Aesthetic dermatologists have observed that habitual, daily moisturising over a prolonged period can actually age the skin. This induced ageing occurs because the same fibroblast cells which produce GAGs (the skin's moisturiser) also produce collagen and elastin, which help maintain the skin's elasticity.
Dr. Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of ZO Skin Health, says that using moisturizer could actually be detrimental to skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29.
When you don't use a moisturizer on your body or face, you are likely to see more signs of premature aging. What's happening when the skin gets dry is that it's actually experiencing a low level of inflammation. This ongoing inflammation can lead to a breakdown of collagen. That's bad news for beauty.
Using moisturizers occasionally when needed is acceptable, but to depend upon them to hydrate and calm skin on a daily basis is actually damaging to the skin. With repeated use, moisturizers can make the skin weaker and drier – ultimately impairing the skin's barrier function.
There are lots of dubious claims and mysterious ingredients, but yes, by trapping water, moisturizing can help with dry skin. Dry skin by itself isn't a medical worry, although serious cases can result in cracks and fissures that invite infection and inflammation.
So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin). This improves skin function and exposes the tightly packed plump fresh cells to effectively reflect light and leave the skin glowing.
Some signs you may be over-moisturizing are clogged pores, blackheads, bumpy skin and excess oil.
Some doctors believe that skin is able to maintain a moisture balance on its own when you don't stimulate it with outside hydrators. This comes from the idea that pausing the use of an external moisturiser can retrain the skin to up its natural sebum balance. In this case, skin fasting cannot hurt.
"Your skin has its own mechanisms for hydrating itself, including drawing moisture from your body and from the air," Kerr explained. "But when you apply moisturizer topically, your skin thinks it doesn't need to do its job and stops that process.
Vaseline® has been a fixture in homes for decades. This much-loved product is safe to use on your body and your face. The triple-purified petroleum jelly helps restore the skin and seal in moisture making it ideal for use on the face.
HA can actually make your skin DRIER. Why? Because compared to the environment around you, your skin contains more moisture. So, instead of sucking moisture from the air into your skin, HA pulls moisture from your skin into the air.
When the skin becomes dry or dehydrated, it can accentuate the appearance of lines and wrinkles, making you look older. Even some common anti-aging products can cause skin to become overly dry, so if you're not counteracting this effect with the right moisturizing ingredients, you could be doing your skin a disservice.
Is Vaseline a good moisturizer? According to researchers , petroleum jelly is one of the most effective moisturizers on the market. It works by sitting on top of the skin, where it forms a barrier and prevents water from leaving your skin. Vaseline can be used as an everyday moisturizer for very dry skin.
"When skin is moisturized, it's plumper, smoother, and it looks younger," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Fun fact: Your skin also looks brighter when light can bounce off it more evenly, which'll give you a glow.
For instance, safflower oil, honey, turmeric, white tea, oats, coconut oil, soy, licorice and olive oil are some natural ingredients that are great humectants. They lock in moisture to deeply nourish your skin. At the same time, they are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory which ensures that your skin is rash free.
Body Oil. Instead of moisturizer, you can go all-natural, and choose an organic body oil instead. Oils like sweet almond, argan and coconut are great options in lieu of heavy creams. Body oils can get a bit messy, so apply it after a shower, and allow it to absorb before getting dressed.