Through weather elements, sun, cold wind etc and other elements e.g. central heating, air conditioning, excessive use of degreasing products - with age the sebum slowing down the skin looses moisture.  The skin depends on water to keep it supple, soft and resilient.  Moisturisers help maintain natural oil and moisture balance by locking moisture into the tissues offering hydration and protection.

Moisturisers come in many consistencies from a lotion to a heavy cream, made up from water and oil, plus other ingredients.  Also available are day and night creams.  The night creams sometimes being the heavier one.  Normal rule is the drier the skin the heavier the cream, even if used in the evening to re-hydrate the skin.

MOISTURISING LOTIONS:

85 - 90% water and 10 – 15% oil content, lighter and more fluid, ideal for below make-up.

Suitability – Young combination, normal, dehydrated and greasy skin.

MOISTURISING CREAMS:

70 – 85% water and 15 – 30% oil.  Thicker consistency and cannot be poured.

Suitability – Mature and dry skin.

Hypoallergenic moisturisers are available for sensitive skins.  These lotions/creams are screened for sensitising ingredients, e.g. perfume and lanolin, they may also contain soothing properties.

HUMECTANTS:

Some moisturisers may contain humectants.  This is a substance, which attracts moisture from the surround air; this stops the moisturisers from drying out.  There are circumstances when the opposite happens e.g. no moisture in the air, winter when very cold and dry, central heating – the humectant will then draw moisture from the skins surface causing evaporation – thus causing dehydration.

OCCLUSIVES:

Forms a thin protective layer on the skins surface.  Occlusives are made up moisturisers, which help to trap moisture in the skin preventing evaporation.

SPECIAL CREAMS:

Eye, neck, night, nourishing creams and skin food – names to describe moisturising creams make from oils, water and waxes at different proportions, plus other ingredients and created to different textures.

Eye gels – made from gentle herb extracts e.g. cornflower and chamomile and plants.  Grease free – decongestant and tightening effects.

Suitability – eyes prone to puffiness.

Neck creams – water in oil emulsion and may be richer.  Helps prevent crêpey neck if used in moderation.

Suitability – all skin types, as the neck area is drier and sometimes less sensitive.