When we think about moisturizer, we don’t often think about strengthening our skin. Yet in reality healthy hydration is perhaps the number one way that we can ensure that skin will remain strong and resilient under the harshest conditions. There is an outdated idea that men do not need to moisturize because we are tougher, or because moisturizing will somehow “soften” our skin. Hydrated skin is not only more malleable and healthy, but also stronger.
With this in mind, today we will discuss why moisturized skin leads to stronger skin by exploring how moisturizers work and why hydrated skin is stronger.
How Does Men’s Skin Moisturizer Work?
Men and women do have slightly different skin anatomies. Men’s skin is approximately 25 percent thicker than women’s, they produce more collagen and sebum (natural oil), and they have a coarser skin texture. What fewer people realize is that men’s skin is also more prone to dryness, sun damage, and many other common skin concerns. For these and many other reasons, men actually have an even greater need for daily moisturization.
But how exactly does high quality skin moisturizer work? The key is in powerful ingredients such as amino acids that cover the three pillars of potent skin moisturization:
Occlusives Lock in Moisture
The most obvious and well-known of all moisturizer ingredients are occlusives. A commonly used occlusive is petroleum jelly, AKA Vaseline. Occlusives work by forming a physical barrier on the exterior of the skin to simultaneously lock in your skin’s moisture while offering a layer of protection against outside irritants. This is a key ingredient in any powerful moisturizer as it ensures that moisture is not lost throughout the day.
Emollients Repair Damaged Skin from Within
Another critical component of any moisturizer for men is an emollient. Unlike occlusives, emollients work by penetrating beneath the surface of the skin to repair dry, cracked, and damaged skin. When skin strength is compromised by a lack of moisture, emollients are the ingredients that actively fill the gaps left in order to restore skin to a stronger, healthier state. Without emollients, men’s skin might retain moisture, but it would not become stronger in the short term.
Humectants Draw Moisture to the Skin’s Surface
Last but not least, powerful ingredients known as humectants work like magnets to literally draw water molecules from within the body to the skin. This is a natural process that is accelerated by common humectants including glycol, glycerin, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). One of the most powerful aspects of humectants is their ability to continuously hydrate skin throughout the day. This is one of the ways we develop daily moisturizing products to keep men’s skin protected and hydrated for a full 24 hours. Instead of applying and reapplying, you can think of moisturizing as routine maintenance for hard working hands, elbows, and feet.
Does Moisturization Really Make Skin Stronger?
Absolutely! Hydrated skin is not only healthier and more comfortable, but it is measurably stronger in the face of tough conditions. In fact, moisturizing your skin is perhaps the easiest way for men to keep their skin strong in the short and long term. This is because your skin is made up of water and oil-based components which are constantly drying out and re-moisturizing. The more you can keep your skin hydrated, the stronger your skin will be.
We like to use the example of a leather belt. A recent ad showed this visual comparing a dry belt and a hydrated belt being put under the stress of a 20 kilogram weight. As you might expect, the dry belt snapped in half under the weight while the hydrated belt held strong. Your skin is meant to be malleable. That “soft” feeling is not a sign of weakness, it is actually an indicator of greater strength!
This is exactly why we believe all men should be using moisturizer. Not only will your partner thank you for no longer giving them brush burns from your dry skin, but you will be able to perform on the job and in the gym without worrying so much about cracked and bleeding skin. Moisturizer is a great way to keep your skin healthy, strong, and comfortable.
HEFF Relief Keeps Men’s Skin Hydrated and Strong
HEFF cream for hands, elbows and feet has been specifically formulated for working men. Harnessing the power of amino acids, our lotion is ideal for even the most dry, cracked skin. Think of once-daily HEFF as routine maintenance for your body. Shower, shave, apply daily moisturizing cream, and you are all set for a day of hard work or hard play. The old way of thinking that moisturization is just for soft skin is yesterday’s news. If you want strong skin that will stand up to tough conditions, a powerful moisturizer is absolutely essential!
For every tube of HEFF sold, we are proud to donate a tube to Operation Gratitude. This is a small way of giving back to the men and women who keep our country safe.To find HEFF, shop on Amazon, find us at any of these national retailers, or contact us directly for more information today!