Different Types of Moisturizers for your face in 2023

Moisturizers affect how well other skincare products in your skin regimen work- so choosing the best type of moisturizer for your skin type is important. I have been treating patients in my dermatology practice in Miami for over 25 years and I have found that the type of moisturizer you use determines the benefits and side effects of other products in your skin care routine.

This is a guide to the many different types of moisturizers and face creams.

Best Type of Face Moisturizer

Which is Best: Lotion, Cream, Ointment or Serum?

Ointments are best at slugging ingredients into the skin,but are greasy

Creams are the best moisturizers for dry skin types.

Lotions are best for normal skin or slightly oily skin.

Serums are not considered moisturizers unless they have humectants like hyaluronic acid

The biggest mistake people make with moisturizers is using the wrong moisturizer for their skin type.

Before you spend money on a face moisturizer, make sure it is worth it and that it is the best type of moisturizer for your skin type.

Best Moisturizer For Men

The only difference between moisturizers for men and women is the marketing, packaging, fragrance and feel of the product. In other words, men can use the same moisturizers as women.

The 4 best moisturizers for men are:

Types of Face Moisturizers

Occlusive moisturizers-

Occlusive coat (or occlude) the skin's surface and prevent water from evaporating.

Occlusive moisturizers have oils, lipids, waxes and butters and are full of fatty acids.

These are the types of moisturizers used for skin slugging.

Humectant Moisturizers

Humectant moisturizers pull water from the environment to the skin's surface in a humid climate.

The 4 most commonly used humectant ingredients in moisturizers are:

Glycosaminoglycans such as h yaluronic acid and heparan sulfate

Glycerin

Polyglutamic acid

Honey

Humectants give skin firmness, a jello feel, and temporarily plump fine lines and wrinkles.

Best Moisturizer for your Skin Type

To find the very best moisturizer for your skin type, take the quiz and we will give you a list of products from many brands that are right for you.

Best Face Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is more prone to inflammation and irritation and needs calming and soothing ingredients. Acne and rosacea are examples of sensitive skin.

The best moisturizer for sensitive skin is Zerafite Soothing and Calming.

The best moisturizer for dry, sensitive, aging skin is Zerafite Wrinkle Defense Barrier Cream.

The best moisturizer for dry, sensitive, aging skin with dark spots is Zerafite Skin Brightening Barrier Cream .

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Best Face moisturizer for Acne-prone Skin

Acne-prone skin needs face moisturizers that do not have acne-causing ingredients.

These non-comedogenic moisturizers should have ingredients that help make the acne treatment products work better and reduce side effects.

The best light moisturizer for oily, acne prone skin is La Roche-Posay Effaclar Matt Mattifying Moisturizer.

The best moisturizer for dry acne prone skin is Zerafite Soothing and Calming.

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Best Face Moisturizer for Rosacea

Rosacea is a type of sensitive skin that has facial redness, stinging and burning. Dry skin types with rosacea need a soothing barrier repair moisturizer or a soothing facial oil.

Look for rosacea creams that have anti-redness ingredients such as argan oil.

The best face oil for rosacea is PAORR 100% Organic Argan Oil.

The best light lotion for rosacea is Derma-Made Niagenic Lotion.

The best heavy face cream for rosacea is Zerafite Soothing and Calming.

Best Moisturizer For Aging Skin

There are many different types of anti-aging skin care ingredients found in moisturizers.

The wrinkle cream for dry skin is Zerafite Wrinkle Defense Barrier Cream because it repairs the skin barrier, has antioxidants and protects the skin from pollution.

Best Moisturizer For Dry Skin

The best moisturizers for dry skin are barrier repair moisturizers.

These are the 5 best heavy moisturizers for dry skin:

Learn more about why these are the best moisturizers for dry skin in our interview with barrier repair expert cosmetic chemist Dr. Jong-Kyung Youm.

Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin

The best moisturizers for oily skin should be light, noncomedogenic moisturizers.

Top 5 noncomedogenic moisturizers:

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Best Face Moisturizer With SPF

We prefer moisturizing sunscreens over moisturizers with sunscreen.

The best moisturizing sunscreen is Elta MD UV Replenish Broad Spectrum Sunscreen.

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Best Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizers

There are many types of hyaluronic acid containing moisturizers and hyaluronic acid serums.

Hyaluronic acid has a huge effect on the penetration of other ingredients in the skincare routine.

For this reason, you really should take the skin care routine quiz and follow our skin care routine suggestions before you buy an expensive HA serum.

These are the best HA containing moisturizers:

Best Ingredients In A Face Moisturizer

Dermatologists are often asked, “What ingredients should I look for in a face moisturizer?”

The short answer is, “It depends upon your Baumann Skin Type®”.

There are many categories of moisturizing ingredients.

You can find a list of types of moisturizing ingredients in face creams and body creams here.

A list of all types of cosmeceutical ingredients can be found here.

The best moisturizer for you depends upon many factors such as your:

Baumann Skin Type®
Lifestyle habits
Daily schedule
Budget
Preferences for natural, organic, clean, environmentally friendly
Favorite skin care brands

Moisturizers have a huge effect on the efficacy of other skincare products in the regimen.

So let us guide you with a list of the best moisturizers for you from many brands.

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Best Types of Moisturizers For Your Skin