Lotion, Cream, Emulsion, Serum, Ointment, which is best suited for your skin type? In the market, there is a range of products available which promises a lot of things. But which product suits best to your skin is more important to decide which one to opt for.
The first and most important step before choosing a product is to know your skin type. Until you know the right skin type, you will not be able to attain and sustain the healthy, beautiful skin. Once you know your skin type, you can choose the right product that has both right consistencies and also offer long term benefits to the skin.
Always remember, different products are formulated in different textures or consistencies, and hence, they do not always work well for all the skin types. For example, if the skin type is dry, a heavier consistency or a creamier moisturizer works well.
Creams are semi-solid emulsions containing both lipids and water. They are non-occlusive and less greasy suspensions either of lipid droplets in water or water droplets in lipid. They can be used for acute inflammations and intertriginous areas. They provide a barrier to protect the skin. They help in the retention of moisture. Always keep in mind that dry skin shouts out for extra moisture; hence, the cream always works better for them.
Lotions :- The second consistency is of lotion. The people with oily and combination skin can opt for products with this consistency. The lotion is a liquid formulation generally a simple suspension or solution of medication in water-alcohol or other liquids. They penetrate easily, especially the hairy areas, and leave very little residue. It is advisable to shake the lotion before using it.
Serums :- These are light-weight moisturizers that have the ability to penetrate deeper to deliver active ingredients. They are less hydrating as compared to moisturizing creams but contain a much higher concentration of active ingredients. These work very well for oily and combination skin as they are very light and deliver essential nutrients and potent active ingredients like antioxidants, vitamin c, etc. without any heaviness.
Ointment :- They are semi-solid preparations composed of lipids. They are greasy, occlusive, and do not require preservatives due to low water content. They are used for smooth non-hairy skin and avoided in hairy areas because of the greasiness. They should not be applied to areas like underarms, private parts that are covered and have chances of heavy sweating.
Along with the consistency, it is essential to know how to preserve your products to increase their longevity without hampering the nutrients and active ingredients. Yes, we are talking about the brown bottles and blue bottles.
Have You Ever Wondered why Certain Medicines Are Kept in These Dark-Colored Bottles?
We all are aware of UV light and visible light. Due to different wavelengths, the lights are categorized as UV light and visible light. UV light most commonly affects the integrity of the bottle contents. This light, when absorbed by the contents of the bottle, leads to a breakdown of molecules initiated by the absorption of light photons. This process is called a photochemical reaction. The UV light has higher energy than visible light and often accelerates photodegradation. Not all substances will undergo photochemical reaction when exposed to light, those that do are considered photosensitive, like many multivitamins, hydrogen peroxide, and vitamin C. The color of any object is the frequency of the wavelength that reflects from the object's surface. Amber and brown are a low-intensity, low-frequency hues which block out some frequencies to pass through. So the lower frequencies are effectively blocked, including ultra-violet frequencies. Hence brown/amber is the best color range for blocking harmful UV light. Thus it is necessary to preserve your products accordingly.
Always consult your dermatologist for the best advice on your skin type and to know what product suits best to your skin.
Keep Healthy! Keep Glowing!