How Do Skin Moisturizers Work?

Our skin has many important functions, including the prevention of water loss. Dry skin, or xerosis, is a common problem that many consumers seek to treat with cosmetic moisturizers. Whether for the face, hands, feet, or entire body moisturizer formulations are an important part of any cosmetic chemist’s tool kit.

 

 

Skin Structure

First, let’s talk a little about the structure of your skin. The upper layer of the Epidermis_and_Dermis_labelledskin, the epidermis, is further subdivided into four distinct layers. These layers from bottom to top are the stratum basale, the stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and the stratum corneum. There presence of a fifth layer, the stratum lucidum, can be seen in thicker areas of the epidermis like the soles of your feet.

Keratinocytes, the main type of cells in the epidermis, migrate up from the dermis and undergo many changes to become a flat, keratin rich corneocyte before being shed. During this progression through the layers of the epidermis, lipids are released into the spaces between cells and the skin’s own natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is generated. These lipids form a barrier to water loss and help retain the skin’s NMF. Disruption of this lipid matrix and subsequent loss of hydration can lead to dry, flaky skin.1, 2

Cosmetic moisturizers are used to help repair the lipid barrier and restore hydration.

How cosmetic moisturizers work

Although there are some more specialized approaches, like the use of alpha-hydroxy acids or quaternary conditioning agents, most cosmetic moisturizers improve the condition of dry skin by utilizing one of three major ingredient types including

  1. Humectants
   2. Emollients
   3. Occlusive agents.

Humectants

Humectants include ingredients like glycerin, urea, and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA). Humectants work by attracting water from the dermis below and helping to keep that water bound in the stratum corneum. Glycerin is used frequently because of its low cost and high efficacy, but a tacky feel on the skin is one of the drawbacks of formulating with high levels of humectants. When optimizing skin formulations, cosmetic chemists try to reduce these negative properties of humectants.

Occlusive Agents

Occlusive agents increase moisture levels by providing a physical barrier to epidermal water loss. Ingredients with occlusive properties include petrolatum, waxes, oils, and silicones. Some occlusive agents like petrolatum can leave a heavy feel so they are often combined with other ingredients, like emollients, to improve consumer appeal.
Emollients

Emollients provide some occlusivity and improve the appearance of the skin by smoothing flaky skin cells. There are many different types of emollient esters and oils available to a formulation chemist.  3,4 Emollients are generally grouped by their ability to spread on the skin. By combining emollients with the different spread rates you can tailor the skin feel of a moisturizer. You can test for these differences by using different emollients in a standard base lotion. Additionally, emollient lipids similar to those naturally found in the skin may also increase the rate of barrier repair. 5
Putting it together

Each of these ingredient types has a different mechanism of action and most cosmetic moisturizers will use a combination of these ingredients to create a synergistic effect and mitigate certain aesthetic or financial drawbacks. Product claims and skin feel are also considerations to be aware of, so don’t be afraid to experiment with your options when creating a moisturizer. For tips on creating successful skin formulations, see our previous article on HLB.

BABY SKIN CARE TIPS

Babies are very delicate and sensitive. Their skin is delicate like a flower that can wither if not taken proper care of. Either it’s your first baby or the second baby skin is always demanding. It demands full nourishment and complete care from season to season. In summer baby skin can get irritated due to sunrays that are harsh enough for his sensitive skin and in winter it can get so dry that a baby is restless due to itching. So you need to be very careful for your baby’s skin.

A very important decision is to choose a baby skin product wisely that should not harm the baby’s skin and is skin friendly. It includes baby shampoo, baby oil, body lotion, wet tissues that are more often used for babies to wipe and clean their face, baby towels, clothing stuff and their diaper is also mentionable. All these items if not suitable will create problem for your kid.

Let‘s discuss tips that can help you keep your baby’s skin fresh.

SKIN PRODUCTS:

Baby skin care products have thousands of qualities and verities in the market. You have to choose the products that are suitable to your baby skin. There are major four types of skin – oily, dry, very dry and normal. For babies these categories are of not much consideration you just have to ensure about the quality. If any product irritates skin of your kid immediately stop using that product as it might result in skin allergies and consult a dermatologist.

USE SOFT MATERIAL:

For clothing use soft and pure material as the baby’s skin is very soft and cannot bear impure and hard stuff. Pure wool and pure cotton are best. Tightly fitted dresses are not suitable as they give a restless feeling to the baby. Choose a loose dress so that it does not cause redness and itching to skin. Towels should also have a fine soft material so that the skin does not get rashes and irritation.

BODY MASSAGE:

To keep your baby’s skin soft and supple, massage it with baby oil especially before bath. It smoothens and glows the skin and is also healthy for the baby. Giving massage twice a week is healthy for the skin and it enhances growth of your newborn.

 

Baby Health Care Tips

Child care is very important part in family lifestyles. Firstly, parents should assess their child. Is the child shy? Is the child feel comfortable in a large group of children? Does the child need to practice school habits such as taking turns, sitting and listening? And then think about preschool care.

Everyone can get all information about child care from this site. Parents can get information from it that How to take care of the children and infants? This site include information about Babies diseases such as Measles, Pneumonia, Typhoid, Flu, Epilepsy, Common cold, Small pox etc., Babies Furniture, Babies clothes, Babies name, Feeding Equipments, Under weight babies, Equipment used in breast feeding and more….

When to consult a baby’s doctor

It is normal for baby to cry due to cold, needs a clean diaper and hungry, if the baby’s cries continuously, go to the doctor immediately. If baby is sleeping most of the time.

Parents must ask their self some questions like Is there any change in the baby’s behavior? Does the baby have fever?, Is there a rash anywhere on the baby’s body?, Does the baby sound congested?

Has the color of the urine changed? Has the baby vomited more than once? And more…, to know the baby’s illness.

Important tips for child’s health care

  • Parents should take part in every discussion about baby’s health care.
  • Parents must sure about their child’s doctor know that child weight and taking OTC medicines.
  • Make sure that doctor know about taking dietary supplements such as herbs and vitamins by child.
  • Make sure about prescribed child’s medicine by the baby’s doctor
  • Ask information about child’s medicines to the doctor such as name of the drug, how long take it, side effects of it and when will they see an improvement?
  • Ask about all test and procedure to the health care provider.
  • Consult the baby’s doctor about what position is best for baby sleeping.

Other tips for baby care

  • Parents should give lots of attention and love to their baby.
  • Keep baby out of the more exposure to sun rays.
  • Create a safe and peace environment for newborn baby.
  • Avoid smoking around the infants and children.

Put away the following things from infants and children

  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Hot liquids
  • Plastic bags
  • Cleaning fluids
  • Knives

Important Skin Care Tips For Young and Healthy Skin

  • If you’re serious about your skin care, you’ve probably heard all of the skin care tips that involve creams, lotions and sometimes even chemical treatments. After all, skin care products are everywhere you look.
  • Let’s talk about a different type of tips, though. Let’s look at tips for helping yourself, in addition to creams and ointments. After all, no cream will compensate for not caring for your skin properly.

 

Hydration

  • Hydration, in other words, getting enough water, is very important to your general health. Since your skin is the outer indicator of your inner health, if you’re not well hydrated, your skin is usually one of the first parts of your body to suffer.
  • Of course you can, and probably should, use a moisturizing cream on your skin. It won’t work its best if you don’t support it, though. That means drinking plenty of water.
  • Now, you might think water is the same thing as “wet stuff”, but all liquids aren’t created equal. Decaffeinated herbal tea, regular water and flavored waters can all be great for you. They’ll keep you hydrated and healthy.
  • On the other hand, alcoholic or caffeine-rich drinks just dehydrate you. So, you should only drink those in moderation. You should also compensate, when you do drink them, by also drinking more water. Some caffeine-rich drinks include carbonated drinks, coffee, of course, hot cocoa and energy drinks.

Smoking

  • If you smoke, the good news is that you don’t even have to worry about skin care. The bad news, though, is that it’s because no skin care products can prevent the damage caused by smoking.
  • Damage caused by smoking includes dry skin and wrinkles. Besides those, though, it can discolor your skin. It can also cause skin cancer. Up against all of that, it’s no wonder that skin care products won’t be able to help you. So, if you want better skin, first you’ll need to kick a smoking habit, if you have one.

Stress and Skin Health

  • Stress management is also really important. When you get stressed, the chemical balance in your body is altered. That can create alls sorts of skin problems, like excessive sweating, acne, eczema and psoriasis, just to name a few.
  • One of the skin care tips that a lot of people don’t pay attention to is stress management. It’s absolutely vital, though. So, if you can manage your stress, you’ll be well on your way to healthier skin. It’s difficult, but it’s worth it in the long run.

 

Do you dream of having healthy, beautiful skin? Use Healthy Skin Portal as your skin care resource and learn more about mesotherapy injections, and other procedures. You can even find a doctor near you. So if you’re looking for a Chicago mesotherapy center, Healthy Skin Portal can take you there.