This article lacked any substantial information, and should have guided the reader to the active ingredients they should look for in moisturizing products
21
I humbly recommend an odd choice--Working Hands and Healthy Feet. This slightly acidic cream resolves cracked skin. Cracks in skin on the feet is a great place for fungal infections. I had used Working Hands on my hands for cracked skin near thumbnails especially. It worked. Then, I went through a year of trying every method imaginable to get rid of athletes foot. Anti-fungal creams did not work. Then it dawned on me that as a 70 year old man, my skin was more prone to dry out and crack. I started using Healthy Feet (both products seem to be the same with different names). I still apply a bit of anti-fungal cream to toes and immediately cover my entire foot and toes with Healthy Feet. I've also used these products in other areas where I experience itching or discomfort. It works.
The BeautyCounter brand was created to avoid most toxins and allergens that are typically found in body product formulations. It's also rated on the site Skinsafeproducts.com and ewg.org (Environmental Working Group). Both BeautyCounter and MyChelle Dermaceuticals have partnered with EWG to create EWG verified standards. To quote from the Environmental Working Group: "EWG VERIFIED™is part of EWG’s mission to increase transparency in the marketplace and shine a spotlight on the many weak standards that govern consumer products. For example, the U.S. government does not require safety testing of personal care items before they hit store shelves. Companies can use almost any ingredient – including potentially harmful ones – in their products."
My doctor recommended petroleum jelly for my dry skin, quoting his dermatologist, "If it isn't greasy, it doesn't work." I was reluctant to try it, and looked at user reviews on Amazon for various natural greasy substances: every one generated complaints about reactions & irritation, while there were none for pure petroleum jelly, which has very low toxicity according to Environmental Working Group . When I tried it, I found it could easily be applied in a thin coat the lost its greasy feel very quickly and left my skin very well moisturized. I also appreciate that when I apply it to my body after bathing, it does not have the cold, slimey feel of lotions I'd previously used.
3
Reading through Mayo Clinic newsletters on this topic, I found this site which is apparently supported by Mayo and purports to ranks products which are allergen free or close to it. www.skinsafeproducts.com
3
It is frustrating not to see the list of moisturizers, as many have pointed out. Make a visit to your public library to request the article via ILL (interlibrary loan). A fee may apply because the article is hosted on JAMAnet. Better, visit if possible a medical school library, many of which provide info free to the public if they are supported through tax dollars.
3
I agree where's the list? NPR did a story on this about a month ago(Oct 2nd) and posted the list which I was able to look at but then they took it down. This article doesn't even list the names of the allergens that were listed in the table of lotions. I remember some of them. one is "benzyl alcohol" which is in all of the Aveeno products except the Eczema Therapy Aveeno. Also I remember all Nivea lotions containing allergens but I can't remember what ingredients were the allergens. There is another allergen which was in many of the 174 products they tested which was "Phenoxyethanol". The table listed all the lotions and the allergens they contained. some had as many as 4 allergens. The list also indicated which ones were allergy free-Sky Organics Shea Butter, all the NOW Foods oils(almond,apricot,avocado,grape seed, jojoba),Ivory raw unrefined shea butter, Vanicream, Smell good African shea butter. I do have a list of some the other lotions Dr. Xu said were allergy free but they are all pure Shea butter or oils which are not that practical to use as they get all over your clothes and don't absorb that well. Phenoxyethanol is in everything-lotions and shampoos. So Jane Brody can you give us the list of 100 lotions and the allergens they contain?
2
With a sensitive skin and having had 3 rashes, I was cautioned by a dermatologist not to use US cosmetics etc as they are not FDA regulated and can contain traces of chemicals that manufacturers are not obliged to include in their ingredients. Of course also fragrances, preservatives and filler can be a problem. I ended up on low dosage antibiotics for 6 months.
3
I've been using CVS Dry Skin Therapy Lotion, and find it very helpful. Reasonably priced. I must agree that I'm thankful for the article because it produced many useful customer comments.
4
I guess it's helpful to learn how fragrance and potentially irritating ingredients are concealed and that reading the label will help just so much. I was hoping to at least find a link to safe products. I suggest beautypedia.com which makes recommendations and they're alert to unnecessary irritants. One example: lavendar.
3
I agree with FrancieKid. There isn't a list or recommendation that would be helpful in choosing a moisturizer.
2
I whip coconut oil in a bowl for 10 minutes (“refined” oil, so it doesn’t reek of coconut).
The whipping makes the coconut oil more stable - it doesn’t turn rock-hard and grainy when the room temperature is cold, or soupy and runny when the weather is warm. I don’t understand why people pay SO much more for commercial products, often full of chemicals and perfumes.
And for washing? I dilute Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap 1:10 with water. I quickly got used to the lack of “lathering”, which other soaps create with chemicals. And Dr. Bronner’s rinses off immediately. If I use a “regular” soap somewhere else, it takes so long to get the “slippery” feeling off my face!
These products make sense even for people who don’t care about chemicals and additives — they cost a small fraction of even the cheapest commercial products!
8
Neither of these links reveals a list of products. Frustrating.
18
Many here are recommending argan oil products, which my skin reacts to very badly. Ditto tea tree oil. One person's bliss is another person's blister. You have to find what works for your individual skin by trial and error. Buy small sizes of products until you see how you react to them.
4
Having just checked the links you provided I find that they are useless. The relevant information is behind a pay wall or it's too technical.
I use vitamin A and D ointment when my elbows and hands become too rough in the winter. It's amazing how much better my hands and elbows feel and look after two days of applying it twice a day. One thing Ms. Brody doesn't mention is that using products like dryer sheets can cause itchy dry skin too. I know because I stopped using them and my skin stopped itching. Using fragrance free detergent and bleach is another way to prevent skin irritation.
10
To go a step further, I make clothes detergent by grating Kirk's castile soap and combining it with baking soda and soda ash. No allergic reaction and inexpensive. One can mix in essential or fragrance oils if a scent is desired.
So many are ready to dole out advice and recommendations on the best products. Knowing nothing about the age or skin type of the person posting it is useless. So you used it it for 50 years; maybe you never had any skin problems; if you never used anything eles how do you know it even does anything? Sort of like people on Yelp whose restaurant review consists of the words to the effect of “loved it, food tasted really good.”
2
Since the article didn't bother figuring out how to make clear recommendations, I'll add one: pure sesame oil (not the toasted kind for cooking).
Some is indeed preserved with a very small percentage (0.5-1%) of tocopherol (vitamin E) to prevent the oil going rancid. I have pretty sensitive, dry skin and dislike a lot of both the synthetic and natural fragrances I find in lotions and creams, but I've been using sesame oil either alone or as a fortifying ingredient in unscented Alba lotion for years without issue and with good moisturizing results (less reapplication, soft skin, etc.). The natural smell of the oil is mild and dissipates quickly, it also absorbs well and doesn't feel unusually "oily" or "greasy".
Also, I recommend the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep website and app for a more comprehensive recommendations and ratings of not just potentially allergenic but also carcinogenic or other known/suspected toxic ingredients in cosmetics and home cleaning products.
14
Growing up in South Asia one did not hear of many skin problems except an occasional outbreak of scabies ugh. One of the reasons being the routinely people would apply one of these natural oils on the skin, before or after bath, depending on the region: mustard oil, sesame oil, coconut oil. The traditional use of chickpea flour (besan) mixed with yogurt as a defoliant left skin moist and smelling delicious, after a bath. Brides routinely got the turmeric treatment which left their skin glowing. Many women apply turmeric paste to their feet which helps with their cracked heels heal better and turmeric also acts as an antiseptic keeping bugs away. There has got to be some wisdom in these ancient traditions.
16
Without an annotated listing of moisturizer brands, this article is of little practical use for me.
48
Agree.
5
Agree!
3
Here's another vote for pure coconut oil. Also trying out a bottle of rice bran oil I decided I didn't want to use for cooking.
6
This article is all about allergens. However, as the largest organ in the body, why would I want to smear a lotion or cream, that always contains chemicals and other substances not to be taken internally, on my skin to be absorbed into it? What's the effect when these substances become internalized? We probably don't know enough yet, other than allergic reactions.
At some point years ago I decided this isn't a good idea. With a healthy diet and a face mask 1x weekly that's full of needed minerals, my skin looks and feels like baby skin - even in winter.
5
What face mask?
6
When I stopped eating dairy about 10 years ago my complexion improved immensely and almost immediately. I learned that the hormones cows used by the dairy industry are fed are in the milk they make, and those hormones are in all dairy products. As happens during human puberty, more hormones equals bad skin. My skin is now smooth, even-toned, and much more glowing even as I age (i'm 50). I will never go back to dairy. I'm pretty sure the cows appreciate it, too.
10
Another untested and unreached opinion on the deleterious effects of dairy products. I'll file this one next to the collected ravings of the food Nazis who want to ban whole milk from K-12 school cafeterias.
11
A young family member suffered terribly from eczema. When dairy products were stopped, the eczema cleared and has never returned.
10
I like coconut oil but coconut oil takes a long time to absorb into my skin, so I'll put some on, wait a while (while I do other things), and then I'll blot off what hasn't absorbed. I like good-quality avocado oil (organic, cold-pressed) for my face - my skin absorbs it fairly quickly. I like sesame oil (organic, cold-pressed) for the rest of my body -- absorbs fairly quickly. Do not like baby oil at all, but I think I might try unscented baby lotion.
7
Mix equal parts gently liquified coconut oil and shea butter, whip until the consisteency of a dense merengue. Absorbs very quickly.
5
What a waste of space. No allergens doesn't equal best moisturizer. Just like I love peanuts, but they wouldn't be great for someone with a peanut allergy. Maybe my best moisturizer has lots of allergens, that I'm not allergic to... The title should be "lots of potential allergens in moisturizers."
15
I always keep a bottle of baby oil (usually lavender scented) in the shower; during dry weather; At the end of the shower while still wet, I pour half a cap oil/half a cap of water--mixed over my shoulders, it automatically runs down and covers every inch of skin....works for me every winter. I am sure it would work with other liquid mixtures as well.
6
Be careful you don't slip on the oil in the bathtub!
2
No mention of brands and moistruries. Should I use a weigee board?
23
Or a dictionary
17
I buy lotions on etsy.com that are all natural, organic products with very few ingredients. They are inexpensive and wonderful. A few, Face Food, MadeintheShade, and Naturally Naked Remedies are among my favorites.
2
I have been using Alo Sun After Tan for 50 years - yes, that's right, 50 years! I once stopped by the cosmetics counter at Saks and the lady asked me what I was using and I told her and she said, "Don't bother with this (very pricey moisturizer). Just keep using what you're using. It's working". Hasn't caused any problems so far!
6
Best moisturizer for face & hair: olive or coconut oil. Best for body: equal parts water and glycerin. Have been using for years!
4
Second that.
1
This piece is really notable for being totally useless in any practical sense that would be helpful to a consumer seeking specific information on this subject. All we have here is a list of generalities that point to no actual product. We are told of a recent study that evaluated 174 different moisturizers, but not even one is mentioned by name. When you click the link for this study, you go to the abstract, whose final, startling conclusion is: CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:
Best-selling moisturizers vary widely by price and product characteristics. Given the lack of readily available comparison data on moisturizer efficacy, dermatologists should balance consumer preference, price, and allergenicity in their recommendations.
Well, this is hardly breaking news, folks. What exactly is the point of this windy and ultimately empty piece by Jane Brody?
88
This comment is so on target. It's reassuring to know that commercial moisturizers are being studied but this article provides no practical guidance for a consumer. There's no surprise in saying, "people with very dry skin might invest in a cream or ointment," and no real point. The article seems to be a space filler.
25
Facebook exists to tell you what to buy: "100 top scientists recommend this!" Don't blame Jane Brody or the NYT because you've become conditioned to this constant marketing.
2
The point is that brand names and high falutin' claims for moisturizers are not just suspect, but unsupported by real evidence. The NAME of the product - for most people - doesn't matter. There are no magic potions.
1
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2652350
The link to the list of products requires a subscription! Help?
12
Typical consumer garbage. In 1973 Sen Eggelton needing an issue made costmetic ingredient disclosure labeling a law. Then people had brains and common sense so they read the ingredients & stopped buying "luxury" brands and saved the dough. I have been in the biz: they are all the same. You could smear vaseline on your face. The ONLY product proved to improve skin is RETIN A and you need a prescription.
7
You don't need a prescription for retin a. It's available online from Obagi and works wonders. I've been using it for years.
4
Retin A isn't a "moisturizer." It is another, unique category as a topical vitamin that can cause skin changes - it makes skin cells turn over more frequently. I find that I need a moisturizer on my hands and arms to reduce dryness and cracking -- and vaseline doesn't work too well if you have to do anything with your hands after wards. My mother - age 95 -needs moisturizer because her skin simply does not produce sufficient oils or heal from any injury without extra protection to maintain some level of hydration in the skin .
7
You DO need a prescription for pharmaceutical Retin A. There are cosmeticeuticals that contain retin a (Nancy), but it is not the same strength though obviously can still be useful but the real deal is prescribed.
2
Never use olive oil! Terrible and clogs pores! Also drink enough water I keep telling myself!!!
9
I have always had sensitive skin and finally discovered that my skin loves coconut and Jamaican Castor oil. I stay hydrated and rarely have skin issues despite my ultra-sensitive skin.
3
Best remedy is ingesting water, using sunscreen and taking probiotics, imho
2
I use Eucerin and have never had a reaction. I had read Tim to neutrogena and lubriderm.
3
Article not terribly enlightening but here's my recommendation: Had oily skin and could never wear any commercial moisturizer without getting hives and inflamation. Upon entering menopause and losing oil, luckily discovered raw shea butter and get no adverse affects. If you are young with oily skin, it would be too greasy unless you use it as a treatment.
2
Cera Ve products contain peptides and hylauranic acid, two recommended products for healthy skin. I have had great success with them.
The best tip I can offer is buy yourself a bottle of Curel Hydra-Therapy. You apply it two your skin while still wet after showering. There is no need to rinse, just towel off. It's not greasy and there is not a build up on your towel. Immediately after the first use, my skin felt better. Use it continuously for a few days and your skin will look and feel like silk!
14
This is one of those health articles in which the comments are far more useful than the article itself though, of course, the comments wouldn't exist were it not for the article.
My general physician told me to use Eucerine for Eczema for my mild eczema. I do and it works. It's even safe to put on my eyelids.
17
I swear by Argan oil and Shea butter, esp. for eczema sufferers.
3
Stop using sulfates on your skin, hair and teeth. Fragrance free goat milk soap has amazingly improved my face. I use a very teeny tiny bit of Aquaphor around my eye. I wash my hair with New Wash (recommended in an article in this newspaper) and rinse my hair with diluted apple cider. Giving up shampoo has been great -- I wash my hair about every 4 - 5 days, and the eczema around my ears has disappeared.
7
also, try etsy.com for lotions, sunscreen, etc. Thanks for your recommendations.
2
I love apple cider vinegar and water as a conditioner/rinse too. Beats any conditioner I have ever tried and I have tried a ton.
Very disappointed that no specific examples were given.
43
I agree, this article has no practical information
14
I clicked both links which led to pubmed where one has to buy or rent the full text of the study.
I am a 50-something fair + sensitive skinned woman. I am way beyond moisturizer.
The most important thing you can do is PROTECT your skin with sunscreen. Every. Day. There are only a few US sunscreens I would wear. I wear an SPF from France (purchased from a Canadian pharmacy online) that contains my holy grails: Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl XL and Tinosorb S. I wish sunscreen was not classified as a drug in this country and as such, subjected to regulation. Europe is so far ahead of us here it isn't even funny.
As far as moisturizer, I like Timeless Matrixyl Synthe 6, which contains a bunch of peptides, glycerin, aloe + hyuralonic acid. My skin drinks this stuff up. I use it on top of Timeless C + E + Ferulic for daytime. SPF over that.
I have tried what other commenters have, and I have some Olay products + CeraVe, which I quite like for my neck + chest before bed. I also use Vitamin A products (Retinols + Retin A) and I have had my fair share of irritated skin from using those things. Only thing I can use when my skin (usually this is my neck + collarbone) is pure aloe, followed by Aquaphor.
The only way to figure this stuff out is to try things. I have learned: I have dry skin. My skin doesn't like shea. My skin LOVES aloe, glycerin, hyuralonic acid, and did I say Aloe?
The best U.S. sunscreen is BareMinerals Prep Step. 23.8% zinc in a lovely finish. Gets a 1 from the EWG.
10
Can you tell me what sunscreen you order from Canada? I use many of the same products and have the same type skin. European brands are much better.
1
Susan Slattery: Are you able to share the name of your preferred French sunscreen and online pharmacy? Thanks!
1
La Roche Posay. Make CERTAIN you buy the product made in FRANCE (not Canada.) The formula is different as is the product that is made in the US. The sunscreen MUST have Mexoryl XLon the tube/bottle. It is the BEST kept secret in France, and America. My Paris term told me all about it . . . as did a to Manhattan term. The French women and children do NOT have the outrageous rate of malignant melanoma or basal/squamous skin cancers that the US has . . . not by a long shot. There is a well founded evidence based theory that US sunscreens are preventing nothing. 99.999% of US sunscreens do NOT work. And, many skin cancer experts believe US sunscreens are making matters worse.
Remember: Buy the product made in FRANCE. It will say so on the label. I buy mine through Amazon. They have other products as well.
5
OK, I've had a look at the paper that was quoted, and really, it doesn't give any definitive answers as to what specific ingredients to choose. However, some ingredients mentioned may be of interest:
Potential allergens to avoid - I've just listed them some that I find surprising:
Tocopherol ((DL-a-tocopherol) [which is vitamin E], Lanolin, Lavandula angustifolia oil, (lavender oil), D-Limonene (found in citrus), Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree oil).
1: Parabens appears to be the preferred preservative in that it has lower allergenicity, and lower irritancy, compared with other commonly used preservatives. (Though it does actually appear on the Dermatology list of potential irritants - bit of a contradiction there).
2: Coconut oil had proven effective, in one randomised control trial in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD),
3: Sunflower oil (and coconut oil) appears to be helpful in cases of xerosis (abnormally dry skin).
4: Olive oil is not recommended, may harm skin barrier integrity
To lift a quote from the conclusions "Ultimately, the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines for topical management of AD recommend that patients select a topical vehicle based on personal preference that they will use regularly".
Also, when I tried to treat my own badly inflamed dry skin, I found that all natural, organic ingredients just made things flare up terribly. The only thing that worked for me was something called E45 itch relief cream, contains urea and paraffin.
6
How kind of you, Maliah. Thank you very much.
Try Beautypedia, an excellent site that rates cosmetics.
3
Moisturel
Very light but feels great and not greasy.
1
Coconut oil, the kind you eat.
3
Meh; if you just have ordinary dry skin, start with cheap brands you can find in every discount store (store brands, Suave, Vaseline, Dove, whatever) and if it seems to do a decent job and you don't have a reaction to it, stay with it.
Going right to some mega-expensive brand that costs $10/oz because it doesn't contain allergens that you probably aren't allergic to makes no sense at all. (News Flash: Most people aren't actually allergic to these allergens, or nobody would buy them. Getting all paranoid makes no more sense than swearing off peanut butter for life just because other people are allergic to peanuts.)
16
Great perspective & best comment. Thank you.
3
Here's the listing of products from the referenced article:
The 10 cheapest products without recognized allergens: Ivory raw unrefined shea butter, Vaseline original petroleum jelly, Smellgood African shea butter, Home Health castor oil, NOW Foods apricot kernel oil, NOW Foods avocado oil , Sky Organics organic shea butter.
The ten most popular products (judged by the number of online reviews) without recognized allergens: Better Shea Butter unrefined shea butter, NOW Solutions sweet almond oil, NOW Solutions castor oil, Aveeno eczema therapy moisturizing cream, Molivera Organics ivory shea butter, Sky Organics organic shea butter, NOW Foods organic jojoba oil, Home Health castor oil, NOW Foods grape seed oil, NOW Foods avocado oil.
14
I now use coconut oil as body lotion, argan oil as face lotion, and Africa's Secret as hand lotion. Vaseline as lip balm and on the occasional scab. Done. The simpler the better. And so far, so good.
5
I have a eczema problems on my skin. Does this help?
1
Family doc here: Nothing is cheaper, less allergenic, more protective or more effective than plain petrolatum (Vaseline). If you can get used to the greasiness, it's the best of all worlds.
12
That's a big If, doc. This stuff is disgusting.
5
Beware of preservatives in personal care products--Specifically I am allergic to methylchloroisothiazinalone which is found in many shampoos, conditioners, liquid soaps, detergents, etc. Diagnosed by allergist doing patch tests. Read labels!
3
I suggest Lubriderm, which I leave on my face all day, after having washed my face with soap and water. It prevents dryness and may even prevent wrinkles (I'm 75). It's non-greasy (unlike Vaseline) and does not clog my pores. I also recommend Eucerin and/or coconut oil elsewhere on the body for extremely dry and itchy skin, often caused by over-heated rooms in the winter.
5
Moisturizers (and all cosmetics) should be independently tested for both safety and effectiveness. The author addressed sensitivity, but neglected to assess these products for effectiveness. After all, if they don't increase hydration of the skin, why would you use them? why waste the money or risk developing a sensitivity? How do moisturizers work? DO they work? For how long after application? What is the effect of frequent bathing in drying out the skin?
4
25 years ago Dr. Fran Storrs of Portland OR advised me to pat dry and apply product within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower, to arrest the rapid evaporation and keep the water on my skin. No one had explained the concept in all the years I'd suffered from dry skin. I'll be forever grateful! Her first recommendation for product was petroleum jelly but no can do. I go with whatever I like best but I apply it before the 180 seconds is up. For my face, she also turned me on to what she said my grandmother probably used, rosewater + glycerin.
5
My own success having life-long eczema: healthy gut (sometimes take probiotics; sometimes kefir); lots of veg and fruit and fish BECAUSE - for me -
essential fatty acids are, well, essential. About 8 years ago, by happenstance, on someone's recommendation I took internally and applied externally (was having a serious outbreak of eczema) sea buckthorn (an alpine plant) which has a concentration of omega-7. There are many ways to take omega-3's but the inclusion of a fish oil supplement with 3-5-6-7-9- is tops. If I am consistent I do not need moisturizer! I bathe with oatmeal shower products. AND, my favorite substitute for petroleum jelly, if needed (rarely) is something based on castor oil, not petroleum, and it's called Un-petroleum jelly and it is not expensive. Just me - hope it helps someone.
6
Sounds reasonable to make. I eat salmon twice a week, eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, olive oil etc. but I still have eczema problems. What else do you do to control your eczema?
Just want to point out that not all cold winter climates are dry! Here in the Pacific Northwest, our winters are cold and clammy, and I switch to water-based moisturizers... it’s our hot, dry summers that really do a number on skin, for which I rely on heavier creams that I’d reserve for winters back east!
2
The best moisturizer for most people is none. I know that's not the right "style section" answer, but I refuse to smear any chemicals onto my skin unless they are really needed. For most people skin moisturizers are not needed. I only use sunscreen and occasionally insect repellent when I'm out in the woods, and I wash those off as soon as they're done serving their purpose.
3
Obviously you've never suffered from dry skin, or you would not have made this uninformed comment.
2
At the ripe age of 54, I've come to realize that fancy (expensive) moisturizers are all about marketing, pure and simple. Nothing can dramatically 'change' or 'improve' your skin by way of 'reducing wrinkles' etc. That said, the most important things to do for great skin are sun protection, plenty of water or otherwise non-sugary, no caffeine drinks, plenty of rest, and basic moisturizer.
When it comes to moisturizer, I think it's always best to go as natural as you can with regards to ingredients. And look for something with SPF built-in.
My current all around face moisturizer is Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF15. I have combination skin. I find this moisturizer 'perfect'....it's moisturizing but not greasy...makes my skin look 'dewy'...the formulation is light but yet heavy enough to feel that it's actually moisturizing my skin. Comes in a pump bottle that works great. And it's available at most drugstores. Prior to this I used Earth Science face moisturizer with SPF, but it's generally only sold at healthfood stores/Whole Foods, etc., but even then sometimes they are out of it. So I decided to try something that can be more readily found at drugstores throughout the city. So for now, I'm sticking with Cetaphil.
8
Environmental Working Group EWG has a website and app which shows product ingredients and has a "gas gauge" of ted to green showing their allergy ratings. They also rate food for pesticides and other chemicals.
I found Just The Goods on that site. Excellent products!
2
I WAS a natural redhead, with freckles. I use the plain Oil of Olay, now with a formulation for sensitive skin ( no added fragrance OR sunscreens). I've tried many items over the years, some very expensive. Mostly scams.
I think the best thing you can do for your face/ neck is wash gently twice daily, then slather on the lotion. Even more important: wear large straw hats when outside in spring/ summer. I spend 10 to 20 hours per week doing yard work. Don't take steaming HOT showers, and always drink lots of water. My skin looks to be in better condition than my adult daughters.
I go thru a 4oz. Bottle of lotion in 2- 3 weeks, but it's only about eight dollars, less on sale, stock up. Good luck.
6
I realize this is both subjective and anecdotal. I was surprised of all the moisturizing options this article mentioned, body oil was not among them. 40 years ago I walked into a dermatologist's office as I had an itchy rash in several areas of my body. The doc took one look at me, said, "dry skin," and told me to try adding something called Alpha Keri to my bath. It is the only body oil product I have ever tried that does not leave a nasty, oily film. It's become more difficult to find over the years, but it still does a great job moisturizing skin. In the shower, put some on a damp face cloth and wipe it all over, then rinse off. Works wonders.
I used to use Earth Science face moisturizer with SPF, sold at health food stores and Whole Foods. But sometimes it's hard to find or out of stock. I decided that perhaps I needed to reconsider brands that are more commonly sold in drugstores all over the city. I landed on Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF15. It's non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
It comes in a pump bottle, dispenses very easily and cleanly. The moisturizer is neither heavy nor too light. It blends easily, sinks in well, and leaves my skin feeling moisturized, and with a healthy glow, and with no extra greasy feel. I love it!
2
A remarkable line of preservative-free, natural products is "Just the Goods" (there is a website) out of Canada. The owner is remarkable and so are the products. Of course, the products have a relatively short shelf life due to the lack of preservatives, so you'll need to coordinate your orders to coincide with how much product you'll use. They are chemical free and are the best natural products I've tried - they also receive the highest ratings on the natural products websites.
8
A whole lot of words and very little worthwhile content. Please spare us future articles with such a disappointing ratio of length to actionable content.
178
True. For example among the most common allergen is the preservative Methylindoliazoline and its variations. It is in the process of being banned in the EU, present in virtually all moisturizing creams and it isn't even mentioned. 15% of the population is allergic to it.
Facts are hard
2
Agreed, I read the whole thing hoping for a recommendation ...
5
I have eczema, and I found CeraVe to be the best. Non-greasy and retains moisture.
16
I like oils . I buy wild caught cod fish and rub the raw fish all over my body. Then , I run 2 miles and submerge myself in ice water. Then, I hit the sauna. Then, I take a nap.
39
1. The best moisturizer is actually plain Vaseline (petrolatum): take a few small dabs, rub it in well, then take a tissue and rub over the sites, and your skin will feel much softer in a few days. You are not supposed to feel or look greasy.
2. It is not possible to put water into the skin, but you can help slow down the transepidermal water loss which makes for dry skin - and to do that you need a greasy barrier (vide supra).
3. Moisturizers are simply mixture of (mostly) water and lots of other chemicals designed to make the petrolatum or other oily substances feel more elegant on the skin. What does the work is the petrolatum.
4. Whatever is chosen must be reapplied several times a day for best results.
5. Derms almost never recommend actual products because the cosmetic manufacturers continually manipulate the chemicals they put in products, and so it's common practice to merely recommend a patient use whatever product they find to be the best for their skin, and does what the patient wants from their product.
6. Having said that I recommended Cetaphil, Nivea, Eucerin, Aquaphor, and Vaseline for decades. They cheap, available, have far fewer chemicals than many other products, and all they do is work as they are supposed to do.
Disclaimer: I was a practicing solo dermatologist for 40+ years.
162
Vaseline is "not inert at all, significantly upregulating genes that fight infection, and inducing the expression of genes that help with barrier function, increasing the thickness of the protective outer layer of skin, and actively reducing inflammation... a consensus of experts concluded that petroleum jelly may be best for skin barrier function protection." https://nutritionfacts.org/video/eczema-treatment-with-coconut-oil-miner...
4
It IS inert: but its occlusive properties initiate an epidermal and dermal cytokine and enzymatic cascade.
3
I have very sensitive skin and while I mostly use "hypoallergenic" and "natural" products like lotions, I too use Vaseline, especially for persistent dryness. It's also the only thing other than RX opthalmic ointment that I can use on my eyelids, which sometimes become very dry or scaly (even though I do not use any eye makeup, ever). Vaseline that wanders down into your eyes will blur your vision but doesn't seem to do more than that.
2
I have had dry skin, and few minor dermatological problems through the years. And I have lived half my life in arid Arizona.
I have used moisturizers in my lifetime. But nothing has helped as much as ingesting a good amount of olive oil.
Now I rarely use a moisturizer topically. Nonetheless, a man's skin and a woman's are different, and the distaff sex may require more.
2
Good article but very dismayed that no list of these products is accessible or available. Please advise as to how to identify at least some of the products alluded to in this essay.
90
I felt cheated reading this article that never named a product,
9
Naming names:
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream - in the morning after cleansing with Kiehl's cleanser ($47.for 4.2 oz) All natural ingredients
Lancome's Renergie Lift Multi-Action Night cream - after cleansing with Kiehl before bed ($100+ for 2.4 oz) I love the rosewater smell!
Expensive but worth it.
Cleansing twice a day is the key! My 40 something daughter-in-law envies my 70 something skin.
6
I am postmenopausal with rosacea. I've tried everything. I always return to cheap and effective Cetaphil.
13
Why bother to provide links to lists of allergenic-free moisturizers when one can only view the abstract? To look at the actual article (which presumably contains the lists) one has to rent or buy the article.
21
As a freckle-fair 50-something with sensitive dry skin I have tried every imaginable combination of products to moisturize and protect from the sun (hats are a must now, which also double as fashion). Getting out of the advertised products aisle led me to discover sweet almond oil - slather on face to toes at night at least once a week and let absorb over night, and hyerlonic serum, use a little every day. Rose Otto oil is excellent on lips. Layering is also key. Cetaphil cream is a good humectant that seals in the moisture of the first layer of product you use (or on its own). For sun protection Neutrogena makes a high SPF face moisturizer that absorbs into the skin well on its own or before putting on additional product. Layer, layer, layer.
9
My dermatologist is head of dermatology at a major NY medical center. I am very allergic and chemically sensitive. I use Cerave, which he approves, and love it.
Also, the "Paraben Paradox" means that even if you are allergic to them, it isn't a problem when you use them on your face, per my dermatologist
8
Not quite correct.
Alex. Fisher MD (of NYU in the '70's, and doyen of allergic and irritant contact allergy for decades) described the paradox in 1973.
BUT be aware that if you apply enough of whatever you use to broken skin or very thin skin (eyelids) repeatedly you WILL eventually react to the chemical. It's a matter of frequency, skin barrier function, and chemical concentration.
Be sparing with the application of your known chemical allergen!
Disclaimer: I was a practicing dermatologist for 40+ years
3
I just came back from my dermatologist, who recommended that I read this article. Like everyone else, I am disappointed that it doesn't include a list of highly recommended products or brands. I have severe eczema, and per my doc's orders I bathe with warm (not hot) water, pat down, and immediately apply moisturizer. I react to lanolin, all fragrances, and I try to avoid petroleum-based products because I think I might have an allergy to those too. On my body I use Vannacream (developed by the Mayo Clinic) or Amlactin (a lotion with lactic acid). On my hands (the worst site of my eczema) I use unrefined organic shea butter (not processed in any way). I reapply 3-4 times a day. I use gloves in the kitchen and try not to get my eczema prone hand too wet, which can exacerbate the condition. It's a pain—literally and figuratively—but it has improved my condition.
18
My dermatologist recommended Vanicream. Before that I learned to squirt lotion into a container and let the water evaporate. Vanicream is good for the body. Don't know about the face as mine is oily. Some acne creams are good for that as they aren't greasy.
1
where's the *accessible* list? I mean, come on, really?
108
I assume that some large fraction of Dermatologists will both read this article and subscribe to JAMA. Or that some reader will pay JAMA their single article charge.
Would those people be subject to some sort of punishment if they were to reveal, say, five, of the most effective products in this letter section?
Jane Brody might also have mentioned whatever reason she had to omit this information.
57
"We figured out what are the best moisturizers but we won't tell you what they are."
274
The medicines one takes can cause changes in both skin and hair as well as just the normal changes which come with aging. Using one product for a lifetime or one routine for years rarely accounts for changes. Warning labels on medicines rarely mention what effect the medicine will have on one's skin or hair; it takes intensive research to find out what to do to counteract damage from a medicine one must take long-term.
One additional issue that some consumers--especially those with sensitivities and actual allergies--need more information about is whether the product is tested on animals. Even if the actual end product is not tested on animals, some of the ingredients may have been tested on beagles, rabbits, rats or mice. Somehow research on consenting, paid humans seems a better alternative!
4
If the product's sold in China, it's tested on animals. If the product says it's cruelty-free and its parent company is sold in China, it's tested on animals.
2
And yet you say nothing about all the toxins that are in essentially every single product that may work in the short term to make one's skin feel more soft and moisturized but actually are doing nothing but harm us by leaching chemicals into our bloodstream (not to mention our planet) that do everything from disrupt our hormone balance to cause digestive disorders.
12
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit that tests and rates personal care products based on the chemicals they contain. When you use a product daily on your skin, it’s good to know what toxins you are exposing yourself to. See their ratings at EWG.org.
1
My, I'd most surely like to know in what field your doctorate is, as well as the studies you've done to document such assertions.
2
No need for such an arrogant reply. Jane just told us about EWG and no more.
I'm sorry, but which of the hundreds of moisturizers are best for my skin...or my mother's skin, or my husband's skin? I was hoping for more real guidance.
109
The article informed us of the factors we should consider. My takeaway is that advertised labels and prices should not be significant factors and that it's important to be consistent in use.
The conclusion of the study states, "Best-selling moisturizers vary widely by price and product characteristics. Given the lack of readily available comparison data on moisturizer efficacy, dermatologists should balance consumer preference, price, and allergenicity in their recommendations."
There isn't enough solid data and we all have very different needs/wants. So, it's important to sit down and talk with a dermatologist for recommendations that best fit you.
1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28877310
Here is the link. Not helpful tho.
2
Since the article doesn't name any brands, we should start a list here of the products that have helped us. I have the world's most sensitive skin, and I have had good results from products made by Curel and CeraVe.
39
My dermatologist recommended CeraVe, which I have used faithfully for about 4 years. I also now use their facial wash first thing in the morning, then apply the cream. Works like a charm.
7
Creme de la Mer!!! I have not needed a facial in 15 years and here is my routine:
In the morning I exfoliate with an Aveeno scrub and use Creme de la Mer three times a week. The other four days of the week, I wash my face with Eve Lom Cleanser and use Creme de la Mer before going out to face the world...
In the evening, I use Eve Lom cleanser to wash my makeup off and cleanse my skin followed by: Creme de la Mer.
That is all.
I like what you recommend but it is outrageously expensive.
3
I have very sensitive skin and have had a dermatologist since I was a teenager. I have also had a melanoma. Several years ago after a discussion with my yoga instructor who is of Indian heritage I switched to using almond oils a facial moisturizer. Her view was we shouldn't put anything on our skin we wouldn't eat. The almond oil lightly applied absorbs into the skin and keeps you comfortable and your complexion clear. I find most sunscreens affect my skin negatively so I try to stay out of the sun between 11 and 2pm and keep in the shade of a hat or building other times.
7
Bad advice if you have allergies. Almonds, for example, cross react with several very common allergens, e.g. Ragweed, birch, grasses.
2
I had a major allergic reaction eventually traced back to almond oil with blistering, itching redness and flaking skin. The same with apricot oil. All ingredients "from nature" are not necessarily safe for people with contact dermatitis. Sunflower oil, coconut oil and shea butter are safe for me so far. Read product labels and try to use those with fewer ingredients to be able to track reactions.
4
Anything made out of food can go bad easily which both changes it's efficacy and increases skin reactions. I will say if looking for a barrier, my dermatologist recommends petroleum jelly. Cheap, easy to find, tolerated easily.
9
I bought my moisturizer based on the safety ratings of the Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org/skindeep/ and consumer reviews. The one I got is a generic version of a more expensive brand and has the best safety rating.
8
I wish you hadn't been coy about the brand.
27
So, how do we know which ones to buy?
60
Sure wish some products had been mentioned! Even the link didn’t give additional information. My problem was never allergic reaction, but break-outs. When I was younger, I had to be so careful. The wrong product would guarantee a big zit (I don’t think that’s considered an allergic reaction—it’s just oily skin). My dermatologist had recommended Moisturel which I used for years, but eventually I switched to Cetaphil. Something funny though—I now have to do hot compresses for dry eye and then put in glaucoma drops (ain’t aging fun) and I don’t use any kind of cream or moisturizer on my eyes at night (and just a swipe of Cetaphil in the morning). I was concerned that the skin around my eyes would get dry and irritated, but it hasn’t at all (and this has been well over a year for this regimen). So maybe normal, healthy skin just adjusts?
4
Studies show that applying xylitol (the sugarless 'sugar') to the skin helps with extreme skin dryness. The xylitol was added at 5%, to a moisturising skin creme, and within 7 days, a visible difference could be seen (at least according to the equipment used by the reseachers). Another study using xylitol along with glycerol, each at 5% was also effective.
interesting!
1
I stay out of the sun, wear a sunblock daily, and when I go to the beach I'll wear a wide brimmed hat and slather on the high SPF sunblock. The skin on areas of your body that aren't exposed to the sun are what undamaged skin looks like, but it's unrealistic to expect anyone to spend all their time indoors. The key is to protect your skin from the sun. One thing I would do differently if I could go back in time would be to use a daily sunblock on my hands, too. My face is complexion is good for my age, but my hands do show a lifetime of exposure.
13
I have spent the past 20 years wearing silk-lined leather gloves when I drive. Yes, in the summer I want to rebel, but I don’t. It is much easier to wear the gloves than have a car interior full of white marks from 30 spf. I can’t say that I have young-looking hands, but I think that I do.
I have dry skin and agree with the article that shea butter works well in winter. I buy a shea butter lotion made by Jergens that isn't too greasy. (I am not prone to allergies.)
3
Is there anything wrong with using cold-pressed oils generally sold for cooking as moisturizer? I have been using avocado, macadamia nut, and coconut oils for a few weeks and have seen great improvement in fine lines and dryness. My sister uses sweet almond oil. The big benefit to me is no additives. Do these things work as well as commercial lotions?
4
Start by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, using lotion consistently and with SPF, refraining from smoking and excessive drinking, making sure to exercise regularly, and not sunbathing. If you don't do these things as a given then your skin will suffer.
7
I agree with you. I am 71 and look in my late 40’s early 50’s. Still working full time with teenagers. They think I am their parents’ age but I am often older than their grandparents. Vitamins in the form of creams or pills can be applied/taken but coming from real food is far more effective. There are other elements in real food that won’t be in the pill/cream and those interactions can be synergistic. I have read that sugar and preservatives age skin. Fresh fruit and veges in abundance are some of the best remedies. Eat red meat modestly (3-4 oz servings), fish more often, and heap the plate with whole plant foods and whole grains. Avoid white rice — there are so many flavorful ones: Brown, Black (naturally sweet), red and lentils are amazing — Puy and Umbrian in particular. You can make these ahead of time and mix with sautéed onions and garlic, herbs, roasted vegetables, dried fruit, etc. Moisten with extra virgin olive oil. Really anything you love. Freeze in batches and voila you have sides already prepared. Dried beans can also be prepared in this manner. Use your imagination; draw from nature. It is actually more tasty but I think you really need to like to cook to be able to stick to this diet. Believe me, you will learn to crave these foods. And your digestive system will thank you and you will have more energy!
21
What is the point of this article if readers can't access the full text of the study that actually has information about products?
107
Remember, that moisturizers are just another form of cosmetics, and that cosmetics are nothing more than "hope in a bottle". There are many excellent products out there, most often ones that have been around for 50-60 years or more. Plain old Vaseline is wonderful on the face and dry elbows in the winter. Shea butter is wonderful for the rest of the body. Both are very inexpensive.
5
Paula Begoun with her Beautypedia reviews and Paula’s choice line has been a pioneer in the actual science of skin care. All I get is compliments from using her stuff (at the age of XX lol)
7
What is XX lol ?
Are you being sarcastic? Do you mean you're 20 = everyone has young ,healthy skin at that age, whatever they use?
2
Age anonymous. But probably NOT 20.
It means I don’t tell my age dear. But Paula’s skin care has provided me with skin that gets compliments. No sarcasm. And 20 was many years (YY) ago sigh.
1
I like Vitamin D oil from Trader Joe's.
1
Such a pity no products were mentioned in this article that contains a link to research results for which I have to pay to view...
28
Is the reason no products were listed specifically because the NYT doesn't endorse? How unfortunate that the links are accessible only via paid subscription.
And, while we are all capable of googling parabens and tocopherol, a short definition (or, a link) would have been appropriate.
In any event, thanks. The article was helpful, and I learned not to slather myself in olive oil, lest I wake up next to a head of romaine shouting, "Hail Caesar."
20
Depending upon where you live a moisturiser with sun block is essential. I suffered two occurrences of skin cancer on my head and nose both really painful and annoying to remove. I met a lady from Morocco where all the women take extreme care of their beautiful dusky skin and she was horrified to discover I didn't use any facial moisturizer. She instantly made me start a facial scrub and Boots 77 with SPF 30. I've really noticed a difference to my skin. It's clearer softer and I like it has SPF.
7
No mention of petroleum-derived ingredients & their effects.
17
What's the problem with them? Fill us in, please.
2
Well, the problem with petroleum-derived ingredients is that they're... petroleum. i.e. a non-renewable resource whose extraction is currently causing radical climate change.
2
Been using Vaseline on my face, hands, lips for 50 years. Grew up in the Midwest - cold, brutal winters. Been in hot, dry Los Angeles for 40. Vaseline keeps the moisture in, keeps my hands and lips from chapping, I have few wrinkles. As to the comments about petroleum- I’m sure your commenter below wasted more gasoline driving to the Mall to find some miracle formula and yet I still have to buy my daughter La Mer because she has been hypnotized by advertising that it will keep her looking young at $200 an ounce. Vaseline please. 16 ozs for $4.80 @ Costco.
10
How about naming some products. That would be helpful.
292
Excellent point!
5
I agree. I already know I am allergic to most, however I do need something.
1
Yeah. Not many of us have full access to articles in the JAMA. Would those of you who do please let the rest of us know which products are least likely to cause reactions?
Personally, I've had good results from products from Curel and CeraVe.
7
Buyer beware -- I have been stung (literally) by 'sensitive skin' products that contain allergens and perfume. You'd think brands like Neutrogena and Aveda would be trustworthy. The links in this article to moisturizer ratings are both behind a subscriber paywall.
27
Well, as thorough as this article is, I am even more overwhelmed from the plethora of information supplied as to which product would be best for me, should I ever decide to change product.
Being in my 60s, I have come to a few realizations in my life. First, my mother had incredibly beautiful skin. She lived to 62 and never did anything except wash her face daily with Dove soap. I am extremely fortunate to have the same gift of beautiful skin. The only skin treatment I use is Oil of Olay because I love their scent. That's it. And people swear I am in my mid-50s.
I feel for women who have allergies, issues with scented or "scent-free" products that aren't, and for the many women who spend a fortune on facial products that do as little as inexpensive ones.
The biggest rip offs come from advertising. I recall seeing an advertisement in which Carol Burnett was promoting some kind of skin treatment/care. I love her and always have, but she is close to 85 and the photo showed her skin as being perfect and flawless. Please, give me a break. But I am sure a lot of women believe what they see, not realizing that air brushing and Photoshop are tricks of the advertising trade.
The best advise I can think of is to stay out of direct sunlight, wear a hat and use plenty of sun blocker. Hopefully those actions will lead to younger looking skin, longer.
33
Dove soap and Oil of Olay works for me, too!
7
I love Dove soap!
2
At night I use Biafine which is sold OTC in Italy, France and Switzerland (maybe others, I've only been to those...) for 13 euros a tube at pharmacies. Here it is prescription (even though it's mostly water....).
5
I have issues with this assertion:
"Interestingly, products that lacked any allergenic ingredients, costing on average 83 cents an ounce, “were not statistically more expensive per ounce (median, 60 cents) than products with one or more allergens,” the team found."
First, average and median are put together in one sentence as though they are interchangeable, when in fact they mean very different things. The median is half of all products cost more than 60 cents per ounce and half less. The average is all the product ounces added up together and divided. They may or may not be close to each other. However, this sentence implies they are the same. If so, the price of the products without allergens (83 cents/ounce) is a lot closer to 40% than 30% higher than the products with allergens at 60 cents/ounce. I suspect most consumers would consider this cost differential significant.
25
I thought the same thing when I read that portion of the article.
2
Ingredients in the product and/or not in the product should be the greatest influencer when choosing the safest product. The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database tests thousands of personal care products and their long list of ingredients on the back of the bottle and takes the guesswork out what may or may not be healthy and safe. www.ewg.org
51
I was not aware of www.ewg.org Incredibly informative. Thank you.
This is consumerism creating a problem in order to sell even more potions in order to solve it. Just don't wash the fats off your skin in the first place! Only the hands need to be frequently washed.
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
11
It seems that some folks never quite get the message that just because something works or doesn't work, is needed or not needed, by them doesn't mean the same applies to every other member of the human race. Maybe YOU don't need to use a moisturizer and maybe YOU are comfortable with not washing regularly, but that doesn't work for everyone else. Not only do we all lead different lives that may require more or less bathing than some other people, but we are also all our own little individual ecosystems with individual needs. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and it is our first defense against the ills and ravages of the world. So it makes sense to keep it healthy. Don't presume that just because you are able to skate by with little maintenance that others can do the same.
45
I was able to get by without doing much in the way of washing my face until I was 24. Everything changed after that. Adult acne set in. I’m not sure if you’ve ever experienced adult acne, but it is basically your face punishing you until you find the right combination of diet/supplements and skin products -and you have to go through that process every 6 months or so. I did discover that less astringent washes such as cetaphil and micellar waters are, for me, preferable to more expensive or harsh washes due to frequency of use. Not washing is not an option for some of us.
19
Doesn't this rather beg the question? You're assuming that all these products keep the skin healthy, whereas it might be best to simply protect the skin from sun.
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
2