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Best Facial Moisturizers by Skin Type

Best Facial Moisturizers by Skin Type

First, you need to understand your skin type and then try to choose among the best facial moisturizers that will best suit your skin.

The reality is there is no need to break the bank when looking for a quality facial moisturizer. Many products boast exotic and expensive ingredients that promise to transform skin, but the truth is, simple and affordable may just be your best bet.

Ingredients to Look Out For in the Best Facial Moisturizers:

Pore-clogging ingredients – Although not a guarantee as the terms are not regulated by the FDA, use products labeled non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. I always recommend checking your skincare products on CosDNA.com to avoid ones with acne scores of 3’s, 4’s, or 5’s.

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Ceramides – These help decrease dry/irritated skin and can help boost results from acne treatment, making it a great ingredient for acne-prone skin.

Colloidal oatmeal – Derived from oat kernels, it’s an ideal ingredient that supplies antioxidant benefits and helps maintain the skin’s moisture and natural barrier function.

Hyaluronic acid – Helps the skin hold moisture and has been shown to benefit wrinkles and skin elasticity.

Soy – Helps restore barrier function and replenish the skin’s moisture and provides antioxidant benefit to smooth and soften the skin.

How often to moisturize:

This is really up to you! Everyone’s skin is different, so some people may need to apply a moisturizer in the morning and night, some may only need to apply moisturizer once a day, and some may not need it at all. Listen to your skin. Test out different hydration methods in order to find the one best suited for you.

Best Facial Moisturizers by Skin Type

Dry Skin:  Look for thicker moisturizers that have a higher concentration of healthy moisturizers in order to replenish your skin’s moisture barrier. Try: EltaMD intense moisturizerRegenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream

Oily Skin: Use moisturizers that are more water-based and have a gel-like consistency. These will have the least amount of excess oils and waxes, meaning they will not over-moisturize oily skin. Try: Sebamed Clear Face GelDrunk elephant B-Hydra Intensive hydration gel

Combination Skin:  

Finding a moisturizer for combination skin is more difficult since it’s oily in some places and dry in others.  One solution is to purchase a moisturizer suitable for all skin types, and then apply more or less to different areas of skin. Another solution is to have one moisturizer for dry skin and another for oily, and then apply the different types to the different areas of the skin.

Try one of these best facial moisturizers for combination skin:

Best Men’s Facial Moisturizers

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer


Best Men’s Facial Moisturizers

Murad Oil Control Mattifier

Normal Skin:  

Moisturizers for normal skin usually come down to personal preference! You can experiment with different types to see which one you like best. Try: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15CeraVE AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Sensitive Skin:  

Keep it simple! The best facial moisturizers for sensitive skin should be gentle and fragrance-free. Try: Cetaphil Restoraderm Aveeno Eczema Care products

Best Men’s Facial Moisturizers

David Lortscher, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Founder Curology.com 

David Lortscher, MD started out at a dermatology practice in New Mexico. He saw how a person’s skin could have a huge social and economic impact on their life — and how many people experienced economic, geographic, and psychological barriers to seeing a dermatologist. That’s why he created Curology in 2014. Since then, David’s helped many more patients online. He still serves as a remote dermatology consultant for rural healthcare clinics in Arizona and New Mexico that lack specialty medical care.