Winter is here! And so is dry and flaky skin. The best and easiest way to fight this is with the right moisturizer.
Moisturizers come in the form of lotions, creams and ointments. If you have dry skin, a cream would be ideal for you instead of a lotion to avoid irritation.
Highlights:
1. How Does a Moisturizer Work?
Moisturizers attract moisture from the environment and retain it inside the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft. They stimulate ceramide production in the body, preventing loss of water from the topmost layer of your skin.
2. What Do Moisturizers Contain?
A. Water
Most moisturizers are oil-in-water emulsions. This is because the oil helps trap the water in your skin. Plain water tends to evaporate. The oil is what holds it back.
B. Humectants
Humectants are supposed to attract moisture from the environment and stick them to the skin. However, in extremely dry climates, humectants may end up attracting water from inside the body, contributing to the dryness. This is why most humectants are used with emollients.
C. Emollients
Their purpose is to smooth out the skin.
D. Vitamin A, E and C
These vitamins help improve skin health. Most moisturizers contain them to improve overall texture.
3. How To Choose A Moisturizer For Dry Skin?
A. Heavy Moisturizers
Heavy moisturizers usually work well for dry skin. Moisturizers with antioxidants and more oils help relieve dry skin better.
B. Buy A Cream or Ointment
Creams and ointments work better than lotions. If you have dry skin, lotions may irritate your skin and cause stinging sensations.
C. Buy A Moisturizer With SPF
Exposure to the sun can result in dry skin and contribute to your skin problem. Use a moisturizer that has SPF to protect yourself from UV rays. This will not only lock moisture but will also help reduce skin-aging and flakiness.
D. Look For A Moisturizer To Address Your Specific Skin Issue
If you have eczema or any other skin condition, use a moisturizer recommended by your dermatologist.
4. What Ingredients Should You Look For In A Moisturizer If You Have Dry Skin?
A. Antioxidants
Antioxidants help alleviate dry skin and maintain overall skin health. They prevent premature aging, fine lines and improve texture. It is ideal to choose a moisturizer that is loaded with antioxidants if you have dry skin.
Some antioxidants that help relieve dry skin:
Vitamin E
- Vitamin E boosts collagen production in the body. Its photoprotective properties protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays. [1]
- Studies suggest that Vitamin E is effective in treating atopic dermatitis. [2]
- Nuts, whole grains, olive oil and seeds are rich in Vitamin E.
Lycopene
This is what gives red fruits and vegetables their color. Lycopene is said to protect the skin from sunburn. [3]It increases collagen production in the body and reduces skin damage.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide improves surface texture and smoothes the skin. It repairs fine lines and prevents further skin damage by growing a ceramide barrier. [4]This retains moisture in the skin. Niacinamide is beneficial for all skin types.
Other antioxidants that can relieve you of dry skin include Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Resveratol, Genistein, Coffee Berry, Green Tea and Curcumin.
B. Emollients
Emollients lubricate the skin and smoothen it out. They come in the form of creams, ointments and lotions. If you have dry skin, it is recommended for you to use a cream due to their thick consistency.
Creams also contain more oil than lotions. They soften your skin and improve texture. Some emollients that prove to be useful in treating dry skin are shea butter, fatty acids and multiple flower oils.
Shea Butter
Research indicates that products containing shea butter can significantly improve dry skin and eczema. [5] Shea butter helps restore moisture in your skin.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a lubricating agent and can improve overall moisture in your skin when applied regularly. [6]
Petrolatum
Petrolatum creates an effective water repellant film when applied to the skin. It prevents the skin from losing its moisture. It traps water within the skin, improves texture and smoothes the skin. [7]
Jojoba oil
This oil is widely used in cosmetics and skincare products. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a good repair option for dry skin. Jojoba oil is effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
Emollients like mineral oil, beeswax, olive oil, paraffin and plant oils are also vital ingredients in moisturizers for dry skin.
C. Humectants
Humectants attract moisture from the environment to the skin. However, heavy emollients combined with humectants are a good option for dry skin. Emollients prevent water from evaporating.
Humectants, in dry climates, are capable of pulling water from deeper levels of the skin. This can lead to skin dehydration. If you have dry skin, the best option is to buy heavy and oil-based moisturizers.
Look out for these humectants before you buy a moisturizer:
Glycerin
- Glycerin is a commonly used ingredient in skincare products. It smoothes the skin and relieves it of dryness.
- Glycerin has been proved to be effective in treating atopic dermatitis.[8]
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is found in many moisturizers for dry skin. However, it may cause allergic reactions. [9] If you buy a product that contains Propylene glycol, conduct a patch test before applying it to your face.
Urea
Urea has been used in dermatology for over 20 years. It is used to treat extremely dry skin and skin disorders like psoriasis. It loosens and breaks down hardened protein in dry skin and relieves the skin of itchiness. [10]
Other effective humectants include PEG, silicones, hyaluronic acid and aloe.
D. SPF
Get yourself a moisturizer with the properties of a sunscreen. SPF is vital to protect you from further damage caused by the sun. If you just wear moisturizer and go out in the sun unprotected, there’s not much a moisturizer alone can do to help!
Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreens act as shields on your skin. They protect you from UVA and UVB rays of the sun. This prevents skin-aging, wrinkles and skin dehydration.
E. Skin Replenishing Ingredients
These ingredients enrich the top layer of the skin to keep it hydrated. They make up for lost components of the skin’s surface, keeping it soft and moist.
Ceramides
Ceramides improve the skin’s barrier function, preventing loss of water [11].
Sodium PCA
Products containing sodium PCA are said to add moisture to the top layers of the skin. [12] This improves the overall texture of the skin.
Glycerol
Glycerol has been popular in dermatology for years. It is used to hydrate the skin and improve elasticity and texture.
Other skin replenishing ingredients include glycerin, phospholipids and cholesterol.
F. Packaging
Say No To Jars
Antioxidants and other ingredients break-down in the presence of air. To make it worse, the efficacy of ingredients is compromised in see-through jars when exposed to day-light.Not just that, constantly touching the product to use it contaminates it.
Tubes Are A Better Option
Using a product packed in a tube reduces the risk of contamination. It also does not allow ingredients to break-down so easily, considering that most tubes are not see-through.If you prefer buying a jar, make sure it is an airless one and isn’t transparent or translucent.
SkinKraft’s Barrier Repair Cream
SkinKraft’s Barrier Repair Cream aims at repairing chapped and dry skin, itchiness, and rough skin patches. It improves texture by locking moisture and growing a shield over your skin. This prevents your skin from losing water.
Benefits of Using SkinKraft’s Barrier Repair Cream
- Locks moisture
- Repairs skin barrier
- Prevents damage
- Soothes skin/Relieves itchiness
How to Use SkinKraft’s Barrier Repair Cream
- Take a good quantity of cream in your palms.
- Gently rub it into your face. Don’t be harsh on your skin. Take a few minutes to massage the product into your skin.
SkinKraft recommends a 3-step skincare regimen to improve your skin health. This includes:
- A cleanser (based on your skin type)
- A moisturizer (based on your skin type)
- An active to address your current issue
Different skin types require different products. If you have dry skin, a dense moisturizer loaded with hydrating ingredients should do the trick for you! If you still find that your skin is dry and its texture has not improved, visit a dermatologist.
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12010339
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17147561
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279399/
6. 6. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1092.html
7.https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/petrolatum/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12013198
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016930/
10. 10. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/urea-lactic-acid-based-cream
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197824/
12. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/PCA122014FAR.pdf
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