Simply put, moisturizers include products that help in water retention in the epidermis which aids in increasing the life of the skin cells. The moisturizers available over the counter at this time have so many other advantages as well. Whether the cream defends the skin against environmental damage depends on the ingredients such as humectants, fragrances and emollients added to it. Many companies choose to make boastful claims about their moisturizers.

The first step to picking the right moisturizer for your face is figuring out the products that have been combined to make the moisturizer. There is literally a mind boggling number of face moisturizers on the shelves today and it can be very cumbersome to choose one , a small amount of basic knowledge about products will significantly help you to buy the perfect items.

Emollients help in replenishing the cells reducing the space between them. Skin issues are caused due to the depletion of lipids from the skin, emollients refurbish the lipids in the skin improving the skin texture. Oil and water based emollients are offered although many of the the creams on the shelves today have water as the primary ingredient. Creams with oil as the primary product are long lasting but they give the skin an oily look. The most widely used emollients are lanolin, petrolatum and mineral oil.

Humectants behave like water magnets absorbing the water from the air and using it to replenish the skin. Humectants work as skin softners and are used to remove the effects of skin damage. The most common ingredients used as humectants areurea, glycerine and alpha hydroxy acids.

Some of the ingredients have annoying odor and perfumes are used to mask these odors. Fragrances are also added to incorporate the positive effects of aroma therapy. It is perfumes that are the main cause of most skin allergies experienced after using new lotions.

Another essential in skin care products today are the preservatives. Preservatives are required to avoid bacterial contamination after the first use of a water or oil based product. The number of preservatives used varies. Some skin allergies or reactions can be caused by preservatives.

Most creams and lotions also have in them other ingredients like vitamins, sun screens, minerals and many other elements. Most moisturizers are sold on the basis of the boastful claims which have absolutely no scientific backing. Beauty Products don’t have to go through an identical effectiveness testing as food and drugs by the FDA.

The most appropriate facial beauty product for you will depend on the combination of your skin type, any special skin conditions and your age. When looking for a beauty product that is apt for your skin type and makes your skin soft, keep in mind that there is no association between effectiveness and price. You may try many brands before finding one that suits you so start with small quantities.

Skin can be categorized into 5 different types. Normal skin does not have dry or oily areas. For people with normal skin a light water based moisturizer is the most appropriate. Cetyl Alcohol or cyclomethicone are the usual ingredients in these type of preparations. If you have a dry skin an oil based cream with hydrate your skin. Urea and Propylene glycol are the common ingredients in oil based preparations. Products meant for greasy skin will be water based and will be labeled as "noncomedogenic" This type will not clog pores which would cause acne. Sensitive skin products are artificial color and fragrance free. Damaged skin benefits from oil-based petrolatum rich moisturizers that contain lactic acid or alpha hydroxy acids.