Face Cream

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Is Your Face Cream Too Rich?
With a texture as decadent as crème brûlée—a similarly rich ingredient list—ultrathick face cream may seem like the ultimate in luxury. But using it could be a recipe for problems. "If you're like most women and have combination skin, you don't need something very rich," says Tina Alster, MD, the director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery. "The cream's excess oils can clog your pores, bringing on a breakout—even if you're not acne prone." So how can you tell if your cream is too moisturizing? If mineral oil or petrolatum is high up on the ingrediant list, it's heavy, says Alster. She suggests applying the product only to the periphery of your face or saving it for cold winter days and long flights (when your skin's moisture level is depleted). For combination skin every day, use a hydrating lotion or fluid—both are water-based, so they're less likely to make you break out. 

— Jessica Matlin