What To Look For In Lotions

What To Look For In Lotions Related Information:

Skin care is and always has been a booming business. Everyone wants their skin to look and feel as good as possible, and as a result of that this multi-million dollar industry churns out a vast array of different types of creams, ointments and lotions. But how do you know which is the best lotion to suit your skin?

Well, the first thing to do is determine what sort of skin you have. The three main skin types are dry, normal and oily. You may also have combination skin, where it is dry in some areas and oily in others (usually the chin, nose and forehead). Once you have worked out your skin type, you can make a more informed decision with regards to which is the best moisturising lotion for you.

Dry Skin: benefits most from quite heavy moisturizers such as creams, and lotion may be a little on the light side. Cocoa butter, evening primrose and glycerine based moisturizers can prove effective on dry skin.

Oily Skin: can be controlled through the use of a light lotion, as heavy creams will make the problem worse. Some of the ingredients to look out for include cedarwood, clary sage, tea tree, ylang ylang, and geranium.

Combination and Normal Skin: should be moisturized with a light cream or lotion. If you have combination skin, you may need to apply a little extra cream to the drier areas. There are many creams and lotions available for this type of skin.

There are also some basic vitamins and ingredients in skin lotion that you should look out for. These are active ingredients that can help to improve tone and texture of the skin, such as:

• Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) which hydrates skin and gives it a firmer appearance
• AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acid) which can help to remove dead skin and give the skin a fresher look and softer feel
• BHAs (beta-hydroxy acid) such as salicylic acid, which can also help to remove dead skin and improve the look and feel of the skin
• Vitamin B5, which can support natural regeneration of skin

One thing to remember with AHAs and BHAs is that they can make the skin far more sensitive to UV rays, and therefore you should not use them in very hot weather if you are going to be exposed to the sun. They should also be used in conjunction with an effective sunscreen. These acids can also irritate the skin, and should therefore be tested before regular use to ensure that you are not sensitive to them.

If you have sensitive skin you should also opt for lotions that are not fragranced in any way. Perfumed lotions can irritate some skin, particularly on the face. There are plenty of fragrance-free and hypo-allergenic lotions on the market which are ideal for sensitive skin.

Finally, an important thing to look out for in daytime lotions and creams is an effective UV filter or sunscreen. If you are going to be out and about during the daytime, you need to protect your face from the sun and from UV ray, even during the winter months. There are plenty of moisturizers available that have built in filters and sunscreens, enabling you to keep your skin fresh, hydrated and protected.