How does moisturizer

According to the British Journal of Dermatology , people with properly moisturized skin accumulate wrinkles at just a fraction of the rate of those with dry skin. Burke Williams has moisturizing products that work for any kind of skin, from dry to oily.

If you already have a favorite moisturizer and want to boost it to the next level, add a few drops of the H2V Moisture Enhance serum - it pumps up your moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and humectants to give you the ultimate hydration experience.

View your cart. Which Massage is Right for You? Moisturizing also helps to rehydrate and enhance the capacity of the skin to hold water. This is through the use of products designed to rehydrate the outer layer of the skin, seal in moisture, and protect against external factors. Products such as lotions, creams, serums, and ointments are the primary method of adding moisture and treating dry skin. If you have dry skin, try Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer.

For oily to combination skin, you can go for Formula Although moisturizers are rarely associated with negative impacts, some skin discomfort or skin irritation can occur. To prevent this, be sure to patch test all new products. If you notice a reaction, talk with a dermatologist. If you experience skin conditions such as acne or allergic dermatitis , consult a dermatologist about what products may be right for your skin.

Using a moisturizer can help skin retain moisture, alleviate dryness, and protect against environmental or external factors. Choose a product designed for your skin type or check with a dermatologist for the most personalized skin care plan.

Marnie Vinall is a freelance writer living in Melbourne, Australia. This class of moisturizer, which exists in the form of creams, ointments, lotions, and gels, are generally preferred over occlusives because they feel less sticky. Whereas occlusives coat the skin, emollients penetrate it, making the skin feel soft and flexible. Emollient products are made with a variety of chemicals , but their basic building blocks are the same as occlusives — long chains of carbon atoms that repel water.

Emollients work a little differently than occlusives, though. Think of the outer layer of skin as a brick and mortar structure: the dead skin cells are the bricks and surrounding matrix of fats and proteins are the mortar. Special proteins link the dead cells together, forming a barrier between the inside of the body and the bacteria and chemicals outside, as demonstrated in this video by the American Chemical Society :.

Humectants work by attracting moisture to the skin and keeping it there. This is basically the opposite of occlusives and emollients, which don't like water. Humectants penetrate the outer layer of the skin, attract water to it, and lock that moisture in. This happens because humectants have hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure an oxygen and a hydrogen atom , which loves water. Humectants also prompt the production of ceramides , our body's natural waxy molecules that play a major role in the structure of the skin.

But beware, in dry conditions, humectants can draw moisture from the younger, moist cells in the lower layers of the skin instead of pulling moisture from the air. Over time, this could eventually lead to even dryer skin. The emollient part of moisturizers can be oil-based or water-based. Oil-based emollients are heavier and may leave a residue on your skin, so they're best for people who have dry skin that needs intensive moisturizing.

Water-based emollients, on the other hand, are lighter and less greasy, which make them ideal for people with normal, oily or acne-prone skin [source: Bruno ]. If you want to avoid using moisturizers made from animal-based additives, such as animal fat, beeswax and milk protein, look for vegan or environmentally friendly skincare lines that contain synthetic moisturizers or vegetable glycerin [source: Carpenter ].

Now that you understand how moisturizers keep your skin soft and smooth, read on to learn about the different types of moisturizers. Parabens have recently been the subject of much debate because of their possible link to breast cancer. Parabens, the most widely used preservatives in the cosmetic industry, can be found in lotions, body washes, sunscreens and other skin care products [source: U.

Food and Drug Administration ]. However, neither the National Cancer Institute nor the U. Food and Drug Administration has found evidence that parabens in skin care products cause cancer [source: National Cancer Institute ].

Many people with oily skin avoid using moisturizers because they think it'll just make their skin oilier. However, the oil on your skin seals in moisture -- it doesn't replace the moisture you lose, especially as you age [source: Bouchez ]. In addition, many people with oily skin also have acne -- which occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog pores -- and acne treatments can often dry out skin [source: WebMD ]. If you want to maintain a clear complexion and keep your skin moisturized, use an oil-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer [source: WebMD ].

Noncomedogenic moisturizers won't clog your pores and are less likely to cause acne breakouts than regular moisturizers. Their name comes from the word "comedones. When comedones become inflamed, they can turn pink or red and fill with pus -- these are the pimples normally associated with acne.

Noncomedogenic moisturizers may also be called nonacnegenic moisturizers, especially if they're specifically designed to treat acne [source: SkinCareGuide. Noncomedogenic moisturizers have a lighter feel than regular moisturizers, and many are oil-free, so they won't leave additional oil on your skin.

Most labels will advertise if a moisturizer is noncomedogenic or oil-free. If you have acne, doctors recommend using all noncomedogenic products, including moisturizers, cleansers, shampoo, makeup and sunscreen. Moisturizers help keep skin smooth and healthy, but they also provide protection from harmful irritants in the environment.

Read on to learn how moisturizers protect your skin. Whiteheads are hair follicles that have become clogged with oil and dead skin cells -- they're covered by a thin layer of skin, which gives them their white appearance. Blackheads, on the other hand, are impacted pores in which material pushes out through the follicles -- the bacteria's reaction to oxygen causes the black color [source: WebMD ].