Skin will look soft and young with extra care only but for this you cannot limit yourself with cleansing, toning and exfoliation. For this regular moisturizing, nourishing, sun protection and nutritious diet is essential. 

It is necessary to moisturize the skin. The effects of increasing age on the skin can be prevented with moisturizer and texture of the skin can also be maintained.

The natural moisture of the skin is damaged with
- excess of heat and cold.
-water with chlorine.
-hard cleansers.
-problems in sebaceous glands
-summer conditioners and heaters
-deteriorated cosmetics.

As a result there is dryness, dehydration and wrinkles on skin. That is why special attention is given on moisturizing in daily skin routine.

A good moisturizer 
-balances the oil and moisture of the skin. 
-accomplishes the lost moisture of the skin.
-makes the skin soft and silky.

Skin accepts the moisture in oil or water emulsion form, that is why moisturizer should be liquid or in cream form. If the weather is dry than creamy moisturizer should be applied on normal or dry skin. But before that cleansing and toning should be done. These should be applied before foundation.

Liquid moisturizer should be applied at night.

Oily skin has moisture in it but it requires the moisturizer during the dry weather. Light oil free moisturizer should be used on oily skin during dry weather.

Moisturizing is beneficial from the point of view of skin care. It not only seals the natural moisture of the skin but also accomplishes the lost moisture.

Apply moisturizer immediately after the cleansing, bath or face wash because the skin is soft at that time.

Apply moisturizer on face, skin and neck and massage it on pores of skin.

(i) It can be used many times in a day because its effectness is removed by sun, hot air & Air Conditioner. Using it not on the whole skin but on head, nose and skin is sufficient.

Types of moisturizer:-

1. Oil  moisturizer:- Adds a little oil to the skin.
2. Water  Moisturizer:-Keeps oil away from the skin.
3. Creamy  Moisturizer:-It is not suitable for oily skin.
4. Creamy Liquid  Moisturizer:-It is available in tubes & bottles & can be used on all skins. It can be used before makeup also. For sensitive skins azonic moisturizer is better.
5. Colon  Moisturizer:-Provides elasticity to the skin. It also makes the skin soft.
6. Special  Moisturizer:-It is more useful for neck & skin around eyes. For around eyes, creamy moisturizer is available in bottles & tubes. For neck, moisturizer is more heavy & much oil.
    
7. HOME MADE  MOISTURIZER:
   i) Mix two tea spoon lemon juice, two tea spoon glycerin & few drops of rose water. Keep it in a clean bottle, in cool place. Apply it daily on whole body before sleeping.

(ii) Take two table spoon almond oil, two table spoon lanolin & one tea spoon coco powder. Mix them in heat proof glass bowl. Boil water in one pan. Keep the heat proof bowl on it to make it warm. Shake this mixture with wooden spoon. When the mixture is melted, put it off from the pan. Mix two table spoon rose water in it. Keep it to get cold. Pour it in bottle.

MOISTURIZER FOR THE EYES
A basic moisturizer will work well as a hydrator for the eye area, but if you want to do a little more you'll have better results with a moisturizer made specifically for the eyes.

The Ingredients

• 1 cup dried chamomile
• 1 cup milk
• 8 teaspoons wheat germ

The Instructions

Steep chamomile in milk for a few hours. Strain, keeping liquid. Add honey and wheat germ to liquid mixture. Blend well. Place in a bottle. Refrigerate any used portions. Keeps up to a week.

Note: Chamomile - is one of the most used herbs in the world. It is used widely in cosmetics particularly in shampoos and rinses especially for blond hair which it lightens. It is also used in soaps and creams to soothe and soften the skin.

Milk - milk contains lactic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid that helps the skin exfoliate dead skin cells away from the surface of the skin. It is also very hydrating and soothing to the complexion.

Wheat Germ - is high in protein, vitamin E and B, which makes this ingredient nourishing, soothing and helpful in preventing free radical damage. It’s very slight granular texture, gives a sensitive or dry skin a wonderful, gentle exfoliation.

Without moisture, the skin will not remain smooth and supple. The face is exposed to the drying effect of the weather, so moisturizers -- which form a film over the skin -- contain and augment the natural moisture.
 

• Using the tips of the fingers, dot moisturizing cream lightly all over the face.
• Press the fingers of both hands into the centre of the forehead and work the cream slowly outwards. Pat the cream gently around the eyes.
• Work the cream around the jaw line, chin and mouth with the middle fingers of both hands.
• Massage the cream over the throat with alternating hands, using upward strokes from collar-bone to chin.

There are dozens of ingredients to sort through on a product label.
We've made it easier for you with this handy list of "Top Hydrators" in skin-and hair products.

AVOCADO OIL = Hydrating source of antioxidants.

GLYCERIN = Classic hydrator, draws moisture from the air.

HYALURONIC ACID (SODIUM HYALURONATE)= Effective moisturizer; the base
in many cosmetics.

KUKUI-NUT OIL = Contains high levels of essential fatty acids.

LINOLEIC ACID = An essential fatty acid.

MACADAMIA-NUT OIL = Helps maintain skin's natural moisture level.

PANTHENOL (PRO-VITAMIN B\5)= Delivers/retains moisture to skin

PETROLATUM = Classic emollient; thick like petroleum jelly

SHEA BUTTER = Rich botanical-based moisturizer.

SILLICONE = Oily substance used to retain moisture and ease
application.

UREA = Classic hydrator, common in many skin-care products