How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for You – And the Season

Did you know moisturizers don’t actually add moisture to your skin? The thin layer of moisturizer actually works to bring the water already in your skin closer to the surface and prevent it from evaporating as fast as it would without moisturizer. Water retention is the key to beautiful, healthy skin. But the wrong moisturizer can also have nasty side effects, like clogging pores. Here’s how to find the right moisturizer for you.

Your skin’s needs change with the weather, and in winter you’ll need greater protection for the skin on your face. Unless you have very oily skin, use a richer lotion, and pay attention to areas around your lips and eyes – they are particularly prone to winter skin damage.

If you have sensitive skin, look for fragrance-free and oil-free moisturizers. For oily faces, look for noncomedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores. Recent studies suggest that glycerin-based moisturizers help you shed skin more consistently, leading to smoother-looking skin.

At Red Bamboo MediSpa, we recommend RevaleSkin, a natural skin care line that has more antioxidants than any other – it even has more antioxidants than green tea and pomegranate extract combined. While the hydrating principles are the same as other moisturizers, this line has the added benefit of vitamin E and grapefruit extracts to soften skin texture, oxidoreductases to reduce free radical damage, and naturally potent antioxidants from real fruit. What do all those antioxidants do? They help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening skin tone and texture – and most importantly, they keep your skin healthy by neutralizing free radicals. RevaleSkin is what we use ourselves.

No matter what moisturizer you choose, you can maximize its effectiveness by applying it to damp skin fresh from the shower. Remember, the object of the game is to retain water in your skin cells, and after a shower, they’ve absorbed moisture you don’t want to lose.

Of course, diet is important to keeping your skin looking youthful, so remember to drink more water, and less dehydrating drinks like coffee, soda, and alcohol.