How do I choose a moisturiser for my skin?

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How do I choose a moisturiser for my skin?

Skin protection  |  Understanding Moisturisers  |  Oily skin  |  Usage  |  Benefits

Dalibor Mijaljica profile image

Written by Dalibor Mijaljica BSC, PhD.

Updated on January 03, 2024

While everyone has their own skin type1, the barrier function and structure of the skin, and its importance remains the same for everyone2-4. Our skin is here to protect us, and in return2-4, we need to provide it with appropriate care and give our skin the best moisturiser (and moisturisation/hydration) possible5-7. However, the best moisturiser is not necessarily relative to the price tag associated, it is about choosing the best one for you and your skin. We talked to Dr. Fabrizio Spada about skin and why we need to choose the best moisturiser we can to protect its functions.

Skin protection

How important is it to protect the skin?

The skin is the largest organ that we have and it acts as the interface between our body and the environment2,3. It is involved in temperature regulation, and our immune response to environmental factors2,3, so taking proper care of our skin is very important2-4, and that is why you want appropriate cleansing of the skin to remove dirt and other contaminants from the environment7,8, but you also want to make sure the skin stays healthy and strong by maintaining its hydration5-7.

Understanding Moisturisers

What is a moisturiser and what are it’s key ingredients?

A moisturiser is one of the essentials of daily skin care to help maintain the skin’s natural hydration. Maintaining the skin’s natural hydration helps support barrier function by protecting the skin from various environmental elements  including heat, cold, pollution and wind as well as from irritants and allergens. Therefore, the overall purpose of a moisturiser is to help maintain the skin’s hydration and to help improve its protective role by supporting its barrier structure and function5-7.

How does a moisturiser work to protect the skin?

At Ego we formulate all our moisturisers with what we call a triple moisturising system (containing a combination of emollients, humectants and occlusives) while excluding soap, fragrance, colour, irritants or other ingredients that may trigger skin reactions and irritation7-9. Emollients (for example, paraffinum liquidum, dimethicone) fill in rough gaps between the skin cells and make skin feel smooth but do not affect the overall water content. Humectants (for example, glycerin) sponge up water, drawing it up from the deeper layers of the skin to the skin’s surface. Occlusives/occludents (for example petrolatum) hold water in and create a protective barrier over the skin, slowing the escape of water from the surface of the skin. Together, they create a protective layer on the skin to make sure that the moisture that has been trapped in the skin does not leave the skin, even throughout the day or even through our normal activities that we carry out during the day6,7.

The levels of the ingredients in the triple moisturising system can be adjusted depending on the dryness of the skin. For example, you would be best suited to try QV Cream for regular, everyday skin, but an intensive cream would be more beneficial for “drier” skin. If you have “extremely dry” and cracked skin you may want to move to the QV Intensive Body Moisturiser which has the highest level of the moisturising system ingredients7.

It is very important to remember to have a correct and consistent skin care routine.

Dr. Dalibor Mijaljica

Oily skin

Why would oily skin still need a moisturiser?

Oily skin produces more sebum1,10, a natural emollient that is one of the many substances that comprise the natural moisturising system of the skin. That does not mean that it is the only requirement for healthy skin barrier functions. So, in an addition to an emollient, oily skin can benefit from humectants and occludents as well, the key components of the triple moisturising system. 

Usage

How often should I apply a moisturiser?

It is very important to remember to have a correct and consistent skin care routine. For dry skin, it is important to moisturise at least twice a day7. It is particularly important after cleansing. For example, washing with water alone can adversely affect the skin by removing some of the skin’s protective oils, making it more susceptible to dryness. Therefore, applying a moisturiser at least twice a day is the recommendation to avoid dryness in the skin7.

Benefits

Why use a body wash and body cream?

Although the skin has different thicknesses2,11,12 throughout the body, the structure and function are still the same2,3. It is still important to maintain the internal hydration and make sure it is not lost throughout the day because of our daily activities. So, it’s ideal to have a dedicated product for the body in terms of cleansing and removing dirt or contaminants from the environment7-9, and to preserve the hydration by adding an appropriate body moisturiser6,7.

For example if you are concerned with sensitive skin, QV Gentle Wash and QV Wash are perfectly formulated for that kind of skin. But if you are concerned with particularly sensitive or cracked skin, you might want to use QV Bath Oil which still provides adequate cleansing and removal of possible contaminants, but is very high in emollients to preserve the moisturisation in the skin, even at that level of dryness.

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References

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2. Kolarsick PAJ, Kolarsick MA, Goodwin C. Anatomy and physiology of the skin. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2011; 3(4):203–213.

3. Lawton S. Skin 1: the structure and functions of the skin. Nursing Times [online]. 2019;115(12):30–33.

4. Abdo JM, Sopko NA, Milner SM. The applied anatomy of human skin: a model for regeneration. Wound Medicine. 2020; 28:100179.

5. Lodén M. Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003; 4(11):771–788.

6. Kraft JN, Lynde CV. Moisturizers: What they are and a practical approach to product selection. Skin Therapy Letter. 2005; 10(5).

7. Greive K. Cleansers and moisturisers: the basics. Wound Practice and Research. 2015; 23(2):76–81. 

8. Mijaljica D, Spada F, Harrison IP. Skin cleansing without or with compromise: soaps and syndets. Molecules. 2022; 27(6):2010.

9. Lawton S. Selecting and applying emollients to manage dry skin conditions. Nursing Times [online]. 2020; 116(11):38–40.

10. Endly DC, Miller RA. Oily skin: a review of treatment options. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017; 10(8):49–55.

11. Robertson K, Rees JL. Variation in epidermal morphology in human skin at different body sites as measured by reflectance confocal microscopy. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010; 90(4):368–373.

12. Lintzeri DA, Karimian N, Blume-Peytavi U, Kottner J. Epidermal thickness in healthy humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022; 36(8):1191–1200.