You probably already know that skin must be moisturized daily in order to maintain a youthful appearance and a healthy glow. But, do you know what kind of skin care moisturizer is right for your skin?

First, let's talk about what moisturizers do for your skin. A good quality moisturizer protects your skin by creating a sort of seal over the top layer. This seal helps to maintain moisture levels within your skin. Sometimes, moisturizers actually release water into the skin helping to keep it hydrated as well.

Now, let's talk about the kind of moisturizer that you need, and how often you should be applying that moisturizer to your skin. The moisturizer that's best for your skin depends upon a number of different factors. Some of the factors that you should take into account are as follows:

·         Your skin type

·         Your age

·         Any skin conditions that you might have (including acne, wrinkles, or small age spots)

·         The environment that you live in (if you live in a desert climate, your skin may require a thicker moisturizing cream)

In order to find out if your skin needs moisturizer (sometimes, the skin doesn't require moisturizer depending upon the current atmospheric conditions), there is a simple skin test that you can perform with ease.

As soon as you step out of the shower in the morning, move your face around by creating all kinds of silly faces. If your skin feels tight, then it's time to moisturize. If your skin doesn't feel tight at all, you probably don't need moisturizer that day. The trick is to know when you should (and shouldn't) add moisturizer.

Finally, let's discuss the best way to choose a moisturizer. All moisturizers should include some amount of SPF in them. This way, as soon as you moisturize your face in the morning, you can be sure that your skin is protected against harmful ultraviolet rays.

Also, look for a skin care product that does not contain a lot of chemicals, colors, and other laboratory generated ingredients. Additionally, try not to purchase any skin care product that contains a large amount of perfume. As with most other health and beauty products, natural products are the best kind.

While all natural products are certainly not created the same, those that only contain natural ingredients are best for your skin. Avoiding any moisturizer that contains a long list of chemicals is the best way to keep your skin supple and hydrated.

Of course, don't forget to hydrate your skin from the inside out as well. Drinking a good amount of water every day will aide your moisturizer when it comes to keeping skin healthy and fresh. Health and beauty topics (such as moisturizers) don't have to be complicated...you just have to know what to look for.

Some healthy and beauty specialists will tell you to moisturize your skin every day, but following the guidelines listed above is a better way to determine just how much moisture your skin needs. Remember to purchase a skin care product based upon the criteria listed above in order to find the right product for your skin.