What should you know before choosing a moisturizer for your skin?
Hydration is the most important step in daily skin care, but it's often the most misunderstood.
A moisturizing treatment may be wonderful for someone, but it may not suit someone else at all.
Why does this happen? Because every skin is unique and has different needs for water, oil, and active ingredients.
In this article you will learn:
- How does skin hydration work?
- How to distinguish skin type?
- How to choose the perfect moisturizer?
1. How does skin hydration work?
The skin has a natural protective layer called the hydrolipidic barrier, which is composed of water, lipids, and proteins.
This barrier has a dual function: it retains moisture and protects against external agents (dust, pollution, microbes).
When damaged, the skin becomes drier, more sensitive, and more prone to redness or acne.
Moisturizers help to:
- Replenishment of reserves water in the skin layers.
- Strengthening the barrier function hers.
- Reducing insensible water loss (transepidermal water loss).
- Skin regeneration and elasticity.
2. How to distinguish skin type?
Do a simple test:
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and wait about 30 minutes without applying anything.
Then, observe how your skin feels and looks:
If you have a pulling sensation, the skin turns red and lacks glow, then your skin is dry.
whether The T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) shines, the pores are expanded and you have acne->Your skin is oily
If your skin is oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), but dry on the cheeks -> Your skin is combination
whether your skin has a stinging sensation, redness, burning sensation or immediate reaction to different products then you have sensitive skin.
whether your skin It is soft, comfortable and without the problems mentioned above, your skin is normal.
3. How to choose the perfect moisturizer?
🔹 Dry skin
Characteristics: lack of fat and water, feeling of tightness, redness and cracking.
This skin has a weakened or fragile protective barrier that does not retain moisture properly.
Look for ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea – that regulate the water level.
- Ceramides, shea butter, jojoba oil, almond oil – for the regeneration of the protective barrier.
Avoid: alcohol, synthetic perfumes, and foaming products.
Benefit: more elastic, softer skin with an immediate feeling of comfort.
🔹 Oily skin
Characteristics: excessive sebum production, shine in the T-zone, acne (pimples) or comedones.
Don't skip hydration - lack of water makes the skin produce even more oil!
Look for ingredients like:
- Niacinamide and zinc – balance sebum production.
- Hyaluronic acid – hydrates without weighing it down.
- Thermal water and algae extract – soothe and refresh.
Avoid: oils (e.g. coconut oil), excessive silicones, and lanolin.
Benefit: reduced shine, clearer pores, and more balanced skin.
🔹 Combination skin
Characteristics: oily in the T-zone and dry on the cheeks.
It requires a balance between hydration and oil control.
Look for ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera – light hydration.
- Niacinamide and panthenol – balance and soothe.
- "Gel-cream" textures that adapt to different areas of the face.
Avoid: creams that are very rich in oils.
Benefit: unified and balanced skin all day long.
🔹 Sensitive skin
Characteristics: reacts quickly to products, redness, burning or stinging sensation.
This skin has a fragile barrier that requires minimalist formulas.
Look for ingredients like:
- Panthenol (vitamin B5), niacinamide, thermal water, bisabolol.
- Formulations without perfume, alcohol and colorants.
Avoid: acids (AHA, BHA), retinols, aromatic essential oils.
Benefit: reduction of redness, improvement of the protective barrier and soothing.
🔹 Normal skin
Characteristics: balanced, elastic, without dry or oily areas.
It only requires maintenance to maintain balance.
Look for ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E – to maintain hydration and elasticity.
- Antioxidants like green tea extract or vitamin C – to add natural radiance
Benefit: healthy skin with a natural glow.
4. How and when to apply moisturizer
- Apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing, while the skin is still slightly damp.
- In the morning, choose a light care with SPF for sun protection.
- In the evening, use a care product more nutritious for regeneration during sleep.
- Don't forget your neck and décolleté — they are the areas that age the fastest.
5. Additional tips for better results
- Change your moisturizer according to the season: lighter in summer, richer in winter.
- Combine with hydrating serums for greater effectiveness.
- Do not wash your face with very hot water, because it damages the skin barrier.
- Always choose care products that are dermatologically tested and free of irritating ingredients.
Conclusion :
Choosing the right moisturizer is not a luxury — it's the foundation of skin care.
By knowing your skin type and giving it the ingredients it needs, you will see visible changes in radiance, softness, and elasticity.
If you still don't know which care is most suitable for you, browse the “Moisturizers and Nourishments ” category and discover products from the most trusted brands.
