First Commandment: Thou Shalt Moisturise

Moisturising products, which are made to hold water in the skin, often contain humectants and emollients as ingredients. Humectants, such as urea, glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids, work by absorbing water from the air around you. Emollients, such as lanolin, mineral oil or petrolatum, fill in spaces between skin cells to smooth the appearance of rough skin. Look for these ingredients in more than just lotions and creams — cleansing bars, body washes and even deodorants can contain ingredients that moisturise your skin.

No matter whether your skin type is dry, oily or sensitive, you shouldn’t skip the moisturizing step in your skin care routine. Leaving it out might quickly cause redness or flaking, and in time it can allow wrinkles and other aging signs to show up on your skin earlier than they otherwise might. Also, if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, moisturising regularly might help ease some of the irritation.

To get the most out of your moisturizer, first prime your skin. While in the shower, use a loofah or an exfoliating body scrub a few times a week to exfoliate. Removing dead skin cells before adding a moisturizing lotion or cream may help your skin absorb the product and increase hydration [source: Bruno]. Then, within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower, apply lotion to trap the moisture on your skin. By adding this step to your regular routine, you can ditch dry, itchy skin for good.

To ensure your facial skin stays blemish-free, look for moisturizers that are oil-free and noncomedogenic, or designed not to clog pores. Even if you struggle with breakouts, you should still use a moisturizer. In fact, applying a moisturising lotion immediately after a topical acne medication can help to reduce dryness and irritation caused by the medicine. If the medicine is causing itching or stinging, however, then you might try applying the moisturizer first

Babor Skinovage PX Vita Balance Daily Moisturizing Cream combines the exclusive Osmo-Tec with the proven power of Alpine Stem Cells to maintain optimally healthy skin and prevent premature aging. Daily Moisturizing Cream continually hydrates skin for 24 hours, and Vitamin E provides a veil of antioxidant protection to guard against free radical damage.

Features/Benefits:

• Comforts and softens.
• Hydrates for 24 hours.
• Prevents premature aging.
• Boosts skin’s defenses with antioxidants.
• Formulated to enhance efficacy of active ingredients.
• How to use:

Apply to face, neck and décolleté, morning and/or evening, after cleansing.

Active ingredients:

Osmo-Tec – Restores skin’s osmotic balance to improve cells’ ability to receive and process active ingredients.

Alpine Stem Cells – Stimulate and accelerate production of optimally healthy cells.

Hyaluronic Acid – Attracts and binds moisture to skin.

Pomegranate Extract – Rich source of antioxidants; Protects skin from free radical damage.