Chris
- Jul 21, 2019
- 2 min read

Moisturising is Fundamental!

Updated: Jul 23, 2019

What types of ingredients make up a moisturiser?

What makes a moisturiser?

Moisturisers may be called by several different terms such as ointments, creams or lotions. All of these products are mixtures of lipid (fat) and water. The components of any moisturiser can broadly be broken down into the following three categories:

Humectants

Green People - Hydrating Calming Serum

Used to draw in external water and draw-up internal water from the deeper layers of the skin and bind it in the upper layers of the skin (the Stratum Corneum) in order to keep it plump and hydrated. Some common humectants include:

Glycerin
Hyaluronic Acid /Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Urea
Lactic Acid
Seaweed derivatives

Occlusives

Balmonds 100% Natural Skin Salvation Balm

Balmonds - Skin Salvation Balm

These ingredients provide a seal across the top of the skin in order to reduce water loss through evaporation (trans-epidermal water loss or TEWL). Examples of emollients are ingredients like:

Petrolatum
Fatty alcohols like cetyl and stearyl alcohol
Hydrocarbon oils like mineral oil
Silicones
Wax esters like beeswax and lanolin
Vegetable waxes like candelilla, carnauba, and palm kernel

Emollients

Myroo - Skin Boost Serum

Used to soften and smooth the skin surface. Some common emollients include:

Plant Oils
Mineral Oil
Shea Butter
Cocoa Butter
Petrolatum
Fatty Acids (animal oils, including emu, mink, and lanolin)
Triglycerides,
Benzoates,
Myristates
Palmitates
Stearates

In addition moisturisers may contain one or both of the following types of ingredients:

Actives

Lyonsleaf 100% Natural Fragrance Free Beauty Balm

Lyonsleaf - Beauty Balm with Vitamin E

A biologically active ingredient included within a skin care product in order to target a specific skin care need such as; excessive dryness/ oiliness, sun damage, dullness, uneven skin tone etc. Some common actives include:

Anti-oxidants
Ceramides
Vitamin A derivatives such as rentinol
Vitamin C derivatives such as ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Vitamin E (tocopherol)

Sun Protection

Odylique - Natural Sunscreen

An ingredient included within a skin care product with the specific purpose of protecting the skin from damage which may be caused by exposure to sunlight. Some common sun protection ingredients include:

Titanium Dioxide
Zinc Oxide

Here at SKIND we have a great range of moisturisers to cover the categories above all of which are cruelty free and fragrance free. Check them our here.