Creams and gels slightly work in different ways thus used in combination. Gels are often water-based and creams are often oil-based, although this is not always the case. Both gels and creams can be effective, so choose the one which best suits your needs.

An Oil-based cream is rich and slightly heavier than a gel. It provides greater moisturizing benefits and is better for mature or dry skin. Gel is lighter, making it easy for the skin to absorb. Gels are also good for targeting specific areas, and are often used around the delicate eye area where heavy creams sometimes build up.

The Best Ingredients

Aloe Vera – this is rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids, providing a powerful healing activity that helps treat wounds, minor skin infections and sunburn. It acts as a protective layer on the skin without feeling greasy – perfect for oily skin or large pores. The gel can also reduce skin inflammation, which relieves puffiness and under eye bags.

Collagen –is responsible for providing structural support to the epidermis and maintaining the skin's structure, elasticity and firmness. Often used to address the key signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines and dry skin. It offers excellent moisturizing properties that help to repair dry, damaged and mature skin.

Antioxidants – these defend skin cells against the daily assault from free radicals that cause premature ageing, dry skin and dark circles under eyes. Many antioxidants work by increasing collagen production in the dermal layer of the skin, which is important for the reduction of wrinkles, and also offers some protection against sun damage. Great antioxidant ingredients include retinol, green tea, vitamins C and E, and coenzyme Q10.

Benefits of gel moisturizers:

Lightweight These leave your skin feeling fresh and less weighed down when compared with a rich moisturizer. This makes them better for people who don’t like the feeling of a thicker cream on the skin.

Quickly absorbed The skin soaks up these moisturizers, which makes them a good base. Many patients find it easier to apply their makeup after a gel versus an oil-based moisturizer.

Non-greasy these gel moisturizers don’t contain as many of the thicker oils that creams and ointments have, they don’t leave that icky greasy residue behind. It goes on really smooth.

Hydrating these increase water content on the skin’s surface as well as more radiance, clarity, and improved texture.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Gel Moisturizer

Look for a water-based gel moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid for an extra punch of hydration. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin hang onto moisture and gives it an overall plumping effect. Hyaluronic acid has a unique ability to retain water molecules.

Many gel moisturizers also contain alcohol, which tends to dry out the skin. It helps the gel evaporate somewhat and not feel so thick on your skin.  Mind where it is on the ingredients list. If closer to the top of the ingredients list, the more drying and less moisturizing it is.

If you have dry or eczema-prone skin and decide to try a gel moisturizer, read the ingredients list and make sure the gel is free of fragrance and dyes, and has few or no botanical ingredients, which can lead to irritation and allergic reactions. Botanical ingredients come from plant leaves, flowers, herbs, roots, and seeds. Rose water in particular, commonly found in gel moisturizers, can make people with sensitive skin break out.

The best gels.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid

Has a long-lasting oil-fighting effect and contains super-hydrating hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Gel Oil

It is good for boosting radiance and locking in moisture in oily or acne-prone skin, because of its sunflower oil and ceramides ingredients, which restore the skin’s essential barrier.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Extremely perfect for combination and oily skin. The gel contains sunflower seed cake, cucumber fruit extract, and barley extract to help boost skin plumpness and elasticity.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream

Kiehl’s contains glacial glycoprotein, which can prevent loss of moisture and protect the skin. Another standout ingredient is desert plant extract, which further boosts hydration.

Olay Age Defying Advanced Gel Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid. 

Olay gives the skin a hydrated, plump look without being thick or greasy, no doubt because of its star ingredient: hyaluronic acid.

What Are Ointments?

Also called salves or unguents, are semisolid preparations applied to the skin, eyes, and mucus membranes which have an oily or greasy consistency and can feel “stiff” when applied to the skin. 

Those for medical purposes have medications that can either act on the skin or be absorbed through the skin for systemic action. Ointments may also contain preservatives and fragrance.

Common bases for ointments include: 

Petroleum jelly 

Anhydrous lanolin

Waxes

Vegetable oils

Lard

There are four general classes of ointments: 

Hydrocarbon bases (oleaginous ointment bases) that keep medications in contact with the skin and sometimes used as a moisturizer 

Absorption bases, incorporate water-based solutions to allow better absorption of some medicines, or used to moisturize

Water-removable bases are oil-in-water emulsions containing petrolatum, anhydrous lanolin, or waxes, they are easily washed from the skin with water and are used more often for cosmetic reasons

Water-soluble bases (greaseless ointment bases) contain only water-soluble substances

What Are Some Examples of Ointments?

Ointments have many medications:

Topical steroids 

Used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as poison ivy or eczema.

Over-the-counter: Cortaid, 1% hydrocortisone, Cortizone 10:  Prescription: 0.5% triamcinolone, Kenalog, Diprosone, 

Moisturizers

Examples include Eucerin, Aquaphor, and Vaseline

Antibiotics

Examples include neomycin sulfate, polymixin B sulfate and bacitracin (Neosporin) and bacitracin and polymixin B sulfate (Polysporin)

Should I Use an Ointment or a Cream?

Ointments are use:

To treat dry skin conditions, such as psoriasis

If greater penetration of the active ingredient in the topical medication is needed

For better moisturizing

For sensitive skin, since many creams have preservatives