Ingredients to consider for a Winter Lotion or Moisturizer

Due to the extreme low temperatures in winter, skin starts feeling dry. Here are few ingredients to consider while making moisturizer or lotion for winters.

1) Humectants: It draws water from inner layers of skin to the upper layers. 

Examples: Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Urea, Sorbitol and Panthenol

Typical usage rates: 1-5%

2) Emollients: Emollients soften skin by filling in cracks in the upper layers of skin and are nicely spreadable.

Examples: Butters like shea butter, Oils like castor oil, coconut oil, almond oil

Typical usage rates: 1-100% (few exceptions)

3) Occlusives: These form physical barriers preventing water loss from skin's surface. These can be heavy during humid and summer climate but savior for winters.

Examples: Lanolin, dimethicone, Lecithin, Fatty alcohols like cetearyl alcohol, waxes like beeswax, petroleum

Typical usage rates: 1-5% (depending on ingredient)

Some more ingredients to consider,

1) Aloevera: Aloevera is known as a skin healing ingredient which absorbs quickly into skin.

It is available in powder, liquid and gel forms.

2) Ceramides: Ceramides are naturally found in skin. They are the lipids which form skin barrier retaining moisture levels in skin and preventing skin from external damage.

3) Green tea extract: It is anti-inflammatory and skin soothing ingredient

If you like to make a lotion, check out my page 'How to make a Moisturizing rose body lotion'