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January 6, 2012 | Comments: 13

A Mini-Guide to Moisturizers

If you have dry skin, there’s a wide choice of moisturizers to choose from. But don’t assume a pricier product will get you better results. Here’s what to look for.

Moisturizers contain two basic types of ingredients. Occlusives, such as oils, petroleum jelly and dimethicone, act as emollients and protect the skin. It’s a myth that the skin absorbs oil from a product. The coating of oil simply keeps your skin’s own moisture from evaporating. Humectants, such as glycerin, attract moisture and temporarily hold it against the skin. Glycerin can, however, sometimes make skin feel drier. Water is usually the first ingredient in all moisturizers—it makes the product easy to apply.

Moisturizer ingredients you don’t need:

• Vitamin E, hormones and other so-called “skin foods” cannot “nourish” your skin. Still, vitamin E comes as an oil and can thus act as a moisturizer, like petroleum jelly. Some people find it an irritant.

• Collagen and elastin are proteins that exist in healthy skin, but they have to be produced by your own body. It won’t help to rub them on, since your skin can’t absorb them.

Moisturizer basics:

• Avoid heavily perfumed products.

• Buy by price. Expensive moisturizers are a waste of money. Some people like plain petroleum jelly, which is effective and cheap, though messy. Good moderately priced body lotions include those made by Vaseline, Aveeno, Eucerin, Neutrogena, Jergens and Alpha Keri. Store brands are fine, too. Find a product that suits you.

• Use your moisturizer often, and particularly after bathing. You do not need special products for different body parts, except perhaps for your face. Lip balms and lipstick can help your lips. Don’t forget your calves, heels and feet; dry skin on your feet can crack and become painful. Petroleum jelly or Aquaphor Healing Ointment may help heal such cracks.

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