All the skin care products do not work well for everyone. It could be best for some of us and might not work exactly the same way for others. This could be for various reasons like skin type, occupation, age, lifestyle and diet and many more factors that vary from person to person. As everyone’s skin is unique so are its needs. Hence, we cannot copy someone’s skincare routine and expect it to work for us. We all know that the key to happy skin is a consistent regime of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. But with hundreds of products claiming they’re perfect for the skin, how do we know which one is REALLY going to work?
Most of us make mistakes while choosing a skincare product and this also holds true for moisturizer. Moisturizing our skin is the basic and most important step of our skincare routine. Everyone needs to moisturize! Irrespective of the skin type, we all need a daily dose of hydration.
How can we choose the best moisturizer for us and what we need to check in the product labels whilst buying our moisturizer? We will be answering all such queries through this blog.
Moisturizers are broadly classified into 4 categories:
1. Humectant: they tend to absorb the moisture from the atmosphere and absorb into the skin to increase its moisture content. They also increase the moisture content from the lower layer towards the superficial layer. While looking out for humectants moisturizers one can check the labels for the presence of molecules like glycolic acid, lactic acid, urea, and glycerin. They are best prescribed of a more humid environment where the atmosphere has a good amount of moisture present in it which can be absorbed by these moisturizers. Humectants work best for dry thick skin in a humid climate.
2. Emollients: these are the ingredients that improve texture by filling in cracks and crevices. It helps to make skin smooth, soft and supple. They are generally plant-derived and mineral derived lipids that help forms the basic structure of the skin. They are also called rejuvenators as they provide skin proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin. Opt for molecules like shea butter, cocoa butter, oatmeal and collagen in your moisturizer. They work best for dry dehydrated and mature skin. It makes the skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines also.
3. Occlusives: as the name suggests they occlude and control moisture content in the lower layer. They basically create a protective layer and seal the moisture of the skin. They are very strong, greasy and hydrating moisturizers. They work well for people who stay in dry places or in winter weather. Molecules like paraffin, petroleum jelly, avocado oil, olive oil mark high occlusive content of a moisturizer. They work best for dry, dehydrated skin.
4. Ceramides: ceramides are molecules that help in healing the skin majorly. It is a lipid molecule that is holding your skin structure together. These make about 50% of the skin’s natural moisture barrier. An eczema patient is more likely to possess lower levels of ceramide in their skin. Thus, using ceramides based moisturizers can help them heal the condition faster.
Knowing the skin’s requirement and with a fair idea about the ingredient option, one can now lookout for the best moisturizer.
Another important factor that one needs to consider while choosing the moisturizer is the skin type. Different skin types require a different type of moisturizer.
1. Oily Skin: look for lightweight non-greasy moisturizers. They are generally gel-based or water-based and non-comedogenic which means they will not clog the pores.
2. Dry skin: one can opt for occlusive moisturizer. In case the skin is sensitive; choose a fragrance-free and hypoallergenic moisturizer to reduce the chances of irritation on the skin. A gentle, creamy moisturizer that will lock the moisture and maintain the barrier will work the best.
In spite of knowing the skin type a very common mistake, we tend to make is picking up the wrong formulation. Moisturizers are available in the form of creams, lotions, and ointments. Many a times we do not get the benefit of the product because of using wrong formulations. So let's see how these three are different from each other:
1. Creams: they are thick, greasy and tend to keep the skin moisturized for a longer duration. They are good for normal skin types.
2. Lotions: they are lightweight and good for bigger body areas because of its good spreadability.
3. Ointments: they are very oily; they can be applied for the very dry area as in case of eczema.
Depending on the thickness of moisturizer choose when and where to use them. A light moisturizer is advised in the day and heavier ones at night.
When we cleanse the face, the exfoliating ingredients remove the good skin oils, often resulting in over-drying. Skin needs moisture and without it, the skin is more susceptible to dryness caused by the environment. Dry skin is less elastic and can lead to the early development of fine lines and wrinkles. Hence, it is important to take care of the skin by using the right moisturizer for the skin.
Keep Healthy! Keep Glowing!