skin moisturizer
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Good Skin Care Element#3:
 Skin Moisturizer
Your Guide To Care
And Anti Aging Protection

The objective of skin moisturizer is to create a barrier between the skin and the air, temporarily maintaining your skin's natural moisture by keeping the water in the skin (not replacing moisture as you may have thought).

Moisturizing the skin acts to "plump" up the skin giving the appearance of smoother skin. Skin moisturizer can also soothe itchy, aggravated skin and may even have the means to temporarily repair skin damage. 

However, keep in mind if you have oily skin, or acne prone skin, moisturizers can block pores. If your skin is normal, you may not even need skin moisturizer and if it is oily, you very likely don't.

skin moisturizerThe best approach to moisturizing is just enough to effectively accommodate the need.

That may mean skin moisturizer application zones, not entire areas i.e.. around the eyes and at the cheeks. Over moisturizing the skin can cause a variety of problems including clogged pores, skin cell turn over inhibition and irritation, which over time, will cause skin damage and contribute to its structural breakdown.

Protection of the skin from sun exposure is required for all races of people. Yes all. Sun exposure is the primary culprit behind aging skin, wrinkles, pigmentation problems, and most definitely skin cancer (and these negative effects occur in varying degrees depending on your skin color). 

skin moisturizerSunscreen is the only product that can truthfully claim to prevent aging and wrinkles and it should be part of everyone's morning skin care program. 

When To Moisturize:

Skin moisturizer is the last element you apply to your skin; it follows cleansing, toner (if you use them), use of chemical exfoliants and skin lightening products. Since sunscreens are formulated with a moisturizing base, it can play the role of moisturizer too. If however, your skin is dry, apply your moisturizer to those dry areas, and then the sunscreen on top of that.

How To Moisturize:

Using moisturizer will be first of all determined by your skin's type and needs. To refer to the above, apply just enough to effectively meet the need of the skin; soothe dry areas, soften and feel good without being greasy. 

You apply moisturizer after cleansing, toning (if you do it-optional and potentially irritating), and applying chemical exfoliant and/or skin lighteners. It is the last step in a nightly routine, and last in the morning routine if it is also a sunscreen (second last if you use an additional skin moisturizer since the sunscreen is not enough). 

Sparingly apply moisturizer at night by dabbing over the areas needed, not rubbing since it is hard on the skin, and let the moisturizer soak in on its own.

Eye Cream If your skin around the eye area tends to be drier than the rest of your face, it is a good idea to consider a separate eye cream. Other wise, the moisturizer you have for your general facial skin area, can be used around the eyes.

Here is just one of a number of great eye care products out there:

SkinCeuticals Eye Balm

This highly impressive product (extensive long list of great customer reviews) addresses anti aging issues like moisture loss, collagen breakdown, skin damage in addition to puffiness.

Choosing a Facial Moisturizer and/or Daily Sunscreen: 

There are so many amazing moisturizers on the market that offer everything from high SPF, AHAs, BHA, antioxidants (fighters against harmful molecules called free radicals), to vitamins, emollients, and humectants.

There is also a ton of misleading advertising and disappointing products.
Although they may still do a good job moisturizing the skin, they don't deliver the other proposed benefits.

skin moisturizerHere are some skin moisturizer guidelines:

3Step 1 -Choose a skin moisturizer that can support its listed benefits, with proven scientific research. 

3Step 2-The second step is to ensure that your skin needs those proven benefits (ie. an normal to oily skin type does not need a skin moisturizer that is rich in emollients...) 

3Step 3- The third step is to ensure your day time moisturizer has a good SPF. If you don't use moisturizer, you should get an appropriate sunscreen for your skin type. Dermatologists generally recommend a sun protection factor of 15 and effective ingredients like these  titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or avobenzone (parsol 1789), Mexoryl Sx and Tinosorb S.

Note* Although many products contain sunscreen agents, only the above protects against the full UV ray spectrum.

If you need a good skin moisturizer with sunscreen, here are some recommended products with the ideal sunscreen agents:

  • For Normal to Dry and/or Sensitive Skin:

Murad Environmental Shield Essential - C Day Moisture SPF 15

If you just need a good sunscreen, because your skin is normal to oily and a moisturizer isn't needed, here are some recommendations on :

  •  Normal to Oily Skin:

SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 45, Sport

 Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense SPF 30

  •  All Skin types:

Murad APS Oil-Free Sunblock Sheer Tint

B.Kamins, Chemist Sunscreen

If you just need a good skin moisturizer i.e.  night regime or sunscreen used separately, here are some recommended products:

  • Normal to Combination Skin:

  Philosophy "Hope In A Jar" original formula for all skin types

Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizer

  • Normal to Dry AND Dry Skin:

Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme (#1 dermatologist recommended brand for dry skin care)

Philosophy "Hope in a Jar" therapeutic moisturizer for dry sensitive skin

  • Mature Skin:

Dr. Perricone Face Finishing Moisturizer  

SkinCareRx.com (Free Shipping)