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Ask the Pharmacist |
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Q) I have such a problem with dry skin this time of year. Which moisturizer should I select? A) The moisturizer aisle at any pharmacy or department store can be an intimidating area due to the sheer volume of options. To help make your choice somewhat easier, here are a couple of considerations that can hopefully help point you in the right direction. The first thing to keep in mind is that the cost of a moisturizer does not necessarily reflect its effectiveness. There are some very helpful moisturizers that won’t break your bank. The second point to consider is your skin type. Moisturizers have differing properties that better suit particular types of skin or skin disorders such as acne. For example, a person with skin that is neither too dry nor oily should select a water-based moisturizer that has a light non-greasy feel and uses ingredients such as cetyl alcohol or dimethicone. For people with dry skin, a heavier oil-based moisturizer that contains urea or propylene glycol can be very beneficial. The oil-based ones have much longer staying power than water-based creams and are therefore more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin. The trade-off is that these oil-based moisturizers are thicker and more difficult to apply and leave a slight “residue” on the skin after they have been applied. For sensitive skin users, it is especially important to select a moisturizer that does not contain fragrances or dyes. For patients with mature skin, a moisturizer that contains petrolatum as a base along with lactic acid or alpha hydroxy acids can be beneficial as they help hold in moisture and prevent flaky, scaly skin.
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To get the most out of your moisturizer, immediately after bathing and “patting” dry your skin, apply the cream to trap in the water on the skin cells. Many people prefer to use two types of moisturizers. They’ll use water-based creams on their face since these are less noticeable and use the heavier oil-based creams on their legs, hands and feet for the extra protection. For more information on this or other health-related questions, contact the pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination. |
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