Today, nobody will be surprised by the fact that facial skin needs more than just washing up. Cosmetic factories produce tons of special facial products, but still, a face cream remains a staple.
The popularity of facial creams is quite logical. Facial skin requires delicate care to remain elastic, fresh-looking, and healthy. Facial creams contribute to this care by providing moisturizing, tightening, nutritive, and soothing effects. The diversity of their types is overwhelming, so let’s consider what various face creams are, which ingredients ensure their effectiveness, and how to choose such a skincare product to get maximum benefits from its use.
What Does Face Cream Do?
Face creams are cosmetic products with a creamy texture that quickly introduce the skin layers when you apply them. They provide a combined action, yet the specific effects of each face cream may vary. Typically, all face creams contribute to:
- Skin barrier support;
- Skin softening;
- Moisturization;
- Skin nutrition.
However, specific features will vary. Some creams provide a stronger moisturizing effect, while others contribute to wrinkle smoothing; some can have a healing effect on affected skin, and some are designed for sensitive skin needs. The effects depend on the formulation.
Main Types of Face Cream
Among the diversity of face creams, several categories can be distinguished.
1. By focusing on a certain effect, face creams can be moisturizing, nurturing, calming, or whitening.
2. By the age specification, there are creams designed for kids, teens, men, or aging skin.
3. By the time of application, there are day and night creams (the latter typically have a denser texture and a higher amount of active components).
Besides, all face creams are often divided by their cost and market segmentation into mass-market, premium-grade, professional-grade, pharmaceutical, and luxury classes.
Face Cream Ingredients to Know
The effects you get from each facial product are based on their formulas. For face creams, the most sought-after and thus effective components are as follows:
Humectants are moisturizing agents that act like ‘molecular sponges’. They deliver liquids from the environment and from deeper skin layers to the upper layer and hydrate it, providing instant smoothing and refreshing effects. Typical facial humectants are Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin, Vitamin B5, and aloe vera extract.
Emollients are compounds that create a thin barrier on the skin surface and protect it from external hazards and dehydration. They also fill in the gaps between skin scales, providing a smoothing and softening effect. Such components as natural oils (jojoba, shea butter, almond oil), Squalane, and triglycerides are typical skin emollients.
Ceramides are lipids that work as a building material for the skin. They protect the skin from dehydration, bacteria, and allergens.
Botanical extracts are used in cream formulas for specific effects. Healing herbs provide soothing, anti-inflammatory, recovery or supportive action, depending on the chosen herb. Typical botanicals for face creams are Centella Asiatica extract (the bestseller of the Korean cosmetic industry), green tea extract, aloe vera extract, chamomile and calendula extracts.
Besides, face creams often contain natural vegetable proteins, essential oils, mineral oils, and natural-based exotic extracts (like snail goo, liquid gold, or waxes). Additionally, the cream formula can be enriched with vitamins (Vitamin A and Vitamin E), peptides, and amino acids.
How to Choose Face Cream by Skin Type
The core factor for your choice of a face cream is your skin type.
For oily skin, you need lighter formulas with a focus on hydration.
For dry skin, more emollients and nurturing components are beneficial.
For combination skin, you need a golden mean between oily and dry formulas.
Mature skin needs more active components for moisturization, liquid retention, and collagen production boosting.
Teenage skin and sensitive skin require the most delicate approach with minimum aggressive agents and allergens.
How to Apply Face Cream
Proper application guarantees the results. Therefore, we have some tips on how to apply face cream properly.
1. Use daily creams in the morning and night creams in the evening, because they have different actions and require different time to get into the skin layers.
2. Always apply creams only on previously cleansed and toned skin.
3. Tap the cream into the skin with your fingertips, following the massage lines.
4. Do not use too much cream to avoid the effect of oily skin.
A good face cream helps support your skin and provides advanced nutritive and moisturizing effects. Yet, finding your best skincare product requires some effort. Always start by choosing creams that fit your skin type, and read the labels to learn which components they contain. Do not use day creams at night, and vice versa; apply them consistently to get a cumulative effect.