Facial Moisturizers Reviews

We found good reviews on the best skin-care products in the excellent book "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me," by Paula Begoun. Begoun includes medical journals, cosmetic industry reports and the FDA among her research sources, and she provides comprehensive information on the common ingredients found in moisturizers and other skin-care products. Her website, CosmeticsCop.com, is also a useful source of information and reviews. The two of them are easily the most expert sources we found on moisturizers. We found other reviews at Shape, Natural Health, Allure and elsewhere that are somewhat less informative, but still useful. These reviews make recommendations, but don't disclose a lot of data to back them up.

The basic function of a facial moisturizer is to soothe and keep water in the skin, and reviews indicate most products do that pretty well. However, critics say most manufacturers claim that their product will eliminate wrinkles or penetrate several layers of skin. These claims are exaggerated, false or deceptive. One popular misconception involves the relationship between dry skin and wrinkles. Scientists say a moisturizer will smooth skin to temporarily make wrinkles less apparent, but unfortunately, moisturizing your skin will not have any long-term effect on wrinkles.

Sunscreen is the one ingredient in moisturizers that lends credibility to anti-aging claims. Skin-care experts say sun damage is the foremost cause of early aging. Professionals advise that if your moisturizer doesn't have sunscreen included in its formula, you should apply a separate sunscreen every day. Research has shown that retinol and retinyl palmitate (both vitamin A derivatives) may increase epidermal thickness, making skin look fuller and younger, but experts say product packaging significantly influences how effective these ingredients are. Retinol in particular is unstable when exposed to light and air, and its efficacy can be greatly decreased in a see-through container or after multiple openings.

This report focuses mainly on the mass-market facial moisturizers commonly found in supermarkets and drugstores. While there are dozens of high-end brands, experts say many low-cost skin-care brands are just as effective. Moreover, many cosmetic firms are owned by the same parent company, so the exclusive label that makes high-end brands may be affiliated with the maker of more downscale products. For example, L'Oreal owns Maybelline, Lancome and Biotherm; Estee Lauder owns Clinique, Prescriptives and Origins; Almay is owned by Revlon. Experts say there's little need to spend three or four times more for a department-store moisturizer unless you particularly like its feel or scent.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion is the best-reviewed moisturizer overall, for people of all ages. Estee Lauder DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Lotion is more expensive than some drugstore alternatives, but is hailed for its antioxidant packed formula. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer is recommended for sensitive skin because it contains soothing ingredients and Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer earns kudos for acne-prone skin. Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream wins the most top picks from reviewers in the anti-aging moisturizer category.