A hot summer day and a frigid day in the winter would seem to be total opposites--but there is one thing they have in common: in both climates, your skin takes a beating. The skin dries out both from exposure to intense sun, and also from arctic, chilly winds. There are lots of skin care products called emollients (from the Latin word “to soften”) that moisturize the skin, to restore or maintain its suppleness and elasticity. They don’t just allow your skin to feel better--they can also prevent premature aging of the skin from exposure to the elements. Also, since makeup tends to dehydrate the skin, you want to apply a moisturizer first before applying any makeup.

But, there are several reasons for seeking out facial creams with natural, organic ingredients. Artificial ingredients, such as parabens or formaldehyde, may accumulate in body tissues over time, wreaking havoc later in life. Even those that you manage to wash off, may accumulate in the ecosystem. And some prefer organic ingredients, because they are from a renewable source--as opposed to plants that are harvested at the expense of depleting the environment. You’ll find a wide range of face creams that use natural, organic ingredients to promote skin health, containing antioxidants to keep your skin looking youthful.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting an organic face cream. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of organic face cream,

• See useful tips about that particular type of organic face cream,

• Read reviews of different organic face creams, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of organic face cream, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

In principle, you can just buy things like aloe vera or Manuka honey and apply them to your skin. But, these creams combine several things in one formula, for greater efficacy. We can classify the ingredients in face creams according to their purpose:

• Anti-aging: These are ingredients that prevent sun damage, such as shea butter (which acts as a sunblock), or that have antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E or B5, that reduce the effects of aging, removing lines and wrinkles. Manuka honey, as in the Era Organics Natural Face Moisturizer, is supposed to boost collagen production and skin recovery while protecting the skin from free radicals that cause aging.

Era Organics Natural Face Moisturizer Skin Cream

• Hydration: These are ingredients that add moisture to the skin, such as aloe vera, as well as ingredients that keep the skin from losing its moisture, such as coconut oil, olive oil, and cocoa butter.

• Skin repair: If you are looking for products that reduce scars, discoloration, and hyperpigmentation due to sun exposure, look for ingredients that generate collagen production. Examples include pomegranate extract, rose oil, hyaluronic acid (found in animal connective tissue, but in tubers and citrus fruits as well), and Vitamin A (also known as Retinol).

• Not necessarily more expensive: Since organic products use only natural, renewable ingredients, they will typically cost more. But they will also have a greater concentration of the beneficial ingredients--so you won’t have to use as much in each application. That means you won’t have to buy the product so often as when buying a non-organic product.

• Versatile: Even when you buy a face cream, it can still be applied to other parts of the body as well, such as the neck or chest area. In fact, cosmeticians suggest that any cream that you apply to your face should be applied to the neck as well, for more uniform results.

• Check what is best for your skin type: Creams with a greater oil content will be best for drier skin. But, the LilyAna Naturals Face Cream is recommended for all skin types: oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and even if your face is a combination of skin types. The formula advertises not being greasy and leaving no residue, so as not to clog pores.

LilyAna Naturals Face Cream

• Look at the ingredients: The ingredients list on a product will be in the order of their concentration, with the greatest contributors appearing first. So, if you’re looking for a cream that will reduce wrinkles, expect peptides, Vitamin A (Retinol), and Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) to appear first. Amara Organics Advanced Age Defying Moisturizer is for treating wrinkles and aging.

Amara Organics Retinol Face Cream

• Treating acne and acne-related scarring: Argan oil is recommended for acne sufferers. The Calily Life Argan Face Butter has antioxidants and fatty acids, which is seen to be effective against acne and acne scars. The formula also fades sun spots and increases the skin’s regeneration.

Calily Life Organic Argan Face Cream

• Creams, Lotions, Serums: You’ll see skin products described as cream, lotion, or serum. These are not meant to be purely descriptive or poetic, but will actually describe the product’s base.

  • Cream: Creams will be a mixture of water and oil. Vanishing cream has more water in the formula and gets absorbed more quickly. Creams with more oil will form a film on the skin to keep it moisturized, and are best for a very dry skin. You’ll typically apply a cream on top of a serum.

  • Lotion: These will have very little oil in them and will contain much more water, so they will be runnier. A lotion will thus be non-greasy, and be the best for a slightly dry skin.

  • Serum: A serum will have the highest concentration of active ingredients, such as antioxidants, peptides, and skin whiteners, and is considered by dermatologists as the most important product in a skin regimen. They are also absorbed the most quickly.

• Amara Organics--located in Beaverton, Oregon, makes skin care products from natural, organic ingredients. They make serums of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Retinol, as well as moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and masks.

• Honeyskin Organics--strives to make products from organic ingredients, botanical extracts, and essential oils. Their products include moisturizers, face masks, scrubs, shampoos, and conditioners.

• Era Organics--was founded in 2014, and is located in Clearwater, Florida. Their organic health care products include skin care products for infants and adults, and hair care products that treat the scalp as well as hair volume. Their skin moisturizer reduces lines and wrinkles and improves skin elasticity, tone, and softness.

• TruSkin Naturals--is a USA-based company specializing in organic skincare products. They utilize antioxidants, nutrients, and botanical actives, all from organic sources. Their facial moisturizer combines Vitamin C and B5 to make an anti-aging formula.

• LilyAna Naturals--was founded in 1995 by Ms. Lily Wong, and is based in Singapore. They specialize in making beauty and skincare products from 36 natural herbal ingredients, based on traditional Chinese medicine.