Best body moisturizer for deep wrinkles
Deep wrinkles on the body come largely from sun damage and lost elasticity, so no moisturizer can erase them, but a rich balm can make skin look smoother and feel firmer. OSEA Malibu Anti-Aging Body Balm is Vereme's most effective pick. It pairs alaria seaweed with passion fruit, coconut, safflower and babassu oils, emollients that soften rough, crepey texture and help hold moisture in, which can make lines look less pronounced. Our ethical pick, KORA Organics Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion, is cruelty free and vegan. The table below compares price and time to results. It combines ceramide NP with shea butter and sunflower and rosehip oils to support a dry skin barrier, and it contains essential oils, so patch test it first if you are sensitive. Apply either one to damp skin after bathing, and protect your chest, arms and hands with daily sunscreen.
| Option | Product | Price | Price per use | Days to results | Compared with most effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most effective | OSEA Malibu Anti-Aging Body Balm | US$54 (150 mL) | 28 | ||
| Cruelty free, vegan and all natural | KORA Organics Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion | US$60 (300 mL) | 28 | US$6.00 more than the most effective pick, same time to first results |
Why it works
Plant oils, butters and squalane (emollients)
Emollients are the oily part of a moisturizer. Plant oils, butters and squalane soften rough skin and leave a film that slows water loss. Evidence for individual oils is limited, mostly small human studies plus animal and lab work. A research review found sunflower seed and coconut oil supported the skin barrier in small studies, while olive oil, which is high in oleic acid, increased water loss. Dermatologists list jojoba oil and shea butter among useful dry-skin ingredients, but shea butter and squalane have little published barrier research. Heavy, occlusive products can aggravate acne and folliculitis, and any emollient can occasionally cause an allergic rash.
Ceramides and barrier lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids)
Ceramides are waxy fats found between the cells of the skin's outer layer, where they work with other lipids such as cholesterol and fatty acids to keep the barrier intact and hold water in. Moisturizers add ceramides to help top up a damaged or dry barrier. In a double-blind 12-week study of people using a strong prescription acne gel, adding a ceramide cleanser and lotion reduced water loss and dryness compared with a basic cleanser. Most studies test whole products, so it is hard to separate the effect of the ceramides from the rest of the formula. The evidence is supportive but limited.
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Sources
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
- Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin
- Emollients and Moisturizers (Moisturisers)
- How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin
- Xeroderma
- Ceramide-Containing Adjunctive Skin Care for Skin Barrier Restoration During Acne Vulgaris Treatment
Reviewed by Emilie Sydney-Smith