When shopping for a moisturizer, the first thing you'll want to consider is the formulation: lotion, cream, or ointment. Gmyrek says lotions have more water than oil, go on smoothly, are
thin in consistency, dry quickly, and aren't greasy. Creams contain more oil than water, are thicker in consistency, and might require more rubbing for absorption. Ointments have no water, are very thick, can feel greasy, and are often petroleum based. Whatever formulation you choose, it's important that you look for specific ingredients, which the experts listed below. In general, the best moisturizers will have a combination of these ingredients.
Glycerin: This is a humectant that attracts water into the upper layer of skin (the epidermis) from the lower layer (the dermis), Gmyrek says.
Hyaluronic acid: "It's a very efficient hydrator. It draws moisture into the skin from the environment and from underlying tissues," explains board-certified dermatologist Susan Van Dyke, MD, founder of Van Dyke Aesthetics. "Hyaluronic acid can bind 1000 times its weight in water, which makes it an ideal humectant."