Because it is on the front lines to face the bad weather of everyday life, our skin deserves to be taken care of. Much more than a simple question of aesthetics, taking good care of your skin is above all allowing the body to adequately resist climatic conditions while minimizing the signs of passing time.
Not easy, however, to navigate in front of the immense choice which is offered to us! Not only is there a wide variety of ranges and commercial brands, but we also have to choose between creams whose prices vary between $10 and $400. Do not panic! In fact, unless you have serious skin problems, it is possible to get by without emptying your bank account and spending a few sleepless nights wondering which cream is the right one. But above all, an essential question arises. What is your skin type?
The importance of knowing your skin type
It is very important to know your skin type well before choosing a cream. Indeed, it will only be effective if it is perfectly adapted to your skin and its specific needs. Choosing a product without taking these needs into account could even be harmful to your epidermis and further weaken it.
Most of the products available on the market cater to the three most common skin types:
combination to oily skin
normal skin
dry skin
Normal skin
Although its name suggests the opposite, it is very rare to encounter normal skin in adults (it is found rather in children).
Combination to oily skin
The vast majority of people would in fact have “combination to oily” type skin, requiring products adapted to this condition.
Dry skin
Dry skin, on the other hand, is more prone to allergic reactions and a basic moisturizer is often not very effective.
Don’t know your skin type? No need to run to a dermatologist to find out. You will easily find tests in pharmacies that are often free or very affordable and competent staff who will be able to enlighten you.
Cleaning
In any case, it is very important to wash your skin beforehand with a mild neutral pH soap which will rid it of dirt (pollution, make-up, etc.) accumulated during the day and allow it to better absorb the cream.
Moisturizing creams
Moisturizer is the basis of skin care. It is she who gives him his vitality and strength and allows him to regenerate. With the climatic conditions that harm its fragile balance.
We will choose one that is fairly light and has a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, in summer and winter alike. A light day cream will also make your morning makeup routine easier. For the night, you will need a oilier cream that will allow the skin to deeply absorb the active elements necessary for its regeneration.
There are also all kinds of moisturizers on the market that target a particular part of the body or face.
Eye contour cream
It will protect this very sensitive area while preventing the appearance of the famous crow’s feet.
Lip contour cream
It will diminish the appearance of so-called “smoker’s lines” and prevent lipstick from leaking.
The cream for the neck and the bust
This cream is specially formulated to firm the very thin skin of these areas prone to premature aging.
It is important to know that these products must be used for several weeks, even several months, before the results are visible.
Creams based on fruit acids
Fruit acid (commonly called AHA, from the scientific name of alpha-hydroxyacid molecules) is found in all types of cream: moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, nutritive, etc.
The process is not new! Already, during Antiquity, the Romans used the acids of orange and lemon to treat their skin. Not only do these acids renew the skin, but they also give it greater suppleness, heal the epidermis and exfoliate it naturally. This explains why they are mainly found in anti-wrinkle creams.
But as their name suggests, AHA creams are acidic and can burn or sting the skin. It is therefore always important to carefully check their pH, to ensure that their acidity level is not too high. These creams are also to be avoided if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Acne problems; cream, friend or foe?
If you or your teenagers suffer from mild or moderate acne, you will find suitable products in stores to reduce the appearance of blackheads, pimples and boils, or at least to reduce their longevity. A good cream containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid will prove to be very effective in combating acne breakouts.
Benzoyl peroxide fights infection-causing bacteria and reduces sebum secretion, but it can be irritating. For its part, salicylic acid reduces the thickness of the epidermis and therefore slows down the formation of comedones. On the other hand, avoid oil-based creams, which will only aggravate your problem!
