They are skin care cosmetics used to moisturize, soften and protect the skin from external factors.
70% of our body is water. 13% of this amount of water is found in the dermis. Our skin has the ability to absorb water. It is very important to provide this function of the skin, which has a hydrolipid structure. The loss of water in the skin causes the skin to dry and crack. As a result, wrinkling occurs on the skin. Biological old age also occurs in this long process.
The structure that keeps the skin flexible and soft is basically water. Dry skin symptoms occur when the water content in the stratum corneum layer falls below 10%. In dry skin, dead cells (keratin) are shed from the Stratum corneum layer, which can be seen as plates and strips. The edges of these strips curl upwards, causing a scaly appearance on the skin. Softening agents fill the gap between the separated layer and give the skin a slippery and smooth appearance.
The rate of water retention or binding of the skin varies from person to person. The water absorption of the skin from the external environment or the water uptake of the skin from the lower layers to the upper layers varies. This difference is one of the reasons why skin types are classified as dry, oily and normal.
Although the stratum corneum is an important layer that prevents water loss from the skin, its protective feature decreases with some external factors such as wind, sunlight, dry hot or dry cold air, skin cleaning with soap and surfactants or contact with organic solvents. Studies have shown that the working speed of the sebum-producing sebaceous glands or the decrease in the amount of sebum are not effective in the formation of dry skin symptoms. From a cosmetic point of view, the reduction of epidermal lipids located between the “Stratum Corneum” cells, which prevents the evaporation of water, is the main cause of skin dryness. These decreased lipids are replaced with the help of moisturizers.
In recent years, with the depletion of the ozone layer, daytime humidifiers that protect from sun rays have started to be preferred. The degree of effectiveness of a sunscreen product is defined by its sun protection factor (SPF). Accordingly, a moisturizer with a high SPF (GKF) has a high protection efficiency. The choice of SPF (GKF) depends on personal characteristics and skin types. A moisturizer with the right sun protection factor should be chosen, taking into account the skin type.
The main functions of humidifiers are:
– Maintaining the existing moisture balance of the skin
– Moisturizing and softening the skin
– To protect the skin against external factors (wind, heat, sun rays, cold, etc.)
– To support the water retention of the skin.
– To make the skin look better and healthier
– To create a base under the make-up
Types of Moisturizing Cosmetics
Gel Moisturizers
They are products with watery and oily gel properties.
Those in the form of aqueous gels contain a high percentage of moisture absorbing substances and are especially used in massage. Due to its moisturizing properties, it only adds water to the skin when used, and has less covering properties. These are especially recommended for use in the summer or for people with oily skin.
Oily gels, on the other hand, prevent the evaporation of moisture from the skin and add oil to the skin. These are products that are suitable for use in winter or for people with dry skin, unlike aqueous gels. Oily gels are emulsions.
Lotion Moisturizers
Transparent/semi-transparent or opaque emulsions and mixtures of transparent appearance in the form of solutions are called lotions. These are fluid products.
Moisturizing lotions in emulsion structure are classified according to their oil content. The oil content of the aqueous oil type varies between 30-50%. These are generally recommended for night use and dry skin type. The oily water type is between 3-40% and these are suitable for daytime use and oily skin type. Recently, there is another group called “oil free” and recommended for oily/acne skin, which contains volatile silicones as oil. When applied to the skin, the silicone evaporates and the feeling of oiliness disappears.
Moisturizing lotions spread very easily on the skin. Some are used for massage, some as under make-up products, and some as hand, foot and body moisturizers.
Cream Moisturizers
Moisturizers in cream form are emulsions. It is not fluent. It has more hiding properties than lotions. They are used to maintain the moisture balance of the skin, to moisturize and soften the skin, as well as as a massage cream and under make-up cream.
The oil content of moisturizing creams in the oily water type varies between 10-85%, and those of the aqueous oil type vary between 20-85%. The watery oil type has more covering properties, but creates a feeling of oiliness and stickiness on the skin.
Application Method
The application method of all moisturizing products is the same. A moisturizer selected in accordance with the skin type is applied on cleansed and toned skin. A sufficient amount is poured from the selected moisturizer to the hand. If the product is packaged in the form of a jar, it is taken in sufficient quantity with the help of a spatula and put into the hand. Equal amounts of product taken from the hand are placed on the forehead, on the nose, cheeks, chin and décolleté. It is fed to the whole skin with circular movements from bottom to top and in the direction of the muscle. While feeding, care should be taken not to put too much pressure on the skin and not to apply the product around the eyes.
Moisturizing products can only be used during the day or both day and night when used for moisturizing, softening and conditioning purposes. If a sunscreen product is also used during the day, it is necessary to apply the moisturizer first and then the sunscreen product. If the skin is oily or prone to oiliness and shine, using sunscreen alone is sufficient for moisturizing the skin.
When moisturizing products are used in massage, they are taken in large amounts. First, they are rubbed together so that the hands are spread all over. It is then applied to the skin with massage.
When they are used to create a base under make-up, they are applied to the cleaned skin and the pores of which are tightened with tonic in the same way. Make-up is continued by applying concealer and foundation over the moisturizer.
Leave feedback about this