Most of us find that as we age we require some type of moisturizer or a hydrator. Even those of you with oily skin will still benefit with a light moisturizer to maintain your skin at its optimum condition. Moisturizers work as a protective sealant to protect your skin against the harsh elements of the environment while keeping ones skin natural moisture in. Exposure to the outside elements, excessive use of degreasing products as well as decrease sebum production with age all make the skin seem dryer with age. Menopause also adds to the dryness of the skin.

So what is the difference between a moisturizer and a hydrator? The presence of an oil in the formulation defines a moisturizer as separate from a hydrator.

Moisturizers consist either of an oil in water formula or a water in oil formula. They may come as a crème, as a lotion or as a serum.

The oil in water emulsions are the lighter of the two and usually found in day lotions. The water in oil emulsions are heavier and often found in night treatments and creams.

The function of a moisturizer is to prevent loss of moisture in the skin.

A hydrator’s function is to add moisture back into the skin. These are best with patients with oily or normal skin. Remember it is possible and often likely that patients with oily skin are actually also dehydrated. Alcohol based cleansers, exfoliants, and other degreasing treatments can strip ones skin of the bodies natural water.

I believe every skin type benefits from some type of moisturizer or hydrator, the trick is finding the right one. By far the best hydrator available today is hyaluronic acid.

Sodium Hyaluronate, commonly known as Hyaluronic Acid, is the key water holding substance in human skin and plays a pivotal role in the appearance and texture of the skin. Clinical studies have demonstrated that aging skin has lower levels of Hyaluronic Acid than younger skin. During the aging process, the skin tissue becomes dehydrated resulting in dull, lackluster skin which shows fine lines and wrinkles. Keep in mind dryness alone doesn’t promote wrinkles and fine lines it just makes them more visible.

So we know we need to replace Hylauronic acid as we age to maintain optimal hydration however it isn’t that easy. Your skin is hydrophobic and lypophilic. This means your skin repels water and only allows oils to pass through the skins barrier. Skin care products containing this substance are often used in conjunction with vitamin C products to assist in effective penetration or combine the new nanosome technology now available to aid in penetration.

Hyalogy P-Essence beauty serum and  Hyalis from the Neocutis line both contain the highest percentage of Hyaluronic acid (1%). P-Essence Beauty Serum, the essentiel step in the Hyalogy skin care program, contains hyaluronic acid molecules small enough to actually penetrate the epidermal intercellular spaces. This nanotechnology delivery replenishes moisture much deeper than conventional hyaluronic acid. La Roche Posay number one active ingredient in their Hydraphase line is Water! This entire line is based on their unique thermal spring water. Meso esthetic offers a Mask1 and 2. Mask 1 is a truly moisturizing mask with it mechanism of action being in a protective silicone oil. Remember even with scar treatment silicone is the first line to healing because it keeps moisture in and allows your scar to heal in a hydrated environment. Also look for sunflower oil and a combination of antioxidants in many of the following lines: Mesoesthetic, Skinmedica. Some lines include growth factors (Neocutis, Skinmedica and Jan Marini) and still others contain antioxidants (Skinmedica, Neocutis, Prevage Mesoestetic). If you are recovering from a peel or use a heavy glycolic at home you may need a true moisturizer to aid in skin healing (MesoEstetic Hydra Vital K) at least for the first week or so. No moisturizer or hydrant should ever be irritating and hopefully you will find one from our picks that does double duty.