Our skin experts at Skinfluencer breaks down the importance of a well-chosen moisturiser
Cleanse, tone, and moisturize is the most basic skincare mantra and while you can skip toning as part of your routine (that is, if your cleanser is pH balanced), moisturizing is non-negotiable, especially if you have dry skin.
Aside from restoring moisture, moisturisers also provide a protective layer in the skin against bacteria and contaminants, which cause skin blemishes such as spots and clogged pores, and a well-chosen moisturiser can in fact slow down skin aging.
Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated. By choosing the right moisturiser for your skin type, you have the basics of a routine that you can build upon and ensure your skin is always radiant and glowing.
Dry skin tends to be more prone to wrinkles and sagging because of its susceptibility to chronic inflammation, which causes the breakdown of collagen, the skin’s scaffolding protein. To restore moisture, you need to use a moisturiser that will absorb water from the air (humectant) and smoothen rough skin (emollient). While most moisturisers in the dry skin genre will have both of these, the best ones will also have water-trapping ingredients such hyaluronic acid. Flaking is a common problem of dry skin so creams and oil work best because the thicker consistency provides more hydration and prevents moisture loss but avoid those that include alcohol as they can dry the skin even more.
Those with oily skin have a love-hate relationship with oiliness – it’s beneficial to the skin’s health, yet when there is too much of it, it can lead to acne. Unknown to most, though, is that when there is too much sebum, the skin is actually dehydrated as it is overcompensating for dehydration by producing more oils. This is why you need to moisturise even though you have oily skin; but choose ones that are water-based and oil-free. Gel moisturisers are best since they’re lightweight but hydrating and to tackle acne, look for moisturizers that have salicylic acid.
While normal skin can benefit from any type of moisturiser, combination skin, which is characterized by an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry skin on the cheeks, is akin to having two-skin types. But sheer moisturisers can balance this type and hydrate the skin well without adding oil to the T-zone.
Sensitive skin needs a lot of TLC. Your moisturiser should be free from harsh ingredients such as parabens, alcohol and fragrances, that can cause redness and irritation.
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