Facial moisturizer for very dry skin
Another product from SkinCeuticals. It's called a facial moisturizer, but I personally wouldn't necessarily put it on my face: more likely feet, elbows or dry hands.
For me, it's a great alternative to Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream.
Elizabeth Arden cream is a multitasker, you can literally use it on any part of your body. But the smell. I mean, I bought it once and had for like 2,5 years. And even though it was a great product, I just couldn't stand the smell.
This Hydra Balm is very similar, but it doesn't smell like anything to me.
It's also a multi-functional balm that targets severely dry skin.
Something to keep in mind, the first and main ingredient in both products is Petrolatum.
Petrolatum, or the famous Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly is is a byproduct of petroleum refining. With a melting point close to body temperature, Petrolatum softens upon application and forms a water-repellant film around the applied area.
This comes in handy healing cracked lips or severely dry skin patches, though overdoing it is not good as it can create a nice moist place for fungi and bacteria to grow.
When properly refined, Petrolatum has no known health concerns. However, with an incomplete refining history, Petrolatum could be contaminated with PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
Studies on animals showed that long-term health effects of exposure to PAHs may include cataracts, kidney and liver damage, and jaundice. Repeated skin contact to the PAH naphthalene can result in redness and inflammation of the skin. These effects have not been reported in people.
The European Union classifies Petrolatum as a carcinogen ii and restricts its use in cosmetics.
It isn't all bad, though. Hydra Balm contains Aloe and Bisabolol.
Aloe has cooling and soothing properties, while Bisabolol is a good source of panthenol, which is a form of vitamin B. This is a natural humectant, which means it helps skin hold onto moisture, so it's less likely to dry out. It penetrates deep into the lower layers of skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
So, knowing all that, I am using the product in moderate quantities and only if I have a nasty dry patch or cracked heel, or super dry elbows.
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