It can feel overwhelming to look for a body moisturizer that does it all, so our experts broke it down further for you. “Together, these ingredients provide hydration, defense, and repair, critical functions for maintaining healthy, resilient skin as it matures,” explains Dr. Patel. Your formulas should combine these functions:
Hydration. All our experts recommend starting your search by looking for a formula that features humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help draw water into the skin and boost moisture overall.
Skin barrier support. Dr. Patel says this is important to “help restore the skin’s natural protective layer,” which breaks down as we age. To help bolster your barrier, look for ceramides, fatty acids, and peptides. Garshick also adds that niacinamide is a great ingredient to look for, as it helps boost other ingredients’ effectiveness.
Antioxidant protection. Ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E help reduce free radicals that harm the skin barrier. They can also reduce the effect of UV rays and soothe irritated skin.
Exfoliation. “Exfoliating ingredients like lactic acid and glycolic acid can help to brighten the skin, soften and smooth and improve discoloration,” explains Dr. Garshick.
Speed up skin cell turnover. When it comes to specifically looking for anti-aging ingredients, Dr. Garshick says to include “retinol or bakuchiol, which helps to regulate skin cell turnover and reduce crepiness and peptides to support collagen production and firm the skin.”
Like all skincare, Dr. Gratch reminds us that consistency is key, and continued use is the magic step to seeing results.
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