Choosing a good-quality moisturizer for your skin is just as important as choosing an effective cleanser. Maybe even more so! People with dry skin and oily skin, alike, struggle with the choice of finding a product that will take care of their skin.
Many people struggle with the decision to even use a moisturizer in the first place, especially those with oily skin. Add in the stress of toddling down the skin care isle in the store, and trying to pick a good moisturizer for your skin type, and you have yourself a very daunting task! There are face creams and gels, lotions; some made for face, others made for body. Those made for dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin. Those with sunscreen, those with natural ingredients, others with anti-aging ingredients. Aaaaaargh!
Don't give up and check out with nothing but a toothbrush and hair ties just yet. We're here to help you figure out which one is right for you.
A Little About Your Skin
Your skin isn't just an inert covering for your muscles and bones. It's the largest organ in the body and is a complex network of supporting tissue, nerve endings, blood vessels, and a protective support structure. It's made up of three main layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (in between layer), and hypodermis (inner layer). Your skin's main functions include keeping moisture in, pushing waste and toxins out, and protecting you from the outside elements.
It must maintain hydration in order to function properly. The skin is made up of 64% water. This is why we preach about needing to drink plenty of water every day! The very outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is made up of corneocytes, which hold large amounts of water, and a mesh of fatty acids and other lipids that serve to protect the rest of the skin, retaining its moisture.
What is TEWL?
Skin loses moisture through a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Trans, meaning across; so across the outer skin layer. Things like stress, dry climate, and chemicals or pollutants can contribute to larger TEWL. That means that things like your health and the external environment will have an impact.
As moisture is lost through TEWL, the skin cells dehydrate. Once that happens, you notice cracks in the stratum corneum, which serve to create even more moisture loss. When your skin is dehydrated, it tries to rectify the situation by creating more sebum (oil). This can actually block the pores and cause acne.
You can help or correct the situation completely by using a moisturizer, which will trap water in the epidermis before it has a chance to evaporate, effectively moderating sebum production. Moisturizers will also add water back into the dehydrated skin cells.
A Little About Moisturizers
Back to that problem: how to choose the right moisturizer for your skin. All types of moisturizers have some form of oil-based substance that will help to trap the water and keep it from evaporating. Many of them also provide the added bonus of providing UV protection. There are different types of moisturizers, depending on what it is you're looking to accomplish.
Web MD advises that picking a moisturizer is a must, no matter what kind of skin you have - oily, dry, or a combination of both. "Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type," notes New York City aesthetician Jordana Mattioli.
How different moisturizers work to accomplish these goals depends on how they are made. They come in the form of creams, gels, lotions, and ointments, but basically can all be broadly classified into two categories.
Emollients make skin feel smoother by working to fill the spaces between the cells where the skin is missing fatty acids and lipids. They fill in the cracks and are found in lotions that contain oils and fatty acids. They're actually used to soften and soothe the skin's scales, making it smoother and reducing its roughness and flaking.
Keep in mind that your skin completely regenerates itself roughly every 27 days, so it's natural for you to lose skin cells. Emollients are considered occlusive, which means that they add a layer onto your skin that helps to prevent evaporation of water from the skin, making them effective in keeping skin hydrated for a while. They can be found in the form of silicone, oils, butters, some alcohols, and petroleum-based products.
Ideal for mature, aging, or extremely dry skin, Glowbiotics Probiotic Moisture Rich Replenishing Cream is a highly-emollient probiotic cream designed to stimulate a youthful appearance. Over time, you'll enjoy soothed, clear, and calm skin, no matter how dry or depleted it once was.
Humectants attract moisture from the environment and help the skin retain it inside. They bond with water molecules to retain and attract more water into the skin. They attract the water from either the environment or from the outer layer of skin, preventing evaporation. Most lotions will contain humectants, and glycerine is one of the most effective humectants known. Other humectants that are used in skincare products include sugars, proteins, and acids.
Glowbiotics Probiotic Instant Refreshing Gel Hydrator is a refreshing example of what humectants can do.
Choosing a Moisturizer
Moisturizers come in the forms of creams lotions, and ointments. Serums can also contain the ingredients that will help to moisturize some skin. The best way to choose from among these is by your skin type and the location where you will be applying the moisturizer. Your face has the most sensitive skin on your body, so you will want to go with the lightest possible product for daily use. This is typically a lotion, but you'll want to use a heavier cream at night.
Since your face is so sensitive, it's best to avoid unnecessary components in your facial moisturizer. Dyes, perfumes, and some preservatives tend to irritate sensitive skin and should be avoided. Opt for those created by skincare professionals using scientifically advanced formulas.
Glowbiotics takes the guesswork out of choosing your moisturizer. Their products can be viewed by category of skin type, but they make it even easier by breaking it down even further, giving you the option of choosing from a variety of skin concerns within your skin type.
Finding the perfect moisturizer that will do the job for you has never been easier!