Moisturizers are mixtures of oil and water which trap water within the skin, making it more pliable, looking and feeling less dry, and smoother and softer. This allows make-up to be applied more evenly. Moisturizers can also plump up the skin, making wrinkles less visible. They do not, however, prevent wrinkles, treat wrinkles, or alter the ageing process. They are analogous to hair conditioners. Moisturizers work in three main ways:
- Moisturizers can have an occlusive action, whereby the surface of the skin is ‘glued’ down, preventing water evaporation. Heavier moisturizing creams provide a thicker glue, which decreases water loss. Thicker preparations include lanolin, petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oils. These products may block the pores, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads and acne but are useful for older people with very dry skin.
- Humectants are substances which draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. This means that the deeper layers become dehydrated at the expense of the surface. Collagen, elastin, glycerine, propylene, glycol, sorbitol, vitamins A and E and many other proteins act as humectants. However, if the surface of the skin is damaged, all the water escapes and both the top and deeper layers of the skin are left dehydrated.
- Liposomes are little capsules which bind to the surface of the skin and release moisture on to the cell membranes. Although this sounds very fancy, it is really just another way of applying a moisturizer.
Most moisturizers contain both glue-type substances and humectants. They draw water to the surface of the skin and keep it there, making the skin look plumper and smoother. Super-rich moisturizing creams and night creams contain a higher quantity of glue-like substances, and so trap in water for longer periods of time. On the other hand, they are responsible for many blemishes due to their suffocating effect on the skin. Despite all this, moisturizers do not alter the ageing process, nor do they repair the damage caused by excessive sun exposure.
Moisturizers are mixtures of oil and water which trap water within the skin, making it more pliable, looking and feeling less dry, and smoother and softer. This allows make-up to be applied more evenly. Moisturizers can also plump up the skin, making wrinkles less visible. They do not, however, prevent wrinkles, treat wrinkles, or alter the ageing process. They are analogous to hair conditioners. Moisturizers work in three main ways: - Moisturizers can have an occlusive action, whereby the surface of the skin is ‘glued’ down, preventing water evaporation. Heavier moisturizing creams provide a thicker glue, which decreases water loss. Thicker preparations include lanolin, petrolatum, paraffin and mineral oils. These products may block the pores, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads and acne but are useful for older people with very dry skin.- Humectants are substances which draw water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. This means that the deeper layers become dehydrated at the expense of the surface. Collagen, elastin, glycerine, propylene, glycol, sorbitol, vitamins A and E and many other proteins act as humectants. However, if the surface of the skin is damaged, all the water escapes and both the top and deeper layers of the skin are left dehydrated.- Liposomes are little capsules which bind to the surface of the skin and release moisture on to the cell membranes. Although this sounds very fancy, it is really just another way of applying a moisturizer.Most moisturizers contain both glue-type substances and humectants. They draw water to the surface of the skin and keep it there, making the skin look plumper and smoother. Super-rich moisturizing creams and night creams contain a higher quantity of glue-like substances, and so trap in water for longer periods of time. On the other hand, they are responsible for many blemishes due to their suffocating effect on the skin. Despite all this, moisturizers do not alter the ageing process, nor do they repair the damage caused by excessive sun exposure.
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