What to Look For (and What to Avoid) When Buying a Moisturizer

Everyone wants to have a soft, youthful-looking, kissable face, so many of us moisturize on a daily basis. But does your moisturizer give you what you need, and more importantly, are you using a moisturizer that doesn’t have harmful skin irritants? It can be difficult to figure out what’s good for your skin and what isn’t, so I’m outlining some things to look for and what to avoid in a moisturizer.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Aloe – Floridians are no strangers to aloe, especially aloe vera, because its vitamins and minerals aid in skin care and maintenance. Its healing properties have been extolled by beachgoers for a generation, and it’s important to have in a moisturizer as well. Why wouldn’t you want aloe, considering it helps to regenerate healthy skin cells?

Carrot extract – This is absolutely essential. Rich in six key vitamins, not only does carrot extract help ensure your skin will stay youthful for a long time to come, it also offers side ingredients such as ethereal oils and carotene that help keep the skin moisturized all day long.

Omegas – These fatty acids help moisturize the skin not just on the initial application, but throughout the day, because they replenish moisture we may lose during the day. These key acids also fight early signs of aging, something that’s always appreciated in a moisturizer.

WHAT TO AVOID

Mineral oils – These oils are petroleum-based and they will easily clog your pores, leading to unsightly blemishes and a nasty, greasy feel on your skin. The point of moisturizing is to look good while not letting everyone know you moisturize. Not only will it be evident if you use a cream with mineral oils, your skin won’t even feel healthy and young.

SD alcohol – This one is very simple: alcohol dries out your skin instead of moisturizing it. SD alcohol tends to be paired with formaldehyde in face creams, so make sure neither one of them are present in the one you’re using.

Heavy scents – Heavily-scented creams may be nice for your olfactory senses but they are not great for your skin, because they can cause surprise allergic reactions in people who may not be aware they had allergies. Avoid propylene glycol, parabens, and sodium benzoate, among other preservatives.

Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

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