Moisturizers are a key component to your skincare regimen. They serve to hydrate the skin cells and keep the moisture of the skin maintained. There are a variety of moisturizers available in the market that tend to different skin types; while there can be rich creamy moisturizer for dry skin, there is also lightweight oil-free ones available for women who have oily skin.

Moisturizers are usually an oil-in-water solution. When you use moisturizers, some of the water evaporates while some gets absorbed into the skin. The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum soaks water efficiently; however, it is not able to bind it very well. That’s why it needs an oily substance that helps lock the water within the skin and this is how moisturizers work. The water contents get absorbed into the skin and the oil content helps keep it there.

Occlusives are the substances that refrain the evaporation of water. Petrolatum and other such oily ingredients are common occlusives used in moisturizers. In fact, petrolatum is a primary ingredient in various moisturizers, often listed as the third or fourth ingredient of the formulation. Some of the other general occlusives are cetyl alcohol, lanolin, lecithin, mineral oil, paraffin, and stearic acid. Well known silicones that act as occlusives are dimethicone and cyclomethicone. Oil-free moisturizers that are free of all mineral and vegetable oilsinclude dimethicone as an occlusive agent.

Many moisturizers that help to calm skin itchiness contain menthol. Menthol provides a cooling sensation to the skin and helps to lower the itchiness of the skin.

Lactic acid is a powerful alpha hydroxy acid that is really useful against dry skin, acne and wrinkles. Lactic acid takes away the dead skin covering the skin pores and help sebum flow more freely. This helps prevent breakouts and treats acne.

Is there something else you would like to find out about skincare? If you want to learn more about skincare tips and how a moisturizer can help you, contact Likewise Skincare today!