Skincare Tips – Moisturizers

As the holiday season kicks in, the cold, blustery winter comes with it. In such harsh conditions it’s essential to remember the importance of keeping your skin hydrated. Enter: Moisturizers!

This is a product that mimics sebum on the skin surface with the purpose of softening and smoothing it. At Complexions, moisturizers are applied after cleansing, as well as during most esthetic services. So, what do you need to know? Read on to find out…

There are really two categories. There are EMOLLIENTS and then there are true MOISTURIZERS.

  • Emollients smooth down the skin surface, but do not necessarily increase the water content in the skin. Lower-priced emollients typically contain water as the first ingredient and it will have a lotion type consistency. The water delivers the emollients to the skin surface, however, it evaporates shortly after application. This leaves your skin feeling dry all over again. They don’t optimally increase skin hydration and have to be reapplied often.
  • Moisturizing Creams increase skin hydration and improve skin tactile. They contain the same ingredients as in emollients that leave skin feeling soft and smooth, but they have a couple additions that provide a more noticeable protective film. This is because true moisturizer decreases trans-epidermal water loss. The added ingredients that accomplish this are humectants, which attract water to the skin and bind it there. True Moisturizers act as a barrier to prevents water from evaporating. Moisturizers don’t moisturize the skin, they facilitate barrier repair, and encourage the natural restorative process. This is why you see a price difference in the two type of products.

If you have any questions about what you are using and if it’s the right thing for you, bring it in….we can help to identify the different ingredients and assist you in choosing what is best for your needs.

Our esthetician’s are happy to offer a complimentary Herbal Facial Cleansing, analysis, and proper Moisturizing any day of the week. Stop in and see us soon…we’ll help you stop winter dryness before it happens!