Is there Hope in that Jar?
Why does buying a new moisturizer which promises amazing results provide some of us with a surge of excitement?! This may go back to one of the pioneers of skincare products, Estee Lauder, who coined the term “Hope in a Jar.” Finding the right moisturizer that suits your skin type may make ALL the difference!
Moisturizers
A basic moisturizer will serve to soothe the skin and allow it to retain
Water. Sounds simple, right? Far from it! Currently, there are a vast amount of moisturizers to choose from, and it can be difficult to pick the right one. Should you pay for a luxury brand, or is there an equivalent “drugstore” brand that is just as effective? Should you focus on anti-aging, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, or just anti-all?? Can adding
Collagen and
Elastin directly to a moisturizer improve the appearance of the skin? How about ingredients such as
sake, caviar, Seaweed, silk Protein, rare botanicals, or even
human foreskin?!
Controversy in Moisturizers!
There are several misconceptions about moisturizers. For instance, some manufacturers claim their over-the-counter products penetrate layers of the skin and eliminate wrinkles. These claims use misleading words or are just plain false.
Most “over-the-counter” products cannot alter the skin. To do so, would require a prescription, such as for
Retin-A or
Renova. Another common misconception is that dry skin causes wrinkles. The
leading cause of wrinkles is due to sun exposure. Moisturizers can improve the appearance of wrinkles by “plumping up” the outer layer of the skin but this may be a “quick fix” without long-term benefits. Finally, a product’s label that states “Dermatologist Approved” or “
Dermatologist Tested” is also misleading. Since there is no industry standard for what those terms imply, who really knows what it means!
Creams vs. Lotions and Favored Ingredients
On dry skin, skin care experts recommend using creams which normally contain more oil than
Water. In terms of oils, Beauty Beat does not like the use of
Mineral Oil in moisturizers. This is an inexpensive addition, and there are higher quality ones to look for including
Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Rose Hip, Grapeseed, Emu, and Sunflower Seed Oil. Beauty Beat is also a huge fan of using
Shea Butter on dry skin. For combination skin, lotions may be a good choice as they typically contain more water than oil. With respect to oily skin, oil-free products that contain humectants work well to improve the skin's ability to retain moisture.
Glycerin, one of the best known humectants used in moisturizers, effectively binds water to the skin. Additionally, an important tip in using a moisturizer is to apply when the skin is damp. This will help retain moisture in the skin and enhance hydration!
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are an important component in anti-aging moisturizers. Antioxidants neutralize Free Radicals which destroy the components of the skin. Free Radicals cause Collagen to break down, and this may result in wrinkling and sagging. Two of Beauty Beat's favorite antioxidants are Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and Green Tea (polyphenol isolates). These antioxidants are most potent in a serum composition. Topical Vitamin C is effective in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid. In this state, it has been shown to help increase collagen synthesis. Beauty Beat advises to look carefully at the ingredients listed on a product. Although “Vitamin C” may be listed as an ingredient, this does not mean it contains L-Ascorbic Acid and may be ineffective. The benefits of Green Tea have also been widely documented as one of the most potent antioxidants “to minimize free radical induced skin damage.”
User Reviews for MOISTURIZER TIPS!
