Most women recognize that cleansing and moisturizing their faces every day will keep their skin looking the best it can. In fact, many women use a four step process; cleaning, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing. The final step in the process is moisturizing. The basic law of the beauty is that everyone, no matter what the skin type age or gender, should moisturize. Even people who have oily skin will benefit from moisturizers because they seal the moisture in to the skin. (1,2)
The basic function of a facial moisturizer is to soothe the skin and create a moisture barrier to keep the natural moisture in. This means that moisturizers should be applied either directly after the shower or after washing and toning the face. And, while moisturizers may smooth skin temporarily and make small lines and wrinkles less apparent, there is no long-term benefits to wrinkles.
Beauty companies usually carry a line of moisturizers and eye cream. And, some celebrities and dermatologists are also producing their own products to take advantage of the evergreen market of men and women searching for products to help them look better and younger. However, while some products carry name brands or are produced or endorsed by celebrities, not all products are good for your individual skin.
The first step to eveluating the moisturizer for your situtation is to read the label. Any moisturizer which contains alcohol as an ingredient will be drying to the skin, defeating the purpose of the product. Alcohol is used to help the moisturizer ‘evaporate’ into the skin more quickly and not leave a heavy barrier on the surface. Moisturizers should also have a natural scents and not be laced with synthetic aromatics to please the nose. Synthetic scents are chemicals which are hard on the skin and can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Moisturizers that have shea butter, soy or oatmeal on the list of ingredients may perform better. Shea butter and soy are well-known for absorbing into the deeper layers of the skin while oatmeal has anti-aging properties, anti-inflammatory properties and is good to reduce the effects of rashes. Oatmeal is also good as a natural physical exfoliate. (3)
A good moisturizer will also contain sunscreen at SPF 15 or higher. This offers protection to the face against UV rays which easily penetrate car windows, office windows and are emitted from some office lighting. UV rays will age the skin much the same way as the sun.
Moisturizers can also include vitamin E, aloe vera and other oils but should never contain mineral oil because it does nothing more than clog pores and puts the barrier between your skin and the air. Some of the best moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid for filling in lines and wrinkles and attaching antioxidants at the cellular level to help break down free radicals which increase the rate of aging in our skin.
Contrary to what some in the industry would like you to believe, moisturizers do not rely on one ingredient that will enhance the appearance of the skin or function but rather on the best ingredients used in combination to maintain a healthy and radiant face. All skin types will benefit from antioxidants, anti-irritants and agents that bind moisture to the skin. However, each skin type benefits most from moisturizers which cater to the individual needs of that skin. (4)
And while daytime moisturizers will contain sunscreen some nighttime moisturizers also contain anti-aging formula in order to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Researchers have discovered new ingredients they call “cell signaling” substances which communicate at the cellular level telling the cell to look, act and behave more like a healthy skin cell. The process is complex and more difficult than any computer system. But the good news is that researchers believe this new horizon in skin care is exciting and may lead to crossing yet another border in the search for the fountain of youth.
The function of a moisturizer is to improve the way in which the skin is able to function and maintain as much moisture as possible. To that end you may have to do a bit of experimenting on your own with products until you find one amenable to your particular situation. By experimenting with specific products designed to meet individual needs you will be able to find a skin moisturizer that should help you look your best every single day.
References
(1) Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and moisturizers
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/research/dermatitis/files/skin_phys.pdf
(2) British Journal of Dermatology: Changes in Skin Barrier Function Following Long-Term Treatment with Moisturizers, a Randomized Controlled Trial
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17300239
(3) Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: Mechanism of Action and Clinical Benefits of Collodidal Oatmeal for Dermatologic Practice
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20865844
(4) The Open Dermatology Journal: Long-Term Effect of Some Skin Moisturizers
http://www.benthamscience.com/open/todj/articles/V002/87TODJ.pdf
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