ShareThisBy ANNA WALLNER and KRISTINA MATISIC
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Just because the summer is gone is no reason to think you can start ignoring your skin. The most important shopping tip when it comes to daily moisturizers for your face is to buy one that contains an SPF (15 or higher is recommended). Used daily, this is the best way to guard against wrinkles and of course it will help prevent skin cancer. But SPF is just a starting point. There are several other features to consider with this important product:
_ If you have oily skin look for a moisturizer that contains humectants. They will control hydration and keep the top layer of skin flexible. As a general rule, look for moisturizers that come in lotions as opposed to creams. Lotions are lighter.
_ Dry skin works best with occlusives, which block water loss. Look for products that contain silicone. But take note, "silicone" won't be listed on the label. Look for forms of silicones like dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and cyclohexasiloxane.
_ If you have normal skin look for products with emollients such as squalene and cholosterol.
_ Antioxidants like vitamins C and E can also do your skin some good. But the jury is still out on whether moisturizers contain high enough doses to make a significant difference in your skin's health and appearance.
_ If you do choose a product with an antioxidant, choose one that comes in a container with a small opening, otherwise those "magic" ingredients will be promptly lost to air exposure. Or buy a highly concentrated antioxidant serum from your dermatologist and use it along with your moisturizer.
_ Avoid products that contain fragrance, especially if you have dry skin. Fragrance can cause irritation and dryness.
_ You definitely don't need to spend a lot to get an effective moisturizer. In our blind tests, the majority of testers chose inexpensive drugstore brands as their favorites.
(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic host The Shopping Bags on Fine Living TV Network. Contact them at www.fineliving.com. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com)
