It can be overwhelming choosing a moisturiser from the many on the market, so where do you start? Associate Professor Greg Goodman from Dermatology Institute of Victoria says, “there are numerous excellent moisturisers for sale and each person will find their own personal favourites, but generally speaking I would recommend products sold in pharmacies, as they tend to be well tolerated for dry and sensitive skin.”
What to look out for?
With so many on the shelves, it’s not an easy decision to make. “The drier the skin, the heavier, creamier or oilier the moisturiser is required,” Dr Goodman says. “These can be useful in winter, whereas a lighter moisturiser is usually sufficient in the warmer months.” He recommends avoiding botanical or fragrant products if you have dry or sensitive skin and to use a moisturiser like Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture Sensitive Skin, $13.99. For oily or acne-prone skin, gel based moisturisers or lotions like Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture Combination Skin, $13.99 are the best choice. Acne prone skin can also benefit from moisturising creams containing anti-inflammatory components such as zinc and niacinamide, so try Paula’s Choice Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream, $34.
Top ingredients to look out for in your skincare:
Not all skins can tolerate active ingredients, but they do make a difference to your skin. Here are some common ones to look out for in everyday moisturisers.
AHA/BHA
These organic acids (aka Alpha and Beta Hydroxyl Acids) are from fruits, nuts, milk, sugars, and even trees. These exfoliate and dissolve the substances that bond dead skin cells together. AHAs work on the surface layer while BHAs penetrate deeper to clear clogged pores. Salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids are all part of this family.
Peptides
A small chain of amino acids that act like cell messengers, sending signals to the skin like, ‘my collagen is breaking down so please make more cells’. They are microscopic so they can get into layers of the skin that many compounds can’t and deliver signals to stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid and aid the healing process.
Hyaluronic acid
This gel-like molecule is naturally found in the skin and is often referred to as your bodies own moisturiser because it retains over 1000 times its weight in water. When applied to the skin it works as a brilliant moisturiser to the top layers of the skin.
Vitamin C
You know how good it is for your overall health, but it’s the antioxidant properties that make it a great skin all-rounder. It protects against environmental damage, stops inflammation and brightens dark spots and a serious weapon in combating acne and scarring.
Your ultimate skin kit:
Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisturiser SPF15, $29.99.
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream, $19.99.
Nip + Fab Kale Fix Moisturiser, $49.95.
Neutrogena Clear Face SPF30, $16.99.
This is a sponsored post by Neutrogena. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.
