Face Cream As You Know It – Is It All It Is Made Out To Be?

Face cream, lotion, moisturizer, mask…there seems to be so much to pay attention to when it comes to skin care. It really can be exhausting and sometimes, you tend to forget all the tiny details, especially at night. It happens to the best of us.

Sometimes, you may ask: can I just wash my face, put on some face cream and be done with it? Or wipe my face? I just want to sleep!

Now, hold up. What do you mean, face cream? Don’t you mean face moisturizer? No, we mean face cream. Given, most face creams contain traces of moisturizing agents. But there is a major difference between a face moisturizer and a face cream.

Moisturizing your face constantly is all well and good. But what if you have naturally dry skin? Or what if you have a combination of dry and oily skin? With these types of skin, moisturizers just won’t cut it, especially during winter. This is where a face cream comes in.

A face cream is a cosmetic that is usually oil-based. Where a face moisturizer adds moisture to the surface of the skin and improves hydration, a face cream eliminates friction by supplying oil to the face.

Face creams are heavier than moisturizers so are suitable for trapping moisture in the skin. So you see, after using your moisturizer, the next best step is to lock it in with the cream.

If you are not used to using different creams for your face and you see people doing it, you may be perplexed. Sometimes, your kids may see you putting one cream after another on your face, and ask you questions.

Well, with time, they will understand that there is nothing to using a face cream and moisturizer at the same time. They serve different, equally important, purposes.

Major Differences between a Face Cream and a Face Moisturizer

You are here because you want to know more about face creams, right? But do you know the differences between a face cream and a face moisturizer? They have unique purposes since they are not the same. Here are a few of those differences:

• A face cream is just that, a face cream. There is no other formula it can come in. But a face moisturizer can be in the form of a cream, lotion or gel. Depending on your skin type and your needs, you buy accordingly.

 

• Face creams eliminate dryness and friction from the skin of your face by greasing. A moisturizer adds moistness to the skin’s surface.

 

 

• While a face moisturizer penetrates easily, a face cream would take longer to seep into your skin.

 

• A face cream traps the skin’s moisture to keep it from evaporating easily but does not supply any moisture. A moisturizer only gives moistness.

 

• A moisturizer would contain less oil than standard cream.

From the few listed differences above, you have a better knowledge of what each one does. You can also see that there is nothing wrong with using both a face cream and a face moisturizer at the same time.

So, if you have been looking for a way to retain your skin’s moisture, you are welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes for a Good Face Cream that Would Work for You?

Whenever you enter a beauty store, you are sure to find a wide selection of creams, lotions, masks and body butter. If you are not armed with what you want, you would be dazzled by it all.

Believe it when we tell you there are thousands that would seem to beckon on you. Just remember that not every one of them is good for you.

First of all, you have to realize what works for you. In the skincare industry, knowledge of your skin type is primary. That would inform the choice you make in the end. If you do not know this, you would probably choose wrong.

Therefore, in choosing a face cream that would work for you, there are some important factors to note.

The Type of Skin You Have

This is the most important factor to consider. It would determine what face cream you would go for. As has been established, creams are usually oil-based; they are heavier than lotions and moisturizers.

 

If you have sensitive skin, there are various topical face creams that would not aggravate your skin further. Every face cream off the shelf would not work for you. Go for those which have more naturally-formulated oils like shea butter.

You may be wondering what someone with oily skin would need a face cream for. The thing is that you probably do. Your oily skin does not negate the fact that you still need skin nutrients.

You see, using your moisturizer will only go so far. A lightweight cream is recommended ad should be applied as lightly as possible.

With a bit of oily skin, use a cream with very little oil on your face. This is because your skin’s moisture content has to be retained. And look for a cream that does it for you. Go all day looking great, without your face looking oily.

For dry skin, your face cream would have to be a little heavier than the rest. It does not mean you should slather it on while at it. Doing that would only clog your pores and make your skin unable to breathe.

With your moisturizer hydrating your skin from underneath the surface of your skin, your cream would hold the moisture in place. Besides, having dry skin means your oil gland is not supplying enough oil for your skin.

Therefore you need all the support you can get. Face creams are needed most by dry skin.

Normal skin does not need that much to get it going. However, you still have to use some. A light face cream would do wonders for your overall look. Adding it to your everyday skincare routine would make all the difference. Nothing thick; you just use something with a bit of oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

The second most important factor to consider is the ingredients that make up the face cream of your choice. Nothing confuses people like seeing so many complex names on labels and not knowing what they mean.

That is why you should read up on different active and not-so-active ingredients on your own. Your dermatologist can explain to you what to feed your skin and what to avoid. In this way, when you get to the store, you would know what suits you.

Any product with sulfates, fragrance or even parabens should not be considered. They could cause some skin irritations. This applies to every skin type.

The internet is your friend so look up every ingredient to know which are harmful and which are good. When you have cleared yourself on this front, the next factor to consider is…

Allergies

At this point in life, you should be aware of any allergies that affect the skin you may have. Over the years, the use of different skincare products would tell you what works for you and what does not. Keep this in mind when you are making a choice of a face cream.

If you are prone to allergies, your dermatologist would be in a better position to recommend products for you. The best thing to do here is just to choose a face cream that is hypoallergenic.

Desire or Goals

That everyone else in your group uses a face cream does not mean you have to use one. Sometimes, you are better off without one. Recognize what you need a face cream for before you go out for one.

If you already have a formula you use for your face that suits you fine, you should continue with it. The bottom line is to pinpoint what your desires or goals are. That would go a long way in helping you make an excellent choice.

Weather

During winter, a face cream would be a lifesaver. Cold has a way of shrinking the skin and making it feel parched and shrivelled.

On the other hand, summer brings heat and awakens every sleeping oil gland in your skin. The weather should tell you what face cream to buy, or if you should buy any at all.

Slathering on a heavy face cream is not ideal in hot weather. In the same way, using one that has little oil in winter may not be the best for you.

Return Policies

If you have not been a regular user of face creams, starting now would not be a bad idea. But you need to tread cautiously. As with everything else, a store or brand’s return policy should be solid. This is is safeguard you from being stuck with a product you cannot use.

If you choose a face cream, even after several recommendations, and it does not work for you, you have to be able to return it. This is especially if you are a newbie to face creams or to a particular product. Therefore, be sure of the return policy of a store or brand before buying.

Essential Tips for Getting the Best Out of Your Face Cream

Wash Your Hands and Your Face Properly

This should be basic knowledge because you wouldn’t put cream on an unwashed face. Use lukewarm water, soap or cleanser that suits your skin perfectly. Then rinse it out with a good amount of water and dry. Do not rub your wet face; just pat it till it is dry.

Don’t Dip Your Fingers into the Cream

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why, you may ask? You just washed your hands. Well, you cannot wash off all the oil that naturally comes from your fingers. It is not a bad thing but over time, the constant dipping into the cream will contaminate it.

To keep this from happening, you would have to buy a scoop from the store, alongside your cream. And because you plan for the cream to last a while, a scoop is your best bet. But if it is contained in a tube, you are good to go.

Take a Little Amount at a Time

It is better to get too little than to get too much. However, you have to remember that it is just for your face, not your entire body. And its natural formula is heavier than the average moisturizer. So the amount would have to be little indeed.

Stick with a Familiar Product

When your skin becomes acquainted with certain ingredients, a sudden change may upset it. That is when you would see rashes, spots and sometimes acne.

You skin needs that stability so do not jump from one type to another. If you are just starting out, the information above would guide to the right one for you. But you need to maintain it for as long as possible.

Do Not Stray Outside Your Budget

There are affordable face creams everywhere. Price should not keep you from buying a great face cream. It does not have to expensive before it can be considered effective.

That is why reviews are so important. You get to hear from other people who have used the product of your choice. You also see other store options and lower prices. If you do not have a budget, that is fine. But you have to know that most pricey creams are about the same as the normal-priced ones.

Notice that we said affordable face creams above, not cheap. Cheap products may be made with inferior ingredients that would cause you harm. And avoid buying from people who are selling half-used products. There is a good reason why they are discontinuing and you should not use your skin to find out.

Are face creams all they are made out to be? Yes, they are, and much more. We bet you didn’t know all these. Your skincare routine would not be complete without having a face cream added to it.

It goes a long way in supporting your moisturizer by holding the moisture in. And it adds so many nutrients to your skin that you can hardly get anywhere else.

Share your thoughts and experience in the comments section.