Our skin’s needs are constantly changing. Each person has a unique skin type and probably a few primary concerns when it comes to skincare. Our skin is affected daily by everything from the weather, our environment, how hydrated we are, the foods we’re eating, and the products we’re using. Given this wide range of factors, I’ve learned to pay close attention to what my skin needs on any given day. My goal is always to feel my best makeup-free, with healthy, moisturized skin that glows from within. When I take note of my skin’s condition each day, it helps me decide what to eat, if I need to give my face a break from makeup, and which of my skincare products I should use.

I’ve tried countless products over the years, so I now always have some tried and trusted options to choose from each morning and evening. Two of those products are from Olay: the Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and Regenerist Whip Face moisturizer – both in red jars! These products have been mainstays in my skincare routine for nearly two years and I continue to reach for them again and again. Especially with my dry skin, I’ve always known moisturizer was one of the most important products I use, but even if you have oily skin, moisturizer is crucial for you as well. Daily cleansing and exfoliating can strip skin of the good oils it naturally produces in order to stay hydrated. Neither possible result of this is positive—either your skin can become overly dry, decreasing elasticity and increasing the likelihood of fine lines, or it may overproduce oil to compensate for its dryness, which can lead to unwanted shine, clogged pores, and breakouts. A trusted moisturizer that responds to your skin’s specific needs is the key to keeping it in its best condition at all times. While the Micro-Sculpting Cream and Whips moisturizer look similar and serve many of the same purposes, they do feel very different. Read on to find out how and when I decide to use each one, so that you can find the perfect fit for your skin’s needs as well.

Throughout the year, I reach for the Micro-Sculpting Cream most frequently. Like I mentioned, my skin tends to be on the drier side, so it responds well to this rich, nourishing cream. I apply it right after washing my face, and then drink a big glass of water while I wait for it to soak in. It takes a minute, but it’s worth it for the hydration (both inside and out!) that keeps my skin looking and feeling its best, even through a long day in the office air conditioning or on an airplane.

During the summer, when Charleston’s heat and humidity are at an all-time high, the Regen Whips moisturizer is my go-to. More lightweight and breathable than the Micro-Sculpting Cream, it soaks in immediately and serves double-duty as a primer, so I can apply my makeup over it right away. While it isn’t as intense as the Micro-Sculpting Cream, it still hydrates my skin effectively thanks to Olay’s Active Rush technology, which means the cream releases 1000x its weight in hydration. While I do recommend giving this product a try in the summertime in particular, if your skin is on the oily or combination side, it may be a great option for you year-round as well.

Whether you opt for one moisturizer or the other, or keep both on hand as options like I do, here are a few points to consider when choosing the product that’s best for you:

If your skin is mostly dry or normal, you like your skin to feel richly moisturized after applying moisturizer, your skin begins to feel dry or parched throughout the day, you don’t mind moisturizer taking a minute to absorb, and you use primer during your makeup routine, try Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream.

If your skin is oily or combination, you want to feel like there is nothing on your skin after applying moisturizer, your skin gets shinier throughout the day, you want your moisturizer to absorb immediately, and you don’t use a separate primer, try Olay’s Regenerist Whips Face Moisturizer.

Thank you to Olay for sponsoring this post.