How to Choose the Best Moisturizer?

Picking the perfect moisturizer might feel like a skincare treasure hunt, but don’t worry—your glow-up is just a few steps away, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way!

Table of contents:

• Ingredients to consider avoiding
• Key ingredients for hydration
• Extra ingredients for healthy skin
• How to Choose the Right Moisturizer Texture for Your Skin Type

There are so many types of moisturizers out there—and for good reason! They’re a must-have in any skincare routine. But with all the options available, it’s totally normal to feel a little lost. Gel or cream? One that matches your skin type, or one packed with anti-aging magic?

If you're scratching your head wondering which one is best for you, or if you're looking to make a more thoughtful decision to keep your skin happily hydrated and glowing for the long term, you’re in the right place. And hey, if you’re looking for the perfect moisturizer, AU Beauty Bazaar has some great options to explore.

Ingredients to Consider Avoiding

Most moisturizers are optimized for short-term effectiveness, but this doesn’t always align with long-term benefits. If you’re looking for something that works well over time, it’s better to avoid the following three ingredients.

Alcohol (look for these on the INCI: Alcohol, Denat. Alcohol, Ethanol)

While it gives you that smooth, fast-absorbing sensation, it can strip your skin of its natural oils and damage the protective barrier, leading to irritation and dryness in the long run. Definitely something to watch for if you're aiming to keep your skin nourished and happy!

Fragrances (look for these on the INCI: Parfum, Fragrance, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol)

While fragrances can make skincare products smell lovely, they’re also some of the most common allergens in cosmetics. While they’re often unnecessary when it comes to skincare, they can irritate sensitive skin, weakening the skin’s barrier and causing redness or discomfort. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to be cautious with fragranced products.

Essential oils (look for these on the INCI: citrus oils, lavender, menthol, jasmine, eucalyptus)

These are plant-derived oils that smell great and may have some beneficial antioxidant effects. However, they’re often complex blends that can be irritating or cause allergic reactions, especially for sensitive skin. If you’re prone to irritation, it's best to use these with caution.

Key Ingredients for Hydration

Now that we've covered what to avoid, let’s focus on the ingredients you should look for.

Water-binding ingredients

These water-loving ingredients help your skin hold onto moisture, keeping it hydrated and happy. A particularly important group here is Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs)—the water-binding substances that are naturally found in the skin. Some key water-binding ingredients include hyaluronic acid and its derivatives (often listed as sodium hyaluronate), glycerine, urea, amino acids, sodium PCA, and lactic acid.

Emollients

These oil-soluble, oily ingredients remain on the outer layer of the skin and work between the skin cells to prevent moisture from evaporating. The drier your skin, the more you’ll need these moisturizing heroes. A particularly important group of emollients are skin-identical lipids, such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, but plant oils are also excellent emollients that nourish and hydrate the skin.

If the ingredients list of your moisturizer includes water-binding (NMF) ingredients, along with emollients, and there’s no alcohol, fragrance or essential oils—then you’ve got a good basic moisturizer.

Extra Ingredients for Healthy Skin

If you're looking to give your skin a little more than just basic hydration, consider choosing a moisturizer that includes some extra ingredients designed to promote overall skin health. These bonus ingredients go beyond the usual hydration and can help support your skin's natural function, leaving it feeling and looking its best. These ingredients are always a great addition to any skincare routine.

Antioxidants

These natural and synthetic ingredients help protect the skin from environmental damage and free radicals that can speed up the aging process. Dehydration is often caused by sun exposure or products that compromise the skin's natural protective barrier. Some powerful antioxidants that can help with this include vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea extract, and coenzyme Q10, among others.

 Cell-communicating ingredients

These ingredients are special because they help damaged or malfunctioning skin cells to function properly again. It's like giving your skin cells a little guidance on how to do their job right. Some key cell-communicating ingredients include niacinamide, retinol, peptides, and adenosine triphosphate.

Anti-inflammatory ingredients

This category includes ingredients that help calm inflammation, like swelling, redness, itching, and sensitivity. Many antioxidants also fall into this group, along with other soothing compounds. One of the most popular ingredients in K-beauty for calming skin is Centella Asiatica, but others like adenosine, allantoin, aloe vera, green tea, licorice extract, and chamomile flower extract also work wonders for soothing irritated skin.

Which Extra Ingredients to Look for Based on Your Skin Problem?

Aging: Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E are well-known for their ability to protect against free radical damage, which accelerates aging. Retinoids and peptides are also key ingredients in the fight against wrinkles and fine lines, as they stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture.

For aging skin, the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream is a powerhouse. With 92% snail secretion filtrate, this cream harnesses the anti-aging properties of snail mucin, known for its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Its regenerating and repairing qualities help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting smoother, more youthful skin.

Acne: Along with antioxidants, acne-prone skin benefits from ingredients like niacinamide, which helps balance oil production and reduce inflammation, tea tree extract, which has antibacterial properties to fight acne-causing bacteria, and retinoids, which promote skin cell turnover to keep pores clear.

For acne-prone skin, the Pyunkang Yul Ultimate Calming Solution Cream is a powerful choice. Packed with tea tree extract to combat acne-causing bacteria and Centella Asiatica to soothe irritation, this cream helps balance oil production while reducing inflammation. Additionally, it features a blend of Phellodendron Amurense Bark and Paeonia Lactiflora Extract to target bacteria and improve skin tone and texture, making it a must-have for clearer, calmer skin.

Sensitive skin: Anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as Centella Asiatica, aloe vera, and green tea, can soothe irritation, reduce redness, and strengthen the skin's natural barrier, helping to calm sensitive skin.

The APLB AHA BHA PHA Centella Facial Cream is designed for sensitive skin, combining exfoliating acids with soothing botanicals to balance and renew the complexion. A blend of AHA, BHA, and PHA works to gently exfoliate, remove dead skin cells, and refine pores, while Centella Asiatica, tea tree, and turmeric root calm irritation, reduce redness, and strengthen the skin's barrier.

How to Choose the Right Moisturizer Texture for Your Skin Type

Finally, a few words about textures, as it’s not always irrelevant whether your chosen moisturizer is gel-based or richer and creamier.

In general, the key thing to know is that you shouldn’t follow skincare routines based solely on age, but instead, focus on skin type and skin concerns. The simple reason is that moisturizers marketed for mature skin are often greasy creams. Even if you’re 45, if you have combination or oily skin, a rich cream might not work well for you just because of your age.

Dry skin: It’s important that your chosen moisturizer is rich in emollients. This is usually the case with creamier, richer textures.

For dry skin, the Illiyoon Ceramide ATO Lotion is a perfect choice. Formulated with a patented Ceramide Skin Complex, it provides deep hydration and strengthens the skin barrier for lasting moisture. This cruelty-free, vegan-friendly lotion is free from parabens, mineral oil, artificial colours, and fragrances, ensuring gentle care for sensitive skin.

Normal and combination skin: You have more flexibility. You can switch between a slightly richer texture in cooler months and a lighter one when the temperature rises, but if you tend to get a bit oilier in certain areas like your T-zone, it’s a good idea to use lighter textures such as lotions or gel-creams.

For normal and combination skin, the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Light Cream is an ideal choice. This lightweight moisturizer is enriched with the Dokdo Biome Complex to balance moisture and oil, making it perfect for those with fluctuating hydration needs. Infused with triple hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates while panthenol, allantoin, and betaine work to soothe and comfort the skin.

Oily skin: Look for very lightweight textures, such as lotions or gels, which hydrate without adding extra shine or clogging pores.

For oily skin, the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream is an excellent choice. This lightweight, gel-based cream is packed with 98% hydrolyzed collagen to improve skin elasticity and radiance. Its jelly-like texture absorbs quickly, delivering deep hydration without clogging pores or adding shine.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, selecting the right moisturizer ultimately depends on understanding your skin’s unique needs. Pay attention to key ingredients for hydration, soothing, and overall skin health while avoiding harsh irritants. The texture of your moisturizer also plays a big role—whether you need something richer for dry skin or a lightweight gel for oily skin, it’s all about finding what works best for you.

For a wide range of top-quality skincare products that address every skin type and concern, look no further than AU Beauty Bazaar. Explore our collection and find the perfect moisturizer to keep your skin feeling fresh, balanced, and glowing!