Moisturisers 101: A Quick Guide to The Superhero Products for Skin Hydration
Moisturisers are a skincare classic - from cold creams of the 1950s to the popular airy versions of the modern-day, moisturisers have come a long way. These products have been catapulted to skincare fame - they might even be a big part of your current skincare routine.
Despite their popularity, there are still many questions surrounding moisturisers. What do they really do to the skin apart from moisturising it? When do you apply them? What moisturisers should one look for a specific skin concern? Whether you’re a newbie to moisturisers, or someone who wants to finish their morning or night skincare routine feeling rejuvenated, this moisturiser 101 article is for you!
What You'll Learn From This Blog
- What Are Moisturisers and Why Are They Important?
- When Do You Apply Moisturisers?
- Moisturisers for Oily Skin
- Moisturisers for Dry Skin
- Moisturisers for Combination Skin
- Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
What are Moisturisers and Why Are They Important
Moisturisers are pretty straightforward - they are a vital part of any skincare routine because they ensure that your skin cells are perpetually healthy.
These products act quickly - they instantly replace nutrients that might have come off while cleansing. Using a moisturiser leaves no chance for the skin to dry off and become irritated. A moisturising product is designed to bring hydration to the skin and keep it there.
Perhaps after applying your toners, essences, and serums, you might sometimes feel like moisturising is an extra chore. But unlike the first three skincare products, moisturisers do a specific job - they help nourish and protect the outer layer of the skin to prevent skin damage caused by dry skin. When you have dry and irritated skin, there’s a higher chance you can get breakouts and significant skin issues like early ageing, and enlarged pores.
Religiously applying moisturisers day and night can help make your skin younger, firmer, plumper, and glowing.
Mositurisers for Daytime and Nighttime Use
Experts suggest using moisturisers for both day and night. Day time moisturisers also double as UV shields, while nighttime moisturisers provide extra reparative work for the skin.
Moisturisers For Your Daytime Routine
Start your day with a good amount of moisturiser - this ensures you get a plumper, brighter-looking skin throughout the day. To make moisturisers effectively work for you, opt for products with SPF 15 or higher. Apart from making sure your skin does not get dehydrated, keeping sun protection in check is also important.
Moisturisers For Your Nighttime Routine
The skin does its reparative job during the night. Moisturisers are a must-have in the nighttime skin routine as it helps trap moisture, and make skin repair faster, and more effective.
When Do You Apply Moisturiser?
The rule of the thumb is to apply a moisturiser in your routine every time you cleanse. As cleansing removes much-needed nutrients and moisture off the skin, it’s important to rehydrate with a product that works best for your skin type.
Whether you’re applying during the day, or during the night, the order of applying a moisturiser in your skincare routine depends on its consistency. If you’re using a lightweight gel moisturiser during the day, apply it before your sunscreen. If your nighttime routine includes a cream moisturiser with a thicker consistency than the rest of the products, apply it last.
Moisturisers for Different Skin Types
Moisturisers for Oily Skin
Since oily skin is far from being dry, you might feel like your skin type no longer needs moisturiser. However, if you leave oily skin unmoisturised, the skin goes into excessive sebum production to prevent the skin from drying out. Without moisturisers, you might deal with bigger oil problems.
Moisturisers for oily skin help regulate sebum production to prevent excess oil from taking over your skin.
For the best moisturisers for oily skin, look for oil-free, water-based products.
Moisturisers for Dry Skin
Dry skin needs extra pampering in the moisturising department because they tend to get flaky and irritated. Experts recommend oil-based creams with thicker consistencies. The best moisturisers for dry skin should have at least a good mixture of emollients (ceramide) for skin repair, and humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) to help trap moisture in the skin.
Created with the Radical New Age formula only from SK-II, this moisturiser features a lotion-like consistency that penetrates deep into the skin. Hydrates the skin without leaving that oily, greasy feel. Improves skin suppleness and elasticity to give you that youthful, healthy-looking complexion.
Moisturisers for Combination Skin
When one part of your face needs extreme moisturisation, and the other calls for gentle hydration, where do you find the sweet spot?
A moisturiser in lotion form is a great option for combination skin. Specifically look for lightweight formulas powered by hyaluronic acid for intense but gentle hydration.
Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
Having sensitive skin can make you feel so lost, especially when searching for the ideal moisturisers for your skin type. What if they will work? What if some moisturisers aggravate skin sensitivity?
For the best moisturisers for sensitive skin, look for products with ceramide and glycerin. Ceramides will help bring back the health of your skin barrier, while glycerin will help retain moisture in your skin.
Let your skin drink up goodness through consistent moisturisation. Make moisturisers a significant part of your routine to bring out skin that’s hydrated and healthy.
Need some help putting together the best skincare routine for your skin type? Try our skin quiz!
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