Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Skin Type

A sure sign you’re an oily skin type? Your skin is shiny all over and may appear “thicker” (oily skin tends to accumulate layers of dead skin that makes it look denser). Another sign is that you may have visibly enlarged pores or be prone to blackheads and blemishes in the T-zone (the T-shaped area on your face that includes your forehead, nose, and chin). 

For this skin type, its best to avoid rich, heavy, occlusive moisturizers that blanket skin and opt for ones that are lighter in weight and have a gel-cream or serum-like texture. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, a humectant, and Niacinamide, which helps regulate sebum, are good ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for oily skin. You may also want to consider an oil-free and non-comedogenic (read: won’t clog pores) formula.

 Meet our favorite moisturizers for oily skin:

If your skin feels like it's two sizes too small, you’re probably dry. “Dry skin can be uncomfortable. It may feel tight and could even peel or flake,” says Lizz Starr, Executive Director of Product Development. “It can also appear dull, and fine lines and wrinkles may look more pronounced.”

For this skin type, the richer the moisturizer, the better. Occlusive and emollient-infused moisturizers, with ingredients like ceramides, plant lipids, and Squalane help seal in essential moisture.  Hot tip: pick a cream loaded with humectants, too, like Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, because they bind moisture for plumper-looking, hydrated skin.

A good moisturizer for dry skin:

The telltale signs your skin is sensitive: it can be prone to visible redness and irritation; and may be reactive to some ingredients. This skin type needs a moisturizer that hydrates, calms, and soothes the look of skin. “Oftentimes with sensitive skin, you have a weakened moisture barrier, so it’s important to use a moisturizer that not only soothes and calms the look of skin, but also helps support a resilient barrier,” says Schmalenberg.

Texture and consistency of the moisturizer are not necessarily factors for sensitive skin—what matters most are the ingredients. Moisture-boosting humectants such as Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid, and skin-comforting emollients—like ceramides and Squalane—get along great with sensitive skin. At Origins, we’re also fans of infusing skin-soothing mushrooms as a key ingredient in our moisturizers suitable for sensitive skin.

Combination skin is somewhat of a hybrid. “When you have this skin type, you’re both dry and oily,” says Starr. “You tend to be oilier around your T-zone and dry along the cheeks.” You may even have visible pores and be more prone to blackheads.

The ideal moisturizer for combination skin is a lighter cream or gel-cream that hydrates oily spots without adding shine. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, which helps bind moisture, and Niacinamide, which hydrates as it helps regulate oil, are beneficial for this skin type.

If your skin is not too oily and not too dry, you’re considered to have a normal skin type. This skin type also usually has less visible pores and does not experience persistent sensitivity.

The best moisturizer for normal skin will help maintain its hydration and oil-to-water balance. The good news: you can use almost any moisturizer. The not so good news: so many options can make choosing the right moisturizer overwhelming. One way to narrow your selection is choosing a moisturizer based on a concern. Is your skin maturing?  Looking for sun protection? Pinpointing your skin’s needs, aside from daily hydration, will help you find your best fit.