How to Choose the Perfect Moisturiser for Your Skin Type

Moisturiser is not optional — it is the cornerstone of every effective skincare routine. But using the wrong moisturiser for your skin type can clog pores, trigger breakouts, or leave skin feeling tighter than before. This guide cuts through the confusion.

Dermatologist Fact: A compromised moisture barrier is the root cause of almost every common skin problem — acne, sensitivity, premature ageing, and redness. The right moisturiser repairs and defends it.

How to Identify Your Skin Type

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and wait 30 minutes without applying anything. Then assess:

• Oily Skin — Entire face feels shiny or greasy
• Dry Skin — Feels tight, flaky, or rough — especially on cheeks
• Combination — Oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), normal-to-dry cheeks
• Sensitive — Easily flushes, stings, or reacts to new products
• Normal — Balanced, neither oily nor tight

Matching Moisturiser Textures to Skin Types

Dry & Very Dry Skin

Choose a rich cream or ointment packed with ceramides, shea butter, or petrolatum to seal in moisture and repair cracks in the barrier.

✦ CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 340g — Thick, non-greasy cream with 3 essential ceramides + hyaluronic acid. 48-hour hydration clinically proven.

✦ CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 454g — Family-size for full-body use. Ideal for very dry and eczema-prone skin.

Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic gels or lightweight lotions. Skipping moisturiser with oily skin is a mistake — it triggers more oil production.

✦ CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion 237ml — Lightweight, oil-free formula with MVE technology for all-day hydration without clogging pores.

✦ CeraVe AM Oil-Free SPF30 Lotion — Two steps in one: lightweight moisturiser + broad-spectrum sun protection.

Combination Skin

The goal is balance. Use a medium-weight lotion on the whole face, or go lighter on the T-zone and richer on dry patches.

✦ CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion 236ml — Fluid enough for the T-zone, nourishing enough for cheeks. Perfect everyday balance.

Sensitive & Reactive Skin

Stick to fragrance-free, minimal-ingredient formulas. Ceramides are particularly important for restoring the damaged barrier that causes sensitivity.

✦ CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion — Niacinamide calms redness while ceramides rebuild the barrier overnight.

✦ CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion — For itchy, dry, and eczema-prone skin. Steroid-free relief.

The Most Important Moisturiser Ingredients (and Why)

AM vs PM Moisturising: What is the Difference?

Morning Routine

Use a lightweight moisturiser or one with built-in SPF. Your goal is protection. Apply within 60 seconds of washing to lock in moisture while skin is still damp.

Evening Routine

Skin repairs itself overnight — use a richer cream with ceramides and peptides. No SPF needed. This is the best time to use active treatments like retinol.

The 60-Second Rule

Always apply moisturiser within 60 seconds of cleansing. Once water evaporates off the skin surface, it pulls water from the deeper layers — leaving skin more dehydrated than before you washed it.