Skin Moisturizers For Acne:
“Dry skin”, or xerosis, is an extremely common problem, and our society, and its advertising suggest that we have a simple solution – just apply a moisturizer. The marketplace has a great number of products to moisturize the skin and dermatologists divide them into different classes, based on how they work.
These classes include:
- Occlusives
- Humectants
- Emollients
- Protein rejuvenators
What Are Moisturizers?
Moisturizers are bland, oily substances that are applied to the skin by rubbing. They are used to replace natural skin oils to cover tiny fissures in the skin, and to provide a soothing protective film. By doing this, they slow evaporation of the skin’s moisture, thereby improving the appearance and feel of dry and aging skin.
How Do Moisturizers Work?
Traditionally, moisturization was believed to inhibit water loss. Water originates in the deeper skin layers and moves upward to the cells in the stratum corneum, eventually being lost to evaporation. Occlusive moisturization then, prevents the dehydration of the stratum corneum.
Much more is now known about the epidermis, and in particular, the stratum corneum. Dry skin is noted when the moisture content is less than 10%, and there is loss of continuity of the stratum corneum.
Scientifically, the moisturizing treatment involves a 4-step process:
- Repairing the skin barrier
- Increasing water content
- Reducing water loss
- Restoring the skin’s ability to attract, hold and redistribute water
