When it comes to skincare, one product nearly everyone needs but often underestimates is moisturizer. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, hydration plays a critical role in keeping your barrier healthy and your glow intact.
But with so many textures, ingredients, and claims out there, how do you pick the one that’s right for your skin?
Here’s a science-led, skin-type-friendly guide to help you make the smartest moisturizing decision.
What Does a Moisturizer Actually Do?
Moisturizers aren’t just about that soft, dewy finish. They help your skin maintain the right level of water, preventing dryness, flakiness, tightness, and barrier damage.
Your skin naturally loses water throughout the day due to:
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Weather changes
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Pollution and environmental stress
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Harsh cleansers or over-exfoliation
That’s where a good moisturizer comes in: by hydrating, sealing in moisture, and reinforcing the skin barrier so it can function at its best.
Understanding Your Skin Barrier
Think of your skin as a brick wall:
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The bricks are dead skin cells
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The mortar is made up of lipids (fats and oils) that hold everything together
A healthy barrier keeps water in and harmful irritants out. When this barrier is compromised, you’re more prone to dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, or inflammation.
A moisturizer helps rebuild that wall, strengthen the mortar, and keep your skin protected.
Types of Moisturizing Ingredients
Most moisturizers use a blend of three ingredient categories, each playing a unique role:
1. Humectants – the water magnets
These pull moisture from the air and deeper layers into the top of your skin.
Common ones: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, lactic acid
2. Occlusives – the moisture sealers
These form a layer over your skin to prevent water loss.
Common ones: Petroleum jelly, silicones, shea butter, beeswax
3. Emollients – the texture smoothers
These soften and fill in cracks between skin cells.
Common ones: Ceramides, squalane, fatty alcohols
A good moisturizer usually combines all three, with the ratios adjusted based on your skin type.
How to Choose Based on Your Skin Type
Cream-Based Moisturizers
Best for: Dry or flaky skin
Why: Rich in occlusives and emollients to deeply nourish and lock in moisture
Lotion-Based Moisturizers
Best for: Combination skin
Why: Lighter than creams, balanced with enough hydration for dry zones without overwhelming oily areas
Gel-Based Moisturizers
Best for: Oily or acne-prone skin
Why: Lightweight and fast-absorbing, typically rich in humectants and low in oils, so you get hydration without the heaviness
Face Oils vs. Moisturizers — Are They Interchangeable?
No — they’re not the same.
Face oils (like rosehip or argan) can support hydration, especially in dry, non-acne-prone skin. But they lack water, and can’t replace a well-formulated moisturizer that blends humectants, occlusives, and emollients.
Oils are best used as add-ons in your night routine, not substitutes.
Moisturizer Myths You Should Stop Believing
“Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer”
Wrong. Hydration ≠ oiliness.
In fact, skipping moisturizer can increase oil production, leading to more clogged pores. Use a gel-based, non-comedogenic formula to maintain balance without shine.
“Silicones Are Bad”
Silicones (like dimethicone) are misunderstood. They're non-irritating, non-comedogenic, and excellent at smoothing and sealing in hydration. Backed by decades of research, they’re safe and effective, especially for barrier repair.
Your skin is unique, and so is the moisturizer it needs.
To keep your skin barrier strong and your glow consistent:
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Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type
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Adjust textures with the seasons (richer in winter, lighter in summer)
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Look for balanced formulations with the right blend of humectants, occlusives, and emollients
When in doubt, keep it simple. Let your skin — not the trend — guide your choices.
Hydrated skin is happy skin. Protect it, nourish it, and keep it glowing — the Dr. Su way.