Common Terminology for Natural Face Moisturiser

In a youthful society, ageless skin has become a reality.

Many of us are taken in by the allure of exotic ingredients, sold to us via glamorous models and the trappings and trimmings of pretty packaging,

Research has found, the psychological reasons we purchase personal care products, is interestingly far more complex than what is actually in the formulation.

Beautiful skin matters and for good reason – all skin types, oily included – require a daily dose of moisturisation to stay protected and healthy.

Skincare doesn’t have to be really sophisticated or cost the earth to be effective, but we appreciate all the terminology can be confusing

What does non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic even mean anyway?

So let’s get down to basics, and look at these common marketing terms in more detail:

Moisturiser terminology

Anti-ageing: Cosmeceuticals and actives that change the chemistry of the formula to target specific concerns around ageing such as fine line, wrinkles, loose skin, and hyper-pigmentation.

Barrier repair: These specific skin creams contain skin-identical ingredients that alter the penetration of substances such as water and chemicals into the skin. This they do by the interaction of ingredients like ceramides and cholesterol into the skin. A protective, water-repellent film forms on the skin whilst still allowing the skin to breathe, so the normal evaporation of water can take place from the skin.

Fortify barrier repair cream is one such formula, containing the precise ratio of ingredients that match those found within the skin, which are both replenishing and repairing.

Dermatologically tested: In skincare, this is just clever marketing, it means nothing of significance, any company can use the term even if only one dermatologist has tested the product.

Hypo-allergenic: A formula may have reduced amounts of chemicals in it that have an allergenic potential such as fragrance or preservatives. Here at NC we don’t consider this a reliable term and refrain from using it within our company.

Non-comedogenic: This means the ingredients within the formula don’t cause the pores on the face, chest, or back to become blocked and breakout, or develop blackheads. Because we are all about clean beauty and cruelty-free, we don’t test for this in our products as this test is sometimes carried out on rabbits’ ears.

Oil in water emulsion: This is a water-based product, where a small amount of oil is dissolved in water. These products are usually lotions or light creams and dissolve readily into the skin without leaving a greasy film.

SPF: These formulas contain sunscreen ingredients that can be chemical or physical like titanium dioxide.

Therapeutic effect: Restores the natural skin barrier to help the skin heal.

Fragrance-free: No fragrance is used in the product. A masking fragrance is often used to decrease the odour of ingredients in products.

Water in Oil Emulsion: A small amount of water is dissolved in an oil-based product. These formulas are usually heavier creams or balms such as ceramide barrier repair balm and often work as occlusive agents, forming a film on the surface of the skin.

Keen to learn more skincare know how? Our glossary of active ingredients in cosmetic preparations will equip you with more terminology, which is a useful read.

The benefits of moisturisation

• repairing
• increases hydration
• provides protection
• reduces sensitivity
• reduces bacteria on the skin
• treats and prevent dry skin
• keeps an oily shine at bay
• reduces inflammation and irritation within the tissues of the skin
• improves epidermal barrier function and promotes skin healing
• improves the health and function of the epidermis, the skins visible layer

Obviously the results you get, are due to the degree that the particular moisturiser will deliver these goals, and how well it has been formulated, if you would like to learn more about the skin-loving benefits of moisturisation, the following article you may find a useful read.

Key ingredients of a face moisturiser?

So what should be in a face moisturiser?

Your skin naturally contains components and lipids that keep skin supple and hydrated, this is referred to as the natural moisturising factor (NMF).

When the NMF content of our skin is reduced the texture becomes rough, flaking and fine lines appear, impairing the natural barrier.

Therefore it makes sense, that a good face moisturiser should help to keep the structure of our epidermis intact.

Conclusion

Ideally, your moisturiser should contain ingredients that mimic the structure and function of healthy skin, and put back some of the primary elements that help to keep the skin healthy.

The selection of appropriate moisturisers depends on a number of things; including the formulation, ingredients, skin type, and conditions, and the individual requirements of the person.

All of the Naked Chemist products are fully customisable and designed to mimic skin that is healthy with skin-identical ingredients.

Giving you the tools to treat all of your skin requirements on different levels, so you can achieve healthy, youthful skin for many years to come