Do you feel overwhelmed when you want to buy moisturizer for your skin? That’s no surprise, as there are dozens to choose from at the drugstore and hundreds more at high-end cosmetics and department stores — creams, lotions, ointments, some with sunscreen, others with an exfoliant. Choices range from the basic jar of petroleum jelly to a five-ounce tub of designer skin moisturizer. And all the options in between can make your head spin.
While choosing the right skin moisturizer may seem confusing, it’s actually very simple if you follow a few guidelines, first rule of thumb? Don’t spend too much money.

How a Skin Moisturizer Works
Cleansers and moisturizers are the most important skin products, particularly for softening dry skin. A skin moisturizer works by sealing moisture into the outer layer of the skin and by pulling moisture from the inner layers of skin to the outer layer.

Guidelines:
Know your skin type: Skin varies widely, and no single product can solve everyone’s problems. But knowing your skin type isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems: A shiny T-zone doesn’t necessarily indicate oily skin, and redness doesn’t guarantee sensitivity. Before you stock your medicine cabinet, read these tips. No matter what your skin type is – normal, dry, oily or combination, you need to moisturize. However, the thickness of the moisturizer you need to use depends on your skin type.

Oily Skin

Telltale Signs: While you’d expect that the skin you wake up with is a good indication of its natural state, you should pay attention to your skin at the end of the day — is it shiny then? If you wake up and your skin feels greasy, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s oily. “It could be from the moisturizer or cream that you are using the night before.” Breakouts can also be an indication.

How To Treat: find cream formulas that have exfoliating agents such as lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids. It must be noncomedogenic to avoid clogging the pores. Oil-based moisturizer affects greatly on acne-prone skin. Look for cream formulas that have exfoliating agents such as lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids. It must be noncomedogenic to avoid clogging the pores. Do not use a moisturizer that contains lanolin, mineral oil, waxes or shea butter to prevent facial acne.

Dry Skin

Telltale Signs: Your skin is dull, dry and/or flaky at the end of the day (even after a long day of exposure to dirt and heat).

How To Treat: For dry skin, cream formula with heavier oil-based with mineral oil and glycerin is your best bet because it gives better absorption through the skin barriers to hydrate the skin. Avoid moisturizers that contain acids and alcohol such as alpha hydroxyl acid, glycolic acid, retinoic acid and salicylic acid because these ingredients are not suited for those with delicate skin type.

Sensitive Skin

Telltale Signs: Blushing, itching and easily sun-burning are all signs of sensitive skin, toners and exfoliants sting or burn, and products such as bubble bath or shampoo with added fragrances make you break out.

How To Treat: Opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer. Treat acne with a product containing a mild concentration of benzoyl peroxide.
Use a creamy scrub with soft, synthetic beads to exfoliate. A low-strength glycolic wash with a higher PH will also be less likely to burn when in contact with skin.

Combination Skin

Telltale Signs: Skin is shiny in the T-zone only and the rest of the face is dry. Prone to occasional breakouts.

How To Treat: Although parts of your face (most likely the outer edges) are dry, exfoliation is still key as it manages oil production and removes any peeling skin. Another way to balance the oil is to actually use a face oil.
Well-moisturized skin will in turn produce less oil, preventing future breakouts. Also use moisturizer with less acid.

source : www.mikecuris..com/2015/09/guidelines-for-getting-right-moisturizer.html