6 min. read
After cleansing your face, applying a moisturizer helps protect and maintain the skin's barrier function. In this article, discover our dermatologist's advice for choosing a moisturizer suited to your needs.
Dr. Sylvie Peres: During my dermatology studies, I conducted a study for a laboratory on the effectiveness of food supplements for tanning, and the most conclusive result was the need to regularly apply a moisturizer. The signs were very clear; people who did not apply moisturizer showed signs of premature aging. I often use the image of shoe leather; everyone knows that when you polish it regularly, the leather resists better and has much more shine.
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 the cheeks have dry, tight skin, and the central T-zone is hyper-seborrheic, with shinier skin, enlarged pores, and acne lesions.
- In this case, opt for a light formula with sebum-regulating active ingredients.
Discover the combination skin moisturizer
Sensitive skin: This skin is uncomfortable; it feels tight, and it can peel in thinner areas like around the eyes. This type also includes skin prone to redness, with small visible capillaries in delicate areas like the cheekbones or nose.
- Choose a fragrance-free and allergen-free cream.
Discover the sensitive skin moisturizer
Mature skin: As we know, with age, we produce fewer hormones, so the skin thins because it lacks nutrients, and therefore shows fine lines and wrinkles, as well as dehydrated skin.
- Opt for a cream with a global action to combat all factors of skin aging and boost collagen production.
Discover the anti-aging moisturizer
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, to nourish the skin by transporting oxygen, water, vitamins, and nutrients.
THE DERMIS is the middle layer of the skin and also the thickest layer. It contains hair follicles and sebaceous glands (containing sebum), but also fibroblasts responsible for the synthesis of collagen and elastin. These fibers are essential for keeping skin smooth and firm. Their degradation 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 several layers 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 forms a protective barrier and reduces water loss from the body. Keratinocytes are in perpetual renewal, and their cycle lasts approximately one month. With age, this cycle slows down, and the upper cells of the skin can be eliminated with a peeling to restore radiance.
A moisturizer consists of an aqueous phase and an oily phase. The water in the formula evaporates quickly, but oil and fatty substances are the surface moisturizing agents. We recommend using a moisturizer composed of vegetable oils or waxes because these vegetable oils have a great affinity with cell walls and help preserve them. Vegetable oils are very well tolerated by the skin, penetrate easily, and are full of active ingredients necessary for healthy skin (vitamins, Omega 3, Omega 6, antioxidants, phytohormones, mineral salts).
Conversely, mineral oils and silicones, derived from petrochemicals, have no affinity with our living cells and are likely to form an occlusive film, promoting the formation of blackheads and allergic reactions.
Natural ingredients are better recognized and assimilated by the skin. In their natural state, ingredients maintain overall effectiveness, and active principles act in synergy. For example, vitamins act with their co-factors and are therefore less active when synthesized. At Alaena, no chemical contaminants are used during manufacturing, and the process does not generate pollution for the environment.
It is important to be aware of the current state of your skin depending on your cycle but also on seasonal changes. It will therefore be necessary to adapt your moisturizer according to these variations.
Our dermatologist advises opting for a lighter cream in summer and, conversely, in winter, choosing a rich and protective treatment so that the skin can combat the cold. Discover in this article tips for taking care of your skin in winter.
It is important to remember that skin hydration also involves overall body hydration by drinking water. We recommend drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
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