Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Is a Gel Moisturizer Better for Your Skin Than a Heavier Formulation?

gel-moisturizer.jpeg
You can also supplement your skin care with a gel moisturizer.



Some people often neglect applying a moisturizer because of an oily complexion.  They often fear that turning to one will only be making their shine or acne problems worse.  However, all skin types need  hydration to seal in natural moisture.  Otherwise, skin tends to look older and dull.  Therefore, choosing the right moisturizer formulation is crucial.


Understand Your Skin Type Before Choosing a Moisturizer


If you have an oily complexion, you might want to try a light-feeling gel moisturizer or an oil-free moisturizer that may be water-based without a lot of synthetic oils.  To keep the pores cleaner, you should make sure the formula can exfoliate the skin with alpha or beta hydroxy acids.  A few such hardworking ingredients include glycolic or salicylic acids.

Dry skin, on the other hand, is constantly parched and needs heavier and a more intensive way of hydrating.  Thus, richer creams and thicker lotions that are formulated with plenty of moisturizing oils work best.

Combination skin is a bit more complicated with dry and oily sections, usually located in the T-zone.  To lock in moisture and satisfy the dryness while minimizing oiliness, a water-based lotion or a gel moisturizer can ideally benefit the skin.  Though this complexion is oily in parts, it often is sensitive in the dry areas.  For this reason, you should avoid any formulas that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids for daily use to prevent possible irritation.

Normal complexions have the best of both worlds.  This skin type can handle a light to a heavier moisturizer, depending on what the skin responds to accordingly.

Some gel moisturizers don’t have occlusive ingredients to keep moisture in unless you pick up a brand that has polymers in the formula.  The purpose of polymers is for keeping the gel moisturizer from sinking into the skin in the same way.  Instead, adding a polymer ingredient like dimethicone enables the moisture to stay on the surface of the skin, making this particular gel moisturizer able to better hydrate.

Gel Moisturizers Are Lighter and Enter Skin Faster Than Traditional Moisturizers


Since a gel moisturizer has no waxy ingredients to weigh it down on the skin, it spreads easier than a thicker moisturizer.  

At the same time, gel moisturizers can penetrate through the skin much sooner as well. 

Three Different Ways to Take Advantage of Gel Moisturizers


Anyone with an oily complexion that has acne will love how well you can benefit from gel moisturizers that disappear almost instantly into the skin.  You’ll protect your skin’s moisture barrier as the first line of defense before applying your acne treatment on top.

Aging skin also tends to become drier.  Therefore, a gel moisturizer is perfect to supplement that extra boost of moisture when your skin feels too dry.  Try layering your gel moisturizer over your normal moisturizer to increase hydration.

Perhaps, your skin feels drier as the day goes on.  If you’re at work, you might want to take your gel moisturizer and gently pat a little into the skin on top of your makeup.  This technique will refresh your complexion without ruining your makeup.

Those that happen to have a sensitive complexion know how hard anti-aging products often feel.  However, you can lessen your chances of any irritation by applying a layer of gel moisturizer first before your retinol skin care or other anti-aging product.  
  
Once you have made a determination of your skin type, the better your chances of finding the right moisturizer to keep your complexion beautiful. In addition, you'll be saving money on stocking up on  products that you were wrong for you in the first place.