How do you select the best moisturizer? Now that winter’s here, your skin may be feeling the effects of low temperatures, low humidity and chilly winds. Skin may appear dry, flaky or red and may even feel sore.
Many of us will turn to moisturizers, skin care products that act twofold — first to protect skin against further damage and moisture loss and second, to replace natural oils. Despite what you may think, moisturizers don’t really deliver moisture to skin. The best moisturizers increase the skin’s water content by reducing moisture loss in the skin and restoring the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
Moisturizers don’t contain just one magical ingredient. Rather, a number of substances act together to deliver the best moisturizers. These include:
- Emollients. Lubricating ingredients (plant and mineral oils such as shea butter, cocoa butter, animal oils (lanolin, emu oil), cholesterol) that help to soften and smooth skin and help it to retain moisture.
- Water binding agents (humectants such as glycerine or sodium hyaluronate) help attract and keep water in the skin.
- Occlusives sit on top of the skin and block water loss. Petrolatum, mineral oil, lanolin and silicones qualify.
- Skin-soothing agents or anti-irritants are ingredients like bisabolol, aloe, licorice and green tea, which calm skin.
Also look for the addition of antioxidants which can help to fight free radical damage, sunscreens to combat UV rays and cell communicating ingredients (retinol, Matrixyl, niacinamide) to prompt the production of healthy skin cells. Don’t fall for products that claim to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. The best moisturizers smooth and plump skin, but they don’t have any long term effect on wrinkles.
Here are some products to consider:
• La Roche Posay Hydraphase: La Roche Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30 comes with the added benefit of UVA/UVB protection.
• Impruv Cream — highly effective combination of ingredients for dry skin
• M2 Skin Recovery Moisturizer – the addition of mandelic and malic acids, antioxidants and emollients will leave skin feeling smooth, soft and comfortable
• Keys Luminos Moisturizer – Calming therapy for skin in this all natural formula that delivers a radiant complexion
