Nourishing your skin is an essential part of any beauty routine involving a skincare regimen of applying Serums, Moisturisers, Masks and the like. Dirt, dust, hot and cold weather, toxic cosmetics and even sunlight, all tend to dry out the skin, robbing it of moisture and oil.
Using a moisturiser is a must for everyone!! Interestingly, not all moisturisers are the same! As you may know, most moisturisers contain a substantial amount of water. Water is the cheapest ingredient in cosmetic products and doesn't penetrate to the deeper layers which means it wont hydrate the skin. Infact, 80% to 90% of skincare products on the market contain water as their first ingredient.
This could easily be the reason why many products you have used in the past have done little to improve your skin.
On the other hand, Aloe Vera contains long chain sugars - which penetrate in the skins lipid barrier and helps keep the water and hydrates the skin. Aloe based moisturisers simply out preforms water based products hands down, and that's because it stimulates human fibroblast cellular formation 6-8 times faster than normal cellular production.
As we know, water evaporates, and it takes with it many of the skins natural oils! This actually makes your skin lose moisture and contributes to dryness. Too often, water is included in a moisturiser as a cheap filler that may not serve a purpose related to your skin.
* Some product formulations require water to be the first ingredient, and its important to understand the pros and cons of all ingredients listed on products - even if its something as simple as water.
Your skin can be dry for a number of reasons. These include:
Humectants are the most important, as these ingredients are little 'water loves' and are important to ensure the skin doesn't become 'water dry' or dehydrated.
Emollients are oils that soothe and soften dry, rough skin and help lock in moisture. The benefits of these types of ingredients in your moisturiser are great for calming sensitive skin, act as anti-inflammatories, reinforce skin barrier and fight free radical damage.
Occlusives seal in moisture and stop water from evaporating. Try to avoid these Occlusives such as Petrolatum, Lanolin, Mineral Oil and Dimethicone as these can leave a waxy greasy feeling on skin, which can cause clog pores and cause acne, and dry skin further. Not to mention these may also cause skin irritations and may be toxic.
*generally using a Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Occlusives aren't necessary.
TIP : Applying your moisturiser immediately after showering and Cleansing your face. Keep in order applying serums first, as this is the best time to lock in hydration!
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