NH July2022

NATURAL Beauty
Dr Tee Shwu Hoon
Consultant Dermatologist
Columbia Asia Hospital – Puchong
How Moisturisers Keep Our
Skin Soft
How exactly does moisturiser work to
ensure our skin is sufficiently hydrated?
Dr Tee explains: “Moisturising improves
skin hydration and increases the water
content of the outermost skin layer by
directly providing water to the skin,
increasing occlusion to reduce the
water loss from the skin surface. It also
covers small skin fissures, provides a
soothing protective film and protects
skin from friction.”
The common ingredients in
moisturisers are humectants,
emollients, and occlusive, as well as
barrier-repair ingredients. The roles
they serve are different:
• Emollients like long-chain fatty acids
fill in cracks and roughness between
skin cells so that the skin feels smooth
• Humectants such as urea and
glycerine attract and bind water from
the deeper skin and atmosphere into
the outermost skin layer
• Occlusives like white petrolatum
form a protective seal over the skin
to prevent water loss.
• Barrier-repair ingredients like
ceramides, cholesterol, and free
fatty acids replace natural fats that
may be missing between skin cells,
helping the outer skin layer
function optimally.
“A good moisturiser should contain
zero or the least amount of ingredients
or additives such as preservatives,
fragrances, and colourings that might
cause skin irritation or allergy.
Examples of adverse reactions from
using lower quality moisturisers are
allergic contact dermatitis, acne and
folliculitis, photosensitivity and
urticaria,” Dr Tee advises.
Quality moisturisers:
• should be made from non-toxic,
safe, gentle, hypoallergenic,
non-irritant ingredients that do not
cause harm to your body
• contain hydrating skincare
ingredients
• dermatologically tested and safe
• made up of components that will
maintain the skin’s neutral pH
balance
• affordable for consumers and
patients in need
Cream, Lotion, or Gel?
Moisturisers are also available in
different formulations, including
ointment, cream, lotion and gel.
Selecting the right type depends on
multiple factors like skin types (oily,
normal, or dry), application sites, time
of application, existing skin diseases
and others.
“Thick creams, which have a low water
content, or ointments with zero water
content, are generally recommended
for severely dry skin, but some people
may complain that they are greasy.
Lotions are non-greasy, lighter and
can easily spread out to cover
large areas, but can be less
effective than ointment in
overcoming extreme skin
dryness,” she says.
10 Natural Health * July 2022 VOL 128