Did You Know How Face Moisturizer, Cream and Oil are Different? Which one Works Best for You?

“This moisturizer gives you your best-ever glowing skin!”

“Your skin deserves our face cream. It moisturizes your skin deeply and thoroughly!” 

“Dry Skin? Get this facial oil now!” 

Confused by the claims of similar skincare products? What exactly differentiates a moisturizer from a face cream? Which one to use for best effects on the skin? Most importantly, what suits your skin type?

Read on to know more about these similar, yet varying skincare products.

Do You Know Your Skin Type?

Our skin can be any of these types: dry, oily, combination, dehydrated, and sensitive. 

If your skin is naturally dry throughout the year, and tends to peel or itch, that means it is dry skin. Such skin types need face creams to retain and lock in moisture. A thick, emollient moisturizer, that is available in cream format, will help prevent water from leaving your skin and will provide the nutrients your skin needs. Face moisturizer creams that have moisture locking components, like Glacial Glycoprotein and Squalane, are ideal for dry skin. 

If your skin is dehydrated due to sun damage, oxidative stress, or aging, you need to actively add water back into the skin. Look for a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, which gives a healthy dose of hydration to your facial skin. You also would need to use a night-time facial oil that supplements natural moisture in your skin and deeply hydrates it.

For oily skin that is prone to acne and breakouts, an oil free moisturizer, that is lightweight and doesn’t clog skin pores, is required. People with oily skin often have compromised moisture barrier, and their skin struggles to retain moisture. Moisture loss causes skin dehydration, which in turn makes the skin produce more oil. Oily skinned people need water-based, noncomedogenic moisturizers that are lighter on the skin and won’t clog skin pores. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid are helpful.

Those who have an oily forehead and nose skin area (T-zone), and dry skin in the rest of the face, have what is called combination skin. Use a hydrating serum on the T-zone, and a normal face moisturizer cream on the rest of your face.

For sensitive skin, be cautious about synthetic fragrances, additives and chemicals. Products with chemicals and alcohol irritate sensitive skin and worsen redness or itching. Use natural, plant based skincare products that are dermatologist tested and safe.

What is the Difference between Moisturizer, Cream and Oil?

The basic difference is that a moisturizer restores the moisture in the skin, whereas cream blocks and prevents the moisture loss. 

Face creams can both hydrate and moisturize your facial skin. These have a blend of oil and water, and they are thicker than a moisturizing lotion. In the dry winter season, you need to apply a cream if you have dry or normal skin. 

A moisturizer is lighter in consistency, and is derived from plant extracts, oils and other nutritional components.

Moisturizing lotions are typically formulated to hydrate and protect the moisture content of your skin. However, moisturizers may also have special components to treat acne-prone skin, calm irritations, even out skin tone, and reduce the visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

Facial oils are usually blend of a few different oils which help hydrate skin and don’t contain any water. Oils are definitely a must for aging skin, as the extra hydration helps keep a youthful appearance. Those with oily, acne-prone skin should, however, avoid pore clogging oils like coconut, and prefer lighter flower based facial oils.

Which is the best face moisturizer cream to use?

All types of skin need moisturizing throughout the year. Make sure your moisturizer or cream is light and non-comedogenic. For relieving skin dryness effectively, a face moisturizing cream works best. 

Kiehl’s, one of the world’s oldest and trusted skincare brands has an iconic product – Ultra Facial Cream. Formulated with Glacial Glycoprotein and Squalane (a lipid derived from olives), Ultra Facial Cream is the ideal choice for healthier-looking skin. It has a non-greasy texture and lightweight consistency that leaves your skin twice more hydrated. It helps prevent water loss from your skin, and enhances your skin’s natural resilience. 

What’s more, this cream also helps reduce hyperpigmentation marks and acne scars to give you a fresh, glowing, youthful look. 

It is dermatologically proven for safety and gentleness, and suits all types of skin, including sensitive skin. 

So, your search for an ideal face cream for your dry skin ends here. Get this superb skin-nourishing, moisturizing product from Kiehl’s and start using it from today. Regular use will give you the skin you always yearned for. 

Get ready to glow!