Face creams

How to choose a face cream that is right for your skin?

To choose a good face cream, you need to consider your skin type and age:

Dry skin is often characterized by tightness, flaking, redness, or sensitivity. In this case, you should choose a heavier-textured, deeply moisturizing and nourishing cream with ingredients such as ceramides, squalane, or various oils.

Combination skin is characterized by both dry and oily areas of the face. The skin is usually oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and dry or normal in the U-zone (cheeks and jawline). This type of skin is best served by lighter, water-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or ceramides.

Oily skin is characterized by shine, greasiness, acne or blackheads. For this type of skin, you should choose lighter, oil-free face creams with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and green tea.

For mature skin, you should choose a deeply moisturizing cream with hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and creams with ceramides that strengthen the skin barrier are also useful. To slightly reduce facial wrinkles, creams with peptides, retinol or collagen can help.

For sensitive skin, it is advisable to avoid creams with fragrances or drying alcohols, as they can irritate sensitive skin, dry it out, cause allergic reactions, redness or inflammation. Soothing creams with aloe vera, niacinamide, and ceramides are best suited for such skin.

How to apply face cream correctly?

Cleaning

First, wash your face with warm water using a facial cleanser. If you were wearing makeup, you may want to wash your face twice to make sure you remove all makeup residue.

Toning (optional)

If you use a facial toner, apply it to clean skin. It prepares the skin for the next steps in your routine and helps balance the skin's pH.

Serums

Serum should always be applied before moisturizer because it has a lighter formula. The active ingredients in serum penetrate deeper into the skin, and moisturizer is essential to “lock in” these ingredients and create a protective skin barrier to retain moisture.

Applying cream

A pea-sized amount of cream is usually enough for the entire face. Gently massage the cream with your fingertips, using small, upward circular motions. Avoid downward motions as this causes the skin to stretch and cause it to sag. Avoid applying the cream around the eyes as most face creams are not suitable for the eye area due to its sensitivity. Only use a designated eye cream for the eye area.

Using other products

Allow the cream to fully absorb into the skin before applying other products or makeup. Always apply sunscreen (SPF) at the end of your morning routine.

What ingredients should I look for in a face cream?

There isn't one or a few best ingredients for facial skin, there are dozens. However, it's worth knowing the most common ingredients and their benefits.

AHA acids

Creams containing AHA acids help reduce fine lines, uneven skin tone, age spots, and enlarged pores.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid helps remove dead skin cells and improves the complexion of sun-damaged skin. It can also help unclog pores and remove excess oil.

Aloe vera

Soothes sunburned skin, various irritations or redness. Aloe vera is also moisturizing and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable for many different skin types.

Retinol

Retinol, derived from vitamin A, is popular in anti-aging products. It reduces acne scars, pigmentation, fine lines, and improves skin elasticity. Retinol also maintains proper skin moisture levels.

Vitamin C

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help protect the skin from damage caused by environmental factors such as pollution and UV rays. It also brightens the skin and stimulates collagen production.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, like vitamin C. It protects the skin from harmful UV rays and softens it.

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that helps restore moisture to cells, thereby firming the skin. It also helps reduce wrinkles.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a multi-tasking agent that brightens, brightens, hydrates, and minimizes the appearance of pores. It improves the barrier function of the epidermis, making the skin smoother and more elastic.

Peptides

Peptides are needed to support the production of collagen and elastin to keep skin soft and supple.

Squalane

Intensively moisturizes and restores the skin, helps control oiliness, reduces the appearance of fine lines. It also helps reduce skin redness, has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin and protects it from irritation.