Humectants
In the winter, a
good moisturizer is crucial since it maintains your skin soft and smooth while
preventing dry skin. It also benefits the treatment of dermatitis by improving
skin moisture. However, with so many various moisturizers on the market,
deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. So, if you're shopping
for a skin moisturizer, keep these tips in mind!
Moisturizers can get used as cosmetics and therapeutic items to treat ailments like dry skin. These get intended to either improve or restore skin moisture. A moisturizer gets divided into four groups based on the ingredients. It contains humectants, occlusives, emollients, and natural moisturizing agents.
Humectants
These are
chemicals that, when applied to the skin, attract moisture and thereby increase
the hydration of the stratum corneum, the skin's outermost layer. These
demonstrated to minimize abnormal skin thickness and the appearance of scaling
in patients with dry skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis in situations.
Humectants, on
the other hand, promote transepidermal water loss (water loss from the skin
layers) by increasing water absorption from the dermis into the epidermis,
where it gets easily lost to the environment. They're usually used in
combination with other moisturizers
to keep skin hydrated. Glycerin, sorbitol, urea, alpha hydroxy acids, and sugar
are all examples of humectants.
Occlusives
Occlusives aid
water content by blocking transepidermal water loss in the stratum corneum. When
applied to moistened skin, it creates a hydrophobic barrier that protects the
skin from the elements. Occlusives permeate into intracellular structures,
increasing their effectiveness.
The most
effective traditional occlusive moisturizer is petrolatum/petroleum jelly,
which can decrease trans-epidermal water loss by 98 percent. Lanolin, mineral
oil, and silicones (e.g., dimethicone) can help to minimize trans-epidermal
water loss by 20% to 30%. The unpleasant odor, the possibility of allergic
reactions, and the greasy consistency of occlusives make them less appealing.
Emollients
Long-chain
saturated fatty acids (stearic, linoleic, oleic, lauric acid, and fatty
alcohols) are common in cosmetic formulations and topical applications. It
softens the skin by filling the gaps between the skin cells when added to
moisturizers. When applied heavily to the skin, it can also act as a water
barrier.
Squalene,
cholesterols, and fatty acids, naturally found in wool fat, palm oil, and
coconut oil, are common emollients used in moisturizers. These are frequently
utilized by those who have sensitive skin. Oil-free emollient creams containing
glycol or glycerin are also available for persons with oily skin. When applied
to sensitive skin, these substances can cause acute dryness and sting.
Moisturizing elements found in nature
These get named
for comparable substances found in the epidermis that play a crucial role in
skin moisture. A combination occurring free amino acids, urocanic acid,
inorganic salts, sugars, lactic acid, and urea make up these components.
Natural moisturizing elements absorb and bind water from the environment,
ensuring appropriate hydration of skin cells even in low-humidity environments.
