Moisturising Your Skin:

How Do Moisturisers Work?
Though moisturisers are cosmetic products they provide a practical answer to problems of water loss from the skin. Dry skin is because of less water but application of water alone is only a temporary effect and not the solution. Oil is also equally essential as it holds water onto the skin surface. But it alone also can't moisturise the skin.

Moisturisers, combine both water and oil. It replaces some of the water lost from the skin and prevents it's loss to the surroundings. Moisturisers basically fall into 2 main types:
a) Oil-in-water emulsions
b) Water-in-oil emulsions.

The oil-in-water moisturisers sometimes contain substances called humectants. These substances attract water from the surroundings. But sometimes humectants may absorb too much water from the skin itself thereby increasing its dryness. A commonly used humectant is glycerin though new ingredients have been added to increase the efficacy of this group of moisturisers. The water-in-oil emulsions are marketed generally as creams or lotions. They are oil-based products, which trap moisture in the skin by forming an plosive film on the skin surface. This prevents water loss. Some of these products are also called anti-dehydrating creams.

How To Choose Your Moisturiser:
Choosing a moisturiser, which suits your skin type. The proportion of oil in moisturisersvaries according to the type of skin for which the product is formulated. Read the instructions on the label of the products. Products meant for normal skins are water-based and contain little oil. Dry skin products make up for the lack of oil since they contain more oil. Usually they have humectants like glycerin and lactic acid to retain moisture.

Avoid moisturisers on oily skins because they can cause spots. Though oil-free moisturisers with no mineral-oils, vegetable oils or animal fat are available they contain either modified oils or other synthetic ingredients. You may use them on patches of dryness caused due to excess use of anti-pimple creams but don't use them too often. Light non-greasy creams and lotions are also good alternatives. They are effective and competitively priced. When worn under make-up they give a superb finish.

Is It Worth Using A Moisturiser Regularly? Yes. Research proves regular use of a moisturiser benefits your skin by preventing excessive loss of water and against the drying effects of the sun, cold and heat. A moisturiser is a bliss for naturally dry skins. A moisturiser compensates for the deficiencies in the natural oil-film and keeps your skin lubricated making it soft, smooth and looking more youthful.

It also gives a smooth finish to make-up. Light moisturising cream before make-up facilitates smoother application and reduces the risk of dragging the skin. Dermatologists say that moisturisers effectively combat skin dryness and make the skin soft and supple. However presence of ingredients like vitamins, proteins, collagen and hormones in many of the creams is quite doubtful. It is the simple lubricating action of the ingredients in creams, which are beneficial. Using exotic oils istead of ordinary oils won't make the moisturiser any more effective. It will only increase the cost. Certain natural and synthetic substances and humectants may improve the efficacy of moisturisers by increasing the hydration of the skin.