Face creams… undoubtedly a must-have product for women and men. Depending on skin type, age, active ingredient, texture, and composition, a face cream can deliver the desired result as long as you know how to choose the right one for you. Below, we have gathered the information you need to easily make the right purchase. 

Popular Ingredients

• Hyaluronic acid: Deep hydration, retains up to 1000 times its weight in water. Ideal for all skin types.
• Retinol (Vitamin A): Stimulates collagen production, reduces wrinkles and discoloration. Ideal for 30+, requires gradual introduction and use of sunscreen.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Regulates oiliness, reduces pores, and improves elasticity. Suitable for everyone, even sensitive skin.
• Vitamin C: Powerful antioxidant that brightens and prevents aging. Recommended for morning use with sunscreen.
• Ceramides: Lipids that strengthen the skin barrier. Perfect for dry or sensitive skin.
• Aloe vera: Soothes and hydrates, ideal after sun exposure or for irritated skin.
• Peptides: Boost collagen production and elasticity. Ideal for mature skin.
• Salicylic acid: Ideal for acne-prone skin, helps cleanse pores.
• PDRN: Boosts collagen production and skin elasticity, promotes hydration, and reduces irritation and redness.
• Centella Asiatica: Reduces redness, irritation, and burning sensation. Also helps skin regeneration and collagen boost, making the skin more elastic and “plump”. Ideal for sensitive or stressed skin.
• Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Locks in moisture and reduces dehydration, leaving skin soft. Also helps skin regeneration and faster healing of irritations. Ideal for skin affected by acne, retinol, acids, or sun.
• Azelaic Acid: Reduces bacteria that cause it and helps control oiliness. Has anti-inflammatory action, ideal for sensitive or red skin. Helps with discoloration, dark spots, and marks after acne.

Age

Each age has its own specific needs; biologically speaking, changes occur that affect the skin, so we need to adapt the face cream we use. What is certain is that you first need to know your skin type, and based on this characteristic, you can consider the other features your skin needs.

• 20s: In this decade, the skin is radiant and cells renew very quickly. It's a good time to start using vitamin C, which offers antioxidant protection and prevents aging. A face cream with this ingredient is ideal, of course combined with your sunscreen, which you should remember to wear all year round!
• 30s: In this decade, the skin becomes less radiant and its glow gradually diminishes, so here you need vitamin C for its antioxidant action and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. And one more thing... the beloved retinol! You can start with a low concentration, such as 1%, twice a week, preferably at night, and as time goes by, you can apply it more often. Retinol helps boost cell renewal and smooths fine lines. Of course, don't forget your sunscreen for protection!
• 40s: In your 40s, hormonal changes are more intense. Moisture is harder to retain in the skin and the production of new cells slows down. Don't worry! With a proper routine, you can boost hydration, firmness, and cell renewal. Of course, retinol will help you with cell renewal; depending on your skin's needs, you may need to increase the percentage of retinol to 2% or higher. You can also continue using vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. I believe you've realized by now that facial sunscreen should never be skipped.
• 50s: In your 50s, the skin becomes drier, collagen decreases, and the epidermis becomes thinner. What you need is your favorite retinol again, collagen to boost elasticity, and let's not forget sun protection! Of course, you can also choose face creams with anti-aging and firming action, which contain the right ingredients for your skin's needs.
• 60s: In your 60s, the skin becomes drier, loses some of its elasticity, and fine lines and spots appear. What you need is deep hydration with hyaluronic acid, strengthening the skin barrier with ceramides and peptides for regeneration and firmness, and of course sun protection to maintain your skin's tone and radiance. You can also choose face creams with antioxidants and ingredients that soothe and restore the skin, fully meeting the needs of your skin at this age.

Basic Skin Types

Find out your type to choose correctly:

• Normal: Balanced, without oiliness or dryness. You can use a variety of textures and ingredients.

• Oily: Excess sebum production, often with shine and a tendency for acne. Prefer lightweight textures with a matte finish and non-comedogenic ingredients.

• Dry: Lack of hydration or natural lipids, accompanied by tightness or flaking. Rich textures and ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, and squalane are ideal.

• Combination: Oiliness in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dryness on the cheeks. Look for balanced formulas.

• Sensitive: Reacts easily with redness or irritation. Prefer hypoallergenic formulas without fragrance or alcohol.

Textures

The texture of the face cream determines the application experience as well as its suitability for your skin type:

• Gel & Fluid: Lightweight, refreshing water-based textures. Ideal for oily or combination skin as they are absorbed instantly without leaving oiliness.

• Emulsion (Emulsion): Thin texture that offers hydration without heaviness. Suitable for combination, dehydrated or sensitive skin.

• Cream (Cream): The most classic form with a balanced texture, suitable for normal to dry skin.

• Balm & Butter: Rich, nourishing textures, ideal for very dry or mature skin or use during winter. They offer intense protection and strengthen the skin barrier.

• Oil (Face oil): Usually used as a boosting step in the night routine. Suitable for dry or mature skin.

How does a BB Cream, a CC Cream, and a DD Cream differ?

BB Cream stands for “Beauty Balm.” These are enhanced moisturizing creams with color, which brighten the skin, hydrate it, and leave a uniform feel. They contain sun protection to shield the skin.

CC Cream stands for “Colour Corrector.” They contain color and sun protection, and are more enhanced than BB Creams. They are usually recommended for skin with enlarged pores or redness.

One of the main differences between a CC cream and a BB cream is that while BB cream offers light coverage and added skincare benefits, CC cream also targets color correction. It is mainly intended to help correct redness, dark spots, or pale skin tone, and is meant to be used under foundation.

On the other hand, BB creams are useful when you want light coverage with added sun protection and hydration, without looking like you’re wearing makeup.

DD Cream stands for “Dynamic Do-All,” meaning it can dynamically do it all! Here’s the main difference: DD creams are mainly designed to provide extra doses of skin protection. This means they have higher levels of SPF and antioxidants than a BB cream, with added ingredients to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and environmental damage.

So, DD cream is essentially a BB/CC hybrid, offering the skincare benefits of a BB cream and the coverage benefits of a CC cream.

Dermocosmetics

Dermocosmetics are care products that bridge cosmetics with dermatology. They are usually developed in collaboration with dermatologists, mainly sold in pharmacies, and are aimed at specific skin needs.

What sets them apart & what are their benefits:

• Clinically tested formulas: tested for safety and effectiveness
• High tolerance: suitable for sensitive, allergic, or acne-prone skin
• Targeted action: help with acne, dryness, dark spots, anti-aging
• Fewer irritations: usually fragrance-free, alcohol-free, or without harsh ingredients
• Frequently recommended by dermatologists for daily or supplementary care

Korean Face Creams

In recent years, Korean culture has made a strong entrance into cosmetology. But what is it that makes Korean cosmetics so popular? The lightweight formulas and natural ingredients that aim for radiant and hydrated skin. In other words, the so-called “glass skin”! Try a Korean face cream according to your skin’s needs and you’ll see the difference! You can learn more about Korean skincare trends here!

Tips to remember:

• Proper cleansing is the necessary preparation for your skin, so it will be able to absorb the active ingredients of the cream you apply. Of course, do not skip cleansing in the morning and at night.
• Every time you apply face cream, you can also spread it on the neck area.
• Let’s not be repetitive! Sun protection is the A and Z of anti-aging. We recommend applying sunscreen religiously all year round, winter and summer.
• Face rollers can effectively help with the absorption of face cream.
• Serums, in combination with face cream, work complementarily and penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, enhancing hydration and radiance.
• A visit to a dermatologist can always benefit you and show you which products are suitable for your skin.