• Skin care creams can be used on any surface of the body from face to feet.cream of beauty image by Madera from Fotolia.com
  
  The seemingly limitless number of skin care creams on the market can make finding the best products difficult. Making the right choices means understanding the basics, according to Skin Care Company. First, determine your specific skin care needs. Then learn about the different uses of skin cream. Most skin care creams are used for moisturizing, protecting or treating--some creams claim to deliver all these benefits. As Total Beauty experts caution, product marketing claims don't guarantee results.
  
  

To moisturize

• Mineral oil, plant oils, coca butter and shea butter are all emollients used in moisturizers.Bottle of Olive Oil on Table image by kellykramer from Fotolia.com
  
  Effective moisturizing creams, according to Consumer Search, should contain emollients that help retain moisture in the skin. They also typically have water-binding ingredients like elastin, ceramides, amino acid and hyaluronic acids that keep water in the skin and prevent if from leaving. Moisturizers can be designed for use on the whole body, on the face specifically, or on the thick skin of the feet and elbows.
  
  

To protect

• Barrier sunscreens can contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both.woman holding sunscreen image by Alina Isakovich from Fotolia.com
  
  Protective skin care creams contain sunscreen to protect against harmful ultraviolet rays and/or antioxidants to protect from damaging free radicals in the environment. Skin Care Company experts explain that barrier sunscreens stay on the surface of the skin and prevent ultraviolet rays from reaching it. Since they aren't absorbed into the skin they are less irritating and last all day. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and keep ultraviolet rays from penetrating. They require additional applications throughout the day. Antioxidants commonly found in skin creams include vitamins like A, C, E and selenium.
  
  

To treat

• Brown spots and freckles can sometimes be lightened with skin-lightening creams.freckles. image by Anna Chelnokova from Fotolia.com
  
  Some skin care creams are specifically formulated to treat skin care conditions like acne, wrinkles, age spots, scars or eczema. Creams that treat specific conditions vary greatly depending on the problems they address. Consumer Search notes that most wrinkle treatment or anti-aging creams contain some form of retinol that stimulates collagen, softening fine lines and wrinkles. Acne creams may contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to kill acne bacteria on the skin, notes the Skin Care Company. Some eczema creams may include cortisone to reduce inflammation. Specialty skin care creams often double as moisturizers.