After cleansing your face, applying a moisturizer helps protect and maintain your skin's barrier function. In this article, discover our dermatologist's advice for choosing a moisturizer that's right for your needs.
Why use moisturizer?
Dr. Sylvie Peres: During my dermatology studies, I conducted a study for a laboratory on the effectiveness of dietary supplements on tanning, and the most convincing result was that it was necessary to regularly apply moisturizer. The signs were very clear; people who did not apply moisturizer had signs of premature aging. I often give the image of shoe leather; everyone knows that when you polish them regularly, the leather resists better and has a much greater shine.
How to choose the right moisturizer?
Understanding your skin type
Combination to oily skin, dry, dehydrated or mature skin, it is important to identify your skin type to meet its needs.
Combination to oily skin: more common in young people, where we will have dry, tight skin on the cheeks and in the central area which is hyper-seborrheic, skin which will be shinier with dilated pores and acne lesions.
- We will then move towards a light formula with sebum-regulating active ingredients
Discover the combination skin moisturizer
Sensitive skin: This type of skin is uncomfortable, tight, and can flake in thinner areas like the eye area. This type includes skin that tends to redden and has small, visible blood vessels in thin areas like the cheekbones or nose.
- We will opt for a cream without allergens or perfume
Discover the sensitive skin moisturizer
Mature skin: We know that with age, we produce fewer hormones, the skin will then become thinner because it will lack nutrients, and will therefore present wrinkles and fine lines but also dehydrated skin.
- We will move towards a cream with global action to act against all the factors of skin aging to boost collagen production
Discover the anti-aging moisturizer
The skin is made up of 3 layers, each with distinct functions.
The hypodermis is the deepest layer. It is made up of fat cells (adipocytes) that support the other two layers of the skin. It is also in the hypodermis that blood vessels originate, nourishing the skin by transporting oxygen, water, vitamins, and nutrients.
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin, but also the thickest layer. It contains hair follicles and sebaceous glands (which contain sebum), as well as fibroblasts responsible for the synthesis of collagen and elastin. These fibers are essential for keeping skin smooth and firm. It is their degradation that leads to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
The EPIDERMIS is the superficial layer of the skin in contact with external aggressions (UV, cold, pollutants). It is a fairly thin layer where our cosmetics are applied. It is made up of a multi-level grid of cells called keratinocytes. These cells are created at the junction with the dermis and then gradually rise to the surface, where they form a layer of dead cells. This layer constitutes a protective barrier and reduces the body's water loss. Keratinocytes are constantly renewed, and their cycle lasts about a month. With age, this cycle slows down; the upper cells of the skin can be eliminated with a peel to restore radiance.
Choose a natural formula made from vegetable oils and waxes
A moisturizer consists of a water phase and an oil phase. The water in the formula evaporates quickly, while the oil and fatty substances are the surface moisturizing agents. We recommend using a moisturizer made with vegetable oils or waxes because these vegetable oils have a high affinity with cell walls and help preserve them. Vegetable oils are very well tolerated by the skin, they penetrate easily and are full of active ingredients necessary for healthy skin (vitamins, Omega 3, Omega 6, antioxidants, phytohormones, mineral salts).
Conversely, mineral and silicone oils, derived from petrochemicals, have no affinity with our living cells and are likely to form an occlusive film promoting the formation of comedones and allergic reactions.
Why choose a natural formula?
Natural ingredients are better recognized and assimilated by the skin. In their natural state, ingredients retain their overall effectiveness; active ingredients act synergistically. For example, vitamins interact with their cofactors and are therefore less active when synthesized. At Alaena, no chemical contaminants are used during manufacturing, and the process does not generate environmental pollution.
Take into account seasons and hormonal variations
It is important to be aware of the current state of your skin based on your cycle but also the changes in seasons. It will therefore be necessary to adapt your moisturizer according to these variations.
Our dermatologist recommends opting for a lighter cream in summer and, conversely, choosing a rich, protective cream in winter so your skin can fight off the cold. Discover tips for taking care of your skin in winter in this article .
It's important to remember that skin hydration also requires overall body hydration by drinking water. We recommend drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.