How to Select the Best Face Cream
There are so many types of face cream on the market today that choosing the right one to use can be confusing. There are day creams and night creams, cleansing creams and moisturizing creams, anti-aging creams and sun-block creams; the selection is virtually limitless. This is a partial guide to what certain kinds of face cream are and what these can do for you.
Cold cream was so named because of the feeling of coolness that it leaves on the skin. It serves as a moisturizing cream and a cleansing cream at the same time. It was invented by Galen, a physician who lived in Greece in AD 129 to 200, and is probably the oldest known face cream. Beeswax, essential oils, fragrance, and water are the ingredients of cold cream.
A cleansing face cream removes dirt, make up, and surface residue without drying the skin. It is applied and massaged onto the skin. Some cleansing creams are wiped off and others are rinsed off with water. There are cleansing creams that have granules that stimulate the skin and help in removing surface debris. Cleansing creams are best for dry to normal skin; a cleansing lotion will be better for oily skin.
Moisturizing creams replenish the skin’s natural lipids, thereby keeping skin soft, smooth, and young-looking. This type of face cream must be used daily in order to get the full benefit from its effects, and the skin best suited to it are the normal to dry types. Some moisturizing cream manufacturers offer 2 kinds of moisturizing face cream, one for daytime use and another for night time.
A face cream that contains sun screen or sun block will prevent damage from the sun’s UV rays. Such damage includes sun burn, age spots, and premature wrinkles, all of which make the skin unsightly. Overexposure to UV rays is also known as a primary cause of skin cancer. Regular use of sun screen or sun block creams is highly recommended.
To reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and dark spots, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are often used. AHA and retinol, a form of vitamin that stimulates skin cell renewal, are common ingredients of anti-aging face creams. This kind of face cream will renew the skin’s surface and make it appear more youthful. It has side effects such irritation, blistering, burning, and discoloration of the skin and should therefore be used with caution.
Although most have been extensively tested and are generally safe, any face cream should be tried before use. A small amount applied to the skin, left for 24 to 48 hours, will show what effects the cream has on the individual. A doctor should be consulted in the case of anti-aging creams as these pose greater risk to the skin.
There is a correct type of face cream for each individual’s needs and skin type. The appropriate kind will make skin healthier and more beautiful. Finding it may take some time and effort but will surely be worth the trouble.
Tags: anti cancer and antiaging plant derivatives, men antiaging, antiaging skin care, antiaging antioxidants, best drugstore antiaging cream, latest antiaging procedures