Skin moisturizer

Skin moisturizers are designed to soften and hydrate the skin. Skin can become tougher, scaly, or hard due to environmental or aging factors. In extreme cases, skin can crack and cause long-term damage. Skin care professionals often recommend daily use of skin care moisturizers to help relieve the condition.

Contents 1 How skin moisturizers work 2 Ingredients of skin moisturizers 3 Popular moisturizers by skin type 3.1 Normal skin 3.2 Dry skin 3.3 Oily skin 3.4 Combination skin 4 References

[edit] How skin moisturizers work

Skin moisturizers work by attracting water to the skin and preventing water from being lost. Certain ingredients have chemical properties that allow this to work effectively. Many modern skin moisturizers also have other ingredients designed to help keep skin feel smoother and softer. Skin moisturizers are an effective way to prevent skin problems caused by excessive hand washing as well.^[1]

[edit] Ingredients of skin moisturizers

There are three major classes of ingredients used in skin moisturizers that keep skin moist: humectants, occlusives, and emolliants.^[2] Humectants attract water to the skin from lower layers, or from humid air environments, keeping the skin moist. Common humectants include glycerin, hylauronic acid, and sorbitol. Occlusives decrease the amount of water evaporation from the skin. These are usually oily ingredients such as paraffin and dimethicone. Emolliants help lubricate the skin to keep it feeling soft and silky. Ingredients such as glyceryl stearates are used. Many other ingredients are used to slow oxidation in the skin or enhance the appearance of the skin.

[edit] Popular moisturizers by skin type

[edit] Normal skin

Normal skin is easier to maintain than other skin types.

• Clarins by Clarins HydraQuench Lotion
• Dove Cool Moisture Lotion

[edit] Dry skin

Dry skin needs a lotion that is creamy and oil-based to soothe the itchy dry feeling.

• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
• L’oreal Nutrilift
• Biotherm
• Anti Drying BodyMilk
• Bella Lucce Tahitian Body Glaze

[edit] Oily skin

Oily skin can get oilier due to lack of moisture. Some skin care professionals recommend using an oil-free moisturizer after taking a bath or shower.

• Estee Lauder Day wear Plus Lotion
• Pevonia Oily Skin Line Ligne Purilys

[edit] Combination skin

[edit] References

1. ↑ Williams, C. Et Al http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20199550
2. ↑ Brannon, Heather M.D. http://dermatology.about.com/od/skincareproducts/ss/moist_ingred_2.htm

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