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The 4-1-1 on Moisturizers

Winter is nearly over, which means the change in seasons can leave the skin feeling dry and cracked. Adding a daily moisturizer to your skin care routine is the perfect way to combat this. Moisturizers will leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Their effects are proven to fight off skin problems like blemishes and wrinkles. There are a lot of different moisturizers out on the market. A safe rule of thumb is to look for moisturizers with glycerin, ceramides and lactic acid. You should also use different creams for different parts of the body – such as eye creams, face creams, and neck creams. All of these moisturizers are necessary because your skin has different needs for different areas.

Below are a few fan favorites here at Anne Arundel Dermatology:

iSClinical Youth Eye Complex

iSClinical Youth Eye Complex is a breakthrough formula that utilizes advanced technologies to combat the visual signs of aging. This formula is clinically proven to target visual areas of concern. Powerful peptides, key growth factors, and potent antioxidants help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and visibly brighten the under-eye area to keep skin smooth, hydrated and protected all day long.

Benefits

  • Provides penetrating hydration
  • Soothes and brightens the appearance of the under-eye area
  • Reduces the appearance of periorbital fine lines and wrinkles while enhancing the appearance of firmness and elasticity

ZO Intense Eye Cream

ZO Intense Eye Cream is a targeted retinol eye moisturizer that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  In addition, this moisturizer improves overall complexion and texture.

Benefits

  • Helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Optical light diffusers reflect light to minimize imperfections
  • Protects against free radical damage

Colorscience Total Eye™ 3-In-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

Treat your eyes to Total Eye™ 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35. It visibly improves the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, it protects the delicate eye area against photoaging with 100% SPF 35 mineral sunscreen.

Benefits

  • Contains Broad Spectrum (UVA/UVB) SPF 35
  • Brightens the eye area and corrects imperfections to reduce dark circles and puffiness
  • Helps restore skin health with hydration that provides support for sagging skin to enhance the upper eye area

iSClinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion

This intensive, rejuvenating moisturizer is formulated with pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and powerful antioxidants. Reparative Moisture Emulsion helps keep your skin looking and feeling healthy, smooth and protected.

Benefits

  • Helps protect skin from environmental aggressors with Extremozyme® technology
  • Paraben-free & great for all skin types (including oily and sensitive skin)
  • Smooths and hydrates the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

ZO Recovery Crème

ZO Recovery Crème is a retinol crème.  This crème helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while ceramides support hydration and a smoother skin surface.

Benefits

  • Complements skin’s own natural recovery process
  • Calms and soothes irritated skin
  • Helps restore hydration and nourishment to severely dry, dehydrated skin

Colorscience Pep Up™ Collagen Renewal Face & Neck Treatment

Pep Up™ combines a powerful blend of ingredients to help support your skin’s own healthy collagen production. It also defends against visible signs of aging. This treatment will enhance skin texture and tone, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, and provide you with a healthy, rejuvenated look.

Benefits

  • Oil-free, Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic
  • Promotes healthy collagen and elastin production
  • Provides deep hydration + advanced antioxidant support

Colorscience Lip Shine SPF 35

Sun protection, a touch of gloss, and just the right natural color. Colorescience® Lip Shine dresses your smile for every occasion.

Benefits

  • Available in tinted or clear shades
  • Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen
  • Water resistant (40 minutes)

 

Moisturizers are available at our office locations (not all moisturizers are available at all locations). To purchase products or to schedule a skin care consultation to see which products are best for your skin, please visit our website to request an appointment.

How to Find “The One”… Moisturizer

moisturizer

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We could spend all day spouting out the benefits of using a daily moisturizer and even how to apply it. But the fundamental key to reaping the benefits of a regimented skincare routine is finding the right moisturizer for your unique skin, aka: “The one.”  It takes patience and maybe some trial and error, but  the pay-off is fresh, glowing skin that gets noticed.

The first thing you should do when searching for “The One” is  read the first five ingredients. Look for common active ingredients such as lanolin, glycerin or petrolatum. If you are concerned about allergies, choose  glycerin over lanolin. It’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction. We also recommend browsing reputable brands.

Your moisturizer should ALWAYS contain sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to keep skin looking young. Because the skin on your face is much thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your body, protecting it from sun damage is crucial. You should also use a different moisturizer on your face than on your body. If you have sensitive skin, hypoallergenic moisturizers are the best choice. Oily skin  responds best to  a light, oil-free moisturizer. Creamier moisturizers help quench drier skin types. If you have combination skin, use a light moisturizer all over and touch drier patches with a thicker moisturizer.

If you have any questions about your skincare routine or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Misconceptions about Moisturizers

Hydrate! Moisturize! Slather on the lotion! The call for action to protect skin against the damaging and drying effects of winter has been made loud and clear. Dermatologists and skin care professionals urge individuals to “weatherize” skin by incorporating thick, heavy moisturizers into their normal skin care routine.

However, is there a point where skin loses ability to moisturize itself? Additionally, is it possible for skin to be addicted to moisturizers? The physicians of Knoxville Dermatology Group understand the importance of addressing skin care questions such as these.  

Is Your Skin Addicted?!
Chapped and dry lips never seem to go away, even when using lip balm. That is because constantly applying lip balm can reduce the lips ability to moisturize itself. This may be true, but people do not get addicted to skin lotion because the skin on the rest of the body is different than the skin on the lips.  Lip skin is very thin and doesn’t share the same thick, protective stratum cornea layer that the rest of the body has, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Furthermore, lips dry out faster because they lack the sweat and oil glands that provide moisture.

Keep in mind, lip balms are classified as emollients, which work to seal the skin; and body moisturizers are humectants which draw moisture in.

Tip: Make sure to remove dead skin cells with exfoliation before applying balm.  As this prevents flaking and drying, it also triggers new cell growth.

Another misconception is that lotions disrupt the skin’s water barrier with repeated use, thus making skin addicted to moisturizers.

Only irritants (negatively charged agents) can disrupt this protective barrier through the removal of fat and protein structures found in skin.  Moreover, these structures are largely responsible for keeping skin hydrated and smooth.

Tip: Pay attention to skin care products, especially soaps and cleansers that work as irritants as they offset the skin’s natural moisturizers.

Similar to this misconception is the belief that when skin cells get “lazy” and slow down, skin relies on moisturizers for hydration.

Dermatologists recommend using moisturizers because they are designed to help reconstitute some elements of healthy skin lost as a result of drying factors. In other words, a moisturizer with quality ingredients simply replenishes the skin and protects against moisture loss.

As mentioned earlier, products classified as emollients (waxy sealants) are the biggest threat to cell growth. Exfoliation is key to stimulating cell growth because it promotes proper blood circulation and sloughs away dead skin cells.

If you would like further information regarding skin care and/or skin conditions, schedule a consultation with one of our board certified physicians. Call 865.690.9467 today!