Trend Alert: Moisture and shine!

You can successfully battle premature ageing with the help of a good moisuriser. By making this product a part of your daily routine, you can hang on to your looks for longer.

Moisturising ingredients are a person’s first line of defence against premature ageing. A study published a few years back in the British Journal of Dermatology examined the skin of women over eight years. The findings suggested that a woman with dry skin would age by  52 per cent by the time she turns 36, as against just 22 per cent if she had well-hydrated skin.

While emollients such as mineral oil fill in the spaces between the skin’s cells and form a protective layering to prevent water loss, humectants such as glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids absorb water from the atmosphere. Most moisturisers contain some combination of humectants, emollients and other ingredients that together play the dual role of preventing loss of moisture as well as absorbing hydration.

Patients with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis suffer from excessive flaking and drying and need a good dose of daily moisturisers to prevent exacerbation of the condition and to provide some relief from irritation. People often subscribe to the myth that oily skin doesn’t need moisturisers. The truth is, though type and intensity may vary depending upon the skin type, skipping moisturisers can lead to early appearance of wrinkles.

Apart from daily use, it also helps to indulge  in some nourishing treatments. Meet a dermatologist who will suggest the right hydrating procedure to replenish the lost reserves of moisture from your skin. Medi-facials that are conducted under medical supervision also help. They include cleansing, scrubbing and infusion of a cocktail of  nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals into the skin. Based on your skin type,  your dermatologist will personalise these to suit you.

— The writer is an author and aesthetic physician.