There’s no easy way to find the best moisturiser for your skin type. You only have to go online and start searching to see the sheer number of products for sale and the multitude of opinions that people give. ‘Easily the best moisturiser I’ve used’ says one review. ‘Helped control my breakouts’ says another. It’s important to know that what might be right for one individual’s skin might work very differently on another.
I’d like to present you with some facts to help you to make an informed decision as to which moisturiser to opt for, while hopefully helping you to save some money along the way.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to assess a product on its basic ingredients and tell whether it’s right for your skin type.
To help to choose the best moisturiser for you, you first need to know that different moisturisers work in different ways: Some trap water in the skin, some help skin to retain water, some improve the integrity of the skin barrier, some help the skin to attract water, and others boost the functional capabilities of the skin.
Oil, petroleum and lanolin products act by trapping water in, and are called occlusives. Occlusives can leave a greasy sheen on the skin and may cause breakout acne or blocked pores, called milia. So, if you already have acne, an occlusive-based option might not be the best moisturiser for you. Also, occlusives are known to cause allergies and inflammation in the skin, and may even cause long-term harm to the skin, although they can help people with very dry complexions by locking in moisture.
Emollients, in contrast, fill the gaps between the cells, helping the skin to retain water. Most emollients soften the skin and would be the best moisturiser if you have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Humectants, on the other hand, are different to occlusives and emollients. Once applied to your skin, they attract water. If there’s lots of water in the air in your environment, then a humectant-based option might be the ideal option for you. However, in low-humidity environments this means they can draw water from the dermis and actually dry the skin out.
This sets up a wet-dry cycle and an example of a humectant is hyaluronic acid. Once applied, the skin is dampened and it soon feels hydrated. However, as time passes, if the air is dry, the product will attract water from the dermis and sap your skin of moisture. This can make your face feel dry, so you apply more, and the cycle repeats. This means that in a humid environment, a hyaluronic acid-based product would not be the best moisturiser for you.
Other problematic humectants are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). If overused, this range can cause your skin to become thinner, making it more prone to sun damage if used without appropriate sun protection. Furthermore, some acid humectants may strip the skin of its natural lipid barrier, allowing bacteria and toxins from the environment past the skin barrier, causing inflammation and redness.
Occlusives, emollients and humectant moisturisers, (or combinations of them), make our skin feel supple and smooth for a time, but they don’t treat the underlying cause of skin dehydration, which is reduced cell function. Once you’ve worked out which moisturiser is perfect for you, (one that has the right active ingredients), your skin may not dry out, though to keep it healthy and glowing, you may want to consider a treatment to boost how the skin cells work.
At No4 Clinic, my team believes that the best skincare/skin treatment restores cell function to optimal levels, to the stage before they were affected by age-related degeneration. Using a treatment in combination with the best moisturiser for you will mean your skin can be kept looking youthful and radiant.
If the bottom layer of the epidermis is healthy, the cells will renew every 3-4 weeks or so. This means you will most likely have a healthy skin barrier, because when mature epidermal cells die, they release skin protecting lipids. If other cells in the skin are functioning well, (especially our fibroblasts), then this means lots of collagen production is going on, which maintains skin suppleness. Simultaneously, lots of hyaluronic acid production will be happening too and this signals hydrated skin, which will leave it looking plump and glowing!
Even with the best moisturiser, getting your skin to the best it can be is an art and this largely depends how your skin looks and behaves. To really know what product or treatment will improve your skin function, I recommend getting a professional consultation from our resident expert skin therapist, Su Jones. She can look at ways to get your skin in tip-top condition, in conjunction with the best moisturiser for you. Then follow up with myself, Nichola Maasdorp, to see how I can support you with treatments for your skin!
Get in touch today to book a consultation. You can simply fill in a form on the website, call my team on 07595221484 or email [email protected].
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all our latest news and updates!
See you soon!
Many people mistakenly think of Botox and fillers as being one and the same. When clients come to us for an initial consultation, we find that most are unaware that there are clear differences between the two. Because of this, I feel it’s really important that each of our clients are as informed as possible before my team comes to a decision on what’s the best and most appropriate treatment plan. Each treatment works differently and each treatment is used to achieve different aims. Read on to learn more about them!
While it’s true that both Botox and fillers are treatments that are injected into the face, that’s where the similarities end. Botox is used to soften and reduce lines on the face caused by frowning, smiling and other dynamic facial movements. Fillers (or dermal fillers to give them their full name), on the other hand, are quite different. They are used to restore volume or to enhance facial features. Botox is a registered drug, (its generic name being botulinum toxin), and its use is strictly controlled, because it alters the way that muscles respond to nerve signals. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you visited a fully and appropriately trained practitioner if you’re in search of such treatment.
Dermal fillers don’t alter the way in which the body functions, making them distinctly different in this sense. However, you still need suitable qualifications and training to carry out filler treatments, though no prescription is necessary. This has led to a loophole, allowing non-medically trained practitioners to offer them. You can rest assured that the dermal filler treatment at No4 Clinic is carried out by myself and I hold a Level 7 Injectables Qualification for Aesthetic Medicine and I have over 26 years of clinical experience, so you’ll always be in safe hands!
Over the years, I’ve been asked just about every question imaginable, so I thought I’d compile a list of a few that may already be on your mind.
The treatment that suits you is the one that is going to address your concerns best. Sometimes it may be one or the other, but usually an approach that uses both will serve you best.
There are some exceptions to this, but generally, the answer is no. If you’re in your 20s, you shouldn’t need Botox and fillers, as your features will still be youthful. But if you’d like fuller lips or some light jaw-sculpting, then you can achieve this with some discreet dermal fillers.
You may have heard that Botox can be used as a preventative measure, but at No.4, we believe that as a medicine, Botox should only be prescribed when needed.
This depends on how your skin has aged, rather than what your actual age is. If you have aged well and have very little sagging and only moderately deep lines, then Botox and dermal fillers can still be used to help you age positively. Botox and fillers won’t give you the results surgery will, though they can help you reduce the signs of ageing, making you feel more confident.
My team and I would love to work with you to help you reach your goals and discover what treatment is right for you. Maybe get in touch today and book a consultation? You can simply fill in a form on our website, call us on 07595221484 or email [email protected].
To keep in touch with us, don’t forget to follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
See you soon!
