Moisturizers play a vital role in a skin care regimen. Moisturizers help maintain the hydration levels of the skin and prevent dryness from appearing. They also keep the skin soft and supple.
A regular skin care regimen is comprised of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Cleansing opens the skin pores and removes all the dirt and debris from within. The Obagi C Cleansing Gel removes oil residues and impurities from the pores and makes the skin soft and supple. Consequently toners scrape of all residual elements and close down the empty pores. The all new Obagi Nu Derm toner tones the skin and maintains the pH balance of the skin. After this, the skin is moisturized so as to hydrate the pores and replenish moisture levels.
Some moisturizers have anti aging properties while some have acne care formulations. There are even certain moisturizers that contain SPF and protect against sun radiations.
However, moisturizers should be chosen and used very carefully lest it leads to any reverse effects. Excessive or sparse use of moisturizers can be a bad thing as well. Improper use or application of moisturizers can result in premature aging thus causing wrinkles and fine lines to appear on the skin.
Therefore not only is it important to select a good moisturizer that complements your skin type but it is as necessary to know how to apply it correctly.
Selecting the Right Moisturizer
The choice of moisturizer actually depends on your skin type, whether it is normal, oily, dry, combination or sensitive. Here are some ways you can decipher the signs.
Normal skin
People blessed with normal skin have it easy for them. Just about any moisturizer will suit them be it oil based or water based. However, do make sure that you apply it in correct quantities depending on your skin condition and environmental factors.
Oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by its susceptibility to develop pimples and a constant shine on the skin surface. The skin usually have large pores that secrete more than enough quantities of oil from within and thus becomes a breeding spot for pimples, blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads.
People with oily skin need moisturizers in limited quantities and only when the skin is peeling off or flaking due to rough weather. Because the currant oil quantities in the skin are self sufficient and the skin type hardly ever requires external moisturizing agents. When the skin does get dry look for ingredients like salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide that work well on dry skin textures.
Dry skin
Dry skin generally looks tight and dull on people with dry skin. Due to low moisture levels, skin tends to flake and becomes very prone to develop cracks, wrinkles and fine lines. Thus ample quantities of moisturizers need to be supplemented to replenish the sagging levels.
People with dry skin types can do well using a cream based facial moisturizer that are comprised of ultra hydrating agents like avocado oil, lanolin, and cocoa butter.
Combination skin
It happens when the skin exhibits the tendencies of both dry and oily skin types. The T zone of the face generally is oily while the cheek areas remain dry. In such cases, the best solution is to use a light skin-balancing moisturizing lotion.
Sensitive skin
Some people are very reactive to skin care products and develop allergic reactions and conditions at the slightest hint. Using any new skin care product requires utmost caution therefore. Here, it is best to use an oil free moisturizer that boasts of ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or vitamin E.
Determining the right moisturizer for your skin type will let you pamper yourself better and get you more efficient results.