Your face moisturizer is the unsung hero of your skincare (and makeup!) routine. This beauty essential does so much for you, it can be difficult to even recognize how hard it works.

That’s why we’re here today to talk about all things face moisturizer-related. The most important question we’re answering? How to pick the right face moisturizer, of course!

How Does Moisturizer Work?

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It requires nourishment and, yes, hydration.

Moisturizer works by locking hydration in. Some moisturizers last longer than others. (Our Wander Beauty Dive In™ Moisturizer is formulated with pentavitin to provide deep hydration that lasts up to 72 hours. Yes, you heard that right!)<product>1</product>

In addition to this, moisturizer soothes and softens your skin. Just consider it the best way to start your makeup routine -- or if you’re going all-natural with your look, moisturizer is a beauty must-have.

Really, it’s the most versatile skincare product you’ll find, as it supports your skin before you apply makeup. It also supports your skin’s overall health and look.

Why Do I Need Moisturizer?

Once you add moisturizer to your skincare routine, you’re going to notice a difference: I promise you. If your skin tends to be dry, moisturizer is absolutely essential. This product can help give you the hydration you’re currently lacking.

You might be thinking that if you tend to have oily skin, moisturizer isn’t for you. That isn’t necessarily true! Wander Beauty is generally suitable for all skin types, oily included. This moisturizer isn’t heavy and certainly won’t clog your pores up.

In addition to all of these assets, our moisturizer can also help safeguard your skin against environmental stressors like pollution. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll notice plumper, more even skin. All of that in one formula for every busy woman who likes it simple.

How Do I Choose a Face Moisturizer?

There are plenty of face moisturizers on the market, which can make it hard to figure out which you should use. Luckily, we have a few suggestions that will help you make your decision.

Determine Your Skin Type

The first thing you should do is figure out what your skin type is. This is as simple as taking a look at your face in the mirror. If you frequently notice oil, especially in your T-Zone area, you’re likely to have oily skin. This can lead to enlarged pores and a shiny appearance.

On the contrary, if your skin feels dull, scaly, or even a bit rough, you probably have dry skin. This skin type especially needs extra moisture. Have a bit of both oily and dry skin? That means you have a combination skin type.

Finally, if your skin doesn’t feel dry or oily, you have normal skin -- a term we don’t really like to use because everyone’s skin is “normal” in its own way. This just refers to skin that isn’t particularly dry or oily.

Find Fragrance-Free, Non-Comedogenic Products

Here’s a hot take: your makeup and skincare should never, ever have synthetic fragrance in them.

Why? Because synthetic fragrance is not regulated in the United States. While ingredients must be listed on product packaging, the fragrance is considered a “trade secret,” and how it is created is not required to be listed.

That means exactly what you think it does: that simply anything could be lurking in synthetic fragrances that you put on your skin and body. No thank you! Also, you should look for products that are less likely to clog your pores -- in other words, non-comedogenic.

Look At the Active Ingredients

Next, you should look at the active ingredients listed in the product. There are some that you’re going to want to avoid at any cost -- and some you should seek out. Let’s start with those that you should avoid.

If a product has phthalates, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, or mineral oil in it, toss it in the recycling bin. These products can have various adverse effects on your body, so it’s best to simply avoid them.

Clean beauty products are out there -- and they’re worth looking for.

What Ingredients Should I Look For?

Now that we’ve discussed some of the ingredients you should avoid at any cost, let’s talk about the ones that support your skin! Because, after all, that’s most important.

Pentavitin

This ingredient is here to rescue your skin and provide it with a healthy dose of hydration! The way that it works is by creating a moisture barrier on your skin after you apply it. This binds deep in the layers of your skin and lasts for -- get this -- up to 72 hours. Over time, it can help plump your skin.

Sodium Hyaluronate

If you’re looking for a product that will help improve dryness and replenish your skin, sodium hyaluronate provides just that. Not to mention it also helps with volume and supports skin structure. This is valuable for people of all skin types.

Betaine

This ingredient helps your skin adapt when it loses or gains moisture. It’s used to hydrate your skin, and also occurs naturally in the body. Use this to help your skin balance hydration.

Plant-Derived Squalane

This plant-derived product is the hydrogenated version of a compound you might already have heard of -- squalene, which is produced by the sebaceous glands in our bodies. It moisturizes and even sometimes has antioxidant properties.

Glycerine

Did you know that glycerine is actually a naturally occurring component of healthy skin? It’s true. The product itself is renowned for its ability to help shield the skin from sources of irritation, and working to help make skin that’s often dry feel supple again.

Niacinamide

This is technically a product of vitamin B3. It could help support your skin in a variety of ways. There have been studies suggesting that it can help increase the production of ceramides, which are lipids that support a healthy protective barrier for the skin.

Fruit Extracts

There are a lot of fruit extracts that could potentially help benefit your skin. That’s why you should seek out a moisturizer that’s formulated with these helpful extracts.

Acai

First, let’s talk about acai extract. This is a popular choice for a moisturizer because it offers antioxidant benefits. These could help delay signs of aging on your face. Finally, it also helps defend your cells from free radicals that could potentially damage them.

Strawberry

Second is strawberry extract. This works to hydrate your skin because of the carbohydrates the extract contains. In addition to this, it works to protect your skin due to the antioxidant component.

Raspberry

Up next we have raspberry extract. It's known for its robust potential to assist your skin with anti-aging. It also protects cells from water loss and adds hydration.

Cranberry

Last but certainly not least is cranberry. It has skin-soothing and antioxidant properties which makes it a superstar ingredient for your moisturizer.

How Do I Apply Moisturizer?

Here’s some good news: applying moisturizer is as easy as counting to three! You don’t need any fancy tools -- just your hands, freshly washed.

From there, you simply squeeze out a pea-sized amount (less is more) and apply it to your face. Start with the face, and then your jawline, and bring it down to your neck to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent any dryness.

That being said, there is some room for error. The first sign is if your pores feel clogged or your face looks oily. What does that mean? That you’re using too much of it. Remember: a little goes a long way.

At the same time, there’s a chance you’re not using enough. If your skin still feels flaky or dry, try to add more next time you apply or layer your moisturizer with face oil and see if there's a difference.

How Do I Know That It’s Working?

The way that your skin reacts to the product is an excellent way to tell if it’s working for you. It should glide on and even feel silky when you first apply. After that, it should absorb right into your skin.

That’s right; it shouldn’t sit on top of your skin. Instead, the product should be soaked right up so your skin can savor all its goodness.

In addition to this, we want to note that your moisturizer shouldn’t feel oily because it isn’t. It’s hydrating, and there’s a huge difference between the two.

Conclusion

Finding the right moisturizer for your face could initially seem like a difficult task, but here’s some good news: when you find the right one, it will all be worth it.

If you keep an eye on the ingredients yours should include (and the ones you should avoid), you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect product for your skin.