MOISTURIZATION

Moisturization, from the word moisturizer which is a cosmetic cream, lotion, etc. applied to the skin to add or restore moisture to it. When you consider the problems related to dryness, including that it makes skin look older, there’s no question of the need for a great moisturizer. The act of moisturizing one’s skin has become nearly second nature to so many women, and yet for those who haven’t really understood its importance and its benefits, it can’t be emphasized enough. Through the basis of hydration, there are three main factors that influence the need for moisturization:  skin type, season and age.  Skin type with drier complexions requiring more hydration than oilier types and those with oily skin naturally have more sebaceous glands working overtime to drain out sebum, oil produced by the skin. Season, through the duration varies according to geography, during those months that skin is exposed to colder temperatures and lower humidity, aggressive use of moisturizers is often in order. Lastly is age, you get less young and the output of the sebaceous glands naturally lessens, skin usually gets drier – though, unfortunately, those with very oily skin often don’t actually notice the oil dip until they reach their fifties and above. It needs moisturization because moisturizers, as well as other personal skin care products that contain moisturizing ingredients, have the following benefits: improve your skin’s texture by locking in water in the skin’s dry spots; balance skin tone by giving it a protective layer against free radicals that can mess up and constantly damage your pores; fight skin dryness by hydrating it and giving it a youthful and fresh glow. Moisturizers also contain humectants, which attract and bind water to the skin.  Examples of common humectants are glycerin or glycerol (clear, colorless, syrupy liquid used as a laxative), propylene glycol (a clear viscous liquid used as a solvent in the preparation of certain medications), sorbitol (a white, sweetish, crystalline alcohol occurring naturally or prepared synthetically, used as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes), hyaluronic acid (a glycosamino-glycan found in lubricating proteoglycans of synovial fluid, vitreous humor, cartilage, blood vessels, skin and the umbilical cord) derivatives, and pyrrolidine carboxylic acid.

            When choosing a moisturizer there are things to look out for: oily faces, look for non-clogging or non-comedogenic formulas (comedogenic, tending to produce or aggravate acne­­); sensitive skin, look for fragrance-free and oil-free options; normal skin, pick the non-greasy, water-based variety; dry skin, choose oil-based with glycerin and mineral oil; try also the soy compounds in the ingredients can build fibers that make the skin smooth, and retinol can hold promise for wrinkle reduction.

 For the face, you can maintain a healthier appearance and minimize signs of ageing when you choose a moisturizer or face lotion with sunscreen in it.  It helps protect your face against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Choose a gentle facial cleanser that suits your skin type to exfoliate and aid effectively in scrubbing away dead skin cells. Use a facial cleanser and toner that thoroughly remove impurities and dirt but does not dry out your skin.

For the body, achieve soft and elastic skin by making sure that you use your moisturizing product when your skin is slightly moist. Pay attention to areas in your skin that are dry, tight, cracked or peeling, like: back of your elbows, skin on your knees, skin on your feet and skin on your heels. And use a gentle exfoliating body wash on these areas. The exfoliating beads can clear away dull and old skin when you scrub it gently with a washcloth. Then, take lukewarm showers, not hot showers, as over-washing the skin with hot water strips it of its natural oils, making it dry and vulnerable to the elements. Moisturizing products help you maintain that dewy features and leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. Well-moisturized skin keeps you looking young, and that tender freshness quality for your skin is worth keeping at any age. It’s always important to go back to the basics when it comes to beauty, and moisturization will always be an essential part of optimal skin care. If you wondered why your skin is tight and taut, moisturization is one of the solutions to add some moisture that will looks glow and natural dewy complexion. For more info and tips on the basics of beautiful skin, check out www.modzed.com/blog/.