Moisturizers Protect Your Skin After Cleansing, While Your Skin Replenishes Its Natural Oils.
Every time you cleanse your face, you wash away all the accumulated spent skin cells and spent skin oils accumulated on the surface (Epidermis) of your skin during the day. You also wash away your natural acid mantle that protects your skin. So, you need a moisturizer to act as a temporary protective layer while your skin replenishes its acid mantle, to prevent your skin's moisture from escaping into the air, and to present a temporary protective barrier keeping environmental threats out. And, of course, to make sure your acid mantle stays healthy and happy. It really is that simple.
Not all moisturizers are created equal, however. Based on the type of skin you have and, taking into consideration any concerns that you wish to address, there are some factors that you want to consider when selecting a facial moisturizer that will work best for your skin.
But First, A Little Skin Science So You Know Your Way Around.
This is just a superficial look into your skin's anatomy. It really is amazing. Your skin is made up of three major layers: the hypodermis, the dermis, and the epidermis. While your moisturizer mostly sits on top of and penetrates your epidermis, we're including this illustration of the epidermis along with the deeper layers of your skin just so you have a better idea of what's going on there.
- The epidermis is the most superficial layer of your skin that acts as a protective outer layer, preventing threats from entering your skin. The epidermis has five layers: stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost part of the epidermis and the part that our skincare reaches. The stratum corneum has anywhere from 15-30 layers in itself, consisting of dead keratinocytes acting as a first line of defense against threats.
- The dermis, the middle layer of your skin, is another connective tissue that serves many important functions, one of which is collagen production. Collagen synthesis occurs in the cells of fibroblasts, the active cells of connective tissue, which are found in the dermis. The dermis also helps you feel sensations, produces sweat, and supports the epidermis.
- The hypodermis, otherwise known as the subcutaneous layer, is a connective tissue lying just above the deep fascia that functions to insulate the body and store fat. The hypodermis connects your skin to your bones and muscles. This creates a protective cushion to help protect the body from trauma, though as we age this layer naturally decreases in size.
Moisturizers By Skin Type:
- Oily / Acne-Prone Skin: oilier and blemish-prone skin types do well with lighter moisturizers. A moisturizer with higher water content or a gel-like consistency that does not further contribute to congestion in the pores is ideal. Look for ingredients like Strawberry Extract, Moringa Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil to help balance your skin, modulate oil production, and reduce inflammation without drying your skin. Addressing inflammation first and foremost is the key to keeping blemishes at bay. Have a look at our Moisturizer for Oily and Acne Prone Skin.
- Combination Skin: combination skin is a condition where your skin overproduces oil in some areas (your t-zone, usually), and is dry (lacking oil) in other areas of the face. This condition can fluctuate with hormones, climate, and diet. Formulas that contain more water, help regulate oil production, and help clarify the pores are a good choice for combination skin. Depending on how dry the remainder of your facial skin is, you may have to add a richer moisturizer more suited for dry skin to the rest of your face. Usually, a formula that has a balance of water and oil will suffice. Or visit this one that's ideal for Combination and T-Zone Skin.
Combination T-Zone Skin Moisturizer
- Dry Skin: Dry skin is a condition in which your skin does not produce enough oil to lubricate itself. Because of this, you need to supplement oils through your skincare. Formulas with non-comedogenic oils, and emollients, meaning humectants and occlusives, are the best ingredient options for dry skin. Using an occlusive, such as a ceramide, creates a protective seal over your skin to help lock in hydration. Dry skin is always lacking oil, but because dry skin usually results in an impacted barrier, dry skin tends to be dehydrated and desperately needs water too. Humectants help draw much-needed water to the skin, and oils in your moisturizer provide the richer nourishment that dry skin lacks.
- Super Dry Skin: Everything that's true for dry skin is true for super dry skin, but with this condition you will need something even richer. A pure oil, like Avocado Oil, whipped into a mousse for easy and localized application is most ideal. The addition of a messenger peptide to encourage moisture carrying collagen is even better.
- Sensitive Skin: sensitive skin is a skin type one is born with and sensitized skin is a condition that happens later on in life that can be triggered by certain ingredients, fragrances, and colorants. It is important to use products that use gentle, synthetic-free formulations to not agitate your skin. Products with soothing ingredients, such as rose and chamomile, are great options for sensitive skin. Anti-inflammatory ingredients, like cucumber, also work to prevent flare-ups.
- Normal Youthful Skin: normal skin is pretty balanced, it does not lack oil, nor does it have too much oil. This does not mean that normal skin types do not need a moisturizer, however. All skin needs moisture. Normal skin types can do just fine with a lightweight moisturizer. A hydrating gel or hydrating milk are both excellent options for normal skin types.
Normal / Youthful Skin Moisturizer
- Aging Skin: technically, all skin is aging, but in our mid-twenties is when we need to consider supplementing certain ingredients into our skincare to help protect it. Aging skin needs vitamins, firming ingredients, and ingredients that encourage collagen production. As we age, our skin produces less and less collagen to keep its supple appearance and elasticity weakens over time. This is when the signs of aging begin to appear. Universally, peptides are a great way to encourage your skin to produce more collagen. There are many different strands of amino chains that create a peptide bond, and peptides are beneficial to all skin types. Antioxidants are another great way to keep skin youthful because antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that wreak havoc on your skin. Vitamin C is a great way to combat this.
We hope this helps clarify the many different skin types and concerns and why all skin types need a suitable moisturizer for optimal health!
