Dry Skin Treatments

Dry Skin Moisturizers

Posted by admin on March 11th, 2010 — Posted in Moisturizers

  Tags: Dry Skin, hydrate skin, moisturizer, moisturizer fragrances, moisturizer ingredients, oil-based moisturizers

Moisturizers are used to soften, smooth, and hydrate the skin.  The best time to apply a moisturizer is after a bath or shower.  Towel dry the skin leaving it slightly damp, then apply the moisturizer.  This traps the moisture from the water onto the skin.  During the day, you may want to reapply the moisturizer one or two more times if your skin feels tight or itchy.

Choose a moisturizer that is right for your skin type.  For dry skin, use a thick moisturizer that doesn’t run or drip.  Products using oils are best for dry skin, then creams, followed by lotions.  Mature skin also benefits from oil-based moisturizers because oil producing glands have slowed down and the skin tends to be dryer.

A moisturizer that is labeled hypoallergenic is less likely to cause skin irritation and is recommended if you have sensitive skin. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers.  Contrary to general belief, the price of a moisturizer does not indicate its quality.

Follow this dry skin treatment for dry skin on hands; apply petroleum jelly on the skin right before bedtime and then put on a pair of cotton-lined gloves.  In the morning your skin will feel smoother and softer.  Repeat as needed.

Moisturizer Ingredients:

The main ingredient in a moisturizer should be water.  Next, look for a moisturizer that contains humectants and/ or emollients.

Emollients lubricate the skin and fill in the spaces of the skin cells which reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  They form a barrier on the skin, preventing loss of moisture.  Emollients can be oil or water based.  Oil based products last longer on the skin but feel a bit greasy.  Water based products feel light and are easier to apply but must be applied more often.   Typical emollients are lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum.

Humectants work by attracting water from the air and holding it in the skin.  This causes the skin to swell slightly, thus smoothing out wrinkles.  They are most effective in humid climates.  Typical humectants are urea, glycerin (also known as glycerol), and alpha hydroxyl acids.

Fragrances and preservatives are commonly used in moisturizers.  If you have sensitive skin, choose a product without fragrance added since it is usually the cause of skin irritation.  Note: “fragrance free” is not the same as “unscented” which could still have perfume included.  Preservatives are commonly listed at the end of the ingredients list on the moisturizer label.  They are used to stop bacterial contamination after the product is opened and being used.

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