Winter is the season of hot drinks, warm evenings, movies, and woolen clothes, but it is also the season of dry elbows, dry legs, peeling skin, and wrinkled hands. It is the season of skin problems par excellence!
Although winter brings a variety of skin problems, choosing the right body moisturizer for your skin may treat these problems, or even avoid them.
To protect your skin, which is your body’s first line of defense. In this report, we will help you know the basic criteria for choosing a body moisturizer, and the best way to use it. To ensure that your skin is kept hydrated and healthy.
Look for these ingredients in your body moisturizer
It is known that humectants attract water from the outer layer of the skin to the inner layer and trap it inside the body. They can also attract moisture from the environment if the humidity is high.
Moisturizers range from natural substances such as honey and aloe vera gel to lab-created molecules, ranging from simple glycerin to clinically proven molecules, such as Zylate Glucoside, which maintain moisture levels for up to 72 hours.
The main ingredients that lock in moisture are Vaseline, Mineral Oil, Lanolin and Dimethicone. Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, urea, and vitamins help attract water to the outer layer of skin and keep it soft, explains Everyday Health.
Some moisturizers also contain alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which exfoliates dead skin, thus allowing new skin to emerge.
Make sure there are emollients in your body moisturizer
Emollients are vital ingredients that act as fillers, effectively repairing the damaged skin barrier and leaving it feeling smooth and rejuvenated. These nourishing compounds can come in various forms, such as essential fatty acids or hydrogenated vegetable fats, providing the necessary nutrients for healthy skin. Additionally, certain emollients, like silicones, contribute to a silky texture, enhancing the overall appearance. While they do not directly promote skin healing, emollients play a crucial role in maintaining skin health and vitality. Discover the power of emollients for healthier, smoother skin.
Materials that trap moisture are important
When proper hydration is provided and the damaged skin barrier is repaired, all you need is a protective layer that prevents moisture evaporation.
Moisture-locking materials come in the form of waxes, butter, silicones, and petroleum-based materials. These materials are usually very dense, and leave a protective layer on the skin, thus preventing transepidermal water loss. Most clean beauty brands choose naturally derived petroleum alternatives to do the job.
Health Shots explains that a high-quality body moisturizer should contain additional moisturizing agents in the form of fast-absorbing plant oils, such as jojoba or almond oil, or essential fatty acid molecules. They may sometimes have botanicals that repair and nourish the skin.
Use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen
Protecting your skin from harmful sun damage is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin youthful, so invest in a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30.
Choose the body moisturizer that suits your skin
The skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive than your body, so it’s a good idea to use a different moisturizer on your face than you use on your body.
Of course, you have to choose the right type for your skin type. For example, if you know you have sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to look for a moisturizer that’s labeled hypoallergenic.
If your skin is oily, use a light, oil-free moisturizer, and if your skin is dry, use a thick, oil-rich moisturizer.
If your skin is very dry, it is better to use a prescription moisturizer, because they contain lactic acid (AHA), which moisturizes the top layer of your skin better, but alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. So tell your doctor if you experience burning, irritation, redness of the skin, itching, or a rash.
The best way to apply body moisturizer
To maintain healthy and youthful skin, it’s important to moisturize once or twice daily. While a skin moisturizer cannot eliminate wrinkles caused by collagen loss. It can help plump the skin and reduce their appearance. Prevent dry skin and reduce wrinkles by choosing the right product and moisturizing regularly.
Whatever body moisturizer you choose, it will work best if you apply it to damp skin to trap water and draw it in.