Tag Archives | moisturizers

The Best Face Moisturizer: Is There Such a Thing?

By Canoe Group on October 27, 2023 in best & worst

It all depends on your skin type.

Have you seen a moisturizer advertised as “the best”? Tread carefully. Skincare products are highly subjective to your skin type. And we’re not talking just Dry or Oily. When choosing our skincare, we should also consider our age, our skin tendencies, our personal skincare goals, our habits, our activities, etc. As always, we highly recommend being self-aware and thinking critically about what you need, not just what looks good in the advertisements or what works for this person or that person. But to get you started, we’ve compiled some guidelines for the basic skin types.

Dry

Those 3pm dry itches don’t lie. If you have dry skin, you need a moisturizer that lasts. But short of lathering yourself up like a grease ball, is there such a moisturizer? There is! Obagi Hydrate Luxe Moisture-Rich Cream is ideal for dry skin that craves moisture.

Oily

Do people with oily skin need a moisturizer? Yes, not as often, but oily (especially acne-prone) skin still needs a moisturizer because as you apply drying products to combat acne (face wash, toner, acne cleansers), your body might try to actually rev up oil production. You need a light moisturizer to keep the oil production in your skin balanced without adding to it. Hyaluronic Marine Moisture Cushion by Dr. Dennis Gross hydrates skin while controlling oil and shine. Look for Noncomedogenic labels on moisturizers, or non-pore clogging. That will be crucial!

Combination

Are you prone to oiliness on your forehead, nose, and chin while the rest of your face runs dry? You probably have combination skin. Similar to oily skin, you should use a light moisturizer. Unlike oily skin, opt for a cleanser that won’t dry out your face with strong amounts of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser, a cleanser that controls the oiliest parts of your skin will leave you with a matte, shine-free finish.

Sensitive

Sensitive skin prone to redness and flare-ups needs a moisturizer to calm the skin. Ideally, a moisturizer with soothing ingredients without any added irritants. NeoStrata Ulta Moisturizing Face Cream moisturizes and gently exfoliates while creating a protective barrier for sensitive skin.

Mature Skin

Age means a decline in our oil production. Sounds great, right? The upside may mean fewer blemishes (although I do know women in their sixties who still get breakouts) but the downside is dryer skin and the wrinkling of our skin (those women in their sixties getting breakouts may grumble, but their skin is still supple and beautiful!). Keep skin ultra-hydrated and use an oil-based moisturizer like Eminence Coconut Age Corrector Moisturizer to help combat wrinkles and signs of aging. Filled with electrolytes, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, this anti-aging moisturizer will help to restore suppleness.

Our skin changes over time. What worked for you a decade ago may not work now. Finding the right products for your skin may seem overwhelming, but finding the best product FOR YOU is possible. Know your own skin.

The 4 Types of Moisturizers

By Skinmedix on February 20, 2013 in beauty, fall/winter

Moisturizers can make a world of difference. Contrary to popular belief, don’t actually add moisturize. Instead, they attract and trap existing water in the skin. A good moisturizer contains humectants, ceramides, and/or emollients that lock water in the outer layer of skin, giving any damaged cells a chance to repair. You skin type and the degree of dryness determines what type of hydrator you will best benefit from. Continue Reading →

Keratosis Pilaris: Coping with “Chicken Skin”

By Skinmedix on August 29, 2012 in Did you know?, skin science

Keratosis Pilaris: How to Cope with "Chicken Skin" - SkinMedix.com Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition that usually affects the thighs, upper arms, and buttocks. Since keratosis pilaris also can affect the face, it’s sometimes mistaken for acne.

Keratosis pilaris results from excess production of keratin, a cream-colored protein. When keratin builds up in hair follicles, it forms hard plugs, resulting in a proliferation of hard white or red bumps the size of a grain of sand. Although these bumps resemble acne, they don’t contain pus but can occasionally become inflamed and itchy. In some cases, keratosis pilaris also appears as dry, rough patches.

The main types of keratosis pilaris include:

Keratosis pilaris rubra, which causes red, inflamed bumps.
Keratosis pilaris alba, which causes rough, bumpy skin with no irritation.
Keratoris pilaris rubra faceii, which causes a red rash on the cheeks.

Also known as “chicken skin” because of its goose-bump-like appearance, keratosis pilaris affects as many as 80 percent of teenagers and about 40 percent of adults. It is more common in women and may be more severe during dry weather. Although it’s not known why excess keratin production occurs, it may be related to heredity. You’re more likely to develop keratosis pilaris if you have a family history of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.

Although keratosis pilaris can be persistent, annoying, and difficult to treat, it usually doesn’t cause pain, itching, or other complications, so it’s considered a benign condition. If you’re concerned about its effect on your appearance, self-care measures can make it less noticeable. If these measures don’t work, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend medical treatments.

Self-Care Strategies for Keratosis Pilaris

Most doctors recommend an initial regimen of intensive moisturizing, which involves application after bathing and reapplication several times a day. Products that may help loosen keratin plugs and soften rough, dry skin include Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash and Glytone Body Lotion, available separately or together in the Glytone Retexturize Keratosis Pilaris Kit. We also recommend Glycolix Elite KP Kit. Others include medicated creams containing ingredients such as:

Urea (Try PCA Skin Hydrating Serum and Topix Replenix All-Trans-Retinol Smoothing Serum 3X).
Alpha hydroxy acids (Try Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel, NeoStrata Problem Dry Skin Cream, and SkinMedica 15% AHA/BHA Face Cream).

Other recommended self-care measures include using humidifiers during dry, winter months. Experts differ on washing techniques. Some recommend soaking in hot baths and vigorous scrubbing of affected areas with a coarse washcloth or stiff brush. But others caution that such measures may irritate skin and worsen the condition.

Although keratosis pilaris can be annoying and persistent, you may be able to wait it out because it often subsides after age 30. If it’s a cosmetic concern, however, self-care measures and medical treatments can minimize the appearance of “chicken skin” and boost your self-confidence when you venture outside the coop!