Is mosturizer a gimmic?

[Naer]

Do people really need it? Dont people's faces produce sufficient oil?

I almost bought a jar of this. Should I avoid buying this?

 

[FeuerFrei]

I think moisturizer's about locking in oil and shielding skin from dry air.
My face is pretty oily. It's the last thing I'd moisturize. That, and scalp.

That said, lotion does help my rough, dry elbows and heels. Somehow.

 

[lxskllr]

I think moisturizer's about locking in oil and shielding skin from dry air.

That's what I always thought, but I'd be interested in good data. I don't really like lotions, but I use stuff when my hands get bad. Usually it's some kind of lip balm on the cracked parts, but I also use bag balm when they're bad all over. That stuff's tacky/greasy as hell. I only use that when gloves are going on top.

 

[rh71]

Everyone's skin is different. Even your race can determine how your skin will generally behave so not everyone has to worry about it. From my experience, putting on moisturizer - especially when your home lacks indoor humidity in the winter due to heating - keeps the skin hydrated and adds a barrier to protect it. They have fragrance-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers that don't clog pores. I believe most of them are advertised as such for that reason.

 

[WelshBloke]

I use stuff on my hands but just because I'm washing them all the time and rubbing alcohol gel on them which really dries them out.

You should be able to tell if your skin is dry anyway, why are you asking us? 😕

 

[lxskllr]

You should be able to tell if your skin is dry anyway, why are you asking us? 😕

The way I understood the question is does it really work, or is it a kind of placebo? Is oiling skin like oiling leather, or does it just put a protective coating on top?

 

[rh71]

The way I understood the question is does it really work, or is it a kind of placebo? Is oiling skin like oiling leather, or does it just put a protective coating on top?

I think most girls have soft skin for a reason.

 

[WelshBloke]

The way I understood the question is does it really work, or is it a kind of placebo? Is oiling skin like oiling leather, or does it just put a protective coating on top?

Well its only going to increase the moisture levels on the dead outer layers of skin but theres no doubt that it does that. That said the cheapest, simplest moisturiser is going to be pretty much as good as any expensive crap. The protective coat traps the bodies own moisture in and stops it being leached away by the wind and washing. TBH one of the best ones is 50/50 (50% petroleum jelly/ 50% water), it'll leave you slippery though!

 

[evident]

no, my body and face would be scaly as hell without moisturizer and face cream products. i spend a crapton on face products unfortunately, but hey i'd rather age a little bit slower, lol.

 

[feralkid]

I think most girls have soft skin for a reason.

Correct.
The main reason is estrogen.

 

[snoopy7548]

I only use it on my hands and it helps a lot. If I don't use it every day (usually two to three times a day), my hands get extremely dry and start cracking and splitting. I like Aveeno's stuff.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Lubriderm for hands and body as needed; least greasy stuff I can find because I used it while in school and needed to use a pen/pencil.

Olay Complete All Day for face; every morning. It's got a little SPF built in, and I (after using it since undergrad) can feel my face skin being dry if I forget to apply it. It's pretty inexpensive, and I'm pretty sure I use less than two bottles a year.

1. I'm gorgeous.
2. I look younger than I am.

Placebo? Good genes? Not sure, but for less than $30/year I'm sticking with it.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Moisturizer is real. Seals moisture in. Stuff without alcohol.


...also. DO YOU WANT THE HOSE AGAIN???

 

[Darwin333]

Lubriderm for hands and body as needed; least greasy stuff I can find because I used it while in school and needed to use a pen/pencil.

Uh huh, I totally believe that is what you used it for in school.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Live in a place that gets a real winter and you'll be wanting moisturizer for your hands at the very least and it does help. I find mine get really dry at the knuckles especially. Going to crack skin if I find myself having to punch someone, got to keep that skin moisturized. 😛

 

[clamum]

My skin is dry as fuck (even in the summer; in the winter it's horrendous) except for my face which even at 35 is prone to acne.

I've wondered about moisturizer, like does using it make your body produce less natural moisturizing ability? I dunno. I use it on the backs of my hands and forearms once a day or every other day. Oh and I use it on my legs from the knee down (though I should use it on the entirety of my legs, or my whole body for f's sake, but I'm in a rush in the morning so I don't). Otherwise undressing for a shower looks like a blizzard due to all the dry skin flakes coming off.

 

[dasherHampton]

Not according to an ex-girlfriend of mine who spent over $100 of my money a month on the stuff.

She looked good though.

 

[Cappuccino]

I use a moisturizer every day. I think men should use it too, especially bearded men.

 

[NetWareHead]

The way I understood the question is does it really work, or is it a kind of placebo? Is oiling skin like oiling leather, or does it just put a protective coating on top?

No its not placebo. Do your lips feel better when you apply chapstick? Think about how dry and painful they get in the wintertime when you really need chapstick. Lotion and moisturization is great for your skin. Its very much like oiling leather. Keeps it supple, flexible and in working condition.

 

[momeNt]

Most moisturizers are a gimmick, but cat oil is legit, really keeps my lips from becoming chapped.

 

[dullard]

No its not placebo. Do your lips feel better when you apply chapstick? Think about how dry and painful they get in the wintertime when you really need chapstick. Lotion and moisturization is great for your skin. Its very much like oiling leather. Keeps it supple, flexible and in working condition.

Chapstick is a bad example. It is like asking, do your headaches feel better when you take cocaine. Yes, but the treatment is terrible for you. So terrible that there are lip balm addict websites: http://www.lipbalmanonymous.com/

https://www.vox.com/2014/11/28/7157565/chapstick-addiction "But there is reason to believe that it can be habit-forming for a smaller subset of people. That's because a few of the specific ingredients in many balms can cause a subtle allergic reaction that can cause your lips to feel irritated, leading people to use it over and over."

 

[BurnItDwn]

Historically, I never used moisturizer in my life.
Around a year or so ago, skin by my ears and on my legs was dry and cracked and Doc told me it's psoriasis.
Started to moisturize regularly
Now, after around a year of regular moisturizer use, my leg skin is in much better shape. My face also is doing better, though it is a bit scaly/dry by the ears.
If I do not moisturize, the psoriasis acts up worse.
If I do moisturize, the psoriasis slowly retreats.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I use a moisturizer every day. I think men should use it too, especially bearded men.

How about balded men? What if one is both balded and bearded? Do they cancel each other out?

 

[Mai72]

Well when I get out of the shower I like to clean my face with a toner. Then it's a nice serum, under eye cream and finally I like to finish it off with a Vitamin C SPF30 face cream.

On Sundays, I like to use this facial mask caled "Aztec Healing Mask." It's a clay mask that pulls out the impurities. Before bed, I like to use these Vitamin C pads that exfolitate the face.

THIS IS THE AGE OF THE NEW MAN! No?

 

[CountZero]

It works.

In my experience moderately expensive works better than cheap but even that seems to depend on your skin issues.

My wife started me on a face routine that included moisturizers and sunscreen in my mid 20s. Now that I'm pushing 40 people are surprised at my age. Like someone else said maybe its genetics and luck or maybe its the routine.