A surprising number of people feel overwhelmed when they’re looking for a face cream for their skin type---and we don’t blame them. Drugstores and supermarkets are stocked with dozens of options, ranging from $10 to $500, each product promising to deliver better, faster results. How do you know which brands to trust and which ones to pass on? Well, there’s a very simple formula for finding the best face cream, according to our experts, and we’re about to break it down for you.
How to Choose the Best Face Cream for Your Skin Type
There are so many different types of face creams in the market. To find the best ones, you must first determine your skin type.
Sensitive Skin
This skin type is prone to redness and irritation, especially when exposed to harmful ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, and sulfates. If your skin falls under this category, a fragrance-free skin cream with all-natural ingredients will be more beneficial for your skin without aggravating it any further.
Our experts also recommend looking out for other hidden irritants like salicylic acid and glycolic acids. Skincare experts often praise these acids for their exfoliating properties, but they can disrupt the moisture barrier and do more harm than go for sensitive skin.
Instead, look for ingredients with soothing properties like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera that will strengthen the skin barrier.
Oily Skin
People with oily skin know the struggle of finding the correct face cream that doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts. If your skin falls under this category, there are a few ingredients that you need to be wary of and some that you should look for in a face cream.
Oil-free is generally the best way to go if you’re looking for a lightweight skin cream. Our experts suggest looking for non-comedogenic skin creams that mimic your skin’s moisture composition and won’t feel too heavy.
Dry Skin
Dry skin often benefits from a richer skin cream free from alcohol, sulfates, dyes, and fragrances. These ingredients can dry out your skin and cause unpleasant reactions such as itchiness and sensitivity.
It might require some trial and error to find a face cream that works for you, depending on how dry and sensitive your skin is. If you have combination skin, you might benefit from a face cream with a lightweight gel formula that is hydrating but won’t clog your pores. We love ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides for their soothing and hydrating properties for dry skin types.
What Are Ingredients to Look for in Face Creams?
Your skincare products will only be as effective as the ingredients in them. Let’s look at some of the most common ingredients found in face creams and how they affect your skin type.
Antioxidants
We all know the damaging effects of free radicals on our skin by now. These unstable oxygen molecules break down the collagen in our skin, which speeds up the aging process to lead to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Antioxidants neutralize the effect of free radicals and have excellent anti-aging properties, which is why they’re an essential ingredient in any good face cream.
Retinol
Retinol has quickly become a popular ingredient, and many brands are incorporating it in their skincare products for its potent exfoliating and antiaging benefits. Commonly prescribed by dermatologists to clear acne, retinol has now made its way into face creams as well.
This skin-perfecting ingredient promotes cell turnover, smooths skin texture, and softens wrinkles. Since retinol can cause dryness and irritation, it works well with other hydrating ingredients in face creams to minimize the side effects.
Alcohols
If you have dry skin, you’re probably thinking that alcohol is the last ingredient to look for in a face cream. While most astringents can cause dryness and irritation if used in high quantities, some fatty alcohols like lanolin have the opposite effect. With their hydrating and skin-repairing properties, fatty alcohols definitely make a good ingredient in a face cream.
Sun Protection
If you’re looking for a face cream for your daytime skincare routine, look for a product that has SPF 15 or more to provide adequate protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
What Are the Ingredients to Avoid in Face Creams?
While there are plenty of incredible face creams on the market, there are some that may contain harmful ingredients that can cause damage to your skin. Here are a few things you should avoid in your face cream.
Fragrance
Most skincare brands, including the high-end ones, add fragrance to their products to give them a luxurious scent that makes your skin smell nice. However, fragrances are one of the most common irritants that can cause skin problems like contact dermatitis, redness, and inflammation. Read the ingredient list on your face cream to avoid any scents that may aggravate your skin.
Parabens
Your face cream might contain a group of chemicals called parabens, often used as a preservative to increase a product’s shelf life. While parabens are great for inhibiting bacterial growth in face creams, they can be absorbed into your body and interfere with hormone production in women. Although found in very small quantities in cosmetic products, parabens have been linked to cancer, making them one of the top few ingredients to avoid in face creams.
How Did We Choose the Best Face Creams?
Face creams can run the gamut of price, ingredients, and quality. But sometimes, finding the best product for your skin isn’t an easy task. We understand the individual needs of different skin types, from oily to dry to sensitive, so we’ve done an in-depth analysis of every skin cream based on customer reviews, ingredients, packaging, and overall value for money.
Face Cream FAQ
Q: What the best time to use a face cream?
A: The best time for using a face cream is usually in the morning and at night after your cleansing routine. Most day creams are different from their night counterparts in terms of ingredients and consistency, so it’s essential to choose a face cream depending on what time you plan on using it.
Q: Are non-comedogenic face creams better?
A: Face creams are considered non-comedogenic if they’re made with a formula that doesn’t block your pores or cause acne. It usually has a lightweight consistency and is best for people with oily or sensitive skin.
Q: Which face cream should I choose for anti-aging?
A: Look for face creams rich in antioxidants and contain retinol or another vitamin A derivative. These ingredients are known for repairing skin damage and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.