The Secret to Radiant Skin: How to Choose the Right Hydrating Face Cream

Why Skin Hydration Matters

Your skin has something called the Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF)—a collection of water-attracting compounds like amino acids, sugars, and minerals that naturally occur in the outer layer of the skin. These ingredients help maintain hydration and support a healthy skin barrier. A good hydrating face cream works with your skin’s NMF, helping to replenish and retain moisture while protecting against water loss.

Hydrated skin is healthy skin. When your skin holds enough moisture, it looks plump, smooth, and radiant. It also functions better, protecting you from the elements and staying resilient against signs of ageing.

On the flip side, dehydrated skin can feel tight, look dull, and be more prone to fine lines and irritation. That’s where a well-formulated hydrating face cream comes in—one that not only adds moisture but helps your skin hold onto it.

What to Look For in a Hydrating Face Cream

Forget the flashy packaging—it’s what’s inside that counts. A great hydrating face cream should include a mix of humectants (that attract water), emollients (that smooth and soften), and occlusives (that seal everything in).

Look out for ingredients like:

Humectants (these attract water)

• ‍Hyaluronic acid – A moisture magnet that helps plump and hydrate.‍
• Glycerine– A classic and commonly used humectant that draws water into the skin.‍
• Saccharide isomerate – Derived from plant sugars and known for having both an instant and gradual long term effect.‍
• Honey– Naturally hydrating and full of skin-loving antioxidants.‍
• Snow mushroom (Tremella fuciformis) – A natural, plant-based alternative to hyaluronic acid. Known for it's ability to hold up to 500 times it's weight in water it also has antioxidant benefits.‍
• Aloe vera– Soothes and hydrates while supporting the skin barrier.
• Xanthan gum – Commonly used as a thickener and stabiliser in cosmetics, it also helps bind water to the skin.

‍Emollients (these smooth and soften)

Emollients can be either naturally derived or synthetic. Natural emollients are more sustainable and tend to offer additional benefits like essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and skin-soothing properties. Synthetic emollients, like mineral oil, are derived from petrochemicals and are often used to soften and create a barrier on the skin, though they don't provide the same nutritional benefits as plant-based oils.

Examples of natural emollients are:

• Plant oils like argan, avocado, coconut, grapeseed, apricot, sweet almond, castor oil, sunflower, jojoba and olive squalane.
• Plant butters like shea, cocoa, cupuacu and mango butter.

And that’s just a few—there are plenty more natural oils and butters that work as effective emollients, each bringing their own nourishing properties to your skincare.

Occlusives (these seal moisture in)

• Beeswax, berry, carnauba and candelilla wax form a breathable barrier and prevent moisture loss.
• Jojoba oil, olive squalane and most plant butters are both emollients and occlusives.

Other hydrating ingredients

Ceramides are another great ingredient to look for—they help strengthen the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and are especially beneficial for dry or sensitive skin.

Peptides boost hydration by supporting the skin’s barrier function and helping it retain moisture more effectively. Peptides also help boost collagen production - when collagen production is low, the skin can become dry and dehydrated.

There are some amazing upcycled hydrating ingredients on the market - for example Gin TONIQ - a botanical active made from gin distillery leftovers!

Match Your Cream to Your Skin Type

Every skin type needs hydration, but not every cream suits every complexion. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Dry skin: Go for richer creams with nourishing oils and butters—a moisturising face cream for dry skin can help repair and protect the skin barrier. Shea butter, avocado oil, and squalane are your best friends.

Oily or blemish-prone skin: Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic cream with ingredients like jojoba and cucumber oil to hydrate without clogging pores. Many plant oils have soothing and redness-reducing properties too - for example argan, raspberry and pumpkin seed oils.

Sensitive skin: Look for calming ingredients like aloe vera and oat extract, and opt for a gentle hydrating moisturiser. Avoid synthetic fragrance.

Combination skin: Try a balanced formula, like Amaranthine's natural face cream, that hydrates without heaviness.

How pH and Seasonal Shifts Affect Your Skin

The skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic, which helps keep its barrier strong and healthy. Using products that are too alkaline (often harsh cleansers) can disrupt this, making it harder for your moisturiser to do its job.

Your skin also changes with the seasons. Cold, dry air can leave it feeling parched and irritated, while summer humidity might call for something lighter. Adjust your face cream as needed—your skin will thank you.

Tip: In colder months, mix a drop or two of your face oil into your face cream for an extra boost of moisture and nourishment.

Common Myths (That Might Be Holding Your Skin Back)

  "Oily skin doesn’t need moisture." False! Skipping hydration can cause your skin to over produce oil.

  "Drinking water is enough." Also false. Internal hydration is vital, but your skin needs topical hydration too.

  "Expensive means better." Not always. Focus on ingredients, not price tags.

How to Use Your Face Cream for Best Results

How often should you moisturise your face? Most skin types benefit from using a hydrating moisturiser twice a day—once in the morning and again in the evening. However, if you're using a good-quality, natural face oil at night, this may take the place of your evening face cream. This keeps your skin comfortable, protected and balanced.

• ‍Apply to slightly damp skin to help lock in hydration.‍
• Layer it correctly – Use it after any water based serums and before sunscreen in the morning.‍
• Use morning and evening to keep skin hydrated around the clock.

A Face Cream That Works (and Loves Your Skin Back)

More than just a moisturiser, Amaranthine's natural hydrating face cream, Superactive Day Cream, is designed to also soothe and protect, thanks to carefully chosen natural ingredients that reduce water loss and support radiant, healthy skin—without heaviness or greasiness. It’s also been independently certified as an active moisturiser, with a high concentration of ingredients that hydrate in multiple ways for long-lasting results.

"I really love this cream, leaves my skin soft, smooth and super hydrated!" Louise

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right natural face cream doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on skin-loving ingredients that lock in moisture, support your barrier, match your skin type, and feel good to use. Your skin knows what it needs—you just have to listen.

With the right face cream in your routine, you can enjoy radiant, nourished skin every day.

References

JD Jojoba Oil: a superior replacement for mineral oil - read the article here.

https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/jd-jojoba-oil-a-superior-replacement-for-mineral-oil-211315 - read the article here.

Natural or Synthetic Emollients? Physicochemical Properties of Body Oils in Relation to Selected Parameters of Epidermal Barrier Function - read the study here.

Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturising systems - read here.

Moisturising effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques - read the study here.

Hydration and Barrier Potential of Cosmetic Matrices with Bee Products - read the study here.