Moisture surge: Choosing the right stuff

The result? Products that not only moisturise more effectively, but help to protect the skin from environmental and free radical damage too.
The science behind the new moisturisers
Most skin-care experts believe that no matter what kind of skin you have — from very dry to combination or oily — you need to guard it against moisture loss. Just because you have an oily skin does not mean you don’t need a moisturiser.  Oil is actually sebum and sebum itself is not a good moisturiser.
Skin care companies usually offer moisturisers in two formulations : creams (for dry skins) and lighter lotions/ gels (for oilier and combination skin. Those with oily skin, however, should stick to one of the many oil-free moisturisers because certain oils my exacerbate acne.  Keep in mind that whatever your skin type, you may use more or less moisturiser depending on the season and climate you live in.
The elimination of heavy mineral oils isn’t the only thing that has changed about the new breed of moisturisers. One reason why they work so well is that many contain ingredients such as lipids and essential fatty acid which are found within the skin’s own cellular structure.
Barrier lipids, which include ceramides, make up about 40 percent of the skin’s outer layer and work together, forming a kind of protective barrier.  They are the glue that hold the skin together so the environment cannot get in and moisture cannot get out.  As we age, we lose lipids and that moisture barrier is weakened which means moisture added to the skin will have a lesser effect.  It’s like pouring water into a basket.
New age moisturisers, use sophisticated ingredient complexes and delivery systems to build up the waterproofing barrier of the skin.
Another class of ingredients added to moisturisers to improve the skin’s appearance comprises alpha and beta hydroxyl acids.
They are not just a craze, they serve an important purpose in skin care. By dissolving the ‘intercellular glue’ between dead skin cells, the not only help reveal smoother skin, but boost the effectiveness of moisturisers as well.  You cannot moisturise the skin by putting cream on dead cells.  You have to exfoliate to remove them first.  Lastly, these natural fruit acids can unclog pores, a benefit for those with oily skins.
Perhaps even more important than ingredients that improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, are protectants that can actually help prevent them.   Many of the latest moisturisers contain antioxidants, such as vitamins B, C and E, beta carotene and grape seed extract, all of which are believed to help prevent the ageing process.
Some moisturisers go a step further, combining vitamins with anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe and protect the skin from environmental damage.
Dermatologists agree that there is underestimating the need for daily UV protectants to help prevent skin damage and recommend the daily use of a product that screens UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 15. And because many daily moisturisers now contain SPFs, it’s easier than ever before for people to get both the protection and the moisturisation they need every day.

Day cream
versus
Night cream
Some multi-purpose moisturisers contain not only sunscreen and antioxidants, but a tint as well, and so double as a sheer foundation.  Obviously, you would want to wear such a product during the day, which brings up the question of whether you need or want different moisturisers for morning and bedtime
 We have moisturisers which are more cosmetically elegant and offer us better moisturising ability during the night.
However, there is evidence to indicate that the skin may be more receptive to the effects of moisturisers at night.  Water loss on the surface of the skin speeds up at night, meaning creams will be better absorbed, the skin does most of its healing, repairing and rejuvenating  during the night when we are asleep.  Night creams are specially formulated to fight the free radicals the skin produces at night (as against the external free radicals that we are subject  to in the day)
What’s more, antioxidants may protect the skin better against daily environmental damage when applied at night because they have an extra eight hours to penetrate the stratum corneum.
Whatever moisturiser you choose from the Clarins range, remember that your needs may change as your skin ages, when you travel, and from season to season.
For a permanent solution, you have to take ownership of your life.  Find out what you want from life and take action
Whether it be your skin or your stress levels.

Chill Out
Laugh — when you laugh, your whole body relaxes and you feel more positive about the world.
Get a massage — massage is enormously relaxing, and also relieves back and neck pain, both of which are physical manifestations of stress.
Take time out — set aside quiet time of 10 to 20 minutes twice daily and focus on correct breathing and a quiet, peaceful mindset.
Get  enough rest — the more tired you are, the less able you are to cope and the more stressed you become.  Refuelling is vital, to both body and skin, and the best way to do that is to get a good night’s sleep.

l For comments or questions and/or if you would like to be added on to our database, contact: missk@zol.co.zw