How To Choose A Moisturizer for Dry Skin?

BySkinQ

People randomly pick face moisturizers and take it for granted that anything would work for them. That’s not the case, especially if you have moisture-deprived dry skin. There are several things that you must know before picking up a face moisturizer for dry skin.

What’s Best for Dry Skin—Gel, Lotion, or Cream?

Moisturizers are found in three types of formulations—gels, creams, and lotions.

Gel

Gels are water-based, light forms of moisturizer. However, they should be used only for oily, combination, and normal skin types. The moisture in gels is not enough to hydrate dry skin.

Lotion

A formulation thicker than a gel is a lotion. Lotions have higher water content and they are smoother in texture compared to creams.

Cream

Creams have higher oil concentrations compared to gels and lotions. Dry skin types ought to opt for creams for their moisture content and hydration is optimal for them. Dry skin types may use gels or lotions but the hydration they seek will only be found in moisturizing creams.

Ingredients Your Moisturizer Should Have:

In addition to ensuring a non-comedogenic moisturizer, dry skin types must look for the following ingredients in their moisturizing cream for the face:

Humectants

Humectants are moisturizing agents that reduce the loss of hydration from the skin. They retain moisture by drawing up water from the dermis to the epidermis, the topmost layer of skin. In humid weather, humectants use the water in humid air to moisturize the epidermis. Humectants are a must ingredient in a moisturizer cream for dry skin. The most effective humectants that you should look for are hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, lactic acid, urea, and sorbitol.

Emollients

Emollients are soothing ingredients found in moisturizers for dry skin. They are moisturizing treatments for dry and itchy skin conditions. When the top layer of skin lacks hydration, emollients fill those dry patches with fatty substances called lipids to soften the skin. Mineral oils, virgin coconut oil, palm oil, petrolatum, cocoa butter, shea butter, etc. are some effective emollients found in face moisturizers for dry skin.

Occlusives

Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that provide a protective barrier over the skin to prevent loss of hydration. They work along with humectants. Occlusives like petrolatum, dimethicone, shea butter, waxes, and silicones are effective ingredients to look for in face moisturizers for dry skin.

Ceramides

Ceramides are fatty acids that protect the skin and prevent it from dryness and irritation. Although human skin contains natural ceramides, they get lost over time which results in dry and itchy skin. This can be minimized by using moisturizers containing ceramides. Thus, it is very essential to have ceramide moisturizer, especially for dry skin types.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, is a vitamin that helps to retain skin moisture and keeps skin healthy and firm. Niacinamides in moisturizers boost their hydrating ability by preventing loss of moisture through evaporation. So, this is another hydrating ingredient that you can look for in moisturizers for dry skin.

What To Avoid in Moisturisers for Dry skin?

As there are do’s, there are some don’ts that dry skin types should look out for while choosing a moisturizer:

  • Avoid comedogenic moisturizers that will clog your pores.
  • Do not choose moisturizers with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. They will dry out your skin more. These ingredients are good for oily and acne-prone skin types.
  • Denatured alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol should be avoided at all costs for dry skin types. They will dehydrate your skin more.
  • Deodorizers and unnatural colored moisturizers must be avoided.

Try Skin Q’s Dermatologist formulated Moisture Balm for dry and normal skin types. This non-comedogenic moisturizer vows to moisturize, soothe and repair skin. You can find the active ingredients that a dry skin moisturizer should have: ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, niacinamide, and shea butter. The Moisture Balm is suited for both men and women. If you want a perfect treatment for your dry and flaky skin, this moisturizer will just do the trick.

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