What Does Moisturiser Actually Do?
Your skin is your body's shield, a remarkable organ that constantly adapts and renews itself. But one question keeps coming up: do you really need to moisturise? The short answer is yes, and here's the science-backed explanation why.
Understanding Your Skin's Natural Functions
Your skin performs seven critical functions every single day:
- Physical barrier - prevents unwanted substances entering or exiting
- Protection - defends against biological, physical and chemical threats
- Immune response - identifies and fights foreign substances
- Secretion - regulates sebum, sweat and essential lipids
- Temperature control - maintains optimal body temperature
- Sensation - communicates environmental information
- Absorption - delivers necessary substances into your bloodstream
These functions rely on three key skin layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis - working in perfect balance. When this balance is disrupted, problems arise.
Why Your Skin Loses Moisture (And Why It Matters)
Healthy skin requires healthy cells, and healthy cells need water. When moisture levels drop, cell performance suffers, leading to dry, uncomfortable skin.
The biggest culprit? The air around you.
Dry air actively pulls moisture from your epidermis through a process called Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This is why your skin feels particularly dry in winter when cold air leeches moisture from skin cells. Air conditioning creates the same effect year-round.
While dry skin isn't typically a medical emergency, it causes real discomfort - soreness, tenderness, itching, and in severe cases, cracks and fissures.
How Moisturisers Work: The Two Types You Need to Know
Moisturisers don't just add water to your skin, they prevent water loss. Understanding the two main types helps you choose the right product:
Occlusive Moisturisers
What they do: Create a protective barrier on your skin's surface to prevent water evaporation.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum (like Vaseline), silicones, and similar barrier-forming compounds.
The trade-off: While highly effective at sealing in moisture, some occlusives can block air flow, potentially causing other skin issues. Industrial-grade occlusives like pure petrolatum work as sealants but may compromise your skin's ability to breathe.
Humectant Moisturisers
What they do: Pull moisture into your skin from the surrounding air and from deeper skin layers.
Key ingredients: Glycerin and similar moisture-attracting compounds.
The limitation: When the air around you is dry (which is usually when your skin is dry too), humectants have less moisture to draw from, reducing their effectiveness.
Choosing the Right Moisturiser for Your Skin
The best moisturisers combine both occlusive and humectant properties in the right balance for your skin type. This means:
- Effective moisture retention without heavy, greasy residue
- Breathable barrier that doesn't clog pores
- Additional protective benefits like UV defense and pollution protection
- Compatible ingredients that work with your unique skin chemistry
The LifeJacket Approach to Better Skin
Start from within: The most important step in skin hydration is drinking plenty of water. Internal hydration makes external moisturisation more effective.
Protect from without: LifeJacket moisturisers use advanced ingredient technology to create the optimal balance, preventing water loss without coating your skin in industrial-grade sealants, while adding protection against UV light and environmental pollutants.
Make it routine: Daily moisturising makes a measurable difference in how your skin looks and feels. A quick application each morning protects your skin throughout the day and improves overall skin comfort and appearance.
Should You Buy a Moisturiser?
If you experience any of these signs, the answer is yes:
- Tight, uncomfortable skin, especially after washing
- Rough or flaky texture
- Itching or irritation
- Dull appearance
- Fine lines appearing more pronounced
- Seasonal skin changes (particularly winter dryness)
Even if your skin feels fine, preventative moisturising protects against environmental damage and maintains your skin's natural balance before problems develop.
Ready to Transform Your Skin?
LifeJacket's scientifically formulated moisturisers deliver the perfect balance of occlusive and humectant properties, enhanced with UV and pollution protection. Our advanced formulations keep your skin healthy, comfortable, and protected, without the heavy, greasy feel of traditional barrier creams.
Why choose LifeJacket moisturiser:
- Clinically balanced occlusive and humectant technology
- UV and environmental pollution defence
- Breathable, non-comedogenic formulation
- Suitable for daily use on all skin types
- Fast-absorbing without greasy residue
Your skin works hard to protect you. Give it the support it deserves with a daily moisturiser that's backed by science and designed for real-world performance.