Face Cream –Various Types for Different Skin Types And Occasions

Ever wondered why we use a face cream to soften our skin. As we apply it on our face we instantly feel our skin getting smooth and soft. Indeed, the face cream constitution is such that it provides immediate relief and long lasting nourishment to our tender skin.

A cream refers to an emulsion of water base in an oil base using an emulsifier. Face cream is a cosmetic or ayurvedic product which serves to moisten or lubricate the skin of the face, neck and safeguard the skin against undesirable skin reactions like tanning, pigmentation, acne, blemishes etc.
In other words, face cream aims at ensuring facial health and care. Face creams constitute plenty of essential components like ceramides and glycerine which increase moisture retention capacity and make the skin immune to bacterial invasion. Face creams are available in diverse varieties: protective, healing, cleansing creams, sunscreen creams etc.

Herbal creams contain purely natural ingredients like jasmine, hibiscus, neem etc. while laboratory synthesized chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate are present in cosmetic creams. However, even the cosmetic creams do consist some proportion of herbal or organic ingredients.

Face Cream for Men

Male skin is thick with a rough texture especially after the onset of puberty. However the pore size is larger leading to more secretion of natural oils, making skin tough and resilient. Shaving creams provide necessary massaging to the skin. It still needs intensive care on regular basis. For those engaged in blue collared jobs, face is daily exposed to dirt, pollution, intense heat etc.

Face creams designed and formulated for male skin consist of vital ingredients to provide the necessary skin care besides adding nutritional value. These provide multiple benefits like elasticity retention, protection against exposure to solar radiation and nourishment of dried skin. Some of the most effective creams in this category are Neutrogena Triple Protection and Nivea.

Face Whitening Cream

It refers to a special class of creams which act in order to remove any dark spots or circles, ultimately giving the skin a uniform fair complexion

Besides reducing spots and freckles on the face, face whitening creams provide care and nourishment to skin. Its compositions include many vitamins and minerals which are readily absorbed and hence provide natural glow on face. Besides, they effectively shield away the ultra-violet component of solar flare. Some popular face whitening creams are Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin and Ponds White beauty.

Face Cream for Women

Female skin is soft, tender and quite susceptible to countless skin ailments like acne, spots, blemishes, psoriasis etc. The external layer of skin called epidermis is naturally protective, but during puberty the pores produce oils in excessively large amounts. This causes clogging of pores, making the face vulnerable to microbial attack. Application of face creams helps to moisturize the skin and enrich it with vital ingredients.

Face creams for female skin must comprise many active ingredients such as peptides, anti-oxidants, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide etc. for intensive care and enhancing cell renewal rate. Such face creams must be able to fight dryness of skin, hypersensitivity, pore formation and pigmentation. The well known face creams in this category are Garnier Naturals, Ponds, Loreal Paris, Lakme etc.

Face Cream for Dry Skin

Dry skin is the result of hyposecretion of natural oils required for skin softness and nourishment. Loss of moisture makes it quite vulnerable to skin breakouts. Dry skin needs to be exfoliated and cleansed regularly for adequate detoxification.
Face cream used for curing dry, dehydrated or parched skin is called a moisturizer. Moisturizers generally contain compounds called ceramides which bring down moisture loss from the skin and facilitate enhanced hydration.

Presence of ceramides in the stratum corneum of epidermis helps in optimal moisture retention and skin lubrication. Face creams for dry skin also contain spf (sun protection factor) which protects against exposure to solar damage.

Face Cream for Oily Skin

Oily skin is the result of excessive secretion of oil or sebum due to hyperactivity of oil or sebaceous glands. The presence of excess oils in the epidermis leads to deposition of an oily layer which creates a dull shine or partially darkened skin.
It also makes the skin acne prone since the excessive sebum along with dirt tends to get clogged in the skin pores. Therefore if the skin is naturally oily, one must select oil free moisturizers which enable skin hydration, cleansing and detoxification besides keeping oil level under a certain value.

In order to keep oil secretion balanced, face creams with ingredients like salicylic acid, fruit vitamins and botanical extracts are preferable options. Himalaya face wash is an effective ayurvedic remedy to oily skin. Orange peels and extracts are used to make herbal face creams.

Vitamin C Face Cream

Vitamin C based face creams serve to restore skin youthfulness and brightness along with providing antioxidant benefits to cure skin problems. Skin care products containing vitamin C act in order to make skin tone uniform, revitalize skin’s surface and improve hydration.
Besides, Vitamin C is a skin lightening agent which helps the skin to surface rebuff external stressors like UV a or b rays and improve skin color too. Vitamin C spot treatment is a technique to refresh and renew skin with removed imperfections.

Retinol Face Cream

Retinol or Vitamin A based face creams have multifunctional abilities like enhancing cell renewal rate, elasticity, firmness and providing radiance on face. Retinol is the basic ingredient of such creams which change to retinoic acid when applied on face.
Retinol is actually Retinoids in slightly impure form. Retinoids are compounds which upon skin layers to promote swift cell turnover, besides causing thickening of the deeper layers of skin. Hence, it retards wrinkle growth, making skin energized and youthful. In addition, the presence of retinoids reduce collagen breakdown so that skin’s firmness could be restored.

Face lift cream

Face lift creams are used for facial skin care to cure signs of ageing and maturity. With age, reduced collagen in the stratum corneum of the epidermis creates multiple skin related problems like loss of elasticity and supple character.
Hence skin begins to sag and skin contours start losing vigour. Face lift creams are formulated with the purpose of strengthening the skin, providing a healthy bounce to skin, redefining contours and firming it regularly.

Face lift creams may consist of dimethyl aminoethanol which acts to minimize sagging on skin, caused due to age and dehydration. The other active constituents are aqua, stearic acid, butylene glycol and shea butter.

Natural Face Cream

Nature has surfeit of resources that work in harmony with our skin, but at the same time cause no or negligible harm. Natural face creams contain naturally available ingredients like neem extracts which are known for antiseptic, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it may contain lemongrass oil, walnut shell, honey, cane sugar, saffron, rose water, aswagandha etc. Such creams can even be prepared at home, provided one has proper knowledge of ingredient mix.

Natural face creams simply enhance skin’s self defensive ability or resilience to fight dehydration and reduce imperfections on skin. Unlike cosmetic creams which contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphates or paraffin waxes, they are prepared from naturally available extracts with little processing.

Organic Face Cream

Organic face creams are the face creams containing 95-100% purely organic ingredients. These do not have any traces of synthetic chemicals prepared in laboratory. The formulation of organic face creams may include vegetable oils like organic hemp oil, sweet almond oil etc.
Hence, such creams are ideally suited to sensitive skin types which cannot be cosmetically treated. An organic face cream might also contain organic shea butter which is rich in multivitamins. The vitamins A and E provide skin nourishment and boost the function of collagen. Vitamin F, an essential fatty acid provides much needed support to skin.

Collagen Face Cream

Collagen based face creams restore facial elasticity and thus replenish natural glow of skin. Collagen is one of the main structural proteins and it serves to keep the skin tight and elastic. Hence the inadequacy of collagen results in loss of facial volume.
Face creams consisting of active ingredients like peptides and amino acids stimulate increased collagen production, hence lowering wrinkle formation and enhancing skin resilience. Green Angel seawood is a suitable collagen based face cream.

Face Tightening Cream

Due to ageing or inadequate care, the skin loses its elasticity and starts drooping owing to loss of naturally present structural proteins called collagen and elastin. Face tightening creams contain an active ingredient called keratin which fights this loss and helps to regain elasticity and supple character of skin.

A face tightening cream acts in order to restore collagen function, provide intense nourishment, reform skin contours, consequently rendering the skin fresh and plump again.

Cellex C comprising Vitamin C, evening primrose oil and grape extract acts as an effective face tightening cream.

Anti Aging Face Cream

Face creams used to retard ageing problems by stimulating collagen and elastin production are called anti ageing creams. Such creams are generally moisturizer based and effectively fight various ageing symptoms like fine lines, laxity, erythrema(redness), solar elastosis(yellowing) and wrinkle formation. The ability of an antiageing cream to stimulate collagen synthesis and cell renewal along with enhancing skin elasticty is known as Epidermal growth factor. Olay Total effects is a well known anti-ageing cream with proven benefits.

Face Firming Cream

Due to ageing or lack of optimum care, skin loses its natural elasticity and resilience. Firming of face is done by using creams containing keratin and alpha hydroxy acids(AHA), which in turn ensures optimal presence and synthesis of collagen.
This in turn helps the skin to regain its elasticity and firmness. Face firming creams have basic ingredients known as emollients for deep moisturizing effects. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which plumps the face very well. An example of an effective face firming cream is Algenist’s firming cream.

The Best Face Cream

Selecting best face cream out of innumerable beauty brands available in the market requires careful consideration of parameters like ingredient purity, performance statistics, customer feedback, processing standards etc. Best face cream is one which in addition to skin purification, softness, glow etc. provides nutritional care to retain its freshness for increased duration.

Its formulation will contain healthy ingredients with respect to all skin types and ensure no harm is caused. Loreal Paris perfect skin with its distinct constitution suffices for all needs of the face including softening, rejuvenation, protection and imparting a radiant effect.
The choice of best face cream must be done according to one’s particular skin type and conditions. Cosmetic products are associated with certain chemicals like formaldehyde. Though the constitution is very low, still the product poses threat if used often.

For frequent users, herbal creams are safer, except risk of allergies in particular cases. Vicco turmeric ayurvedic cream is one of the most effective and reputed face creams in this category.

Hydrating Face Cream

Face creams that cause hydration of dry skin are referred to as hydrating face creams. People with dry skins must resort to hydrating creams consisting of essential oils which provide increased moisture retention and complete nourishment. On the other hand those with oily skin must ensure that the cream does not contain any oil. A hydrating face cream consists of the active ingredients called humectants like calendula, hyaluronic acid and chamomile for hydration of skin while providing a calming effect. It is quite harmless and appropriate for sensitive skin.

Night Face Cream

Night creams have a formulation i.e heavier, thicker and meant to heal skin overnight.

These consist of blue green algae, hibiscus fruit extract, Vitamins C and E, ginger root extract, carrot, soyabean seed. One needs to apply night cream for five minutes regularly before going to bed. Actually, regeneration of skin is at maximum during body’s resting.
hours. By morning skin gets hydrated and replenished. By application of night cream, glow is restored while dark spots get alleviated over night. Night creams redefine skin contours, rejuvenate , strengthen skin cells, improve cells’ ability to trap moisture and energize complexion.

Glowing Face Cream

The tender skin of the face is vulnerable to dark circles, skin discoloration and many other ailments especially if the person is undernourished or is exposed to dirt, smoke, ultraviolet radiation or foul orders often. Glowing face creams simply restore the natural skin glow by providing nutritional supplements.

The active ingredients of glowing face cream are essential oils, hydrosols, aromatic liquids extracted from plant parts like petals, leaves etc.

The mixture formed by combining the active ingredients help in adequate nourishment of skin, providing a healthy and radiant complexion to the skin. However one needs to be patient enough to adopt and follow a systematized skin care regime and wait for desired results. Lakme perfect Radiance cream is a premier example of glowing face cream.

Spf Face Cream

The word Spf refers to sun protection factor. Many face creams boast of their ability to protect skin from ill effects of exposure to intense ultra radiation. This ability is numerically specified as spf.

Definitely sunscreen creams are associated with high spf values. For instance, Lakme 9 to 5 Mattifying Super Screen with SPF 50+++. But nowadays even the face glow creams and beauty creams are formulated in a way as to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Moisturizing Face Cream

Moisture is vital for providing skin lubrication and nourishment. Face creams falling under this category are formulated as to enhance moisture retention on skin. The selection of a moisturizing skin type depends on the specific skin conditions. If the skin is dry or deydrated, one needs to select moisturizers with essential oils.

Such moisturizing creams consist of phospholipids which attract moisture from air and have the necessary holding capacity to retain moisture. If the skin is naturally oily, one must refrain from usage of oil based moisturizers. Oil free moisturizers perform the dual function of moisture retention while ensuring oil level control. These may be fruit extract or glycerine based moisturizers.

What Is The Best Face Cream

Natural complexion of face is altered due to sun tanning, dirt, dust and pollution. Darkened skin results due to sun exposure, acne or pimple marks especially if skin oily. The best face cream is one which provides best nourishment to skin, soften acne marks, fights tanning, boosts cell renewal and leaves a soothing effect.

Some best face creams are Garnier white complete, Lakme skin white, Loreal Paris, biotique herbal, Revlon etc. Himalaya herbal with ingredients like neem, aloe vera, walnut, rose is an effective cream in the herbal genre.

Face Clean Cream

Face needs to be cleansed regularly. Facial cleansers available in different constitutions and varieties instantly remove impurities from skin and provide fresh look. Selection of cleanser depends on the nature of skin. The face is cleansed using cleansing milk for dry skin and cleansing gel in case of oily skin.

Facial cleansers are classified into exfoliating, creamy, foamy and frothy face washes for different types of skin. One needs to check the ingredients before selecting a facial cleanser, especially if his or her skin is allergic towards certain chemicals. One can indeed make a herbal face pack with the best ingredient composition, that conforms to individual requirements. Himalaya face wash is an effective face wash and can be frequently used.

Face Cream For Wrinkles

It is an anti ageing cream designed to retard and prevent wrinkle formation. The formation of wrinkles is caused due to breakdown of skin cells by free oxygen radicals. Hence a cream must consist of antioxidants in order to retard wrinkle formation.
Some of the antioxidants are Vitamin A, Vitamin B3 or niacinamide, salicylic acid and green teaz. Ceramide based face cream is also used to inhibit wrinkle growth. EVA Pharma antiwrinkle cream fights the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.

Dry Skin Face Cream

The face becomes dry when sebum produced by sebaceous glands is below the optimum value. Such skin starts to lose its natural charm and is quite prone to breakouts. The face creams used for dry skin related issues like flaking and scaling are called moisturizers. These moisturizers do contain essential oils for skin nutrition and lubrication. When applied in due quantities with massaging they ensure proper moisture balance making the skin soft, smooth and glowing.

Face Beauty Cream

Beauty creams are the most popular for every person wants to look beautiful. These creams essentially target the reasons which degrade skin quality like spots, blemishes. Proper care of face by following a healthy skin regime includes facial cleansing, exfoliation, massaging and toning.
A face beauty cream in the cosmetic category contains effective and fast acting chemicals like paraffin wax. A natural beauty cream consists of mostly natural ingredients like rose water, jasmine water, papaya or milk extracts. These make the skin soft, purified, smooth and radiant .Such creams have high spf which means they provide protection against solar radiation as well.

Best Daily Face Cream

A daily face cream needs to have a light formulation, so that the person gets instant relief after usage. Best daily face cream is one which allows skin to breathe while drawing in moisture. In addition to that, it will detoxify the skin and arrest impurities.
Such a cream will act as a foundation for make up and ensure calming and refreshing effect at the break of day. Some of the best daily face creams are Himalaya herbals, Vaseline.

Moisturising Cream For Face

The main ingredient present in a moisturizing cream is cetearyl olivate known for skin softening abilities. Another component is Sorbitan olivate, a surfactant based on olive oil and sorbitol. The combination of cetaryl olivate and sorbitan olivate aids in softening and lubrication of skin by enhancing ability to hold moisture.

Caprylic acid an ester derived from coconut oil and glycerin is used to reduce rate of moisture loss from the skin , its emollient properties thus improve skin texture.

Ccos nucifera, a natural oil extracted from coconut is a nice skin conditioning agent which naturally brings down moisture loss. It also reduces flakiness, restores suppleness of skin, keeps deeper connective tissues strong.

Glycerine is a humectant ith softening, lubricative properties/. It maintains water balance in intercellular matrix.

Good Face Cream for Dry Skin

A good face cream for dry skin is that which helps regain its moisture for longer durations besides providing smooth texture, even tone, care and a feel good factor. Cosmetically prepared creams shall contain glycerine, milk extracts etc. to provide refreshing feeling after cleansing and massaging the cream. A natural face cream for dry skin shall contain floral and fruity extracts like jasmine and papaya respectively. Vaseline is a good face cream in the cosmetic category while Ayur herbal cream is a recognized name in the natural face cream category.

How to apply face cream

Application of face cream during daytime includes following steps.

Pretreatment of skin: Cleansing of face is done using a facial cleanser which may be gel or oil based. This removes impurities significantly and refreshes it.
Washing: Before a face cream is applied, the face is washed with lukewarm water.
Toning: The toner is applied using a cotton ball. Finally, cream is applied over skin in small dots.
Massaging: Then the cream is massaged onto face by upward circular movements of fingertips. Massaging acts as to provide nutritional care or nourishment of skin.

Antioxidant Face Cream

Antioxidant face creams are used to fight free radicals and protect the skin from damage and premature ageing. Actually, ageing signs and skin breakdown are caused when skin cells are broken down by unstable oxygen molecules.
The antioxidants in face cream protect skin from free radical damage by neutralizing unstable oxygen molecules. Antioxidants are especially effective on oily and acne prone skin. It helps cells to retain their regenerative potential It is available in the form of liquid gel, serum, lotion or cream. Antioxidant face creams shall contain one or more of the following:

Vitamin C: It is an antioxidant which protects skin from sun damage
Salicylic acid: These cause skin exfoliation and in turn promote cell renewal.
Niacinamide: It helps to reduce water loss from skin and enhances elasticity.
Tea extracts: These are antioxidants with inflammatory properties.

Fresh Face Cream

Fresh face creams are required to reenergize the skin after tiresome jobs or long hours of boredom. A fresh face cream exfoliates the skin, revealing a fresh layer under the epidermis. It provides adequate hydration to enable skin to retain its elasticity and softness.
Besides the skin cell renewal rate is enhanced. Hence it must be a part of regular routine. Lotus Youth preserve is a reputed cream in the fresh face cream category. The basic active ingredients of fresh face cream are floral extracts, fruit based oils, glycerine, antioxidants etc.

Face Smoothing Cream

A smooth face indicates that it is well nourished. During our busy routine we are exposed to dirt, heat, pollution and endless problems. Ultimately, the skin gets deprived of essential nutrients and this transformation affects its smoothness as well.

Face smoothing creams contain ingredients like petroleum waxes and glycerine which act to provide nutritional supplements, nourishment and care for rendering smoothened skin. Nivea’s skin smoothing cream is a good example.

Day Face Cream

Face creams used during day are moisturizers with a lighter texture so that they can act instantly and produce immediate and long lasting effects throughout the day. These contain light aroma. Day face creams must preferably be sourced from rich natural ingredients such as milk, neem, sandalwood, rosewater etc.

Oriflame’s true perfection day moisturizer hydrates the skin in quick time making the skin appear smooth, soft, healthy and glowing throughout the day.

Face Cream Formula

Face creams are emulsions consisting multiple ingredients depending on the specific conditions and nature of skin. Every ingredient has a characteristic formula, which explains its chemical nature and functionality. An emulsifier binds the active and minor ingredients together, so a face cream cannot have a single formula.

However face creams boast of the word formula during promotions. We can remember face cream by the formula of active ingredients only. For instance Signature Club A Advanced formula 5 essentials has combined formula i.e. Vinolex grape polyphenol, alphahydroxy acids and peptides.

Face Cream for Combination Skin

This type of face cream has a formulation that helps to resolve skin problems related to combination skin i.e. skin having both oily and dry patches. The oily T zone(acne prone) and dry cheeks(prone to scaling) need to be treated separately. Following a routine skin care procedure needs lot of patient. It is hence advisable to consult with a dermatologist or beauty therapist. Neutrogena oil free moisturizer is an oil free moisturizer which performs the dual function of hydrating the dry areas and controlling shine(regulating oil balance) in the T-zone

Hypoallergenic Face Cream

Hypoallergenic face creams contain cosmetic ingredients such as parabens, propylene alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate. The term hypoallergenic means less likely to cause undesirable skin reactions(allergies). Such products are associated with the treatment of complicated skin disorders like dermatitis, rosacea, psoriasis.

The term hypoallergenic is crucial because a face cream manufacturer needs to honestly confess whether the product may induce any undesirable response in the case of sensitive skin. Moreover such products should not be purchased without proper consultation.

World Best Face Cream

World’s best face cream must contain optimum ingredients which readily purify and oxygenate the skin for better circulation. Increased cell renewal makes the face nourished and plump. Secondly it must provide defense against solar radiation. Its other primary functions include fighting acne symptoms and providing healthy glow on skin. Loreal Paris skin perfect, with its enriching ingredients is able to enhance skin quality and wipe away oiliness and blemishes from skin within a short duration of four weeks.

Hydrating Cream for Face

It is a plant extract based cream generally in gel form. It is used for providing immediate nourishment, conditioning of skin, firming, toning and retaining moisture balance. Hydrating face creams deliver hydrating effects deep into the skin and restore its suppleness and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid, a major component of hydrating cream is a hydrating chemical with a capacity of holding upto 1000 times its weight in water. It penetrates deep under the skin for prolonged retention of moisture.

Face Cream Ingredients

The ingredients for cosmetic creams will differ from herbal creams. Some common ingredients pare: aluminium chlorohydrate, benzophenone, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid etc. The essential face cream ingredients can be divided into the following.

Emulsifier: It acts as binding agent between oil base and water base.
Oils: Oils are used for proper oil balance of skin. For oily skin creams, jojoba oil is used. For normal skin coconut oil and rice bran oil could form oily base. For dry skin creams containing olive oil and avocado could be used.
Thickener/ stabilizer: It is used to provide stability to the cream. Eg. Cetyl alcohol.
Preservative: It is required to retain cream quality parameter for increased duration and protecting against microbial attack

Making Face Cream

Face cream is made by preparing oil in water emulsion, blending to achieve desirable consistency and boiling to attain required properties. Finally, the cream is poured into jars. The detailed description is as under:

Ingredient preparation: Oil phase and water phase are prepared. Water phase may contain say 25% aloe vera juice in water. Oil phase will consist of essential oils in requisite proportions, depending on the nature of skin.
Heating: The oil phase is combined with an emulsifier and transferred to a boiler for boiling on low heat. The heating process is continued until melting.
Blending: The container is taken out of boiler. Then water phase i.e. aloe vera juice is added to it. The mixture is blended well for achieving desired consistency of emulsion. Extra ingredients are also added at this stage.
Sampling: The emulsion is poured into separate jars or measuring cylinders of same volume.

Best Face Cream for Normal Skin

The best face cream for normal skin shall be a multifunctional moisturizing and nutritional complex. Besides making the skin elastic and less allergy prone, it will also provide protection against sun rays and prevent any skin ailments in future. The oily ingredients are apricot kernel, rice bran, squalane, fractionated coconut oil etc. Other active ingredients might be herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals etc. Some of the best face creams for normal skin are Oriflame essential 5 in 1 , Biotique Biococonut cream etc.

Sun Face Cream

These protect skin from detrimental ultra violet rays known to cause pigmentation, dehydration and tanning. Such creams are called sunscreens. Sunscreens are associated with a factor known as sun protection factor(spf) which indicates the cream’s ability to protect skin from solar radiation.
Sunscreens contain filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect away ultraviolet a/b rays. Everyouth sunscreen cream provides effective protection against intense heat and radiation after effects. A natural sunscreen cream can be made using shea butter.