(edited from the skininformation.com article: All About Moisturizers)
Most of us are enticed by the allure of attaining or maintaining smooth, hydrated, and shiny skin that feels good to the touch. Many of us, especially those of us with dry skin, have looked at moisturizers as a way of treating dry or cracked skin during the winter.
Harsh winter conditions tend to interrupt your skin’s natural ability to retain moisture. When the barrier defense system of your skin is compromised, your body tries to compensate by overproducing cells and slowing the natural rate of shedding. This causes the skin to accumulate dead skin cells, which can give the skin a rough, dull and dry texture. Daily maintenance with moisturizers is essential during colder weather in order to avoid getting trapped in the dry skin cycle.
As you may already know, there is a vast array of moisturizing products available at every supermarket. Sometimes with all of those products to choose from, it can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure what it is that you are looking for.
Here is some helpful info that can help you choose the right product for your specific skincare needs:
Moisturizers slow down the natural evaporation of moisture in the skin by replacing natural skin oil, which covers microscopic fissures in the skin. Moisturizers not only increase water content within the skin and provide a protective film, it restores the skin’s ability to store water, and reduces natural water loss.
Moisturizers have the effect of smoothing the skin over. This has the effect of making wrinkles less apparent. However, they will not have any long-term effect of reducing or removing existing wrinkles.
You are looking for products that help to smooth out the skin, and allow the skin to retain moisture. Other good traits are quick absorption and long lasting effects.
Depending on your skin type, make sure that the product fits your unique needs. Consider how sensitive your skin is, and look for these—non allergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, or non-comedogenic products as your needs require.
If you have oily or acne prone skin, choose an oil-free moisturizer, that won’t clog your pores.
For dry skin, a thicker moisturizer may be needed.
If you are frequently outdoors or have a skin condition such as rosacea, look for moisturizers that contain UV filters, which can offer additional protection against the sun.
If you have sensitive skin or that suffer from allergies, a gentle moisturizer that is fragrance-free or hypoallergenic may be needed.
There are indeed many products on the shelves, and few ways to differentiate between them. There isn’t a single product that is ideal for all skin types, so the product that your best friend recommends may not work for you.
However, there are general ingredients that dermatologists look for in a moisturizer.
- Humectants, which are water binding agents, do not necessarily help the skin retain moisture, but heals sun damaged skin.
- Occlusives block water loss in the skin layers and are included in products like Petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, and dimethicone, and act as a protective barrier for the skin.
- Emollients such as plant and mineral oils, shea or cocoa butter, petrolatum, or silicone are used as lubricating agents to soften the skin and allow it to retain moisture better.
- Anti-irritants such as aloe, licorice root, green tea, or chamomile extracts are commonly added to moisturizers to help reduce potential reaction to other irritants in the solution.
- Alpha hydroxyl acids such as lactic or glycolic acids can help treat rough or scaly skin.
The opinion on vitamins and certain antioxidants can be varied, even among experts. Remember that products must have a certain quantity of a certain substance to have a positive effect on the skin. Just because a product contains a beneficial substance does not mean that it contains the substance in adequate quantities to make a noticeable difference.
Like any cosmetic products, moisturizers can contain substances that your skin may not react well to. General irritation to certain solvents, or lactic acids are common, as are cases of allergic contact dermatitis, reacting to fragrances or preservatives that are in the moisturizer. Photo contact dermatitis, as well as sweat retention are also known reactions to certain moisturizers if you have a sensitivity to certain products. If you notice any of these symptoms, we suggest that you visit a doctor and discontinue use of the product.
That depends on a lot of factors including ones don’t have anything to do with your skin. Each person’s skin is unique, and you will need to experiment a little to see what works best for you. However, experts generally agree that low cost brands are just as effective as their more expensive counterparts. One general advice is to apply your moisturizer when your hands are damp as it increases skin absorption, requiring less application.
Avoid products that have added fragrance preservatives or botanicals, as these can be irritants for dry skin or cause allergic contact dermatitis. Much like food labeling, the order of the ingredients are listed in order of content. If an ingredient like vitamin C is at the bottom of the list, chances are that there is very little of it.
Moisturizers will not increase natural collagen production or elastin; substances that have these effects cannot penetrate the skin.
Do not wash your face too often as it can dehydrate your skin. Use a gentle cleanser formulated for dry skin, twice a day at most. Finally, adding olive oil or lavender oil can make your skin feel smooth.