Many people incorrectly assume that all moisturisers currently on the shop shelf are more of less identical. The same ingredients, mixed and blended in a similar way. The same thickness. The same consistency.
Actually, these assumptions are not only erroneous, but they can also lead to unnecessary inconvenience and needless on-going dry skin problems.
Skin care moisturisers have different enhancement properties from brand to brand, and for sound reasons. It would be practically economically non-viable to design and manufacture a moisturising product that was perfect for every circumstance and every skin type. There is simply not a “one size fits all” solution when it comes to skin care.
The human race comes in a variety of genetic backgrounds and skin types. What may be best suited for one person will certainly not be the best solution for someone else with a different background or genetic makeup.
Also, each one of us has our own individual health circumstances.
Treating contact dermatitis is just one common skin problem.
Employment conditions and situations will be different from person to person. A person employed in a factory with dusty, warm air will have very different skin moisturising needs to someone else who spends their working day out of doors engaged in a horticultural pursuit.
Even the changing weather conditions that naturally cycles from spring to summer and then from autumn to winter will effect when to use different moisturising products. A moisturiser that is formulated to be suitable for the warmer months of the year is most probably not the most appropriate moisturising barrier cream to use when the autumn gives way to the winter.
When looking to buy a moisturiser you you need to be aware that they are broadly divided into three groupings. Namely, creams, lotions and the more innovative mousse. So what are the main differences of these three main groupings?
Cream based formulations are dominated by their chief ingredient, which is petroleum jelly.
Petroleum jelly comes from the nineteenth century oil wells of the United States. Later, perhaps in an attempt to hide its origins, it was given the name Vaseline. This derives from the sticky waste product, rod wax, that congeals at the top of the pump rods in 19th century oil wells, adversely effecting their operation. This very same rod wax was the foundation of a barrier cream that was first patented by British chemist Robert Chesebrough in 1872. At the time Chesebrough believed that his new product was something of a wonder “cure all”, advising that it should be ingested regularly to protect against all kinds of diseases and ailments. The name Vaseline was used because, in the course of his experimentation with rod wax, Robert Chesebrough stored the various formulations in decorative vases. Hence, “vase - line” - “elaion” is the etymological Greek root for “oil”.
This petroleum jelly is responsible for making most creams thick and sticky. Whilst giving a substantial coating for your skin, cream based-products may not be convenient to use, especially on the hands, as they can leave your skin slippery. Thick cream products may also block the skin pores. These characteristics also make the use of thick moisturising barrier creams problematical on areas of skin that displays symptoms of acne. Heavy barrier creams used on the hands can also prove to be problematic if your occupation calls for the wearing of gloves for extended periods.
Heavy moisturising barrier creams are usually cited as being more suitable for winter use.
Lotions, on the other hand, have little or no petroleum jelly at all. This gives them a consistency that is lighter and easier to rub onto your skin. Apart from water, their chief ingredient will usually be an oil such as Sunflower or Olive oil. Indeed, recordings detailing Olive oil as a extract used in the realms of skin care goes back more than five thousand years. It was certainly used by the early Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for a variety of purposes.
Perhaps the chief downside of using a lotion is that, after application, a general feeling of stickiness often continues for a prolonged time. The high oil content can be slow to dry and this leaves many people with an unpleasant slimy feeling. Further, people with naturally oily skin may find that they do not want to add yet even more oil to their skin’s surface.
Lotion moisturising creams tend to be used for the warmer months of the year. See this skin care video for an illustration of skin ailments.
The introduction of mousse formulated products in the realm of skin care and enhancing occurred relatively recently. Many believe that mousse products will eventually supersede traditional creams and lotions. By their very nature, mousse products are light to the touch and take little effort to apply. A mouse formulation will also spread much easier and evenly over your skin. For this reason, much less is needed per application. This results in your epidermis being able to breathe naturally and perspire normally. People with dry skin, or skin that is sore or chapped may also find that a mousse is less painful to apply as it does not need vigorous rubbing in.
On the negative side, most mousses come as aerosols which has traditionally received a bad press as they were linked to ozone destroying CFC chemicals - although this is no longer the case. Further, aerosols usually employ Butane as a delivery agent and this has been connected to the issue of teenage substance abuse.
Mousse moisturising formulations have been found to be suitable for all year use.
Whatever your choice of moisturiser, remember to use it regularly and consistently. Your skin will love you for it.
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