The best moisturisers for dry skin

Lotion versus cream versus oil

According to beauty therapist Martie Olivier, lotions, creams and oils all have their benefits – choosing the one that suits your skin the best will come down to how dry your skin is and when you plan to use the moisturiser in question.

“When you get right down to it, these three types of moisturisers are actually very similar - they are all meant to impart extra moisture to the skin while being soothing and nourishing. The thing that sets it apart on a molecular level (aside from the different formulations and additives used by different brands), is the oil to liquid ratio,” explains Martie.

“Oils are, well, oils. These formulations feature no water or liquid additives. Some, like sweet almond oil, are thicker, while others (normally blends, like Bio-Oil) are lighter and absorb more quickly. Creams combine a blend of oil and liquid in a creamy emulsion, with a higher percentage of oil. These are rich and thick, like body butter and aqueous cream. Lotions are also a combination of oil and liquid, but in this case, the liquid claims a higher percentage. These are your fluid creams that slather on easily, like Vaseline Intensive Care.”

How dry is your skin?

When choosing the type of moisturiser you want to use, Martie advises that you first check the dryness of the skin you want to treat – whether it be yours, your child’s or your significant other’s.

“If your skin is very dry and stays dry for most of the year, oils are a good idea. These moisturisers absorb more slowly, and the skin enjoys the benefits thereof for longer. Creams that rub in are suitable for skin that only gets dry a certain time of the year or when you're washing your hands more often as most of us are at the moment, for instance. Lotions, on the other hand, are great for sustained, everyday use on normal skin if you wish to keep your skin healthy and luxuriously soft,” she explains.

When do you plan on using your moisturiser?

Another way to narrow down your options is to pinpoint when exactly you plan to use your moisturiser.

“Body oils are great to use at night, just after you've had a nice, hot bath and your skin cells are soft and plump enough to drink in all that goodness. In the morning, I prefer to use a cream that soaks into my skin more quickly, so it doesn't feel like I'm getting oil all over my clothes when I pull it on. Lotions, I find, are great for reapplication throughout the day, so it's ideal for on-the-go use and moisture top-ups between your morning and bedtime routine,” Martie advises.

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