Types of moisturiser for men

A moisturizer protects our skin from pollution and friction. It keeps our skin hydrated and increases stratum corneum water content by directly giving water to the skin. The major function of the stratum corneum is to build a barrier between our skin and potential irritants. It also controls the outflow of water from our skin to prevent dehydration.

What do moisturizers contain?

Typically, most moisturisers are oil-in-water emulsions as it helps to trap the water in our skin. Plain water tends to evaporate but the oil helps to hold it back in our skin.
Moisturisers also contain humectants, these are moisture preservers that attract moisture from the environment and attach to the skin. But in extremely dry climates, humectants may end up attracting water from inside the body, leading to dryness. Due to this property of humectants, they are often used with emollients. Emollients help to smooth out the skin.

Moisturisers also contain some vitamins like A, E and C which helps to improve the overall skin health and texture.

Active and inactive ingredients in a moisturiser

Active ingredients make the product do its job like blocking the UV rays. The inactive ingredients don’t fight with the UV rays, they only help and assist in making the final product (it can be in pill, liquid or cream form).

Fragrance-free and unscented moisturisers

Fragrance-free does not necessarily mean it contains no fragrance. Usually, an oil or natural ingredient is added which acts as a fragrance but sometimes synthetic fragrances are added that can cause allergic reactions.

Unscented moisturisers may also have a fragrance to remove bad chemical odours.

Read about Natural and Organic moisturisers

A moisturiser reduces the chances of skin problems

Moisturisers help to maintain skin balance. When the skin is extremely dry or oily, many skin problems start to show up like acne and patches.

A moisturiser reduces the appearance of blemishes

When we apply moisturiser to our skin, it gives a lustre to our skin and reduces the appearance of blemishes because of its healing property.

A moisturiser can help our skin stay young

The face, ears, neck and chest are the most sensitive areas of our skin and they are prone to various skin diseases like cancer. These areas replace their cells more often than the other areas of our body and this makes them vulnerable to dryness. Using a moisturiser can help the skin repair itself and stay healthy.

A moisturiser can reduce wrinkles

Moisturisers are a great way to fight wrinkles. It temporarily plumps the skin, making lines and wrinkles less visible.

How to determine your skin type?

Follow these simple steps to determine your skin type:

Take tissue paper and gently pat on different areas of your face.
If the tissue paper has no oil, then you have a dry skin type.
If the tissue paper has oil, then you most likely have an oily skin type.
If you get oil from your T-zone only, then you probably have a combination skin type.

How to choose a moisturiser for oily skin?

The characteristics of oily skin are that it shines and presents a greasy appearance with large pores. A moisturiser for oily skin should make your skin smooth by attracting moisture to the skin. It should keep your skin healthy and hydrated without making it look greasy. Avoid using petroleum types of products because they seal the moisture in but clog the pores, also, they are not very skin-friendly.

How to choose a moisturiser for dry skin?

Dry skin requires heavy moisturisers with antioxidants and more oils. Using a moisturiser with SPF will ensure that your skin is protected from harmful UV rays. This will lock in the excess moisture, helping the skin to feel young and healthy.

If you have any kind of skin condition like eczema, we recommend you visit a dermatologist before buying a moisturiser on your own.

How to choose a moisturiser for combination skin?

A combination skin type will require different ingredients for different parts of the skin. The dry areas of your skin will require ingredients that have water-binding properties. The oily areas of your skin will require a light or lotion-based moisturiser that can help you get a non-greasy look.

Buy heavy moisturiser for dry areas of your skin and breezy moisturiser for oily areas of your skin so that your skin can breathe without any irritation.

Applying moisturiser right after washing face

The best time to apply moisturiser is when the skin is wet so that it can help lock in hydration.

Applying moisturiser in the morning

Applying moisturiser in the morning is always recommended by professionals because it ensures that moisture will remain constant in our skin throughout the day which will ultimately help us achieve our skincare goals.

Applying moisturiser at night

Applying moisturiser at night can renew our skin, making it more hydrated and softer the next day. It also helps to seal the moisture in our skin preventing any irritants that might clog our skin pores. The night is an essential time when our skin repairs itself.

Possible side effects of using moisturiser

Generally, moisturisers do not show any side effects but some people may experience burning, redness or irritation on the skin. These side effects might fade away after regular use. However, if you see any signs of skin infection, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

Take Away

Moisturising is an important step to get healthy skin as it protects our skin from various skin ailments. Determine your skin type before getting your hands on any moisturiser. Use a paraben-free moisturise if you have sensitive skin. Also, apply moisturise twice a day for best results.

Check out our blog on Lifestyle tips to keep your skin healthy