An excellent consumer report about how to choose a moisturizer. The article gives some background on how moisturizers are formulated, how they work, and the operation of common active ingredients. A table at the end of this document compares about 75 available moisturizers, classifying them under Face, Hands and Feet. Highly valuable for anyone searching for a moisturizer as part of their daily routine.
Skin Therapy Letter, Volume 10, Number 5, June 2005, Moisturizers: What They Are and a Practical Approach to Product Selection, J. N. Kraft, BSc (Hons) and C. W. Lynde, MD, FRCPC
Abstract: Moisturizers are widely used products that are important in many dermatologic and cosmetic skin therapies. They contain varying combinations of emollients, occlusives, and humectants to achieve their beneficial effects, and there is an overwhelming number of formulations available. To develop a rational approach for prescribing moisturizers, commercially available products can be categorized on the basis of application site.
Key Words: dry skin, emollients, humectants, moisturizers, occlusives
There is a vast array of moisturizers available on the market today and consumer demand for these products is growing. These products range from value brands that provide basic moisturization to luxury therapeutics with claims of anti-aging benefits. A recent US study found that moisturizers are the third most commonly recommended OTC topical skin product (13.4%) behind hydrocortisone (27.6%) and anti-infectives (23.4%)
The article has the following sections:
- What Are Moisturizers?
- How Do Moisturizers Work?
- Emollients
- Occlusives
- Humectants
- Where Are They Used?
- What is the Ideal Moisturizer?
- Formulation Characteristics
The following moisturisers look to be of potential interest to rosacea sufferers. These are listed in the comparison table.
A summary of some Canadian-marketed moisturizing products/active ingredients by sites of use (many of these products are available in the US as well). This list does not profess to be all-inclusive but includes many of the popular brands used by dermatologists in their practices.
- Facial Moisturizer, Active Ingregients
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer (Galderma), Cyclomethicone, glycerin
- Complex 15 Face Cream (Schering Plough), Dimethicone, lecithin
- Dormer 211 Face Cream (Dormer), Hyaluronic acid complex, lecithin
- Dove Sensitive Essentials (Unilever), Petrolatum, mineral oil, dimethicone
- Enydrial (Roc Laboratories), Hypoallergenic base
- Eucerin 5% Facial Cream (Beiersdorf), 5% Urea
- Hydra + Destressant (Roc Laboratories) , Hypoallergenic base
- Hydraphase UV SPF30 (La Roche Posay) , Glycerin, thermal spring water
- Impruv (Stiefel), Glycerin, shea butter, squalene
- Neutrogena Moisture Cream (Johnson and Johnson), Glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum
- Nutrilogie 1 Intensive Care for Dry Skin (Vichy Laboratories), Sphingo-lipid, urea, glycerin
- Nutrilogie 2 Intensive Care for Very Dry Skin (Vichy Laboratories), Sphingo-lipid, urea, beeswax, shea butter
- Oil of Olay Moisture Cream & Oil of Olay Complete All Day Cream (Proctor and Gamble) Hypoallergenic base
- Spectroderm (Glaxo Smith Kline Consumer), Dimethicone, glycerin
- Toleriane Riche Smooth Protective Cream (La Roche Posay), Shea butter, squalene, glycerin
- Toleriane Soothing Protective Care (La Roche Posay), Glycerin, squalene
- Vichy Thermal Fix 1 and 2 (Vichy Laboratories), Filladyn, sunflower oil, glycerin
- Vichy Novadiol Intensive Re-Densifying Care Face and Neck (Vichy Laboratories), Phytocomplex, beeswax, glycerin
12 comments ↓
Which of these moisturizers would be beneficial for aging skin as well as rosacea?
My present moisturizer is being discontinued so I am looking for a replacement. Do you have any samples you could send me. I have sensitive skin as well as rosacea. I need help.
Thanks
Hi Elaine,
Sorry, but I don’t have any samples that I can send you. Hopefully this page can give you some suggestions about what to try. I find the Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser and moisturiser to be mild and works well for me. Many stores will have promotional samples or have good returns policies that will make your moisturiser selection easier.
davidp.
Hi Sheryl,
Most moisturisers that are targetted at reducing ageing can pontentially irritate rosacea symptoms. The only proven way to reduce the signs of ageing is to use a sunscreen. You might even like to try a moisturiser that also contains sunscreen itself.
davidp.
Hi again Sheryl, You might like to try Kinerase, it has been shown to be effective at reducing the visible signs of ageing in rosacea sufferers.
http://rosacea-support.org/topical-kinetin-kinerase-moisturizer-for-anti-aging.html
davidp.
Would the following products contain at least 3% of Dimethione?
Complex 15 Face Cream
Spectroderm
Thanks. christine
I have acne with large pores and rosacea. I take tecacycline about twice a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I use Paula’s Choice Hydrating Treatment Cream and Skin Recovery Moisturizer. I also use Dr. Weil’s Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum.
What is your opinion of these products?
Thanks
Hi Carol,
It’s great to see someone else using Paula’s Choice products. I have her books on cosmetics. Worth checking out what she has to say on many, many cosmetics.
I believe Dr. Weil’s skin care is too harsh for my skin. I had to take one of his products back for refund. Watch your ingredients.
I used to use Paula’s Choice Hydrating treatment Cream and LOVED it. It has no fragrance, is very basic, and didn’t sting when applied. Then I ordered a new tube, tried to use it as I always had normally, and it caused a terrible, stinging, rosacea flare up. Go figure. I contacted the company and they said nothing had changed in the formula. I guess I simply developed a sensitivity to it. I sill use her 2% BHA liquid on my nose and forehead with no ill effects (it is THE best for keeping acne at bay in the winter when I have a hat on all of the time).
I agree regarding Dr. Weil’s products. They were terrible for my skin.
La Roche Posay toleriane products are awesome, especially if you deal with irritating, sensitive skin.
Hi there,
I have tried countless moisturisers including Viche, clarins etc. I am now trying dermalogica at the moment and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be doing any good. I have sensitive and have a few red spots on my left cheek, my nose etc are ok so the cream worked there but I am not sure what to do about my left cheek.
any suggestions??
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