Dry skin is very common in children and adults alike. There are many factors that may cause excessive dryness of the skin ranging from genetics, to environment to skin care routine and products. In today's post I will talk about 5 top classic moisturizers for dry skin. The products are not listed in any particular order.
The skin is the largest single organ on the body and the main function of the skin is to serve as a barrier protecting the body from the harsh influences from the environment. So now forget about the shade of your skin color. Protection is the main function of the skin. The skin also has mechanisms of keeping us warm or cooling us down when it's hot. The skin is made up of multiple layers : epidermis, which is the outermost layer, dermis, the mid layer and endodermis, the innermost layer. Now, I will not go into the details of all the anatomy but there is an essential gland (sebaceous gland) located in the dermis that produces sebum, oil that naturally moisturize the skin. In some people this gland does not function properly thus the skin has a tendency to dry up quickly. In some other people, the ability to retain moisture is compromised causing dry and flaky skin.
How can you tell that your skin or your child's skin is dry? It will be rough, itchy and dull in color. Sometimes it appears red with visible fine lines and cracks. I have tried many moisturizers for my skin and for my children. Below is a list of the special features and characteristics of the 5 top classic moisturizers of my choice, based on my experience. If you have options to choose between product formulations, creams, butters and ointments are better than lotions because they are thicker and are able to seal in the moisture for a longer term.
1) Cerave: the main feature of Cerave is that it contains ceramides which are waxy lipids normally found in the cell membranes. Ceramides fortify the skin and increase the ability of the skin to serve its protective barrier function.
2) Cetaphil: is a non-greasy moisturizer that contains emollients and humectants that bind water to the skin, thereby preventing moisture loss from the skin. Cetaphil is non-comedogenic and fragrance free and thus safe for sensitive skin
3) Glaxal base: this hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic creamy base is commonly used in compounding medicated creams, but it also works well when used alone.
4) Vaseline: sometimes there is nothing better than the classic vaseline. Now I know some people will come at me that they do not want to use petrolatum on their skin. But the main thing Vaseline does is to seal in the moisture and serve as a barrier to protect the skin. The downside is that it may make the skin feel sticky. If you prefer, Vaseline also has a water-based products.
5) Aquaphor: is also a petrolatum-based product that is used in compounding smooth and stable emulsions. It works by forming a protective barrier that prevents excessive moisture loss. The difference between vaseline and aquaphor is that while vaseline contains 100% petrolatum, aquaphor contains about 41% petrolatum along with other ingredients such as lanolin and glycerin.
Whichever moisturizer you choose to protect your delicate body coat, be
sure to put it on within 6 minutes of getting out of the shower. This ensures that the moisture (which is water) is trapped within your skin to give it a lustrous and healthy look. If after trying any of these products and there is no significant change, please contact your dermatologist.
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