Dry, itchy, flaking skin: it's a common problem, especially during winter, with its cold weather and low humidity. Fortunately, there's an ever-growing number of body creams available over the counter to help restore your chapped elbows and knees. Some designer body creams come with exotic ingredient lists and dubious health claims, and sky-high price tags to match. But you don't have to spend a fortune to find a skin cream with ingredients that pack serious moisturizing power.
Emollients
Emollients in body cream act as moisturizers, softening your skin and making it more supple. An emollient is an emulsion of oil suspended in water; the higher the ratio of oil to water to oil, the thicker the emollient. According to the Mayo Clinic, the oil in an emollient replaces the skin's natural lipids, which keep your skin smooth and soft. Lanolin, shea butter, and cocoa butter are all examples of common emollients in body cream.
Humectants
Humectants are substances that increase the skin's capacity to hold water by drawing water from the air and binding it to skin cells. Common humectants in body creams include glycerine, urea, and alphahydroxy acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid. According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, humectants also aid in smoothing out scaly skin patches. Humectants are most effective in humid environments, and are therefore less effective than emollients in fighting off winter dryness.
Vitamins
An increasing number of body creams now contain vitamins, especially a collection of vitamin A formulations called retinoids. When applied to the skin, retinoids stimulate the growth of new cells and help slough off old skin, making skin appear younger and reducing fine lines and imperfections. However, the American Academy of Dermatology warns that these formulations of Vitamin A can cause skin irritation, dryness, and peeling, so be careful to follow the directions that come with the cream.
Botanicals
Botanicals are plant-derived substances that are added to body cream for different effects. Some, such as mint and aloe, soothe the skin or add fragrance. Botanicals with antioxidant properties are added to help the skin fight the damaging effects of free radicals. The American Academy of Dermatology lists pomegranate juice, green tea, licorice root, and coffeeberry among the botanicals added to face and body cream for their antioxidant effects.
Sunscreens
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen is the single most effective product available on the market today to help to stop and even reverse the signs of aging. As more people grow wise to the benefits of sunscreen, skin cream manufacturers have started adding it to their products for day-to-day protection. Sunscreens include light absorbers such as PABA esters, cinnamates, and avobenzone, and reflective powders such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
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