Moisturizer

Moisturizer:
It is to maintain moisture of your skin.
It is used very routinely by females.
But do you know which moisturizer is the best for you?
I will educate you about the mechanism behind moisturizer...

Types:
1) occlusive
2) humectant 3) emollient

Emollient = occlusive +  humectant

occlusive:
Beeswax, soybean oil
Humectants: urea, sugar, sorbitol.
Emollient: lanolin 

Mechanism:

To prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) from upper most layer of skin 

To  attract water molecules either from environment or from deeper layers of skin

barrier is created by occlusive

Example of occlusive: petroleum  gelly 

Humectants include propylene glycol 

Emollient is just to smooth your skin by preventing curling of keratinocytes and thereby avoiding early exfoliation 

Emollient are used to prevent extra damage to skin during treatment of underlying skin disease like atopic dermatitis.

Natural moisturizing factor has great role in maintaining skin moisture.

Important point: it is not available in any topical preparations. But some cosmetic ingredients can increase NMF levels inside skin.

The occlusive agents are best to combine with steroids or retinoids.