Moisturizers for Skin

With winter being around the corner, not only do we need a change in our wardrobe but we need to alter our skincare regime too. During winter, our skin undergoes major changes, and the epidermis (the outer surface of our skin) becomes dry and flaky due to changes in temperature and humidity.

The stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis suffers the most from the impact of weather change. When this skin barrier gets damaged due to the external impact owing to the weather, pollution, etc, we experience our skin becoming irritated and dry.

So without any further ado, let us proceed to the next section to understand when and why moisturizers come into the picture.

Why is moisturization important?

Moisture replenishment is very important for your skin and absolutely inevitable for dry and damaged skin. The main aim of a good moisturizer is to prevent water loss from the skin and keep the epidermis hydrated. Some more benefits of moisturizing include anti-aging, brightening, hydration, and protection.

If you skip the moisturization regime, you can observe some common occurrences of dry skin viz. flaking, rough patches development, cracks, redness, itching, or stinging.

If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended you visit your dermatologist immediately. Nonetheless, the expert team of dermatologists at Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurugram advises adding a moisturizer to your skin regimen before panic ensues.

What are the different types of moisturizers?

Moisturizers can be classified mainly into three types which are discussed below.

• Emollients

  Emollients contain oil and lipids. On their application, the skin is restored as lipids fill the cracks.

  Emollients stick to the skin surface making it a barrier and keeping the skin hydrated, soft, and smooth.

  Examples of Emollients are collagen, cocoa butter, rosehip oil, ceramides, dimethicone, mineral oil, Vitamin E, or Jojoba oil.

• Humectants

  Humectants aid in keeping the skin hydrated by drawing water from the dermis (lower skin layer) to the epidermis thereby replenishing it.

  Glycerine, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, etc. lie in this category.

• Occlusives

  Occlusives do not let moisture get evaporated from the skin. These thick creams and balms typically have beeswax, mineral oil, and olive oil.

  Finding the right moisturizer for your skin type

  Before finding the right moisturizer for your skin, it is very important to find your skin type. The skin is generally classified as dry skin, oily skin, normal or combination skin, and sensitive skin.

  1. For dry skin:

     Skin is considered dry if it has a flaky appearance due to a lack of sebum production. For dry skin, using a thick cream-based formulation is suggested.

     If your skin is moderately dry, emollients work best. But, if your skin is very dry and flaky, occlusives would work better.

  2. For oily skin:

     Oily skin has a slick texture and is many a time acne prone due to the production of excess sebum. For oily skin, humectants thus work best.

     You can use a water-based, oil-free moisturizer like gels on oily skin to avoid your skin pores getting clogged, and infected.

  3. For normal skin:

     In normal skin, sebum production is balanced, which ensures that the pores are of normal size and acne flare-ups are almost nil. For normal or combination skin, any type of moisturizer can be used.

     If normal skin has some dry zones, thicker creamier moisturizer can be used. For normal skin having oily zones, a water-based gel is suggested. Also, note that emollients work best on normal, dry, and combination skin.

  4. For sensitive skin:

     Sensitive skin is the one that gets irritated easily. For such skin, moisturizers which are free from fragrance, parabens, and irritants are best suitable.

     For instance, aloe vera, jojoba, chamomile, oatmeal, and hyaluronic acid-based moisturizers work best on sensitive skin.

     Despite these suggestions, if you have any doubts regarding your skin type or what suits your skin the best, do not subject your skin to random experiments.

     It is best you seek guidance from the experienced and competent team of dermatologists at Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurgugram. This way, you’ll avert any damage to your skin and follow genuine advice that will make your skin healthy, glowing, and nourished.

• What are oils?

  Oil is a greasy substance that is typically liquid at room temperature, does not dissolve in water, and is quintessentially obtained from plant, animal, or mineral sources.

  During the winter, using oil can help in locking in moisture and averting skin issues. There are many kinds of essential oils available in the market that can be used directly or in combination with a gel or a moisturizer.

  For instance, using olive oil at bedtime during wintertime not only helps in getting rid of dryness but also nourishes the skin and makes it look youthful. Olive oil has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties thereby keeping many skin problems at bay.

  Almond oil is yet another preferred oil by many people. Being rich in vitamin E, it helps in moisturizing and smoothens the skin. Again, it can be used directly or in combination with a face pack, gel, etc.

The difference in cream/lotion/gel

So, here we come to a gratifying end on this extensive information on moisturizers. Use these tips for a healthy winter skin regime

Nonetheless, if you face any kind of skin problems that appear to be severe, please do not neglect them or go for untried home remedies. Instead, consult dermatologists at the Meraki Skin Clinic in Gurgaon to give your skin the best treatment it deserves.