What is the difference between bath oil and moisturizer? – GOOD SHAPE

We can already say goodbye to high temperatures and welcome the cold weather of winter – which starts on June 21st. Dividing opinions, one thing is unanimous when it comes to the season: Low temperatures and sharp winds require redoubled skin hydration. But after a shower, which is better to moisturize the skin on the body: oils or cream? Is the combined use of the two more efficient?

WHAT IS BETTER? HYDRATANT OR BATH OIL?

The practicality of application, the scent they offer the body, the external moisturizing action and skin nutrition are some of the similarities between the cream and the bath oil, but their main difference between the products is in the way they act on the skin. The body moisturizer penetrates the skin, while the bath oil has a more superficial action.

“The bath oil does not hydrate the skin as much as the cream, as it only lubricates and creates an external lipid mantle in the dermis while the moisturizer acts in a deep way” he says Maria Eduarda Piresdermatologist.

But that doesn’t mean you have to choose between one or the other. Combining the bath oil and moisturizer brings more benefits to the skin, after all, the products have complementary functions. “I recommend the combined use of the two products, mainly on cold days, when hot showers are more frequent and can further dry the skin. The bath oil and body moisturizer are options that keep the skin barrier protected, the dermis looks good and offer a boom in body hydration”.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATED SKIN

Skin hydration prevents possible irritations, softens the whitish appearance, improves texture and helps protect against the negative effects of external agents such as pollution, dry weather and dietary factors. In addition, skin without the necessary care and hydration loses its ability to defend itself, which makes it possible for infections to occur, creating fissures and imperceptible scales in the dermis.

“Moisturizing creams and oils are products that aim to restore the balanced and healthy state of the skin, as the skin tissue depends on the presence of water to maintain health and its functions, such as elasticity and protection. Each performs a specific action and absorption”, explains the pharmacist specialized in beauty, Claudia Souzapartner of Dermatus, brand from Rio de Janeiro and specialized in dermocosmetics for 40 years.

What are bath oils?

According to Maria Eduarda, bath oils are body cleansing products that have the function of lubricating the skin. In addition, they have an antioxidant action, nourish, tone and restore the superficial balance of the skin barrier.

They interact with the skin through their occlusive emollient ingredients (which prevent water evaporation), forming a protective barrier on the surface layer of the skin, that is, preventing it from losing water and guaranteeing the hydration of the dermis. The oil is ideal for dry and dry skin. Indicated for use during or after bathing, even with damp skin.

And the moisturizers?

Body moisturizers are products capable of acting deeply on the skin, blocking moisture and promoting dermal nutrition. What’s more, these substances have a preventive action against premature aging of the skin.

Creams penetrate deeper into the skin, replenishing epidermal and dermal hydration. They act on the skin through three mechanisms: Occlusion, Wetting and Hydration.

The process of occlusion are when substances form a barrier on the skin that prevents water evaporation – vegetable oils and butters, lipids (ceramides), and silicones. A wetting occurs through substances that attract water to the skin, maintaining hydration (urea, glycerin, d-Panthenol). hydration which acts by maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, that is, they act more actively by penetrating deeply into the skin layers (hyaluronic acid) responsible for protecting the skin. A good moisturizer has the ability to stop water loss, just like oils, but the moisturizer has the ability to reach the deeper layers of the skin.