When it comes to skin care, moisturizing is usually one of the
more popular, and though it’s hard to believe, more
controversial topics. Some experts swear by moisturizing as the
best way to keep your skin youthful and healthy while others
feel a bit more suspicious of its benefits. Since my grandma
lived to 94 years of age with beautiful skin and touted the
benefits of moisturizing for years, I tend to lean towards
giving it a go. For many, moisturizing on a daily basis is
already a daily part of their skin care regime while others are
just jumping on the bandwagon for the first time. Regardless of
where you fall, deep skin moisturizing is a cost effective and
simple way to take hold of the hands of time and rein it in.
First, let’s discuss why your skin needs to be moisturized in
the first place. Your skin needs water and oil to carry out its
natural healing process. Dehydrated skin has a decreased ability
to do that. Although not directly responsible for wrinkles, fine
lines, and the more serious risks, such as skin cancer, dry skin
is a contributing factor. Since dehydrated skin is less likely
to heal itself, it is harder for your skin to recover from the
negative effects of the sun and the natural aging process. For
these reasons, it seems obvious that moisture is an important
part of skin care and moisturizing your skin would be beneficial.
Once you have decided to moisturize, next you’ll need to know
just how to go about it. There are a large variety of
moisturizing products on the market today that claim to be the
ultimate choice in a sea of options. With all these choices it
can be difficult to decide what works best for you. Some of the
easier, more natural remedies for dry skin are protecting it
from the sun, drinking plenty of water, and eating a
well-balanced diet high in fiber. Avoid alcohol, smoking, and
caffeine. This alone will increase your skin’s moisture content
without actually applying anything to it.
For some though, an application of some type of moisturizer is
necessary. You want your moisturizer to contain not only
moisturizing ingredients, but protective elements as well. Look
for products that include in their ingredients including
collagen, herbs like Gotu Kola, Flame of Forest, and Sensitive
Plant, as well as biological oils. Although moisturizing your
skin in most cases is beneficial, if you suffer from acne or
particularly sensitive skin, you will need to use a moisturizer
that is low in oils and allergen free.
The most effective time to apply a skin moisturizer is directly
after showering or bathing. While the skin is saturated, the
moisturizer will help to lock in the water and keep your skin
moist longer.