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4 tips for choosing the right skin moisturizer

Published on March 26, 2019 at 12:00 / Updated on March 26, 2019 at 12:15

Your skin is under constant attack. To help keep it healthy, it’s important to have a good skincare routine, especially in winter, when the air indoors gets very dry and the cold air outdoors strips your skin of its moisture.

Choose a product that’s suited to your skin type

It is important to select a product that meets the specific needs of your skin type (e.g. dry, normal, oily). Since men’s skin has different characteristics than women’s, men should choose a product designed for them.

One product for your face, another for your body

The skin on your face has different needs than that on the rest of your body. Facecare products contain ingredients that target face-specific issues like wrinkles and dark circles beneath the eyes, and that are unnecessary for other areas of the body.

Choose the texture that best meets your needs

Moisturizing products can play two roles:

  • Hydrate skin thanks to their water content 
  • Nourish skin thanks to their essential fatty acids

Their texture varies according to the ingredients they contain, including the proportion of water versus essential fatty acids.


FormCharacteristic
GelWater-based, doesn’t leave an oily film on skin

Low moisturizing properties, very low nourishing properties
LotionEasy to spread, convenient for large surfaces

Good moisturizing properties, very low nourishing properties
MilkLiquid, easy-to-spread texture

Good moisturizing properties, very low nourishing properties
CreamSemi-solid texture

Richer in essential fatty acids than gels, lotions, and milks

Good moisturizing and nourishing properties
BalmThicker texture than cream, forms a protective film on skin

Contains more essential fatty acids than water

Good moisturizing properties, excellent nourishing properties
OintmentOily, difficult-to-spread texture

Contains virtually no water

Useful primarily for very dry skin

Low moisturizing properties, excellent nourishing properties

Avoid unnecessary and potentially allergenic ingredients

While some ingredients in moisturizing products are essential, others are included simply to make the product more attractive or to make it smell nice. Sometimes these ingredients can cause skin irritation.

If you have sensitive skin, opt for a product that contains no dyes, fragrance, or parabens.

Be mindful, too, of products labelled “natural” or “organic,” as the ingredients they contain, particularly essential oils, can also irritate sensitive skin.

Keep in mind that it is possible to develop, over time, an intolerance to a product you tolerated perfectly well in the past.

Choosing the right moisturizer is important, but using it regularly is even more so. Even the best cream in the world is not much good if you don’t use it on a regular basis, especially if you have dry skin.

Ask one of our consultants if you need help choosing a moisturizing product suited to your needs. If you have questions about the health of your skin, talk to your pharmacist.

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