What makes a good skin moisturizing cream?

Ever wondered what it was in skin moisturizing cream that made your skin so soft? Thanks to Stylecaster, we look at some of the best ingredients for slapping on your body for softer, nourished skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

In cleansers, lotions, creams and more, hyaluronic acid is clearly a superstar. It’s all about maintaining a moisture balance in your skin, which may surprise you given its “acid” surname. So how does it work? Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it pulls hydration from the environment—and reportedly even deeper in your skin—to the outer layers to plump things up and nourish. Essentially, it helps you hold onto to moisture before it escapes and is found naturally in your skin.

Try: Atlantis Skincare Glowing Skin Day Cream with Hyaluronic Acid

Glycerin

This is another humectant to know about (think drawing moisture in!) It’s found in a ton of moisturizers and will help retain moisture and plump up areas of dry skin, meaning it doesn’t just smooth out your skin at the surface. That being said, you’re not going to go to the drugstore and pick up a bottle of glycerin—it’ll most likely be included in a cocktail of other skin hydrating ingredients.

Try: Matis Reponse Jeunesse Fundamental Beautifying Cream

The Oils

Oils are huge right now, and for good reason. Some service as beneficial emollients that are very similar to your skin’s natural oil, sebum, absorbing into your skin quickly, softening the surface with providing moisture. Think jojoba oil and its placement in a wide variety of moisturizing products. Another plus of oils that many are plant-based and include other skin helping agents such as antioxidants, something that will help prevent free radicals from damaging the barrier of your skin that controls moisture, fatty acids, and vitamins. Some major ones are olive, avocado, coconut, and argan oil.

Try: Ella Bache Nutri’Action Jojoba Light Nourishing Cream

Ceramides

These are lipid molecules found in the matrix of the outer most layer of your skin, which is reportedly linked to the skin’s barrier function—keeping things in and out! And because of that, ceramides have been said to help with the hydration balance of the skin. CeraVe, a well-known line of skin treatments, is based on replenishing your skin with ceramides that have been lost, thus leading to dry skin. Returning this molecule back into the skin will the help your epidermis protect against moisture loss in the future.

Try: Guinot Baume NutriLogic – Nourishing Body Balm