusive ingredients such as petrolatum, lanolin, and dimethicone prevent your skin from losing water. They do this by forming a barrier over the skin and sealing in moisture.
Occlusives are great ingredients for dry, aged, and dehydrated skin types. Occlusive moisturizers are thick, think of thick creams or balms.
When looking for occlusive moisturizers look for things like lanolin oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Humectants
Humectants are ingredients that attract water to the skin. Common humectants include glycerine, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, propylene glycol, and sugars.
These ingredients attract water to the skin either from the air or deeper tissues of the skin. This helps raise the skin surface resulting in smooth supple skin.
This category of ingredients is great for oily skin. Humectants are light and great for hydrating the skin. When looking for a humectant look for gel formulations.
Emollients
Emollients are space fillers. These ingredients fill cracks and bumps on the skin caused by rough or peeling skin.
Thus they smooth the surface of the skin and repair the skin’s barrier. Some occlusive such as petrolatum, mineral oils, and lanolin act as emollients as well.
Some common ingredients under this group include shea butter, ceramides, lanolin, silicone (dimethicone and Cyclomethicone), grape seed oil, and rosehip. Emollients are great for dry and combination skin types. They come in light lotion or cream formulas.
Most moisturizers will have a combination of the groups of ingredients above but will lean more towards the group that helps the intended skin type.
Other ingredients:
Zinc oxide is found in moisturizers meant for sun protection. Zinc oxide not only protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun but it also repairs the epidermis, fights infections, and acne.
Alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA)- these are animal or plant-based acids used in skin care treatments. They help exfoliate and can be found in moisturizers for dry skin types.
Vitamin E– has antioxidant properties and is a good skin nourisher because it’s oil soluble.
Ingredients to avoid When buying a moisturizer, make sure it’s free of artificial fragrances, coloring (dyes), phthalates, and parabens. These ingredients can dry out your skin causing irritations and damage to the skin.
3- What Do Other People Think Of This Moisturizer?
Another factor to consider before purchasing face moisturizer is product reviews. The best way to tell if a product performs as advertised is to check what previous borrowers say about it.
Product reviews also open your eyes to particular problems or benefits you may experience with the said product.
Most beauty products are now sold online. This means you have no way of testing to tell if the product is right for you.
As such it’s crucial to do a lot of research before buying. If a product allows returns, make a note so that you can return the same if it’s not satisfactory.
How To Properly Use A Moisturizer?
Now that you know how to purchase the correct moisture for your face, you might have questions as to how to properly use it. Here is how to properly use moisturizer:
- Wash your face before putting on moisturizer. After rinsing your face, part it with a clean dry towel.
- Read the instructions label to figure out the amount of moisturizer you should put on. Lighter moisturizers might require large amounts while the opposite will apply to heavier moisturizers.
- Apply dabs of the moisturizer to the parts of the skin that are mostly dry. Avoid applying dabs to oily regions of the face.
- Next, gently rub the moisturizer using your first two fingers into the rest of the face. Use upwards and outwards motion of the fingers to spread out each dab on the skin.
- Pro tip: 1. Moisturizer is better applied to damp skin for better absorption.
- Pro tip 2: If you use other treatments like medical treatments you can put them on before putting on moisturizer for the best results.
- Finally, let the moisturizer dry before applying other products. If using a separate sunscreen, it’s best to wear it after wearing moisturizer.
Benefits Of Face moisturizer?
Moisturizing the Skin
As the name suggests, the main benefit of moisturizers is to hydrate the skin. Weather elements such as low humidity, wind, heat, or cold causes our skin to lose moisture.
This makes the skin-tight, rough, itchy, and in some instances flaky or ashy appearance. When the skin is severely dry it can peel, crack, and bleed.
A moisturizing cream replenishes the lost moisture and helps prevent further loss of water by sealing in moisture.
Protection from The Sun
This cannot be stressed enough. It is important to use creams with SPF 30 or above even in colder months. Dermatologist suggests using creams with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients on a daily basis.
This helps to block any penetration of harmful UV rays which are known to cause skin cancer. Sunscreen also improves the appearance of your face.
Slow The Signs of Aging
Hydrated skin always looks youthful. Although wrinkles and facial lines will naturally appear as you age. Daily moisturizing will help you slow down the process of aging. It traps in moisture, leaving your skin hydrated for longer, giving your skin a natural, youthful glow.
Help Fight Acne
Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked by oil, dirt, dead skin, or bacteria. When your skin is dry, it sends a message to your glands to produce more oil that will in turn cause clogging of your pores and causing more breakouts on your skin.
Having a well-moisturized skin means that your body is will only produce the needed amount of oil which will, in turn, prevent any further clogging of your pores, therefore, helping prevent or stop any more acne on your skin.
Soothe Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin causes red irritated skin or dry itchy patches. Having irritated skin means a thinner barrier in your skin that allows moisture to escape easily causing more dryness and further worsening your irritation.
Your moisturizer will ensure that you lock moisture in for longer which relieves the dryness.
Look out for creams with camomile, oatmeal, honey, or even aloe vera just to name a few. These ingredients help soothe your skin and leave it feeling relaxed and comfortable
Minimizing the Risk of Makeup
Using makeup for a long time makes your skin vulnerable to dangerous risks such as allergies and skin irritation.
For this reason, it is important to use a good moisturizing cream before applying makeup and after removing it. This helps restore any lost moisture and protect your skin from any negative effects of makeup.
Reducing Blemishes
Blemishes can be caused by a number of reasons. Acne, dry skin, and sun exposure are just to name but a few.
Many moisturizers contain self-tanning and tinting agents that even out or conceal any blemishes or discoloration, dark spots, or redness on your skin for fresh even-toned skin.
Faster Cell Turnover
Our skin continually produces new skin cells replacing the old worn-out cells. This process, however, slows down as we age.
Moisturizing your skin with a cream, rich in Vitamin A, essential fatty acid and minerals have been linked to increased cell turnover rate.
It is recommended to apply a generous amount of moisturizer after exfoliating the skin with these healthy nutrients.
Conclusion
To summarize, the best face moisturizer will meet your needs. It will be the right moisturizer for your skin type and will contain the right ingredients.
It will also provide a chockful of benefits such as; keeping your skin young, hydrating it, soothing it, and keeping it soft and supple.
If you are in the market for one, our list of best face moisturizers in 2020 reviewed at the top of this guide, will help you pick out the right one for your needs.
Once you have your moisturizer, remember to use it properly. For the best results apply it on damp skin and gently rub it in with your first two fingers.
