Product Review: Moisturizers

Moisturizers are a crucial part of any healthy skincare regimen. It doesn't matter if you're 15 or 50, everyone can benefit from a proper moisturizer (guys too, for that matter).

A proper moisturizer helps increase the water content in the outer and lower layers of skin, which helps prevent dryness. (As we all know, dryness speeds up the formation of wrinkles and deep lines.) A moisturizer also provides the nourishment skin needs to fight off pollutants and toxins common to our daily environment. An added bonus is that so many moisturizers have added ingredients like vitamins, minerals and peptides to customize skincare.

Before you reach for the first moisturizer on the shelf, factor in your skin type and age. If you're 20, you probably don't need retinol-rich anti-aging creams. And if you have dry skin, using a moisturizer meant for someone with oil issues will actually parch skin, resulting in dry patches and uncomfortable tightness.