Best body moisturizer for oily and combination skin
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is the most effective pick for oily and combination skin on your body. It combines three ceramides with cholesterol to help rebuild the skin's barrier, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid pull water into the skin. That matters because skin that is stripped or dehydrated can feel tight and rough even when it also looks shiny. Although it's a rich cream, it's fragrance free and non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores. The ethical pick, OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion, is cruelty free and vegan. It hydrates with undaria seaweed extract, hyaluronic acid and glycerin, softened with jojoba and avocado oils and shea butter. The table below compares price and time to results. Smooth either one on right after showering, while your skin is still slightly damp, and use a thinner layer on oilier areas such as your chest and back.
| Option | Product | Price | Price per use | Days to results | Compared with most effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most effective | CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | US$18 (454 mL) | 2 | ||
| Cruelty free, vegan and all natural | OSEA Undaria Algae Body Lotion | US$48 (400 mL) | 7 | US$30.00 more than the most effective pick, 5 more days to first results |
Why it works
Ceramides and barrier lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids)
Ceramides are waxy fats found between the cells of the skin's outer layer, where they work with other lipids such as cholesterol and fatty acids to keep the barrier intact and hold water in. Moisturizers add ceramides to help top up a damaged or dry barrier. In a double-blind 12-week study of people using a strong prescription acne gel, adding a ceramide cleanser and lotion reduced water loss and dryness compared with a basic cleanser. Most studies test whole products, so it is hard to separate the effect of the ceramides from the rest of the formula. The evidence is supportive but limited.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin (humectants)
Humectants are moisturizer ingredients that draw water into the outer layer of skin and hold it there. Glycerin is regarded as the most effective humectant for hydrating the skin surface. Hyaluronic acid, a molecule the skin also makes naturally, is another humectant that dermatologists list for dry skin. Used on their own, humectants can pull water out of the skin into dry air and may even increase water loss, which is why well-made moisturizers pair them with occlusive ingredients that seal water in. They work best applied to damp skin after bathing.
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Sources
- How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin
- Xeroderma
- Ceramide-Containing Adjunctive Skin Care for Skin Barrier Restoration During Acne Vulgaris Treatment
- Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin
- Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?
Reviewed by Emilie Sydney-Smith