Ingredients in Moisturizers

As we all know moisturizing the skin is an important part of skin care regimen after cleansing and toning. There are many different types of moisturizers available in the market that promise youthful skin, so it is very difficult to choose the right one.

Once you know about the ingredients in a moisturizer and which of them are beneficial or harmful for your skin, you can make an informed decision while buying a moisturizer. Another question that people ask is, do moisturizers work? Yes, they most definitely work. Provided that you are using the right one that is most suitable for your skin type.

The main ingredients in a moisturizer are water and oil. The ratio of oil and water present in the moisturizer differentiates one moisturizer from another. People with dry skin should go for a moisturizer that is oil based while those with normal or oily skin should go for a water based one.

Some other moisturizer ingredients that are beneficial for the skin are hyaluronic acid and ceramides which not only help to plump up the skin, giving the appearance of a smooth line free skin, but also retains and draws moisture from the air, keeping the skin hydrated.

Another vital ingredient is neuropeptide that stimulate collagen production and improve texture and tone of the skin. Vitamin C and E are ingredients present in some high-end moisturizers with anti aging properties. Vitamin E helps in cellular regeneration making skin smooth and wrinkle free while Vitamin C improves skin elasticity and collagen production.

You might think known beauty companies avoid using harmful ingredients in moisturizers, considering how expensive some of them are. But sadly, even some of the best facial moisturizers contain harmful ingredients that in the long run would dry up your skin and speed up the aging process. Here is a list of harmful ingredients in a moisturizer for your skin:

• Petroleum Products: Petroleum products like paraffin and mineral oils clogs up the pores causing the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads. It also slows down the development of collagen and regular use of such products causes build up of toxins.

• Parabens: This is a very widely used preservative that is used in moisturizers as well as other skin care products. They disrupt the body's hormonal balance and also adversely affect the adrenal system. Some research has also linked parabens with cancer.

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate: This is also a harmful moisturizer ingredient that is found in hair shampoos too. It can very easily penetrate the skin by breaking down the moisture barrier of the skin. When sodium laureth sulfate combines with some other chemicals found in the moisturizer it turns into nitrosamine which is a carcinogen.

• Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol can inhibit the growth of skin cell and also cause dermatitis. Prolonged use can give rise to skin irritation and kidney and liver abnormalities.

Your moisturizer should contain these ingredients to be effective which will help you to attain smooth skin:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Aloe vera
• Alpha lipoic acid
• Coenzyme Q10
  
  

Some good moisturizers are:

• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer
• La Prairie Skin Caviar
• Chanel Hydramax
• Creme de la Mer
• Hope in a Jar  
• Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer

Always read the label at the back of the moisturizer before purchasing one and do not get taken in by hype and fancy packaging.