The details: Offering the hydrating and barrier-strengthening benefits of Double Repair with oxybenzone-free broad-spectrum SPF 30, this daily moisturizer with sunscreen has your skin’s essential needs covered. Before using a ceramide moisturizer, make sure your skin is clean and treated with any toners or serums you choose to use. You can use a ceramide moisturizer as needed, which is about twice per day for most people, Dr. Oliver says. Some drugs may have Authority Required (Streamlined) status which does not require an explicit approval from Medicare, instead the doctor can use the Authority code found in the published Schedule for a given drug/indication.

At its current price, the 2.1-ounce moisturizer feels a little expensive. But it’s certainly not the priciest product on our list. For a natural product, we also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free and great for a range of skin types. And we’d happily use the lightweight cream every day. Prescriptions must be written on an Authority Prescription Form, and the approval number must be noted on the prescription. Pharmacists cannot dispense the item as a pharmaceutical benefit unless it has been approved by Medicare Australia (indicated by the presence of the approval number). Authority to prescribe an Authority medicine is granted for specific indications and/or for certain patient circumstances. Authority may be obtained by telephone to Medicare Australia (known as "phone approval") or in writing from an authorised delegate of the Minister for Health. The moisturizer is also oil-free, fragrance-free, and sensitive-skin-friendly. So it’s great for a range of skin types. Paris has combination skin and uses the tinted version of this moisturizer every day. But it wowed us when we tested it on dry skin, too.

Ingredients

Compared to other ceramide moisturizers, this one has a lighter consistency, which makes for a nice base layer under makeup. But the lightweight texture didn’t translate to less hydration. The blend of ceramide NP, niacinamide, and glycerin increases skin hydration, and left our editor’s dry skin feeling noticeably smoother and more supple. Free of oils, parabens, and added fragrances, it’s suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Our editor with sensitive skin didn’t experience any negative reactions after using this moisturizer. Then I Met You’s Renewing Rich Beauty Cream relies on all-natural hydrators, like ginseng, squalane, baobab, and hyaluronic acid. And it delivers results. Our skin was noticeably more hydrated just 15 minutes after applying the cream. And the driest parts of our face (our forehead and chin) saw the biggest difference: The cream boosted moisture by 36 to 47 percent. Other moisturizing ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cholesterol, and peptides, says Dr. Klein. Fortunately, all of them can be found in the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream. Humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw water into the skin while fatty acids like ceramides and cholesterol support skin barrier function. Peptides are best for those looking for anti-aging ingredients since they increase firmness and plumpness. People with oily, acne-prone skin sometimes fear moisturizers, thinking they could worsen breakouts. Excessive oiliness is often caused by dehydrated skin, so using a moisturizer with humectants can help balance moisture levels. “This is a great choice for acne-prone skin,” Dr. Klein says, noting that the gel-cream formula is lightweight and won’t add shine to oily skin types. Reishi mushroom extract also helps soothe and reduce redness, adds Dr. Klein.

to 5 stars: These are the best ceramide moisturizers we tested. We recommend them without reservation.

AUTHORITY PRESCRIPTION

Our dermatologists also recommend antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide. These can give skin a brighter appearance while also fending off damaging free radicals. Though they have chemical differences, they all offer similar benefits to the skin, Dr. Klein says. Among these three, one isn’t necessarily better than the others. I was so happy to try a cleanser and moisturizer that didn't try to mask themselves with heavy fragrance either. I love perfume, but I don't need a bouquet of flowers on my face.

The epidermis is also known as the skin barrier because it ensures that harmful substances stay on the outside while also preventing a process called transepidermal water loss that leads to dry skin, explains Dr. Oliver. This explains why ceramides are often recommended for people with dry skin, but ceramides can also be helpful for those with aging skin or even inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, Dr. Oliver adds. To test each moisturizer’s spreadability, we used a spatula to spread each cream or lotion on a plastic tray. We then used a makeup sponge to try to absorb the moisturizer from the tray, noting how long it took for the moisturizer to fully absorb.

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During our test, the moisturizer proved lightweight, easy to apply, and fast-absorbing. And it balanced out our skin, boosting moisture by 22 percent while reducing oil by 7 percent. After using the moisturizer, our skin felt hydrated and refreshed. But we didn’t notice an immediate difference in our complexion. And we’re curious to test this moisturizer long-term to see how well it works on blemishes and discoloration over time. I have combination, acne- and redness-prone skin that's very sensitive — it's a real trip shopping for skincare products that won't irritate it even more. Glycerin: This non-comedogenic ingredient is a highly effective hydrator and helps the skin retain moisture.