Effective skin softeners/moisturizers?

[Mr. Styptic]

Are glycerin, lanolin and shea butter the most effective skin softeners found in shaving creams? How do they rate compared to one another?
Would a skin softener necessarily be a moisturizer? Aren't they one and the same, in effect?

I buy straight glycerin and dilute it only 50/50 with water for a winter hand lotion, but Shea Moisture (a brand name) is the best skin-softening cream I've found, and others rave about the effects of lanolin from Mitchell's Wool Fat, a shaving soap I haven't tried. Thoughts?

 

[jeffsf]

A skin softener isn't necessarily a skin moisturizer, though it may soften your skin by moisturizing it. If you're looking to have your face, neck, or what have you feel better, it becomes a personal preference. Some swear by mineral oil, or baby oil if you want to pay more for the same thing with some scent. Mineral oil can make your skin feel good, as well as helping it to not lose more moisture.

If you're really looking to moisturize you probably want to look at some of the skin lotions highly recommended by dermatologists (and not the ones that work for the companies that make the product). At least in my experience, something like Amlactin that contains available lactic acid (don't worry, it isn't like pouring battery acid on yourself) works very well.

Here's some non-cosmetic-company information on skin and skin care: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Dermatitis/files/skin_phys.pdf Though a bit heavy on jargon, it is at least marginally readable. From that paper...

Skin Physiology, Irritants, Dry Skin and Moisturizers

Christina Marino, MD, MPH Report Number 56-2-2001a August 2001
(Revised June 2006)

[...]

Natural Moisturizing Factors: The Natural Retention of Water in the Skin

The free amino acids, along with other physiological chemicals such as lactic acid, urea and salts, are present in the stratum corneum.

Together these chemicals are called “natural moisturizing factors” and are responsible for keeping the skin moist and pliable by attracting and holding water—a property called hygroscopic.

 

[LouSee]

Try a brand called bulldog skincare, they make face washes, aftershave balm, moisturizers, shaving cream etc. Natural ingredients only plus no animal testing or animal derived ingredients.

Nothing personal but whenever I read "no animal testing" or "not tested on animals", I always mentally say to myself "Product testing being performed on your face".

 

[deoxy4]

The two best face moisturizers I have used are rose hip seed oil and avocado oil. I use a homemade blend of 50:50 of shea butter:coconut oil as a body and hand lotion which works great to soften and moisturize skin in the winter. Lanolin works well to "seal" moisture in but can be a little greasy. If you do a net search for natural moisturizers, you will find some good information.

 

[Mr. Styptic]

Thanks, guys, especially Jeff for the lead to the in-depth info. I'm still interested in answers to my original question about the ingredients found in shaving creams.