To answer the question on what are the best aging skin moisturizers, we may look into the numerous competing cosmetic products and their relative market performance and popularity.
Among the consumer favorites are products based on petrolatum and mineral oils. Most cosmetic products contain considerable amounts of petrolatum and mineral oils that has an effect of locking in moisture right after a bath or shower and before drying off.
The truth is, these two ingredients are not actually moisturizers and when used on a long and continuous basis, they may prove to be risky and hazardous to the human skin.
Continuous exposure of the skin to petrolatum and mineral oil possess risks of clogging the skin pores. When we accumulate their long term effects, results may be in contrast to what they have originally purported for, that is, they may contribute to excessive drying of the skin since they are essentially petroleum based.
Paraffin wax is also a prevalent ingredient of most aging skin moisturizers including lipsticks. Paraffin wax may be beneficial in providing defense against wind damage yet, it is not that ideal moisturizing agent as well.
With the numerous medical and health care studies, cosmetic companies are now getting much more conscious and have introduced relatively new ingredients. One of the examples is Glycerin, which can be derived from any kind of fat or triglyceride. Protein compounds called keratins have also been observed to be able to maintain skin’s moisture and retain water; they absorb water from perspiration, from bath, or from the air when the atmosphere is humid.
Though these ingredients are much more efficient compared to the conventional petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin wax, the best aging skin moisturizers need more than these set of ingredients, besides these, oil ingredients should be very similar on a molecular level to the skin’s own sebum or natural oil.
The skin’s sebum is essentially composed of essential fats and proteins like collagen and elastin. As we all know, collagen provides volume and fills in the gaps between the skin surface which we commonly refer to as line and wrinkles and all other signs of aging.
To achieve the best results for the skin, ingredients of ideal aging skin moisturizers should be as natural as possible. It does not necessarily contain collagen and elastin, but the essential fats and oils they contain should promote the healthy growth and production of new collagen and elastin supply for the skin.
Whenever possible, your choice of aging skin moisturizers should be free from known allergens and irritants or those chemicals that are identified by your doctor to act as such, since as we age, our skin becomes more delicate and easily becoming prone to damage.
Layers are becoming thinner and the cell turnover rate is also becoming slower. Certainly nothing beats the best choice of natural skin moisturizers that are free of artificial preservatives, fragrances and colors.
Visit my website for more information on aging skin moisturizers, where I also explain exactly what kinds of ingredients to avoid and also what kinds any aging skin moisturizer should contain.