dermatitas, egzema, glicerinas, jautri oda, odos priežiūra, psoriazė - May 15, 2024

The main ingredients of hand creams and their effect on the skin

Hand cream is a specially designed cosmetic product for hand skin care. It is used to provide skin hydration, softening, protection and healing from various environmental damage. The skin of the hands is often under a lot of stress due to constant contact with water, chemicals, temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors, so proper care is essential to keep it healthy and beautiful.

The main ingredients used in hand creams are:

Humidifiers

These ingredients help retain moisture in the skin, prevent it from drying out and create a protective barrier. The most commonly used humectants are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea (urea), and sorbitol . Glycerin is known for its ability to attract and retain water in the skin , making it particularly effective for moisturizing dry skin. Hyaluronic acid also has strong moisturizing properties, as it can attract water molecules and keep the skin supple and soft .

Emollients

These ingredients soften and smooth the skin, reduce flaking and irritation. Popular emollients include various oils (eg, avocado, olive, almond), butters (eg, shea butter, cocoa butter), and synthetic emollients (eg, dimethicone). Emollients create a film on the surface of the skin that prevents moisture loss and helps keep the skin soft and supple.

Occlusive agents

These substances help create a protective layer on the surface of the skin that prevents moisture from evaporating. Commonly used occlusives include petrolatum (petroleum), mineral oils, and lanolin . Petrolatum is particularly effective in locking moisture in the skin, thus protecting it from drying out and accelerating skin recovery processes.

Antioxidants

These ingredients protect the skin from free radical damage, which can accelerate the aging process and cause various skin damage. Vitamins C and E are the most commonly used antioxidants in hand creams. They help neutralize free radicals, strengthen the skin's protective barrier and can contribute to skin regeneration and maintaining a healthy appearance.

Vitamin complexes

Hand creams often contain different vitamins , such as vitamin A, B5 (panthenol), E and C, which have different beneficial properties. Vitamin A helps the skin regenerate, vitamin B5 soothes and heals the skin , vitamin E protects against oxidative damage, and vitamin C strengthens the skin's structure and gives it radiance.

Fragrances and preservatives

Perfumes give the cream a pleasant aroma, and preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, thus extending the shelf life of the product. The most commonly used preservatives are parabens, phenoxyethanol and benzoates.

Different ingredients affect the skin in different ways , contributing to its health and beauty. Moisturizers and emollients maintain the skin's moisture balance and prevent dryness, antioxidants protect against environmental damage, and vitamin complexes promote skin renewal and strengthen its protective functions. Hand creams often combine several different ingredients to provide comprehensive skin care and protection.

Types of hand creams

Hand creams can be divided into different types according to their composition, functions and target audience. Different types of hand creams are designed to meet different skin needs, from daily care to specific skin problems. Here are some of the main types of hand creams:

Moisturizing hand creams. These creams are designed to maintain optimal skin moisture levels . They usually contain humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea and sorbitol, which attract and retain moisture in the skin. Moisturizers are especially suitable for dry and dehydrated skin, helping to prevent flaking and dryness. They often have a light texture, absorb quickly into the skin and do not leave a greasy feeling.
Nourishing and restorative hand creams. These creams are designed to nourish and restore damaged skin. They often contain a higher concentration of oils (e.g. avocado, olive, almond) and butters (e.g. shea butter, cocoa butter) that provide intensive nourishment and soften the skin . Nourishing creams have a thicker consistency and are often recommended for use before bed or as hand masks.
Protective hand creams. These creams are designed to protect the skin of the hands from environmental factors such as cold, wind, water and chemicals. They often contain occlusives such as petrolatum, lanolin and mineral oils, which create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. Protective creams can be useful for people whose hands are frequently exposed to aggressive conditions, such as cleaning products or frequent hand washing.
Anti-aging hand creams. These creams are designed to combat signs of skin aging such as wrinkles, age spots and loss of elasticity. They often contain antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E), retinol (vitamin A), peptides, and other substances that stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and protect against oxidative stress. Anti-aging hand creams help maintain the skin's youthful appearance and strengthen its structure.
Healing hand creams. These creams are designed to treat specific skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or severe dryness. They often contain healing substances such as allantoin, panthenol (vitamin B5), zinc oxide, ceramides and various plant extracts (eg chamomile, calendula) that soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation and promote healing . Treatment creams are often recommended by dermatologists and can be used as an adjunctive therapy along with other treatment methods.
Natural and organic hand creams. These creams are made using natural and organic ingredients, avoiding synthetic chemicals, parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances. They often use natural oils, butters, plant extracts and essential oils to nourish and hydrate the skin while reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Natural and organic hand creams are popular among people seeking a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
Professional and medical hand creams. These creams are specially formulated for professional use or for specific medical applications. They may have a higher concentration of active ingredients and are intended for use in certain situations, such as after surgical procedures, in case of severe skin damage or in the treatment of certain skin diseases. Professional hand creams are often recommended by healthcare professionals and may only be sold in pharmacies or specialty stores.

Each type of hand cream is designed with specific needs and skin conditions in mind , so it's important to choose the right product based on your individual skin needs and the nature of your problems. Using a properly selected hand cream, you can effectively care for the skin of your hands, protect it from the harmful effects of the environment and maintain a healthy and beautiful appearance.

How do hand creams help maintain skin moisture and elasticity?

Hand creams are an essential skin care product that helps to maintain skin moisture and elasticity, especially in the hand area, where the skin is often exposed to adverse environmental factors. The skin of the hands is constantly exposed to external factors such as cold, heat, wind, water and chemicals, and is therefore particularly susceptible to dryness and damage. Maintaining moisture and elasticity are important factors in preventing dryness, frizziness, cracking and signs of premature aging.

Hand creams work in a number of ways to help keep your skin hydrated and supple:

Use of wetting agents. Hand creams often use ingredients that act as moisturizers. These substances attract water molecules from the environment and deeper layers of the skin, increasing the moisture content of the skin and keeping it moist. Glycerin, for example, is an effective humectant that has the ability to attract water to keep the skin hydrated even in dry conditions.
Use of emollients. Emollients soften and smooth the surface of the skin, reduce flaking and fill small cracks on the surface of the skin. They create a protective film that helps retain moisture in the skin, reduces water loss through the skin's surface (transepidermal water loss) and maintains skin elasticity.
Use of occlusives. Occlusives in hand creams create a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. This barrier prevents moisture from evaporating from the skin, keeping it moist for longer. Petrolatum is a particularly effective occlusive agent that locks moisture into the skin and helps restore the damaged skin barrier.
Antioxidants and vitamins. Enriched with antioxidants and other vitamins, hand creams help protect the skin from free radical damage that can damage collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen and elastin are the main structural proteins of the skin that give the skin its elasticity and firmness. Antioxidants also promote skin regeneration and maintain a healthy appearance.
Ceramides and lipids. Some hand creams are enriched with ceramides and other lipids that are naturally part of the skin barrier. Ceramides help restore and strengthen the skin's protective barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss and maintain the skin's moisture balance. A healthy skin barrier is essential to maintain skin elasticity and protect it from external factors.
Regenerating materials. Hand creams containing panthenol, allantoin, zinc oxide and other soothing and regenerating substances help to treat and restore damaged skin, reduce inflammation and promote healing processes. These substances soothe irritated skin, stimulate cell renewal and help restore the skin's natural balance of moisture and elasticity.

By combining these ingredients, hand creams help maintain skin moisture and elasticity, protecting it from daily stress and environmental factors. Regular use of hand creams helps keep the skin healthy, soft, supple and youthful, and also prevents dryness, chapping, cracking and other skin problems. The right hand cream can be an essential part of your daily skin care routine, ensuring optimal skin condition and protection.