While choosing skin care products, it is advisable you read the ingredients list before making a choice. How many of us actually do that? Even if we do, how many women really know what ingredients to look for?

Moisturizers form an integral part of a skin care regimen. However, because of their complex ingredients, it often becomes confusing to choose one over the other. If you know what moisturizing ingredients to look for, you can skip the confusion and select the best moisturizing products for your skin. Here are some popular and effective moisturizing ingredients that help make your skin soft and hydrated.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

AHAs are potent skin care ingredients that help to remove dead skin cells that build up on the surface and relieve skin dryness. They enhance the exfoliation process of the skin thus revealing fresh and smooth skin cells from underneath. This in turn, helps the skin absorb other active ingredients of skin care products more effectively. This is the reason why AHA-based skin moisturizers are able to sink into the skin and deliver intensive hydration. However, AHAs often tend to increase the skin’s vulnerability to UV damage. Therefore, it is extremely important to wear a sunscreen while using AHA-based skin care products.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are specialized molecules that protect the skin from harmful free radicals and thus prevent skin dryness, skin damage, pigmentation and premature aging. Antioxidants are present in oils and waters contained in moisturizer bases. Moreover, they also help to protect skin cell membranes. Dry skin is extremely vulnerable to environmental damage and therefore benefits greatly from using antioxidants.

Emollients

Emollients are powerful moisturizing ingredients that strengthen the protective barrier of the skin in order to enhance the moisture retention capabilities of the skin. They are also excellent lubricants and therefore are used extensively in skin care products. They actually fill in the spaces between rough, dead cells to achieve a soft, smooth look and feel. Common examples of emollients are lactic acid, shea butter, petrolatum, lanolin, petrolatum, cyclomethicone, dimethicone copolyol, glyceryl stearates and propylene glycol linoleate, silicone, mineral oil and plant oils.

Humectants

Humectants serve to attract moisture from the air into your skin. However, for humectants to sufficiently hydrate the skin, the humidity of the air must be at least 70 percent. If the air doesn’t have enough moisture in it, humectants will be unable to absorb any moisture and therefore fail to hydrate the skin. Humectants are also helpful to soothe skin damage by sun and dehydration. Some of the common humectants used in skin care products are haluronic acid, glycerin, butylene glycol, propylene glycerol, sorbitol, sodium PCA, urea, panthenol and lactic acid.

Occlusives

Occlusives form a thick barrier film over the skin’s outer layers and therefore prevent moisture from evaporating. They are the most effective when applied on damp skin. However, occlusive ingredients are often greasy in texture and tend to clog pores and thus promote acne. Therefore, occlusives are best used by people with extremely dry skin and who rarely tend to break out. Common forms of occlusives include beeswax, caprylic/capric triglycerides, cyclomethicone, hydrogenated castor oil, mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum, silicone, dimethicone and vegetable oils.

Naomi Andrews is a reputed esthetician who has authored several articles about skin care cosmetics products. She believes that by choosing the correct skin care Moisturizer, every woman can get healthy and flawless skin.

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

Shea Butter is the oil from the seed of naturally grown wild shea trees scattered throughout the wooded savanna of West and Central Africa.  Shea Butter has been used for centuries in Africa as a decongestant, an anti-inflammatory for sprains and arthritis, healing cream, lotion for hair and skin care, and cooking oil.  Shea Butter is primarily sold in two forms: raw and refined.  Raw butter uses are generally limited due to the content of free fatty acids which gives bad taste, strong color and odor.  Refined shea butters are used in cosmetics, soaps and cooking.  The refining procedure enhances the recovery of the buttery fatty acids and removes the earthy aroma and the yellow color.  The refined grade of Shea Butter is deodorized and filtered using natural clays to render a butter which is nearly white and odorless, better suited for use in high end cosmetics and skin care products.

Shea Butter melts and absorbs at skin temperatures, making it ideal for skin creams,

moisturizers, emollients, lotions, lip and body balms and soaps.  It has a smooth, creamy texture with no graininess.  Shea Butter is also known as an anti-inflammatory agent.  It is effective in treating: severely dry skin, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, fading scars, wrinkles, acne, blemishes, dark spots, skin discolorations, chapped lips, stretch marks, sunburn, small skin wounds, skin allergies, muscle fatigue, aches and tension.  Shea Butter provides natural UV sun protection, approximately SPF 6.  Shea Butter also enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation.  The protective, anti-aging and moisturizing properties of Shea Butter come from the high natural vitamin A and vitamin E content and its unique fatty acid profile.

Complete Natural Blends

www.completenaturalblends.com

About the Author

Kathy Kafka is the owner of Complete Natural Blends, a company that offers natural products for natural health.

(ArticlesBase SC #779412)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Shea Butter

There are many causes of Xerosis commonly known as dry skin. Frequent bathing or showering with harsh soaps can dry out the skin. In the most severe cases the skin can crack or peel. Dry skin is more frequent and pronounced in the winter because the skin looses it moisture.

The dreaded hangnail is also the result of dry skin. Tearing and ripping at a hangnail can cause bleeding and infection. Instead gently trim the dead skin with a nail clipper and use antibiotic to prevent infection in case of a skin tear.

Emollients and moisturizers help soften and reduce dry skin by replenishing the skin’s natural moisture. They help reduce loss of moisture by providing a barrier of oil on the skin’s surface preventing water loss.

Moisturizers fall into 4 main categories, ointments, oils, lotions, creams. Ointment moisturizers are the most effective but leave a heavy greasy feel. An ointment moisturizer will trap moisture in the skin for example Vaseline petroleum jelly. Cream and lotion moisturizers are of a lighter texture, less greasy and are effective like Eucerin, Nutraderm, and Lubriderm.

Baby Oil is an effective oil moisturizer a bit oily on the skin if not rubbed in thoroughly.

Mustela Bebe Massage Oil

Many lotions include alcohol and may be less effective than ointment and oil moisturizers.

Shea Butter made from the Karite nut tree (Mangifolia Tree) has grown in popularity in recent years. It has been used to moisturize and help to heal burns.

Shea Butter contains vitamins A and E, which help promote healthy skin and reduce wrinkles

L’OCCITANE Shea Butter Body Moisturizer, 100% Pure Organic Shea Butter

Improper nutrition can contribute to dry skin such as insufficient intake of vitamins A and D.

Over or underexposure to sunlight and some medications also play a role in drying out the skin.

Drinking lots of water will help keep the skin hydrated. Physicians recommend 8 glasses a day.

Humidifiers help reduce dry skin caused by air conditioning and central heating.