A: There are two main types of moisturizers: water based and oil based, so start by determining which is best for your skin. Generally, a lightweight, water-based moisturizer is best for oily skin; for normal-to-dry, dry or mature skin, choose a heavier, oil-based moisturizer. If you have normal skin, you may want to mix it up seasonally or based on dryness of your location.
Among the most moisturizing of all ingredients is hyaluronic acid, known to hold up to 200 times its weight in water! You can also moisturize from the inside out by drinking plenty of H2O, eating foods with high water content and loading up on healthy fats from fish, avocado and omega supplements.
It’s harder to keep your skin moisturized in a dry environment, so if the above tips aren’t enough, set up a humidifier in your bedroom at night, advises Dr. Caroline A. Chang of Dermatology Professionals in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. You can also switch to a heavier moisturizer (oil-based instead of water based) and use a moisturizing skin spray throughout the day. Delicious Living’s beauty editor, Jessica Rubino, recommends Kopari Coconut Body Oil.
Finally, be careful with washing. “You want warm water and gentle soap to remove just a little bit of oils and dirt, but you don’t want to zealously over-cleanse your skin, because you will remove its natural lipids,” says Dr. Cynthia Bailey, CEO of Advanced Skin Care & Dermatology in Sebastopol, California. “Harsh cleansers will also damage the keratin in your dead skin layer, which is essential for dewy, hydrated skin. It’s an effective barrier against dehydration.”
You should also avoid piping-hot showers and baths, which leach water from the skin and increase the incidence of redness, scaliness and itching.
