Moisturizers are one of the most common skincare products to be found on the market. Almost everyone, with the exception of most men ;), has some type of moisturizer on their bathroom shelf. But what are they exactly, what do they do, and what type of moisturizer is right for your skin type?
So, what is a moisturizer exactly? It is typically a skincare product that is used to prevent dryness of the skin. Its purpose is to seal the skin, locking in moisture and nutrients, while protecting the skin from environmental irritants. Examples are creams, oils, balms, serums, etc.
Do all skin types need moisturizer? Dry skin lacks oil, also known as sebum, whereas oily skin has too much of that same oil. To determine if your skin needs moisturizer and if so, what type of moisturizer, you first need to find out what your skin type is.
Dry skin:
Your skin frequently feels tight, especially after cleansing
No visible pores
You need to apply a moisturizer at least once a day
Loss of elasticity and premature fine lines
Your skin can feel powdery or flaky
Your skin can look dull
Oily skin:
Your skin looks shiny
You are prone to have pimples and blackheads
You have large pores
Your skin can feel moisturized without the use of a daily moisturizer
Combination skin:
Parts of your skin are dry and other parts are oily
Normal skin:
You don’t have any of these problems
Dehydrated skin (both oily and dry skin can be dehydrated):
The main signs are rough andflaky skin
Sensitive skin:
Redness, itching, and rashes
What type of ingredients to look for? Not all skin types need the same type of ingredients in order to moisturize their skin (enough). There are three different moisturizing ingredients:
Occlusive: creates a barrier over the skin to trap moisture. Examples are waxes such as soy wax or beeswax, lanolin, mineral oil, and silicones.
Emollients: restores the skin barrier to soften the skin texture. Examples are fatty acids, most natural oils, squalane, and butters such as shea butter.
Humectants: pull water from the environment into the skin. Examples are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea, and alpha hydroxy acids. Many occlusives are emollients and the other way around.
So, what does that mean for each skin type? Maybe you have guessed it already. Dry skin needs more emollients and occlusive ingredients such as butters, waxes, and oils to prevent transepidermal water loss. Oily skin, on the other hand, might not even need a moisturizer generally. In some cases for example, when it is dehydrated, it is recommended to look for a water-based moisturizer with humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) together with some emollients.
Looking for a moisturizer?
Le Youth Sérum is specially formulated for dry and sensitive skin and is an oily-based serum that nourishes and protects the skin. The beautiful blend of plant oils helps to prevent transepidermal water loss end improve skin elasticity and keep the skin soft and supple.
La Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a pure and organic face oil that is suited for both dry and oily skin. It sinks easily into the skin without leaving it feeling or looking greasy. It locks in moisture without sealing the skin. The extremely high concentration of linoleic acid (65-70%) helps to restore skin elasticity and leaves the skin feeling nice and soft.