Three Ingredients to Look For When Buying a Moisturiser
Hydrating, soothing creams that will restore your skin to health.
Yes, it’s true, most moisturisers are a blend of oil and water, but don’t believe the sceptics who say that that’s all they are. They also include clever ingredients designed to help do all manner of things, from soothing irritation, to helping attract water to the skin. Don’t worry, this isn’t about blinding you with science—here’s a quick guide to three ingredients you might want to keep an eye out for.
Ceramides—you might not have heard of them but they are a type of lipid (or fat) that occurs naturally in the skin and they’re particularly important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function. Irritation and inflammation can mean your own ceramides need a bit of artificial help, and that’s where a ceramide-containing moisturiser comes in.
Who knew your breakfast cereal could be so good for the skin? But it’s true, oats have anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties that are great for soothing skin suffering from skin irritations, and it’s an ingredient that can usually be tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.
Hyaluronic acid (or HA) might sound scary but again, it’s something that occurs naturally in your skin. Think of it as a tiny but might sponge that can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. In skincare, that translates to an ingredient that can attract moisture to the skin, helping to plump it up and give it that healthy, dewy glow.
