Moisturizers are an indispensable product for those who wish to have smooth silky skin. Along with sunscreen, moisturizers are considered to be one of the most effective cosmetic products that can be used to prevent premature skin aging.
All skin types benefit from using a moisturizer as the product helps to maintain the natural moisture of the skin, while at the same time acting as humectant by adding more moisture and improving the texture of the skin. Although moisturizers are believed to be one of the simplest products on the market selecting the right one can still be quite a hassle due to the many options available. 
Perhaps one of the first things to analyze when deciding on the thickness of the moisturizer. There are three options available: lotion, cream and ointment. Lotions typically have the highest water content being a suitable choice for oily skin as it tends to be very light.
Creams tend to be a more suitable choice for those with normal and combination skin types as they tend to hydrate better than lotions while ointments are considered to be more suitable for dry skin that is prone to itchiness.
Decoding labels is the most helpful strategy you can use to make the selection easier. One of the first things you should look for, regardless of your skin type, if you are choosing a day moisturizer is SPF. Moisturizers with SPF of at least 15 offer adequate protection against UV rays which typically are one of the leasing causes of premature skin aging.
Knowing your skin type as well as the problems your skin is prone to can help you narrow down the searches even more.
Looking for non-comedogenic facial moisturizer can be extremely useful if your skin is acne prone. Ingredients such as lanolin mineral oil, waxes or shea butter are probably not the best bet if you have acne. In fact, oil free moisturizers are often recommended for acne prone skin due that these moisturizers have less commedogenic ingredients. On the other hand ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids can be beneficial for oily skin. Glycerin, proteins hyaluronic acid and dimethicone are generally recommended for dry skin due to the fact that they tend to attract moisturize more easily.
Looking for moisturizers that have various antioxidants added can be particularly useful for mature skin but it can be beneficial for all skin types due to their ability to fight free radicals. In addition those that contain vitamin A are also considered suitable for mature skin. For sensitive skin looking for fragrance free moisturizers with no more than 10 ingredients tends to be a good choice. Avoiding products that have alcohol derivatives is another useful strategy for this problem.
Selecting the perfect moisturizer for your skin type is only the first step for getting silky smooth skin. Consistency is the key if you want to have perfect skin. Applying moisturizer on damp skin is one of the best way to increase the products efficacy. Also, to maintain the efficacy of the products closing the products properly and storing them in a dry, cool place is recommended to avoid the breakdown of some of the active ingredients contained.
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