What's in a facial moisturizer?

There are many ingredients that can be found in facial moisturizer, and each one is present for a specific purpose. The "active" components in a moisturizer which are responsible for hydrating and improving the skin include glycerin, VitaNiacin, Panthenol, Vitamin B3, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol. Your facial moisturizer may have one or a combination of these ingredients.

Other ingredients, called emollients, are referred to as thickening agents that prevent water loss while simultaneously soothing the skin. These can include Panthenol, Vitamin E, Isopropyl Isostearate and Isoparaffin. Antioxidants, such as Tocopherol, are also important ingredients in a facial moisturizer because they're purported to protect the skin from damaging free radicals. Preservatives are almost always found in moisturizers as well, and can include such ingredients as Benzyl alcohol and Methyl paraben. There are other ingredients present in facial moisturizers, but these are a few of the most common.

WHEN TO PUT THEM ON

In addition to moisturizers which are specifically designed for day and evening use, the type of skin you have will also affect when you use your moisturizer. If you have very dry skin, you'll want to use a lubricating moisturizer during the day and possibly a heavy duty cream at night. Conversely, if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to try a light formulation that's specifically designed for sensitive skin types during the day. As long as you don't over-apply your moisturizer, you'll be able to apply both morning and night.

WHERE to buy the most POPULAR facial moisturizers

You can buy facial moisturizers at any mass drugstore. If you prefer higher-end products, many specialty stores or major department stores carry full lines of excellent facial moisturizers to fit your needs. Face creams can also be purchased at a variety of online retailers specializing in health and beauty products.

so which are the best?

With the slew of excellent facial moisturizers on the market today, it can be hard to decide which one will work best for you. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream (approximately $8.50) has received rave reviews from consumers and skin care reviews. The product contains retinol, and is both oil and fragrance free. What's more, if you buy the version that includes SPF 15, you'll be

gaining a supple complexion and protecting yourself from the sun at the same time.

For sensitive skin, slathering on heavy facial creams can spell havoc for your skin. As a result, skin care companies have started creating additional lines of sensitive skin moisturizers for those consumers who can't handle harsh ingredients. Dove Sensitive Essentials facial moisturizer (about $5.80) offers a feather light coating of hydration free of dyes and fragrances, which are the most common causes of most skin irritation. The product also contains fatty acids which give your skin an extra layer of protection against the elements. For day, choose the cream with the SPF factor. For nighttime use, Dove offers an evening formula without SPF.

Oily skin types need to be extra careful when choosing a facial moisturizer. Consumers don't want to pick products that will add any additional oil into their skin. Clean and Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer (approximately $5.00) is a great oil-free formulation for skin that's prone to acne. The moisturizing formula also contains salicylic acid to fight breakouts and won't dry or irritate your skin.

SUNSCREEN AND SKIN CHANGES

Skin care companies are recognizing the benefits of adding sunscreen and other protective ingredients into their products. When skin ages, the production of collagen and elastin starts to

break down, promoting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin can also dry out as the moisture content in aging skin drops, hence the line of super emollient moisturizers designed specifically for aging skin.

When at all possible, choose a sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 15 during the day. Sun damage is a leading cause of unhealthy skin, and wearing an SPF moisturizer will counteract the sun's rays and leave you with a healthy, radiant complexion all year long.

should I buy name brand or off-brand face creams?

Many people are unaware that there's not much difference when deciding between a name brand moisturizer and a generic store version. Provided the moisturizer you choose has effective ingredients which are comparable to a name brand product, there's no reason why you can't choose a generic product and save a few dollars in the process. Compare a name brand product with a generic product in the store, and you'll see that there are relatively no differences in terms of active ingredients.

When choosing a facial moisturizer, make sure to choose the correct formulation for your skin type.

Clinique also offers a wide array of facial moisturizers. While we don't rank them in our top picks, their products are certainly top notch. The only problem is that they are priced quite high.

Off brands can be just as effective as a leading name brand product. Similarly, expensive department store moisturizers aren't necessarily better than drugstore versions.

Compare the active ingredients in facial moisturizers against each other to help determine the efficiency of the product before you buy.

Finally, all moisturizers are not the same. Choose a product based on what will work best for you, not necessarily what other people rate the highest.

	Olay Sensitive Moisture Therapy Lotion	Nivea Visage All Around Protection	Physician's Formula Nourishing Night Cream
	For sensitive skin - Olay's Sensitive Moisture Therapy Lotion cannot be beat.	For Sun Protection - Nivea Visage All Around Protection facial moisturizer helps your skin defend against the elements.	Solid option - Good site flow.   High prices paid.  Nice selection of phones (hundreds) that they buy.  Could do without the environmental "motives".
bottom line	The light formulation, which is designed to make skin less sensitive, is 100% fragrance and color free. With aloe and chamomile to soothe and protect, the product leaves skin soft, smooth and supple.	For those who enjoy sun protection, the Nivea Visage All Around Protection facial moisturizer helps your skin defend itself against the elements, as well as hydrating your complexion all day long. Thanks to SPF 15 and Iso-Protectine, your skin is sure to be protected from sun, smoke and other damaging environmental factors.	Finally, if you're looking for a great nighttime moisturizer, Physician's Formula Nourishing Night Cream offers dry skin the moisture its been looking for. This amazingly gentle cream packs super absorbent emollients and moisturizers to protect and hydrate your skin while you sleep. Since it won't clog pores, it's the best cream available to use during the night.