Use a daily moisturizer with SPF 30, which contains potent sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, recommends David Bank, MD, director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, NY. Use it every day—whether the forecast calls for sun or clouds. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds.
Skin Moisturizing
Moisturizers can treat try skin and conditions like eczema, offer some sun protection and improve the appearance of skin all over your body. A basic moisturizer helps hold water in the skin's outer layers. Emollients fill in tiny crevices between surfaces to keep skin smooth, while humectants draw water to the outermost layer of your skin for a dewy glow. Depending on your skin type, you may not need to moisturize your face or other areas as often as others. Your moisturizing routine could change based on the time of year and your environment. Find out more about moisturizers and how to apply them with expert advice from Sharecare.
Recently Answered
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe best time to apply moisturizer is immediately after a bath, shower or making contact with water in any way. Apply lotion all over your body every time you step out of the shower or bathtub.
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Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answeredYes, but only until it's rinsed off. Truthfully, masks are like ChapStick for your face - an occlusive film over the surface that provides a nice, temporary fix. For someone with sensitive or rosacea skin, a mask packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients (such as aloe vera, allantoin, and chamomile) and humectants will feel wonderful and soothe the skin, but only while it's on the face. Again, it's always important to read the label, especially if your skin is feeling sensitive. Fruit acids or menthol, which are commonly found in masks, could cause irritation.
Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman's Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin -
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HealthyWomen answeredMoisturizers for dry skin come in three preparations: lotions, creams and ointments.
Lotions are least effective at replacing and retaining lost moisture in very dry skin. But they disappear after application very quickly, making them the most convenient to use and possibly helpful for normal and oily skin.
Creams are heavier than lotions and are therefore more effective at sealing in moisture for normal to dry skin.
Ointments, such as Vaseline, are thick and are best for preventing moisture from escaping from the skin, but you may find that they are inconvenient to use regularly.
Healthcare professionals advise women with very dry skin against using soap and alcohol-based astringents (toners), which typically dry out the skin. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered
People with oily skin need a moisturizer that attracts water to the skin. Look for noncomedogenic products with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or lactic acid.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredIt is very important to protect your skin from the sun on a daily basis. Moisturizers that contain SPF provide a single-step application process (rather than applying a moisturizer and a sunscreen separately) that make it easy to protect yourself each day.
Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing to safeguard your skin from the sun's harmful rays. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredMany people believe that thicker moisturizers are better, which is not always the case. The types of ingredients used in a moisturizer will determine how well it works, so judging a product by its "thickness" or "thinness" isn't necessarily the best way to determine its efficacy.
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Dr. Doris Day, MD , Dermatology, answeredLotions are in many ways similar to creams but they have more water. This means the vehicle is thinner, and that makes lotions potentially drying for people with very dry skin. I usually recommend that you use a cream during the winter, especially at night when there is increased water loss from the skin, and lotions or lighter formulations of creams during the warmer, more humid summer months. -
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Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answeredSee All 3 AnswersThe natural oils and lipids that should be in the epidermis are in short supply, so dry skin is desperate for humectants and emollients. It will drink up a rich, heavy-duty moisturizer, such as a lotion or cream that's oil-based (a water-based product evaporates quickly and won't provide enough long-lasting moisture). Look for one that has waxy occlusive emollients such as shea butter, squalene, even lanolin or mineral oil. In your case, you may want to use a heavier moisturizer at bedtime (since you don't need to worry about wearing it under makeup and making your skin appear too greasy). Go for it, slather on as much moisture as you need from your forehead down to your collarbone. (No matter how your skin behaves, we all need to remember to treat our neck like our face. That means cleansing, moisturizing, and, most vital of all, protecting it from the sun with sunscreen daily.)
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Dr. Audrey G. Kunin, MD , Dermatology, answeredSee All 2 AnswersIf your skin is oily, it probably doesn't need a moisturizer; at least not one used all over every single day. Remember, sebum (the medical term for skin oils) is a moisturizer. Combine that along with hydration provided by sunscreen and any anti-aging creams/lotions and skin is good to go. Of course, this may vary by season or if you have extremely dry zones. The best rule of thumb is pay attention to what your skin is telling you and act accordingly.