At the most basic level, a moisturizer's purpose is to hydrate and soften the skin. However, your moisturizer serves several other important functions as well. Natural Moisturizing Factor, or NMF, is a naturally occurring human function that maintains, protects and enhances healthy skin function. "As we age, it becomes more and more difficult for the skin to hold onto its NMF and keep it in balance," explains Teresa Stenzel, licnsed esthetician and member of our Esthetics Experts Panel. "Without proper hydration through a daily moisturizer, the skin becomes more vulnerable to attack from environmental and other extrinsic attacks."
Facial moisturizers help hydrate the skin from the outside and also moisturize and protect the deeper layers of the skin transdermally, helping the skin maintain a healthy NMF.
Most moisturizer formulas are generally created to work with a particular skin type and solve the problems associated with that skin type, and the less oil (sebum) the skin produces naturally, the more vulnerable it is to trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). "Moisturizers usually contain ingredients that attract and retain moisture within the skin," adds Stenzel. "They act as an occlusive barrier to replenish moisture and then protect it once absorbed."
Some other benefits your moisturizer can provide:
- Relieves dryness
- Softens and smoothes skin
- Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles
- Balances the skin's water-to-oil levels
- Prevents moisture loss
- Binds water to the skin
- Safeguards against visible irritation
Bioelements
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