Most people believe that the daily application of a moisturizer only serves to keep the skin hydrated. However, not all face creams are the same. In fact, there is a wide variety, each with a different feel, scent, active ingredients, and benefits for the skin. So, with these numerous options, how do we choose the face cream that best suits us?
Facial Cream: How to Choose?
Summary
Published on May 26, 2021, updated on March 6, 2025, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 5 min of reading
Themes:
Criterion No. 1: Understanding your skin type and its characteristics.
Is your skin dry, oily, normal, or combination? The answer to this question will determine the type of moisturizer you choose. Indeed, the choice of the moisturizer that suits you depends on your skin type, as each skin has unique needs and specific characteristics.
In addition to helping the skin retain its moisture and restore its protective barrier against environmental damage, the moisturizing cream also addresses specific skin issues. To begin with, it is recommended to conduct a mini-diagnostic of your skin in order to identify your skin type and choose the face cream that is most suitable for you.
Each skin type has its own moisturizing cream.
4 minutes to understand your skin. Our dermatological diagnostic guides you toward the ideal skincare for your specific needs. Simple, quick, personalized.
Criterion No. 2: Taking into account certain factors.
Sensitive skin, brown spots, wrinkles, blemishes... these signs also deserve to be taken into account when choosing a moisturizing face cream so that it effectively addresses these concerns that bother you. For instance, a person with sensitive skin should choose a face cream containing soothing active ingredients, such as aloe vera, chamomile, the Centella asiatica, niacinamide, etc.
Similarly, certain external factors can influence the condition of your skin. For instance, seasonal changes can alter the appearance of the skin. While the cold, dry outdoor air combined with the warm, dry indoor atmosphere in winter can cause the skin to become dry, the summer heat can lead to increased sweat, more sebum, and greater water loss.
Similarly, being pregnant can lead to skin changes due to hormonal fluctuations (melasma, acne, etc.), thus requiring an adjustment in one's facial cream. Moreover, it is preferable to avoid certain active ingredients during pregnancy. Although the data on their safety remains limited, some studies have revealed serious effects on the fetus related to a few common ingredients in skincare products.
Criterion No. 3: Consider the texture.
The texture of the moisturizing cream is also related to your skin type. While normal and oily skin types may prefer a light, non-greasy moisturizer, dry skin may require a thicker, creamier formula that is more likely to "trap" the skin's essential moisture.
Criterion No. 4: Pay attention to the ingredient list.
Moisturizing creams contain many different ingredients that can enhance the quality, tone, and appearance of the skin, each with its own benefits, limitations, and drawbacks. However, regardless of your skin type, it should contain these three basic elements to constitute a "complete" moisturizing cream:
To find the right face cream that meets the specific hydration needs of your skin, it is necessary to find the right balance between these three components.
of humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, PCA, panthenol, sugars, AHA, β-glucan, etc.) which are the artificial equivalent of natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and help to keep the skin hydrated and plump, by drawing water from the dermis to the epidermis. When the ambient humidity is above 70%, humectants can also absorb atmospheric water;
of emollients (ceramides, linoleic acid, stearic acid, squalane, vegetable oils, etc.) with a fluid or thick texture that serve to fill the spaces between the cells of the stratum corneum in order to maintain the water balance, in addition to giving the skin a soft, radiant, and supple appearance;
Some moisturizing ingredients function both as occlusives and emollients.
of occlusives (silicone derivatives, lanolin, mineral oils, waxes, butters, etc.) that seal the skin's moisture by forming a physical barrier on the surface to slow down the natural evaporation of water (transepidermal water loss).
"Natural" in no way implies "hypoallergenic". This does not guarantee that a moisturizing cream will not irritate your skin.
Conversely, avoid facial creams containing synthetic fragrances, as they are likely to be irritating and drying, particularly for those with sensitive skin. In fact, make sure to thoroughly review the ingredient list, especially if you have previously reacted to certain ingredients, to ensure that it does not contain these allergenic substances.
Finding the right moisturizing cream can take time. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.
