How to Choose the Best Moisturizer for Your Skin

December 15, 2023 by Dr. Taruna Yadav

Table of Contents

Nothing feels better than smooth and hydrated skin, right? That’s why a moisturiser is a must-have for everyone, regardless of skin type. A moisturiser restores and seals the moisture in your skin, making it soft and healthy.

You probably already use a moisturiser, but do you know how to choose the best moisturizer for your skin type? It can be tricky, but don’t worry; we’re here to help.

Read on as we spill the beans on how to pick the best moisturizer for your unique skin type.

Why do we need a Moisturizer?

1. Women Lokking into mirror

As and when changes occur in the protective outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermal barrier, and there is a reduction in the water content of the epidermis due to Trans epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), the skin is prone to drying out. Unlike the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin and benefits from moisture supplied by blood vessels, the epidermis lacks a direct vascular supply. Consequently, water must traverse the epidermis, moving outward before evaporating.

This is why we need a moisturiser – to maintain or augment the moisture content within the epidermal layer.

Which Moisturizer Is Best for Your Skin Type?

Picking the best moisturizer for your daily skincare routine starts with recognising your skin type. The primary categories include normal, combination, oily, normal and dry skin type. Although all skin types benefit from regular cleansing and moisturising, the key is to opt for moisturisers with specific formulations catering to the distinct needs of each skin type. Understanding your skin type further empowers you to choose a moisturiser that ensures your skin remains balanced, hydrated, and healthy.

The best way to determine your skin type is to visit a dermatologist or follow the bare-faced or blotting sheet method from the comfort of your home. Staying mindful of how your skin reacts to seasonal transitions is essential. Also, consider your preferences, such as whether you prefer your moisturiser-scented or unscented options and if you lean towards chemical or organic formulations. Whether you’re already in the know or still catching up, dive into our expert-curated guide to identify the ideal moisturiser for your skin type.

Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Dry, oily, combo? Discover your skin's perfect match! Our guide unveils the best moisturizer for every type, no more trial & error!

Dry skin can feel tight, dry, flaky, coarse, or rough. Additionally, signs like uneven skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and overall dullness are common concerns associated with dry skin. To address these issues, it is advisable to opt for creamier formulations that infuse more moisture into the skin and retain more water. This approach ensures maximised effective and nourishing hydration for dry skin. Moreover, it’s crucial to use a soothing moisturiser enriched with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, emollients, and plant-based kinds of butter that hydrate the skin, protect the skin barrier, and seal moisture into the skin, addressing the unique needs of dry skin and promoting a healthier, more radiant complexion.

We’d suggest you start your morning with a hydrating moisturiser that includes SPF, like the Forest Essentials Soundarya Radiance Cream with SPF 25. Infused with 24K Gold and high-performance actives like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, etc., this cream provides essential moisture and ensures sun protection throughout the day.

Our Transformative Soundarya Night Cream is the perfect choice for your night-tine routine. This night treatment infused with Bakuchiol, Manihot Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, etc., works overnight, deeply nourishing the skin and enhancing elasticity and firmness.

Moisturizers for Oily Skin

3. Moisturizer for oily skin

If you have oily skin and deal with blackheads, pesky acne, and unwanted shine, your skin’s overproduction of sebum is to be blamed. The way to go is to opt for formulations that provide hydration without leading to excess sebum production and clogging of pores.

The best moisturizer for you would be something non-greasy, lightweight and non-comedogenic, containing elements like hyaluronic acid (HA), niacinamide (Vitamin B3), salicylic acid, and aloe vera. The Forest Essentials’ Eladi Day Cream with SPF 30 is the perfect choice! Infused with precious Freshwater Pearls and Yashad Bhasma, this lightweight formulation resets your skin’s balance and protects it from UVA and UVB rays.

Complete your AM/PM regime by incorporating our Kumkumadi Night Cream before bed. This indulgent night-time formula is enriched with potent Ayurvedic herbs and Manikya (Ruby) Bhasma, which helps lighten pigmentation concerns, clarifies the skin, and heals acne scars.

Moisturizers for Normal Skin

4. Moisturizer normal skin

If this is your skin type, you’re one of the lucky ones! Skin that is in balance—not very dry or oily—is considered normal. Common skin issues like breakouts and flakiness don’t seem like a problem for normal skin. Given that this type of skin has a healthy natural moisture balance, the best face moisturiser is a gentle formulation with a non-greasy texture that provides round-the-clock hydration.

The Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir is a light gel-textured formulation enriched with potent Ayurvedic herbs, including the iconic Sanjeevani herb infusion and precious oils that restore youthful and glowing skin. It can also be used as a pre-moisturiser when you are looking for extra hydration.

Moisturizers for Combination Skin

5. Combination Skin

Combination skin, as the name suggests, is a skin type that combines oilier characteristics in specific areas with drier ones in others. Increased oiliness around the T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin) and dryness around the cheeks are common manifestations of this type of skin. The best moisturizer for combination skin should find a sweet spot between providing hydration for the drier zones and maintaining a lightweight, non-greasy formula for the oilier areas. Light to medium-weight formulations enriched with lightweight oils, salicylic acid, etc., are usually versatile to cater to the needs of this skin type.

The Forest Essentials Light Day Lotions make for an excellent choice for this skin type, providing hydration and restoring your skin barrier.

Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

6. Sensitive Skin

For those with sensitive skin, you might encounter issues like redness, burning, or itching, as your skin tends to be more reactive to external factors, including the ingredients in your skincare products. Avoid moisturisers with potential triggers, such as fragrances and artificial compounds.

The Forest Essentials Hydrating Gels are infused with cooling and highly hydrating ingredients like Aloe Vera and Rose to soothe and calm irritated skin and restore the skin’s hydration.

Insider tip: When adding a new product to your routine, especially for sensitive skin, it’s important to conduct a patch test.

Conclusion

Choosing the best moisturizer for your skin type is vital to healthy, happy skin. We hope this guide has made it easier for you to understand your skin type and confidently pick a moisturiser that suits your skin, keeping it balanced, hydrated, and looking its best.

FAQs

How do I choose a good moisturiser?

Choosing an ideal moisturiser is a very crucial step. The best way to determine your skin type is to visit a dermatologist or conduct a patch test. Staying mindful of how your skin reacts to seasonal transitions is essential. Additionally, factor in your personal preferences, including whether you favour scented or unscented moisturisers and whether you incline towards chemical or organic formulations.

Which type of moisturiser is best for dry skin?

As highlighted above, moisturisers enriched with deeply nourishing elements, including hyaluronic acid (HA), emollients, and plant-based butter, work wonders for dry skin. These ingredients provide intense hydration, fortify the skin barrier, and seal moisture into the skin. Choosing moisturisers enriched with these elements is a comprehensive approach to reducing dryness and promoting a well-hydrated, healthy complexion.

What are the benefits of moisturisers?

Moisturisers are pivotal in enhancing skin hydration levels by directly delivering water to the skin. Additionally, they contribute to reducing trans-epidermal water loss by improving occlusion. This dynamic combination effectively increases the water content of the stratum corneum, promoting a well-hydrated and resilient skin barrier. Beyond hydration, moisturisers serve as a protective shield, addressing small dry patches or cracks. They create a shield that nourishes the skin and acts as a barrier against potential friction, ensuring your skin stays supple, smooth, and well-protected.

Is it important to use a moisturiser every day?

Indeed, it is! The daily application of moisturiser stands as a non-negotiable practice for maintaining healthy skin. Our skin requires consistent care to retain its youthful, flawless appearance. Moisturising is particularly important post-shower when hot or warm water strips away the skin’s natural moisture and oils, rendering it parched and dry. Regular moisturising not only replenishes lost hydration but also forms a protective barrier.

What are the disadvantages of using moisturisers?

There are no disadvantages to using moisturisers. However, it is crucial to choose the right moisturiser as per your skin type, texture, and specific skincare needs. Failing to address these considerations may potentially lead to other skincare concerns.

References:

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/pick-moisturizer

https://www.bebeautiful.in/all-things-skin/essentials/how-to-choose-the-right-face-moisturiser-for-skin-type

Written By:

Forest Essentials Luxurious Ayurveda

India’s leading beauty brand with products offering a sensorial journey with the purest natural ingredients and traditional Ayurvedic formulations, bringing timeless beauty rituals to the forefront of your self-care routine.

Reviewed By:

Arjun Singh Senior Ayurveda Expert

Arjun is a marketing professional turned Ayurveda Expert. After the completion of his post-graduation in 2008, he started his journey in the beauty industry. He has since worked with several global luxury beauty brands including DIOR & Estee Lauder. With now more than 12 years of experience, he is driven by the idea of making Skin Care, ‘simple’ and ‘accessible’ for all and help clients transform their lifestyle and skin with solutions rooted in his extensive understanding of Ayurveda. A Senior Ayurveda Expert at Forest Essentials, he carefully curates Ayurvedic remedies and is continuously working towards bridging the gap between time-honoured skin care solutions and the modern consumer of the fast-paced world.

Disclaimer

The content provided in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.