The Three Pillars of Moisturizer
Ever wonder what’s responsible for giving your moisturizer that velvety smooth feeling? Or how the ingredients come together to work on all different skin types? What’s the difference between thick, pampering moisturizers and thinner, deeply hydrating lotions?
The answer lies in cosmetic chemistry: an art form that involves bringing beneficial ingredients together in ways that are most effective, and also feel pleasant to use.
At Qyral, we’re invested in balancing the three pillars of good moisturizer in order to bring you the best quality product that works in harmony with your skin’s unique needs.
The key elements we bring together are humectants, emollients, occlusives:
- Humectants are the main active ingredient in moisturizer. They’re hydrophilic substances that attract and lock in water, and many are easily absorbed through the skin, helping it to stay hydrated.
- Emollients are softening agents that leave your skin feeling supple and smooth after you’ve applied moisturizer. They work in tandem with humectants to produce the moisturizer effects you love.
- Occlusives are usually waxy or oily compounds that provide a protective barrier to keep all the goodness of your moisturizer locked into your skin.
These three elements work together to produce the moisturizing effect you love, leaving your skin soft, hydrated, and glowing. While there is some overlap between each type of compound, it’s only when they’re brought together that they are at their most effective.
There’s a lot of overlap between these three elements. For example, many humectants (water-attracting substances) have emollient properties that also soften your skin. And emollients in turn are often fatty acid or oil-based, which gives them occlusive properties and helps them lock in moisture.
How these ingredients are combined and used changes how your moisturizer reacts to your skin. Getting the right balance of humectants, emollients, and occlusives for your skin is a scientific and artistic balancing act. Some skin types need more moisture, while others break out if a product contains too much oil. Finding the right combination of elements for each skin type is crucial to getting the most benefit from your moisturizer.
It’s this balance between three key elements that makes a moisturizer work. First you need to attract water and concentrate it on your skin. That’s the job of humectant superstars like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Then you need to keep that water where it is, so it can have time to absorb and really nourish your skin cells. Occlusives such as petroleum jelly lock in moisture by creating a barrier that prevents water loss.
Finally, emollients soften your skin and make it more supple. They add a touch of luxury to moisturizers, which is why they’re usually the main ingredient mentioned on the packaging. Jojoba oil and shea butter are two popular emollients that are used a lot in moisturizer.
When I was working with my awesome team of formulation chemists, dermatologists, and engineers to design and create our products, we wanted to be sure we considered all skin types. We understand that no two skin types are the same and one product can not and does not fit all.
Each skin type requires its own balance of emollients, humectants, and occlusives, and we carefully considered all of them when developing our proprietary algorithm that works with and adjusts to your skin’s unique needs. Qyral balances biology, biocompatible ingredients, and your skin’s chemistry with the help of our innovative technology, creating a customized moisturizer tailored specifically to your skin.
Now that you have learned about the art, beauty, and science involved in formulating the best skincare, visit www.qyral.com to learn how to create your custom formulation!
