At Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal, getting rid of your unwanted hair is our mission. But we also like to help our clients keep their skin as happy as possible, especially now that the skin is mostly hair free. So for this first blog of the New Year, let’s get into just what makes a moisturizer good and what makes a moisturizer a waste of money.
So many choices
It seems like buying a moisturizer should be one of the easiest things we can do. But once you’re actually on the task, you hit the skin care aisle and you’re confronted with a veritable sea of lotions.
Face creams, body lotions, facial moisturizers, lotions with sunscreen, lotions endorsed by Ponce de Leon for eternal youth, and lotions for every skin type short of snakeskin (good for maximum exfoliation). Whoa. How’s a person supposed to know the difference between the dozens of options? That’s especially true in these dark days of winter with dry indoor heating and itchy clothing.
What kind of moisturizer is right for me?
Here is some information to help you navigate the choppy seas of the skin care aisle. Start here and you’ll have a better idea of which lotion is right for your skin.
Ointment, cream, or lotion? If you have itchy or dry skin you’ll want to lock in more moisture with a thicker ointment. Creams are thinner, help hydrate, and are good for normal skin. Lotions are the lightest, with water as the main ingredient, so they’re best for oily skin.
Some other things to consider:
- Sun protection — Just about every skin care professional says your facial moisturizer should have at least 15 SPF sunscreen in it.
- Antioxidants — Antioxidants aren’t just hype. They help neutralize free radicals, the molecules that break down skin cells. You’ll find antioxidants such as green tea, chamomile, pomegranate, and licorice root extract.
- Oily or acne-prone skin — For this type of skin alpha-hydroxy acids are helpful. Also look for non-comedogenic facial moisturizers because they won’t clog your pores.
- Dry skin — If your skin is dry, look for heavier moisturizers and look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which help keep your skin hydrated. Glycerin, propylene, glycol, proteins, and urea also attract water to your skin.
- Sensitive skin — Look for simpler ingredient mixes, less than 10 ingredients. Make sure you use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizers.
That’s some helpful information to prepare you to wade into the skin care aisle during these dark New York days and come out with sometime your skin will really like.
Of course, winter’s also a great time to take advantage of the indoor time to get rid of your unwanted hair with New York’s finest laser hair team at Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal. Call us at (212) 750-2000 to schedule a consultation, and then let’s get started.