Best Facial Moisturizer

"Things you'll need: your best moisturizer

• Wash your hands and face as usual.


• Put a nickel-sized dollop of moisturizer on your hand.


• Spread the moisturizer in your hands.


• Wipe your face with your hands, rubbing the moisturizer all over your face. Use firm, upward strokes, particularly around the neck and jawline.


• Keep rubbing your face gently until the moisturizer has been absorbed into your skin.


• If you are applying moisturizer to other parts of your body, follow the same steps.

"The moisturizer that's best for you depends on many factors. This includes your skin type, your age and whether you have specific conditions, such as acne.

- Normal Skin. Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. To maintain this natural moisture balance, use a water-based moisturizer that has a light, nongreasy feel. These moisturizers often contain lightweight oils, such as cetyl alcohol, or silicone-derived ingredients, such as cyclomethicone.

- Dry skin To restore moisture to dry skin, choose a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that contains ingredients such as antioxidants, grape seed oil or dimethicone, which helps keep your skin hydrated. For very dry, cracked skin, petrolatum-based products are preferable. They have more staying power than creams do and are more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin.

- Oily Skin. Oily skin is prone to acne and breakouts. Though oily, such skin still needs moisture, especially after using skin care products that remove oils and dry out the skin. A light moisturizer can also help protect your skin after washing. Choose a water-based product that's labeled "noncomedogenic," which means it won't clog pores.

- Sensitive Skin. Sensitive skin is susceptible to skin irritations, redness, itching or rashes. Look for a moisturizer that contains soothing ingredients such as chamomile or aloe and doesn't contain potential allergens, such as fragrances or dyes. Also, avoid products containing acids, which can irritate sensitive skin.

- Mature skin. As you age, your skin tends to become drier because your oil-producing glands become less active. To keep your skin soft and well hydrated, choose an oil-based moisturizer that contains petrolatum as the base, along with antioxidants or alpha hydroxy acids to combat wrinkles. These ingredients help hold in moisture and prevent flaky, scaly skin.