Main content

Choosing The Right Moisturizer For Your Skin Type

The first step when selecting a moisturizer is making sure that it’s appropriate for your skin type. The right formula will promote balanced hydration that benefits your skin’s health and appearance.


Article Overview

  • Moisturizers are an essential skincare category that helps to hydrate and nourish the skin, regardless of skin type.
  • Different skin types require specific moisturizers to address their unique needs.
  • Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is a rich moisturizer formulated with lipids to replenish and restore the skin barrier, ideal for dry or aging skin. While, A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is a corrective moisturizer to target five types of wrinkles.
  • Daily Moisture is a lightweight moisturizer suitable for normal to oily skin types, providing hydration without clogging pores.
  • Emollience is a nourishing moisturizer suitable for normal to dry skin, providing long-lasting hydration.

Hydrated skin is healthy, properly functioning skin—and that’s where daily moisturizers come in. Of course, moisturizer can supplement the skin with hydration, but the ultimate goal of any moisturizer is to help keep moisture within the skin. As a simple comparison, think of moisturizer as a lid on a boiling pot.

All skin needs hydration, yet moisturizers aren’t one-size-fits-all. Choosing the right moisturizer begins with understanding your skin type so you can find a formula that meets your skin’s unique needs while being enjoyable to use. Remember, your skin type can fluctuate from season to season, or when traveling to different climates, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your skin’s appearance to ensure you’re using the most appropriate moisturizer at any given time. As a refresher, here are the most common skin types and their general attributes.

Normal Skin

As the name implies, normal skin functions properly and isn’t too oily or too dry.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is characterized by overactive oil glands, which can make the skin appear shiny. Excess oil can contribute to clogged pores, which is why those with oily skin may be more prone to breakouts. The skin’s oil production can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations.

Dry Skin

Dry skin does not produce enough oil to keep the skin hydrated. This can cause dry skin to appear flaky, or feel itchy or tight. Seasonal changes, environmental conditions, and improper skincare products can make dry skin worse.

Combination Skin

This skin type experiences excess oil in some areas (usually the forehead, nose, and chin) and dryness in others. The key for managing combination skin is meeting the needs of both oily and dry spots.

In addition to these unique skin types, there are also several skin concerns that are important to keep in mind when choosing the right moisturizer.

Sensitive Skin

Normal, oily, dry, and combination skin types can all be sensitive. Although not technically a distinct skin type, sensitive skin is very common.

Acne-prone Skin

Blemishes form when pores become clogged with excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Genetics, hormones, and stress can also play a role in acne-prone skin.

Aging Skin

With time, the skin can become drier and more sensitive. Fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of elasticity are also common age-related skin concerns, and all of these factors should be kept in mind when choosing the right moisturizer for aging skin.


Types of Moisturizers

Corrective moisturizers

Many assume that a serum or gel would be more appropriate for oily skin while a lotion or cream would be ideal for drier skin—however this isn’t always the case. Rather than focusing on a moisturizer’s texture, skincare professionals often recommend a certain “weight” when it comes to moisturizers for different skin types. Ranging from “featherweight” to “heavyweight,” these are the ideal SkinCeuticals moisturizers for different skin types.


Corrective moisturizers

Featherweight: The Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin

As the name implies, featherweight moisturizers leave virtually no trace on the skin once absorbed. This weight is the best moisturizer for oily skin, or those who don’t like the feeling of anything heavy on their skin.

SkinCeuticals moisturizers to try: With an ultra-light serum texture, Hydrating B5 Gel is a simple yet effective moisturizer for oily skin. Featuring hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, it helps replenish moisture, restore radiance, and smooth the skin. (This serum can also be layered underneath a heavier moisturizer when the skin needs extra hydration.) With a light gel texture, Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment offers oil-free hydration, a visible reduction in oiliness and redness, improvement in dark spots and pore appearance, and enhanced skin clarity and brightness.


Lightweight: The Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin

A lightweight moisturizer strikes a beneficial balance for combination skin, but can be appropriate for normal or oily skin as well. Lightweight moisturizers are generally oil-free, but leave a veil of hydration on the skin.

SkinCeuticals moisturizers to try: Formulated for early signs of photoaging, Metacell Renewal B3 provides lightweight moisture, strengthens the skin’s barrier, gently resurfaces to smooth the look of lines, and improves the appearance of discoloration and redness. Featuring vitamin E, three nourishing algae extracts, and a blend of seven purifying botanicals, Daily Moisture provides long-lasting hydration and improvement for pore appearance without leaving a greasy residue.


Medium Weight: The Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Since dry skin doesn’t produce enough oil, the ideal moisturizer for this skin type should include light lipids to help maintain skin hydration levels.

SkinCeuticals moisturizer to try: Enriched with algae extracts and nourishing plant oils, Emollience has a rich, elegant texture that absorbs quickly and evenly.


Medium Weight: The Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Dry Skin

Those with dry, sensitive skin can benefit from a medium-weight moisturizer that includes soothing and calming ingredients.

SkinCeuticals moisturizer to try: Epidermal Repair is formulated with beta glucan, centella asiatica extract, and soothing ingredients to offer skin-barrier support, a visible reduction in redness, and added therapeutic benefits for sensitive or compromised skin.


Medium Weight: The Best Moisturizer for Dry Aging Skin

Aging skin has unique needs and concerns, including increased dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

SkinCeuticals moisturizer to try: Designed to combat visible signs of aging due to collagen breakdown and moisture loss, Face Cream replenishes moisture and essential lipids while helping to protect against free-radical damage and enhance the appearance of skin firmness.


Heavyweight: The Best Moisturizer for Dry Aging Skin

The advantage of heavyweight moisturizers is that they offer extra protection for dry, aging skin. These formulas also feature advanced skincare technology to address specific skin issues and concerns.

SkinCeuticals moisturizers to try: Formulated with an optimized lipid ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to help restore the skin’s barrier and support its self-repair, Triple Lipid 2:4:2 is a patented anti-aging cream that provides visible improvement for skin smoothness, fullness, pores, and overall radiance.

Backed by 15+ years of glycation research and expertise, A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is a breakthrough corrective cream for fine lines and deep wrinkles. Featuring highly-concentrated Proxylane™, wild fruit flavonoids, and glycyrrhetinic acid, A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced provides 24-hour hydration and visibly smooths fine lines and five types of wrinkles to help reverse visible signs of accelerated skin aging.


How to Use Moisturizer Properly

  • Apply moisturizer in the morning and evening
  • Cleanse, tone, and apply your antioxidant and corrective serums before moisturizer
  • Always complete your morning skincare routine with broad-spectrum sun protection

For help choosing the right moisturizer for your unique skin type and concerns, use our online Regimen Finder, visit one of our SkinCeuticals SkinLab locations, or schedule an appointment with a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a one-on-one consultation.

Next: What's the Best Moisturizer for Aging Skin


Shop Featured Products




About Gretchen Wobensmith

Gretchen Wobensmith is a licensed aesthetician with 27 years of experience. She has been training professionally for large global brands for the last 20 years. Gretchen brings her skill set of having a deep understanding of skin histology and ingredient technology to the SkinCeuticals Global Education Team as their Product Lead. Gretchen shares her passion for mentoring skin care professionals, to elevate their knowledge and skill set in the medical skin care industry.

Related Articles

Orientation message
For the best experience, please turn your device