It’s more than just applying cream on your face!
We all know that a moisturizer is used, most often as the last step of our skincare routine, mainly to lock in the goodness from our previous skincare steps, and to protect our skin from external stimuli.
But did you know, moisturizers may consist of either occlusives, humectants, and emollients, or a combination of the three to provide different benefits to your skin? Depending on the ingredients, moisturizers may function differently when it comes to moisturizing the skin. This is why you’d find different types of moisturizers in the market, ranging from cream-based to gel-based and more.
A moisturizer can be broken down into products which help to:
- seal in moisture (occlusives)
- smoothen skin (emollients)
- attract moisture (humectants)
Attain soft and smooth skin with emollients:
Emollients are commonly used ingredients in moisturizers to soften and condition the skin by filling in rough spots and dry patches, which works well for users with dry and eczema-prone skin. Moisturisers consisting of emollients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, squalane (besides imparting soft, smoothening effects to the skin), can over time help to nourish the skin and strengthen the skin barrier to improve dry, sensitive skin condition, and reduce moisture loss.
Prevent water loss with occlusives:
Moisturizers with occlusives prevent evaporation of water or reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. This helps to lock in the water content on the epidermis, making moisturizers with occlusives the most suitable type of moisturizer for dry skin type. Petrolatum is a classic example and it has been proven that it is able to reduce TEWL by almost 99%.
However, certain occlusives are pore-clogging, such as soybean oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter as these are comedogenic ingredients, and may cause acne. For people with oily/acne-prone skin, it is advised to avoid these ingredients to prevent any unwanted breakouts!
Achieve healthy skin with humectants:
Moisturizers with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and bind water, helping to draw water into the stratum corneum. It helps to increase the amount of water within the skin, and stores it away until it is needed. The stratum corneum is the first protective barrier of our skin, and keeping it moisturized is important in the maintenance of normal and healthy skin. A humectant-based moisturizer is highly suitable for users with dehydrated skin as this helps to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Choosing the right moisturizer!
These days, most moisturizers frequently combine ingredients with different mechanisms of action to achieve improvement in skin hydration. Pro Tip: Always check the product ingredient list, and the ingredients listed first are present in the highest amounts. Pick out the products that contain the ingredients your skin requires most!
If you have dry skin:
Pick a moisturizer which contains occlusives and emollients, e.g. ceramides that seal in moisture and help to soften and nourish the skin. Try the VitaLift A+ Cellular Repair Cream which contains ceramides, as well as niacinamide to improve skin tone and combat signs of ageing.
If oily skin is a concern:
Try a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer containing humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Try the PurClear Nano Silver AG+ Essence, which has both glycerin and hyaluronic acid, as well as anti-bacterial properties to control sebum levels and keep your skin less oily throughout the day.
If your skin is dehydrated:
Use moisturizers containing humectants such as the ActivCalm Anti-Stress Hydra Cream which soothes and calms reactive skin while keeping the skin well-hydrated.
Understanding your skin type is important to achieving a skincare routine that targets your skin needs. Don’t forget to check the ingredients on your purchases before adding to cart so that you’ll be getting the most out of your products!
In Good Hands,
Estetica
