How to moisturize your skin according to your skin type

When it comes to choosing the right-fit-moisturizer for one’s skin, there are several subtleties that one must be aware of. Weather, lifestyle, diet, medications, some medical or dermatological conditions, hormones, skin care arrangements and most importantly skin type, all these factors determine which is the best moisturizer for your skin. Whatever you choose to moisturize your skin will be made for you. Cosmetics of the product according to personal preference also plays an important role in choosing the right moisturizer. Trial and error help!

By far the most important consideration for proper moisturizer is skin type. Oily skins work best with lighter, non-comedogenic, gel-based moisturizers. These help to hydrate the skin instead of making it heavier and fatter. The sebum-control ingredients in products like niacinamide are a bonus. The common misconception that oily skin does not require moisturizers should be discarded, as moisturizers help maintain skin barriers, regulate sebum secretion and help hydrate the skin, especially if a person is taking acne medicine, which can be very dry. Works well with normal skin lotions or cream formulations and for dry skin requires a thicker cream or ointment oil-based formulation that locks in moisture. Silicones like dimethicone in formulations are suitable for normal and dry skin. Sensitive skin is best treated with lotions or creams because the gels dry out naturally. Helps in the formation of soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile.

It is also helpful to look at the labels for a list of ingredients in the moisturizer. Occlusions such as petroleum jelly, lanolin as ingredients of moisturizers for oily skin should be avoided. On the other hand, they do well on dry skin. Hyaluronic acid and kaolin are good ingredients for oily skin. Niacinamide has been shown to be a sebum-regulator. Sensitive skins are less fragrant and work better with products without artificial colors. Additions to moisturizers that can be protective or antiseptic, especially for those with mature skin, can add the benefits of a moisturizer. Antioxidant and SPF moisturizers can be used during the day and anti-aging ingredients can be used at night.


For dry skin, dry and cold weather, low humidity, sensitive skin and the use of harsh cleansers that keep the skin dry, the moisturizer needs to be reapplied twice or thrice a day. The dose can be titrated according to the “feeling” of the skin. When using moisturizers both during the day and at night, one can choose a light one for the day and a heavy one for the night. Another useful tip for any skin type is to use a moisturizer within 5 minutes of bathing or washing your face as it helps prevent trans epidermal water loss from the skin.

With the input of Dr. Gulhima Aurora.