Importance of Moisture for Your Skin
The phenomenon of skin moisturizing or skin moistening has always been regarded as one of the vital requirements for the nourishment, repair and growth of the human skin. For the same reason, several products have been manufactured and marketed to increase and retain an optimal quantity of moisture on skin. The following article is intended to highlight the need and importance of moisture for human skin.
What moisture and skin moisture?
The term moisture, by its very definition, refers to the small quantity of water or some other liquid diffused in the form of water vapors, within a solid, or condensed on a surface. When this surface of solid is human skin, the term is referred to as “skin moisture”.
What is skin moisturizing?
Also known as skin moistening, the term “skin moisturizing” refers to the prevention of water loss from the uppermost layers of skin so to ensure repair and replenishment of skin. It is worth mentioning that some people tend to use this term synonymously with the process of “skin hydration” while, in reality, both are different.
It is important to note that this moisture needs to be retained in the outermost or most superficial layer of your skin known as epidermis. The substances that facilitate and take part in this process are known as skin moisturizers.
What is skin hydration?
Unlike skin moisturizing, the process of skin hydration refers to the actual supply or delivery of water to the skin cells for their replenishment.
Some important facts about skin moisturizer
- The quantity of moisture in human skin is inversely proportional to a person’s age. For the same reason, baby’s skin has the greatest amount of moisture.
- The amount of skin moisture tends to decrease dramatically after the age of 25.
- Contrary to the popular belief, oily skin has nothing to do with skin moisturizing. Rather, too oily skin may reduce or adversely affect the proper delivery of moisture to the skin cells.
- As stated above, skin moisturizing is not the same as skin hydration.
- Depending on the type and nature of your skin (e.g. dry, oily, sensitive, normal or mature), you may need a specific type of moisturizer that will work best for you.
How to retain or increase moisture on your skin?
- Drink plenty of clean water (at least 6 to 8 glasses per day).
- Wash your hands and face thoroughly and regularly several times during a day.
- Protect your skin from unnecessary or long exposure to sunlight / UV rays (as it decreases the moisture and accelerates the drying off effect).
- Use a safe, effective and recommended moisturizing cream or lotion.
- Try to avoid wearing excessive or bad quality make up.
- Eat plenty of citrus fruits that are also rich in water and vitamin C.
Benefits and importance of skin moisturizing
- Helps prevent the dryness of your skin.
- Helps slow down the phenomenon of ageing (acts as an anti-aging measure) by reducing, minimizing and preventing the appearance and formation of wrinkles, fine line and premature dead cells.
- Ensures nourishment and repair of skin cells.
- Decreases the risks / chances of skin infection by preventing drying and cracking of skin (which may promote easy entry and accumulation of bacteria and germs through skin).
- Acts as a short-term barrier to the damaged skin cells to repair them.
- A sufficient amount of moisturizer is essential in keeping your skin hydrated. Hydration is the process of accumulation of water in the upper layers of your skin; hence, presence of moisturizer indirectly prevents dehydration and mineral and water depletion from your skin.
- Moisture also increases the elasticity of your skin, making it more young, supple and sensitive.