Moisturizing, Is it worth it?
who, what, when, Why and how
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Who needs to moisturize?
Simply put, EVERYONE! Daily moisturizing is vital for healthy skin, yet some think of it as an aesthetically-inclined habit. Our skin is the body’s largest organ and requires regular attention to stay supple, blemish-free and healthy. My big brother is a non believer. He believes he doesn’t need to moisturize. He goes so far as to brag that he doesn’t need moisturizer. Though that may be true for now, over time one will begin to see the effects of neglect. Just in case you are a non believer like him, here are a few reasons to moisturize:
Why you should moisturize?
10 Reasons to moisturize your Skin
Prevents dry skin
Maintains healthy glowing skin
Prevents the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes
Reduces the chances of skin conditions
Controls the symptoms of illness
Maintains elasticity
Fights breakouts
Protect sensitive skin
Helps you to relax
Smooths calluses
Moisturizer serves many purposes in our lives. We mainly focus on the benefits to skin appearance. While other may need it for esthetics, there are millions of people suffering from health conditions with symptoms of dry skin. Dry skin can bring pain and discomfort. I have family members battling diabetes. Dry skin is a big complaint specifically their feet. Diabetes makes you more likely to get a wide range of skin problems. When your blood glucose levels are high, it can pull moisture from your skin causing dry and itchy skin. Skin that's too dry can crack, itch, and get infected.
What moisturizer to use?
The basic function of a moisturizer is to help prevent dehydration and damage. Regular moisturizing should be a part of any good skin care regimen, but some products are better than others. Choose an emollient rich products that contains plenty of vitamins for daily use. As mentioned above, moisturizing can help maintain elasticity. Elasticity is what keeps your skin tight and pliable. Products rich with antioxidants, vitamin C, zinc and/or ginseng would be a great option for maintaining elasticity.
These ingredients have been linked to drying skin and other issues. You can find more information here or via WebMd article
It is also important to read and research the ingredients prior to purchase and applying to your skin. It is recommended to swamp out the products with harsh chemicals and skin drying ingredients for natural alternatives. Try products that contains natural or organic oils and butters avoiding products with parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
When should you moisturize?
When a quality moisturizer is applied correctly, your skin can receive long lasting benefits. I hated to apply lotion to my skin only to feel dry moments later. I assumed the issue was an inferior product. Well, the problem didn’t stop at the product. It was also How and When I was applying my moisturizer.
The best times to use moisturizer are after a bath, shave or exfoliation. Moisturizing after a shower is very important because hot water strips all the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it dehydrated. Though hot water is relaxing, it also wreaks havoc on your skin. Applying moisturizer after shaving or exfoliating prevents skin irritation. Below are a few steps that should help you maximize moisture retention for your skin.
How to properly moisturize your skin?
Cleanse & Hydrate - Take a refreshing shower or bath with lukewarm water. Avoid stripping your important oils, cleanse your skin in hair using lukewarm water.
Pat Dry - Pat dry your skin to eliminate excess water. Do a final rinse in cool water to close pores
Apply Natural Moisturizer- Apply moisturizer like Charlie Renee’s Body Butter or Body Oil, to damp skin. Applying moisturizer while the skin is damp helps the skin to absorb the product more readily & the chance to lock in that hydration
If you try the methods above, please leave a comment and let us know you it worked for you!