Why You Need to Get Into Moisturizers

As you know I am a makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics, many people come in looking to buy foundation and they need me to match them. One of the first things I ask people is what kind of skin they have, whether it is dry, oily, combination, normal, sensitive etc. From there I ask them are they wearing a moisturizer? I am always surprised when people tell me they aren't and I know it is only because they don't realize just how important it is.

Ensuring hydration is the most important step in skincare. Our skin tone and the flexibility of our skin depends on the presence of moisture in the underlying tissues. These underlying tissues receive that moisture from moisture added to the skins surface and water drawn from humidity in the air. Oil is the skins moisture barrier, protecting it from escaping, leaving us with dehydrated and flaky skin.

You really should get into a good moisturizer because it really does wonders for your skin. Especially now in the winter. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown says "Moisturizer is the true fountain of youth...The right moisturizer will enhance the look, feel, and health of the skin and even help temporarily eliminate fine lines and wrinkles." Okay so I think you understand now why moisturizer is so important.

Now lets break down which moisturizer is best for what skin types.

Dry Skin: You are going to want something heavier like an oil based moisturizer. It should absorb completely leaving your skin nice and supple. Oils will be more effective at preventing water evaporation than a cream. Two Ingredients to look for that are known for keeping the skin soft is propylene glycol and urea.

Something You May Like: Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil.

Normal Skin: You will be fine using a water based moisturizer containing light weight oils such as sillicone-derived ingredients and acetyl alcohol.

Something You May Like: MAC Face and Body Lotion, Cetaphil.

Oily and Combination Skin: You are best suited for an oil free, water based moisturizers. Oil free moisturizers are made from synthetic chemicals

Misconception:
"Because my skin is oily, even if I don't use a moisturizer, eventually I am going to get oily and shiny."

Even if you have oily skin, all skin needs moisture. If you are washing your face daily you are stripping it of its essential oils. Even oily skin needs to replenish the moisture content of the skin.  If not what happens is, your sebum glands overcompensate for the lack of moisture in the skin (producing excessive sebum) thereby leading to more shine and larger pores.

Something You May Like: MAC Oil Control Lotion, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel or Neutrogena Visibly Different Grapefruit Moisturizer.

Key ingredients to look for are: vitamin C, lemongrass and willow bark extract.