What causes dry skin and what components in skin moisturizers do work?

Dry skin is originated by 2 factors: (I) One is the alteration done to the skin's defensive barrier resulting in an excessive water loss through the skin, and (II) A reduction in the concentration of the skin's water-holding sugar and protein molecules. These molecules are the intricate proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) or carbohydrate molecular chains.

The main organic (i.e. carbon-containing) components of human cells are proteins, lipids, several carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing molecules, and the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). The carbohydrate-containing molecules can be very intricate; those in which carbohydrates are linked to proteins or lipids are known as glycoconjugates. There are 3 main classes of glycoconjugates: glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycolipids.

The word glyco- means "sweet" and refers to monosaccharides or sugars. The role carbohydrates (sugars) play in the generation of energy has been known for years. However, their, crucial role in orchestrating the normal structure and function of the body is a relatively new finding that is the focus of attention of a new blossoming field of science knows as the 'sweet science of glycobiology'.

Several skin moisturizers and emollient solutions sold by cosmetic and skin care companies delay the healing of irritated and injured skin and make the condition worse by inhibiting natural skin repair and increasing skin damage, much as do skin irritants. Simply using occluding creams that include petrolatum and lanolin, which impede water loss, doesn't help. You need a product or ingredient that penetrates the skin and grants true hydration.

Hydrate Dry Skin Naturally

What helps is to shield the skin surface and to stimulate the skin healing process from within. This is done by providing ingredients that help the skin repair itself thoroughly.

Despite many years of sound evidence proving that chemicals degrade the skin's natural defensive function and damage the skin, most if not all moisturizers and emollients sold by major skin care companies contain high concentrations of detergents and detergent-like chemicals. Furthermore, many of the colorants and optical diffusers used to give the feel of healthy skin are also harmful to the skin.

Lipids and fats in the skin supply the epidermal barrier to help prevent water loss. These lipids in the upper skin area known as the stratum corneum are arranged in layers called lamellae. The lower skin layers contain more typical fats such as triglycerides and phospholipids while the superficial layers have more ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids.

Waxes and oils placed on the skin seal the skin's surface and prevent exaggerated water loss. Cosmetic moisturizers loosen the skin's defensive barrier and hydrate (wet) the skin proteins, however, in the end they cause damaging long-term effects.