Your face is the reflection of your personality. A moisturized and nourished face skin will boost your confidence. Thus, you need to add a great face lotion to your basic skincare routine. Even if you have a minimalist skincare regimen, you should have it on your vanity cabinet— the key to glowing and healthy skin is proper hydration.
However, you might have to put some research into picking up the best face lotion in 2022. It can be a bit tempting to think that all moisturizers are the same. However, this is not always the case. If you don’t know which lotion is the right choice for you, don’t fret. We have scoured a handy guide for you about choosing the best face lotions.
How Do You Find the Best Face Lotion For You?
Be patient. Choosing the right face lotion can take some trial and error. If you follow these guidelines while shopping, you will get your hands on the best product there.
Get to Know the First Five Ingredients
You should look for the most common active ingredients like glycerin, lanolin, or petrolatum. If you have sensitive skin, you are likely to get an allergic reaction to glycerin.
Choose Added Sunscreen
Keeping your skin moisturized isn’t enough; protecting it from sun damage is also essential. If you choose a face lotion with added sunscreen, you can retain its youthfulness. So, consider choosing a moisturizer with at least 30 SPF.
Go for Antioxidants
Moisturizers containing antioxidants like chamomile, licorice root extract, green tea, or pomegranate are excellent for getting fresh and healthy-looking skin. Besides this, antioxidants help in neutralizing the free radicals.
Consider Your Skin Type
You should know that the skin of your face is more sensitive and a bit thinner. So, always use a different moisturizer for your face than the one you use on your body. Some dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer that has the label of “non-comedogenic.” It won’t clog your pores. Besides, choose one that is suitable according to your skin type.
If you have sensitive skin, you should always look for a moisturizer that is hypoallergenic. For oily skin people, it is better to go with an oil-free and light moisturizer. And for dry skin, choose something more moisture-enriched. For combination skin, you should go with a lighter moisturizer for the dot drier areas. Keep in mind that you should have a bit lighter lotion in winter.
What Are the Different Types of Face Lotion Available?
Most people think that all moisturizers are almost the same. However, there are three main types of lotions that you will find in the market. Each of them has some unique features and is made for specific skin issues.
Emollients
There are rich moisturizers that fill the gaps and ages in the skin cells that are deprived of the much-needed lipids specified for lipids. Such lotions are the best suited for mature, extremely dry, and dehydrated skin that needs an extra layer of moisture.
These are typically made up of water-based or oil-based ingredients. Some of the ingredients are mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum, and shea butter.
Humectants
These facial moisturizers are the best to keep your skin hydrated by drawing water to the skin cells. For instance, some ingredients include lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, alpha-hydroxy acids, and lactic acids. It will be the best option for people who reside in humid areas. No matter what type of skin you have, these are the best option for you.
Occlusive
Such moisturizers have some specific moisture-sealing agents that are usually found in high-end botanical oils like avocado, rosehip, and hazelnut. It is the perfect option if you have dry skin with cracks and make a thin layer to protect water loss. Moreover, it works best on dehydrated and mature skin.
What Should You Avoid While Choosing the Best Facial Lotions?
The more, the better doesn’t hold true when it comes to the ingredients list in the moisturizers. You should avoid the following popular extras to get the most benefit for your face skin.
Body-friendly Ingredients
What works for your body doesn’t work for your face. Facial lotions that contain some best ingredients for the body, like shea butter, mineral oil, waxes, and lanolin, are a good choice. These ingredients can cause acne or clog your pores.
Perfumes and Colorings
Whether you have sensitive or dry skin or something in between, you should avoid using potentially irritating ingredients like perfumes and colors. Some antibacterial agents can strip the moisture away from your skin.
Lactic Acids or Urea
Don’t use moisturizers that contain some dry-skin friendly ingredients, as these can aggravate your irritated skin.
Added Acids
If you have sensitive or dry skin, stay away from alpha-hydroxy acid, retinoic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. These ingredients have the potential to penetrate deeper into the skin, causing trouble to sensitive and delicate skin. Also, stay away from products containing alcohol.
Best Face Lotion FAQs
Q: Can you put the same lotion on your body and face?
A: No, you cannot use the body lotion onto your face as body-friendly ingredients don’t work best for your face. However, you shouldn’t fall for the misconception that lotions cannot be used on the face. Facial moisturizers are specifically made for the sensitive and delicate skin of your face.
Q: How long should lotion stay on your face?
A: You should not set a timer in between applying the face lotion or even count the minutes in your head. However, don’t keep them on your face for long. Wash your face at least twice a day and apply moisturizer after properly cleansing.
Q: Are face lotions bad for your face?
A: The idea of slathering a single lotion onto your face and body might seem intimidating. But body lotions can do more harm than good to your face. Body lotions are thicker and contain fragrances that can sometimes irritate the delicate skin of your face. Something gentle and moisture-enriched is better for your face.