What Is a Moisturiser & What Does It Do
It may be considered a basic skincare step, but the benefits of moisturiser are integral to visibly healthy and youthful-looking skin. While it likely features in your skincare routine already, you might not be aware of all the different types, uses and anti-ageing functions of this cornerstone skincare product.
So, what does moisturiser do for skin? Moisturiser does more than just hydrating the skin; there are many benefits of moisturising the body and face and it serves a purpose in routines for every skin type. Excess oiliness, redness and sensitivity in skin and dry skin on the face and body can all be improved through regular moisturiser application.
Ahead, we walk through different types of moisturisers and how you can implement them in your skincare routine for brighter, softer and healthier skin.
What is a moisturiser?
Moisturisers are cream or gel-textured skincare products which contain a blend of humectants and emollients. Humectants are skincare ingredients which draw in moisture from the air and surface layers of skin and retain it – hyaluronic acid and glycerin are a couple of widely known examples. Emollients also help to trap moisture in skin, and aid in softening skin texture through rich hydration.
The benefit of a face moisturiser results from the combination of humectant ingredients and other moisturising agents like ceramides, fatty acids and oils, to protect skin from moisture loss and keep complexions smooth, radiant and soft.
Benefits of moisturiser
By combining the above ingredients, what does moisturiser do for skin? While its hydrating function is obvious, moisturisers can also brighten skin tone, refine texture and reduce the appearance of ageing signs like fine lines and wrinkles
- Strengthens skin moisture barrier
- Addresses signs of ageing in skin
- Provides comfort and helps to reduce sensitivity
The outermost layer of skin acts as a natural shield, called the skin moisture barrier. This barrier is made up of cells and kept together by lipids and fatty acids and works to protect skin from environmental stress. An impaired skin moisture barrier can lead to a higher frequency of blemishes, sensitivity or recurring dryness. All types of moisturisers work to strengthen and help restore the skin moisture barrier.
Sallowed skin, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness and rough textured skin can all result from or be exacerbated by dryness. As we age, we also lose our natural production of moisturising properties like hyaluronic acid. A visible benefit of face moisturiser is the reduced appearance of signs of ageing and improvement of bounce, plumpness and volume in skin
The occurrence of tender sensations, sensitivity, and redness in skin are often due in part to a compromised skin moisture barrier. To be its strongest and healthiest, skin requires optimal hydration.
Types of moisturisers
Different types of moisturisers have different roles in your skincare routine. To know how best to benefit from this skincare step, it’s important to understand the different uses and different application methods of each type. Moisturiser isn’t a one-stop shop – instead, a few variations should hold place in your routine. Searching ‘what is a good moisturiser for my skin type’? Find yours in the range of CeraVe creams below.
Daytime moisturiser
Your AM moisturiser helps to protect against environmental stressors while keeping skin hydrated. Typically lightweight in texture, daytime moisturisers are breathable while supplying skin with important moisture.
In CeraVe’s AM formula, the benefits of face moisturiser also include SPF protection. Ceramides AM Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 15 is developed for all skin types and protects against premature signs of ageing and cell stress. The non-comedogenic formula features three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for bright and balanced skin.
Evening moisturiser
PM moisturisers are usually thicker in texture than their daytime counterparts – this is to support ongoing hydration in skin as you sleep. The benefits of moisturiser in the evening also extend to the rest of your evening routine. Thick-textured evening moisturisers help to seal in the ingredients of your other night time skincare products and take advantage of the reparative skin cell phase that occurs while we sleep.
For dry, sensitive and mild acne-prone skin, Ceramides PM Facial Moisturising Lotion has been formulated without oil or fragrance. Three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and MultiVesicular (MVE) Technology help maintain hydration for 24 hours.
Eye creams
The skin around our eyes presents unique concerns and is also unique in structure. Much thinner than the rest of facial skin, the eye area usually shows signs of ageing first. To address dark circles, eye puffiness and signs of ageing like crow’s feet or sagging skin, specially formulated moisturisers are recommended.
Ceramides Eye Repair Cream for Dark Circles contains concentrated ingredients to support fragile skin. Featuring a marine and botanical complex alongside ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, the formula helps to brighten the entire eye area while providing strengthening moisture.
Body moisturiser
The skin moisture barrier on your body also needs protecting, and the benefits of moisturising the body are just as needed as facial moisturising. To keep the rest of your body – including hands and feet – healthy, hydrated and soft, we recommend opting for supportive and minimal formulas.
Ceramides Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin provides rich cream support for dry to very dry skin. Suitable for both AM and PM use, the formula hydrates intensely with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and MVE technology, without feeling oily or heavy.
Hands experience a high level of contact and exposure to environmental stressors and can therefore feel dry or rough. To comfort hands and provide effective protection, a specially formulated moisturiser is recommended. Reparative Hand Cream is fast-absorbing and packed with glycerin, ceramides and protectant dimethicone. To address dry, rough or bumpy skin on feet, Renewing SA Foot Cream contains gently exfoliating salicylic acid alongside three essential ceramides
Found this article on the benefits of moisturiser helpful? Keep reading to discover the ideal cleanser for dry skin.