How to Choose the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin

Match your moisturizer's weight to your skin's oil production and current needs.

Stop overthinking it - if your skin feels comfortable four hours after application and your makeup sits well, you found your match.

1. Assess your skin's oil production. Touch your face after cleansing and waiting 30 minutes. If it feels tight everywhere, you're dry. If only your T-zone feels oily, you're combination. If your whole face feels greasy, you're oily.
2. Choose your formula weight. Dry skin needs cream or balm textures with ceramides or hyaluronic acid. Oily skin works best with gel or lightweight lotion formulas. Combination skin should use different products on different areas or stick to a medium-weight lotion.
3. Test the absorption rate. Apply a small amount to your inner wrist. Good moisturizer absorbs within 60 seconds without leaving residue. If it sits on top or feels heavy after two minutes, it's too rich for your skin.
4. Consider your environment and season. Humid climates and summer heat call for lighter formulas. Dry air and winter cold need richer textures. Your perfect moisturizer might change with the weather.