The Lowdown on How Lotion Works

As we age, our skin slowly loses its natural moisture. That’s why it’s crucial to find a good, quality body lotion that you can lather on your skin daily. Ever wonder how lotion works to hydrate your skin to leave it soft and smooth? The science behind it is actually quite fascinating. Follow along as we get the lowdown on how lotion works, and how to achieve maximum hydration from your moisturizer.

Learning the layers of your skin

Most people don’t realize that their skin is an actual organ, composed of 3 layers, the hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis. The topmost layer, the dermis, contains sebaceous glands which produce sebum. Sebum is a sort of waxy substance that gives your skin that oily sheen. When sebum builds up on the skin, it can melt your makeup, give you a greasy appearance, and even cause breakouts. 

Unfortunately, factors like hygiene habits, environment, and your choice of products can cause the skin’s natural oils to dry out. What you’re left with is parched skin that cracks and peels with your every movement. This is a good indication that it’s time to pack on the moisture and give your skin a healthy dose of hydration with a lavish lotion of your choosing.  

Why is it important to moisturize?

There are all sorts of things that can impact your skin’s health. Factors like weather, the climate inside your home, the frequency with which you shower, and even the temperature of the water you bathe with can have consequences on your skin. All of these factors can deprive your skin of its natural moisture, in turn causing dryness, redness, itchiness, and irritation. Skin that’s constantly cracked and sore is more prone to infections that can cause long term scarring. 

Like anything, it’s important to listen to your body and learn it’s queues. If you notice that your skin appears a bit ashy, or that areas like your hands, elbows, and feet are beginning to crack or peel, that’s a tell tale sign that your skin is feeling extra thirsty and needs a more hydrating lotion.

Choosing the right lotion for your skin type

To get the most out of your body lotion, it’s important that you choose one formulated for your unique skin type. Fortunately for our readers, Moody Sisters offers a selection of body moisturizers developed to tackle any type of skin. 

Normal Skin

If you’re lucky enough to have normal skin that’s fairly well-balanced, then natural body lotion is perfect for you. Available in a variety of scents there’s something to suit every sniffer. With ingredients like coconut oil, aloe juice, vitamin E, and rose water, this luscious lotion can be used head to toe (excluding your face), and won’t leave that pesky sticky residue like some lotions do. 

Dry Skin

Dry skin sufferers don’t despair! We have a few products for you to choose from to combat dehydrated skin. Our Dry Skin Cream Moisturizer is a must-have in your medicine cabinet, delivering deep moisture to the thirstiest of skin types. Ingredients like shea and cocoa butter, sunflower seed oil, and rosemary leaf extract work together to soothe the skin and provide long lasting hydration that you can count on. 

For more direct application to your driest areas, check out our Dry Skin Body Balm. Packaged in a convenient to carry twist tube, this balm provides instant relief to chapped or peeling skin. Safe to use on any skin type, this salve can be applied to just about anywhere including hands, elbows, knees, lips, cheeks, and even baby bottoms! A range of organic ingredients help to alleviate irritation and restore your skin to it’s natural, glowing state. 

Oily Skin

Those with oily skin won’t likely need something as potent as the Dry Skin Cream Moisturizer, but would better benefit from After Shower Lotion. This lightweight body lotion formula works well for any skin type, will soften and deeply nourish without leaving you greasy.

Combo Skin

Combination skin can be tricky to treat. Individuals with this skin type can take their pick from our lineup of products, as it’s really dependent on what concern you’re trying to tackle at that moment. If you notice your skin is overly oily, we recommend avoiding something that’s too moisture-rich like the lightweight After Shower Lotion. However, if dryness is your dilemma, you can benefit from our hydrating radiant body lotion.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin types should opt for Dry Skin Cream Moisturizer. It’s soothing ingredients are safe enough to use on sensitive skin without causing unwelcome breakouts or irritation. 

Bonus tips for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin

In addition to frequently moisturizing, there are some other simple things you can do at home to keep your skin glowing from the inside out. While there’s no quick fix for healthy skin, a consistent skin care routine combined with these additional steps will help to maximize your efforts. 

Turn down the temp

Keep your thermostat at a reasonable temperature when at home. Running the heat too often can suck the moisture right from your skin without you even noticing.

Bathe with warm water only

There’s nothing like a piping hot shower to soothe the soul. But unfortunately, these high temps are not soothing to the skin. Quite the opposite, in fact. Hot water is a surefire way to strip your skin of it’s natural oils and leave you feeling parched.

Buy a humidifier

Humidifiers are excellent for those times when you can’t help but heat your house. They disperse moisture into the air that will keep your skin from drying out. 

Use mild soaps and detergents

Avoid harsh chemicals, and opt for natural ingredients instead. Things like coconut oil, aloe, and vitamin E are all ingredients to keep an eye out for.