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You are here because you have a question, how do I find an organic moisturizer that is right for me? I am here to help you answer that question!
Moisturizers work by adding moisture to the skin and sealing it there. A moisturizer is the most important part of any skin care regime, regardless of your skin type.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a moisturizer and this guide will help break it down into more simple steps. In this article we will discuss:
- what to consider before purchasing
- what types of moisturizers are available
- how your skin type will affect your purchase
- how to test a moisturizer to see if it is right for you.
A good moisturizer will work with your skin to minimize redness and irritation, balance your skin tone, give you a healthy glow, protect your skin, prevent aging, heal scarring and help to avoid and treat breakouts.
6 Things to Consider
There are a few things to consider when looking for a moisturizer. Using these considerations can narrow down your choices and help you come to a decision that will be right for you.
1. Skin Type
The most important factor to consider in choosing a moisturizer is your skin type. What you use to moisturize your face needs to compliment your skin type. Basic skin types are categorized as follows:
- Dry skin: Often tight, itchy and flaky. Your pores are small, and you may have a dull complexion.
- Oily Skin: Enlarged pores, shiny skin. You may deal with breakouts and clogged pores or blackheads.
- Combination Skin: Dry areas (usually the cheeks) and oily areas (usually on your chin, forehead, and nose).
- Sensitive Skin: Redness, irritation, itching, and inflammation.
2. Age
- Your 20’s: You skin is still firm and youthful. Using a daily sunscreen will prevent accelerated aging of the skin. Take care of your skin properly at this stage by washing twice a day and using a moisturizer suited for your skin type.
- Your 30’s: You may notice fine lines appearing, use a light moisturizer with sunscreen. You can start using products with antioxidants to reduce and heal damage.
- Your 40’s: Your skin begins to thin and lose elasticity. Use a moisturizer packed with antioxidants like Vitamin C and Superoxide Dismutase.
- Your 50’s and beyond: Use a heavier moisturizer containing emollients, look for Vitamin K to combat under-eye circles.
3. Climate
The environment in which you live will affect the amount of moisture that is in your skin.
- Dry Climate: Dry or cold air can take its toll on your skin. An oil-based moisturizer will help your skin retain moisture and prevent water evaporation from the skin's surface. Balms also work well.
- Humid Climate: Humid air has plenty of water in it, but you still need to moisturize. Moisturizers containing humectants work best because they pull water from the air into the skin. Glycerin is a natural humectant. If you are breakout-prone, you will want to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer (one that won’t clog your pores).
- Hot Climate: A non-comedogenic moisturizer is essential. Heat combined with pore-clogging moisturizers can make your skin more prone to breakouts. Use a daily moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 15.
- Cold Climate: Cold air contains less water than warm air and will cause your skin to dry out. Indoor heating will also contribute to the drying effect. Moisturizers with emollients such as shea or cocoa butter keep the skin protected.
- Windy Climate: Windy weather can be brutal to your face. It can cause dry patches to form on your cheeks and lips because these areas have fewer oil glands. Apply several layers of moisturizer (a moisturizer followed by a balm is good) before heading outside, and wear a lip balm.
4. Personal Needs
What do you want from a moisturizer? Are you dealing with hyperpigmentation? Are you looking for sun protection? Write out your individual concerns and use that as a checklist when looking at moisturizers. Some concerns may be:
- Eczema: Look for soothing ingredients such as chamomile. Ceramides repair the skin's barrier function. Avoid fragrances, perfumes, and dyes. [Read: Natural Remedy for Eczema]
- Sensitive Skin: Avoid irritants such as fragrances and parabens. Look for products with minimal ingredients lists (10 or less). [Read: 15 Toxins in Your Personal Care Products]
- Anti-Aging: Look for antioxidants like Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, Ferulic acid, and Superoxide Dismutase. [Read: Anti-Aging with Organic Skin Care]
- Dry skin: Find emollient-rich moisturizers containing shea, cocoa, or mango butter. [Read: The Best Moisturizer for Extremely Dry Skin]
- Itchy skin: Shea butter or cocoa butter are amazing for itchy skin. [Read: Shea Butter vs Cocoa Butter]
- Acne: Look for lotions or serums. Avoid comedogenic ingredients (see a list of them here). Glycerin is a light moisturizing ingredient for people with acne. Lotions containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can help keep pores clear. [Read: My Journey with Acne]
- Sun Protection: Protecting your skin from the sun is the best way to prevent aging and damage to your skin. Use physical sunscreens such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and avoid chemical sunscreens such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. I love tinted moisturizers with SPF. [Read: How the Sun Ages Your Skin]
- Hyper-pigmentation: Look for skin-lightening botanicals such as Kojic Acid. [Read: Natural Solutions for Hyper-pigmentation]
5. The First Five Ingredients
The first ingredients on a list make up the bulk of your product. Water is often the first ingredient, especially with water-based moisturizers. I try to find moisturizers that utilize aloe vera as their first ingredient, rather than water because I feel I am getting more potency for my money.
Look for moisturizers that have plant ingredients in this top five spot so that you know you are getting a botanically active product.
6. Avoid Skin Irritants and Toxic Ingredients
Moisturizers often contain many synthetic chemicals and petroleum by-products. Read the ingredients list. Avoid Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Formaldehyde, Fragrance, and Triclosan. [Read: 15 Toxins in Your Personal Care Products]
Looking for a Simple Moisturizer That Works for all Skin Types?
Gently and thoroughly moisturizes without stripping, drying or leaving build-up. Softens, repairs and reverses damage with natural healing, anti-aging ingredients. Perfect for all skin types.
Types of Moisturizers
Learning about different kinds of moisturizers can help you in your journey to finding the right one. With this knowledge, you will be able to weed out moisturizers that you don’t need. I have included basic descriptions of the different types of moisturizers below:
Humectants
These types of moisturizers draw water from the air to your skin and hold it there. They work well in humid climates and not so well in dry climates.
Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids are examples of Humectant ingredients. Odacite's Beautiful Day Moisturizer is one we love.
Emollients
Emollients trap moisture in the skin. They are either plant or animal based oils. Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Lanolin are examples of natural emollients.
Balms usually contain emollients. We love Mahalo's Rare Indigo Beauty Balm.
Water-Based Moisturizers
Water is the first ingredient. These are usually recommended for people with oily skin as they are supposed to be less pore-clogging than oil-based moisturizers. They have a light texture and absorb quickly.
Serums are often water-based. Aloe vera based moisturizers fall into this category as well. We love Kypris Beauty's Antioxidant Dew.
Oil-Based Moisturizers
These will have an oil as their main ingredient. Facial oils such as Argan or Marula oil fall into this category. I
t is standard advice that oily skin should avoid these, while dry skin is encouraged to use them. However, there are many oils out there that work on oily skin; they do not clog your pores and absorb quickly. [Read: A List of Non-Comedogenic Facial Oils]
Oil-Free Moisturizers
These moisturizers are for people with breakout-prone skin. They are meant to hydrate without clogging your pores. Glycerin and Aloe Vera are often the moisturizing ingredients.
Night Creams
These are moisturizers that pack a serious punch. They are usually heavier and thicker than day use moisturizers and are meant to nourish and heal your skin through the night.
Skin Types
Your skin type will be the biggest determining factor as to what type of moisturizer you should use. Your skin type can change with age and climate, so you may have dry skin in the winter and oily skin in the summer. Your moisturizer will change with your skin type.
Read: What is your Skin Type?
Dry Skin
Dry skin is characterized by flaking, itching, cracking and a general tightness. An oil based cream will be best for someone with dry skin. Look for an emollient (shea, cocoa, and mango butter) as one of the first 3 ingredients and stay away from alcohol in your moisturizer – it will dry you out more.
[Read: Organic Skin Care for Dry Skin]
Oily Skin
Your skin looks shiny and greasy, and you have enlarged pores. Glycerin is an excellent moisturizing ingredient that will not clog pores. Pure Aloe Vera is also a useful moisturizer for oily skin. [Read Aloe Vera and Acne]
Oily skin can benefit from the use of facial oils, as long as they are non-comedogenic. You can see a list of non-comedogenic oils for moisturizing the skin here.
[Read: Organic Skin Care for Oily Skin]
Acne-Prone Skin
If you tend to breakout often, look for a non-comedogenic moisturizer, a moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. Anti-bacterial essential oils can be a great addition to moisturizers for acne.
[Read: Organic Skin Care for Acne]
Combination Skin
Your skin is oily in some places (mostly the nose, chin and forehead) and normal or dry in others. Using a light moisturizer is advised (look for a lotion).
Sensitive Skin
Your skin reacts easily, getting itchy and red. Opt for a moisturizer that is free of fragrance, dyes, preservatives and lanolin. Calming ingredients such as chamomile are excellent for sensitive skin.
Normal Skin
If you were blessed with skin that is neither too oily or too dry, you can use just about any moisturizer you want. I recommend trying a facial oil as a moisturizer, they offer exceptional anti-aging and skin nourishing properties.
Looking for a Simple Moisturizer That Works for all Skin Types?
Gently and thoroughly moisturizes without stripping, drying or leaving build-up. Softens, repairs and reverses damage with natural healing, anti-aging ingredients. Perfect for all skin types.
Testing Moisturizers
Reading product reviews is a great way to learn about moisturizers, and knowing what ingredients to avoid, as well as your skin type will go a long way in helping you weed through the many moisturizers available. Ordering samples and testing them on your skin is a good way to see if a moisturizer is right for you (I recommend getting samples from The Detox Market).
Here is how to test your moisturizer to see if it is right for you:
- Smell it – You will be wearing this moisturizer all day, so liking the scent is essential. Dab some on and let it linger, the scent will mix with your chemistry. Make sure you still like the smell an hour or more later.
- Do a Patch Test – Especially if the product has ingredients you have never tried before, try the moisturizer on a small spot on your skin and leave it for 24 hours. If you experience any itching, rashes or burning, it is not the right product for you.
- How Does it Feel? – Does it absorb well? – You don’t want to have to wait 20 minutes for your moisturizer to absorb. Does it make your skin feel good? – does it feel younger, fuller and smoother?
Conclusion
Choosing a new organic moisturizer can be confusing. I hope this article has helped simplify it for you.
Knowing your skin type, narrowing down your skin concerns, reading ingredients lists and testing a moisturizer out can all help you make an informed decision.
You are now armed with the knowledge you need to make the best decision you can.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below, I will be sure to respond!
I’m loving your site today!
This is the second awesome page of your’s that I have wanted to comment on.
I have dry skin and am always struggling with choosing the right moisturizer that does not irritate it. I have been choosing moisturizer with sunscreen, but had never thought to check the alcohol content.
You’ve given me some excellent suggestions, so thank you 🙂
Dry skin can be tough for sure. I love using facial oils as moisturizers. I have sampled quite a few and find that I like them better than regular moisturizers. I am loving Laurel Whole Plant Organic’s Antioxidant Facial Oil.
A moisturizer I would recommend for dry skin is Odacite’s Deep Hydration Masque.
How can you know if a moisturizer is good for certain types of skin conditions? I have a slight blemish problem, plus I’m 29 and am starting to see the fine lines on my forehead and under my eyes. Is it possible to find a products with ingredients that can address multiple uses, or would you have to start a regimen with multiple steps with multiple products? I’ve never been one to spend tons of time on my face because it didn’t matter to me so much. But I don’t want to look in the mirror in twenty years and look older than I am. What would you recommend? Thanks.
Hi Sarah,
A lot of moisturizers will state what types of skin conditions they are good for.
I agree, It is nice to keep your routine simple, you really don’t need a ton of products. I am a huge fan of simple oils like Argan oil or Jojoba oil as moisturizers, they will moisturize while also combating aging, balancing your skin’s oil production and they can be used around the eyes. They are multi-purpose! Pure oils can be a bit boring and messy to use (because they don’t have a drop applicator), so I understand why people would buy more complex products.
You can definitely find products that are great for multiple issues. An example would be May Lindstoms Blue Cocoon Beauty Balm, it can be used as a moisturizer on the face or on the body, it combats irritation and it prevents aging. It isn’t very good for blemish-prone skin however, as the cocoa butter in it will clog your pores.
You might like Kypris’ Clearing Serum and Beauty Elixer mixed together as an emulsion. I am loving that combo right now. Another option for you could be CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture Lotion, it is great for all skin types and really does an excellent job moisturizing without being at all greasy. Odacite’s Beautiful Day Moisturizer works well.
Right now, I am really loving using facial oils as my moisturizer. My current Fav is Laurel Whole Plant Organics Antioxidant Serum, it is a blend of oils and plant extracts, It feels amazing on my skin and offers some natural SPF protection as well.
Hi Andrea,
I have Vitiligo and believe it was induced by a sun burn on my scalp a couple of years ago. Although, I had burned my scalp before, this seems to have been the final straw. I can’t urge your readers enough to maintain good skin protection and many of your products seem to be suitable for just that, at the very least. I love the layout of your website and it’s quite informative. Keep up the good work!
Pj
Thanks PJ,
Skin protection is important, especially in strong sun, I wear a sun hat when I am outside for long periods, it really helps me stay cooler. I also avoid sunbathing. I do not wear sunscreen on my body unless I am outside for hours and may burn, instead I sit in the shade or wear light clothing to cover my skin. We do need some sun exposure, it is important to our health, so I don’t think we should be slathering ourselves in chemical sunscreens every day. Being sun smart goes a long way in keeping our skin healthy.
As I male I never got into this whole skincare thing - well you don;t when you’re younger do you?
Just hit the 40’s about a month back and I can’t help but notice the wrinkles are beginning to attack big time!
Been looking into all sort of prevention and this blog has helped me along the way - great read, thanks for sharing
Your very welcome Chris,
I know how those wrinkles sneak up, it is scary! Prevention is definitely the way to go. I love using facial oils as my anti-aging product. A potent antioxidant serum can go a long way at preventing fine lines. I have been using Kypris Beauty’s Antioxidant Dew and Laurel Whole Plant Organic’s Antioxidant Serum.
Organic is in and relevant. I fully believe my generation is going to eventually, well the majority of us will be organic in about 30 years. This is a great trend and something that is pure for the body. The post was great and had plenty of content and guided me through the post accordingly. I also liked the heart icon on the web tab.
Thanks for commenting Chris 🙂 Organic is the way things should be going. Let’s get away from the industrial chemical era and back to nature!
hi Andrea
I’m concern with my partner as she is very desperate to find some kind of miracle cream for her oily skin, i work two jobs and im a very busy guy, i do not have so much time to research so i thought to give up on my sleep and read online and even called my mum. im to confused, i myself use products from the Body Shop and an Australian brand called Sukin
my partner She has oily Skin, pimples and patchy skin, we gone to the doctors for help, nothing is working, i feel they are taking us for a ride and taking our money away. as a loving partner and man, if anybody can suggest anything that can aid my partner i will be very humbled by your knowledge. our ages are between 23 ~ 25 * dont know if that helps but im giving it ago. thank you from Australia ╮(╯_╰)╭
Thanks for your questions 🙂 There are effective creams out there, but a miracle cream….. I don’t know if those truly exist. Does your partner have acne? If she does, she could try using a cream that is from Australia called Moogoo Blemish Cleansing Cream. It is all natural and is supposed to help some people with acne.
Another option is to use a cream containing benzoyl peroxide. I know that this is not a natural product, and I wish I knew of a better product that works as well. I have found relief from acne using benzoyl peroxide, it is the only thing that has cleared my skin. (You can read about my struggle with acne) Make sure you buy a cream that has a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide (2.5% is best), higher concentrations will cause irritation. I use a product that I get on Amazon.com called BENDZ.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi [email protected]
I wanted to add to Andrea’s comment, I would also recommend looking at our List of Non-Comedogenic Facial Oils to help your partner in looking for products to avoid if she is struggling with oily skin. Also, we are big fans of Happy Skin Care. They are local for you in Australia. They have wonderful natural products that you might want to browse. All the best from us at TBOSC.
Maria
Very clean looking, organized website about organic skin care products and reviews. Easy to navigate. Every post is accompanied by either an interesting photograph or a product picture which creates visual appeal.
Reviews are very informative and succinct. Your About page is well-written and showcase both Andrea and Maria respective passions in promoting natural and organic skin care solutions to people.
Thanks for stopping in Mike 🙂
Cheers on this, im was just looking for a website like this and hoping to find something relevent. Thanks for this, helps me out big time. The organic skin care is the only i would even use since the regular is so ful of chemicals and all kinds of other stuff that is build not to last and basically to destroy you. Only to buy more.. cheers
🙂
I have very sensitive skin - and I have been using the Somaluxe Moisturizer for several weeks and there has been an improvement in the texture of my skin, and I have noticed the lines around my eyes start to fade. My face appears smoother. I apply as recommended each evening & I have suffered no sensitivity to the cream at all. It has a very silky texture & little scent & I found the Somaluxe Moisturizer cream sank quickly into my skin leaving no sticky residue. I love all the Somaluxe products as they are for women, and have no harmful chemicals.
Sounds awesome 🙂 Glad you found a product that works 🙂
Hi Andrea ,
I would like to know which is good moisturisers do serum for preventing age spots . I am 40 and gave a Asian skin and a combination skin mostly.
Organic is the way forward for me as I have tried n tested a lot of chemical ones with little joy .
Hi Nishi, thanks for your question 🙂
We have a whole page that talks about anti-aging that would help you in preventing and reversing damage and aging to your skin. You can read it here.
For preventing age spots, I would recommend using a sunscreen, to prevent damage and discoloration from occurring. ILIA’s tinted moisturizer is great for adding some light coverage and sun protection.
A good moisturizer to help with age spots would be something that contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 or Kojic acid. You can get moisturizers or serums with these ingredients.
Because you have combination skin, you want something that isn’t too heavy, so a serum would be a good choice. HYKO makes a good kojic acid serum for reducing age spots, you can check it out here. Or check out our recommended Vitamin C serum, which you can learn more about here.
Hopefully that answers your question, if you have any others, let us know 🙂
Most experts recommend using moisturizer on a daily basis. Even the Mayo clinic says that using “a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.” I have normal and sensitive skin, and the only moisturizer I can use daily is The Moisturizer by Somaluxe. All other moisturizers are too thick, and just make me look shiny. The Somaluxe Moisturizer absorbs so well, and smells great!
awesome 🙂 Glad you have found one that works
I have dry skin, so it is good to know that I should be going with an oil-based cream. I’ve always heard that it is bad to put oil on your face, so I tried to stay away from those, but I’ll be sure to allow for shea or cocoa butter. Hopefully this will also make it easier for me to apply makeup! It’s hard to put foundation on when your skin is super dry!
We are told to avoid oils, but our skin naturally produces oil! Oils protect, nourish and heal our skin. You can check out our post on the best oils for skin care to learn more about the benefits of facial oils. We also have an article about the best facial oils for dry skin that you could check out. I agree, dry skin makes makeup look flaky. I have found a really good foundation for dry skin. It is made by Vapour Organic Beauty. You can read more about it here.
I didn’t realize that people with dry skin are using the wrong kind of moisturizer. More specifically, you said that they are not really getting the hydration they need. I think it’s a good idea to choose an organic lotion so that there are not any chemicals in it that you could be allergic to.
Thanks for stopping in Cindy,
People with dry skin need an emollient in their moisturizer. Shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter are great emollients. And yes, staying away from irritating chemicals is always a good idea 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful article. I’ve a quick question. Is this moisturizer will work for me because I have oily skin with pimples and blackheads? Looking forward to get a reply soon. Thank you in advance.
Hello divya sharma 🙂 Thanks for your question. I too struggle with pimples and oily skin. You can read about my experiences here. Lately I have been recommending Christina Moss’s Moisturizer for all skin types, it is affordable and will not clog your pores.
Thanks mam for your support. I will definitely try them. Thank you again.
You’re welcome!
I’ve found that using water based moisturizers has been really amazing for my skin. They feel way nicer and less heavy.
Hi Sarah, I have been learning new information about the use of water in products, so my opinions have changed since writing this article. Water is a great ingredient, especially for those with drier skin types. I am going to write an article about it soon 🙂
Hi Andrea..Thank you for this article.I have a question.I ‘m 27.I am struggling with my skin for a long time to find a suitable face wash and moisturizer.I have super dry skin with small acne and reddish rash on my cheeks all the time.In very hot weather I experience oil in my T zone and chin when I woke up in the morning.Can you please suggest me that will work for me? Looking forward.Thanks.
Hi Nafisa, the moisturizer I recommend above is great for all skin types. Or, if you have a higher budget, I would recommend Dr Alkaitis’ Day Creme. It is an exceptional moisturizer from an exceptional company.
Thank you for the reply.Also I liked your article its so helpful.I hope to see more information on dry acne skin.
Thank you for the reply☺.I loved your article.Hope to see more information on dry acne prone skin.Thanks again.
Thanks Andrea for the reply☺
I never thought of how the climate could effect your skin care routine. We are approaching the winter season where I live and I have noticed my skin drying out more often. The cold really takes a toll, maybe I need some extra moisturizer.
Hi I’m loving your information but I’m wondering if you can make a budget list of your fave toners and moisturizing creams?
Hi Jenny, I sure can! Have you looked at our Best Products list yet? There are some budget buys there.
*update - I got a best organic toners page made!
Thank you so much for this article. Actually, this article is so attractive for all. Best face moisturizer are most important for face skin softer, smoother and hydrate everybody. I think this article is better than another article.
I love what you said about using oil-free moisturizers and how they are for people who have breakout-prone skin. Working with a reliable beauty store is the best way to find the best organic products on the market. My friend wants to buy an organic cream, so I’ll help her find a store with a wide selection of products.
Hi Sam, thanks so much for stopping in! Let me know if you have any questions 😀