What's The Best Moisturizer For Your Skin Type?
How do you know your moisturizer is ‘the one’ – not too thick, not too thin, not too oily, but just about right? Well, it’s not rocket science, you just need to a) understand your skin type and b) know your way around a few choice ingredients. Let’s get on that.
Moisturizing is a fundamental part of any successful skincare regime. Every day you cleanse, perhaps you tone (or not!), you treat your skin with an eye cream and serum, then you moisturize and, in the mornings, finish with sunscreen. Because that’s the kind of skincare pro you are. And we love you for that.
But just how much do you know about what’s inside your moisturizer? And are all those ingredients really doing the best they can for your skin type or maybe, just maybe, is your moisturizer a tad shy of your skin’s true needs?
To help you find the correct moisturizer, first you need to know your skin type.
The best way to do this is to study your skin in the mirror, when it’s completely free of makeup or skincare products. Cleanse your face with a mild formulation like Soothing Cleansing Milk, then gently pat it dry with a clean, cotton towel and leave it be. After about an hour, examine your skin and touch it with clean hands to discover how it looks and feels.
Does it feel tight, itchy and look a little flaky in places? Then it’s DRY. Does it look shiny and feel greasy to the touch? Then it’s OILY. Is it a mixture of the two; dry and tight in areas, and greasy in others? Then it’s COMBINATION. And finally, does it feel pretty darn great all over, with no dryness or oiliness? Then you have NORMAL skin. And we’re not jealous at all. Honestly.
It’s also worth noting that other issues you may think are your skin type, are not. Sensitive skin for example, can be dry OR oily. And the same goes for acne-prone skin. This means that anything other than dry, normal, oily and combination is a skin condition, rather than a type, usually as a result of factors like aging, your hormones, elevated stress or the products you put on your skin.
OK, so now you know how to determine your skin type, let’s have a look at your moisturizing besties shall we?
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, moisturizer is arguably the most important product for you to get right. After all, the very definition of dry skin is the lack of natural sebum (oil) which is so important for keeping skin soft, supple and moisturized.
So what should your skin be soaking up? Well, the key for you is to use gentle products that are rich and buttery to strengthen and fortify your barrier function and help your skin retain moisture while stopping irritants from breaking through. Heavier formulations that contain occlusive ingredients are your true friends because these create a seal over the top of your skin, substituting for your lack of sebum and locking in hydration.
Look out for things like shea butter, coconut oil, ceramides, glycerin and olive oil – and, of course, avoid anything that’s going to cause further dryness such as synthetic fragrances, harsh alcohols and parabens.
Try: Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin it’s tempting to want to skip moisturizer altogether. Massive mistake. When you fail to moisturize oily skin, your sebaceous glands think your skin is dry so they go into overdrive, producing even more sebum to compensate for the moisturization which is lacking. The result? Way too much oil that can build up in your pores if you’re not careful, causing potential breakouts.
The key for moisturizing oily skin types is to keep it light by looking for thinner formulations like lotions and gels. You want to avoid heavy, occlusive ingredients like butters and heavy oils because these trap oil into the skin making it feel greasy and sticky. Instead, go big on humectants to add hydration (think hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and glycerin) and combine these with gentle emollients to seal in moisture without blocking your pores. Jojoba oil is a great emollient that's noncomedogenic and ideal for oily skin types.
Try: Firming Collagen Day Lotion
Combination Skin
Looking after combination skin can feel like an impossible task. If you concentrate on the dry areas are you going to make the oily ones even oilier? And vice versa? Some people swear by using two separate moisturizers to target the different areas of their face – one light, gel-based formula for the t-zone and a richer, oil-based cream for drier areas. But this is a real effort. Not to mention crazy expensive.
Similar to oily skin types, a better (and cheaper!) option is to go for a noncomedogenic moisturizer that contains humectants to draw water into the skin and emollients to lock it there. Avoid harsh ingredients which could upset the balance of your skin and go all-in on antioxidants like vitamin C and green tea to help protect your skin from environmental damage.
And if you find this isn’t quite enough to moisturize your dry areas? Keep it light in the daytime and amp it up overnight with a rich, nourishing night cream like our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream.
Try: Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream
Normal Skin
If your barefaced skin shows zero signs of dryness or oiliness then you seriously hit the skin jackpot because you’re graced with normal, balanced skin. This is the type of skin everyone else would die for because it’s able to maintain just the right level of moisture. But this doesn’t mean you should neglect it – dehydration, temporary oiliness and breakouts can still hit you at any time. And of course, skin is always going to age, whatever your skin type, but especially if you don’t look after it properly and protect it from the daily perils of UV radiation, pollution and friends.
Normal skin can get away with most moisturizing formulations, but make sure yours contains ingredients that draw in water and hold it there. Vitamin E is great for that. And if you really want to up the ante, look for active ingredients that offer your skin so much more. Retinol, for example, works great in moisturizers and is awesome for normal, aging skin because it works at a deep, cellular level to improve collagen and encourage turnover.
Try: Retinol Moisturizer
Tips For Getting The Most From Your Moisturizer
Now you know what to look for, here’s how to apply your product for the best results, every time…
1. Apply moisturizer to damp skin
Your skin needs plenty of hydration to remain healthy so maximize all that free water from cleansing or toning by moisturizing your face while it’s still a little damp.
2. Moisturize AFTER applying serum
If serum plays a major role in your routine, apply this while your skin is still damp, then leave it for a minute or so before applying moisturizer last. Serums have a smaller molecular size than moisturizers which means they sink in super fast. However, this does mean they have to be applied before moisturizer, otherwise they won’t get through to the surface of your skin.
3. Use the correct amount
Piling oceans of moisturizer onto your face and neck won’t make it work better, it’ll just overload your skin. Instead, use a small amount as instructed on the label and if you feel it’s too moisturizing, or not moisturizing enough, you’re using the wrong formulation. Simple as.
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![Good Or Bad? 5 TikTok Skincare Trends – Dissected]()
Are social media skincare hacks harmful or helpful? To follow, our thoughts on five of the latest beauty fads doing the rounds…
Isn’t social media awesome? Well, it is, until it isn’t. You see, the problem with giving everyone a voice and a platform on which to share their skincare routines and DIY beauty hacks is that not ‘everyone’ is an expert. In fact, most people are far from it. Of course, there are plenty of fabulous makeup artists, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aestheticians you can follow across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok and a lot of them have incredible advice to offer. There’s also a lot to be said for things like Facebook Groups where, if you struggle with chronic skin issues, you can connect, learn and find solace from others with similar concerns.
But then there’s all the other 'stuff' from people who have so much to say… about things they don’t know that much about. And this is the kind of information that can do more harm than good. This is why we’ve sifted through some of the most recent viral skincare fads you might want to be wary of. Instead, read on for the real truth about how best to take care of your skin.
1. Slugging
What Is Slugging?
Skin slugging might sound gross, but it’s become a huge deal on TikTok, with its hashtag currently notching up around 1.5 billion views.
Not to be confused with most people’s least favorite mollusk, slugging involves smearing a thick layer of petroleum jelly all over your skin as the last step in your nightly skincare routine. Do so and you’re guaranteed to wake up with the softest, most moisturized skin ever. So they reckon, anyway.
Is Slugging Good For Your Skin?
This trend started gaining momentum almost two years ago, but it will not go away. Therefore there has to be something in it, right? Well, petroleum jelly is an occlusive ingredient that creates a seal over your skin to help lock in moisture. So, sure, it will definitely stop water from evaporating from the surface of your skin as you sleep, we’ll give you that. However, petroleum jelly has no hydrating qualities. At all. This means it doesn’t really moisturize your skin, it just stops any moisture that’s already present from escaping from the surface of your skin.
Not only that but petroleum jelly creates a barrier over your pores, completely blocking them and causing no end of problems for oily skin types. Namely, breakouts like you will never believe.
Much Better Advice?
Rather than slathering your skin with what is essentially just ‘grease,’ you’re much better off applying night cream to not only lock in moisture but to help hydrate and feed your complexion with skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants, ceramides, peptides and/or vitamins and minerals.
Our Vitamin C Deep Hydration Night Cream is a great bet or why not try the combo of our new Rejuvenating Longevity Serum and Renewing Longevity Moisturizing Cream?
2. Potatoes For PimplesWhat's It All About?
Dealing with acne can be a real struggle. Especially when you reach adulthood when you were promised your skin would be so much clearer. But it’s not common to be plagued by breakouts as you get older. In fact, research shows that around 25 percent of American women in their 40s suffer from some kind of acne.
It’s no wonder, therefore, that there are so many short-term hacks for dealing with pimples. Back in the day it was toothpaste and nail varnish remover (gasp!). Now it’s slices of raw potatoes. The idea is that you tape a small slice over your spot to make it magically disappear. Some TikTokers have even resorted to rubbing the whole darn thing over their skin.
Are Potatoes Good For Your Skin?
Don’t get us wrong, we love a potato as much as the next person. But on our dinner plates, not taped to our faces. So, why has this acne hack become such a thing? Ha, your guess is as good as ours but the main draw is that potatoes have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are both known to help reduce redness and unwanted pigmentation.
They also contain exfoliating and oil-reducing properties and feel nice and cool on the skin which is a big deal when you have a big, throbbing red zit on your chin. So maybe, just maybe, they might offer some short-term benefits. But little more than that.
Much Better Advice?
If you’re an acne sufferer, you’ll understand that short-term fixes are all well and good but, in truth, it’s all about the long-term. This is why we prefer to treat and control breakouts with smart skincare that’s been specifically (and safely!) formulated for the job. Products that contain science-led and dermatologically-tested ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil and AHAs are going to offer your skin way better benefits than a bag of your best russets. Sorry, but they just will.
3. Sunscreen Contouring
What Is Sunscreen Contouring?
If we had to choose just one viral beauty trend that gets our blood boiling the most, it would be sunscreen contouring. Stupid at best, downright dangerous at worst, sunscreen contouring is when you apply sunscreen to select areas of your face and body only, in order to intentionally create tan lines for a contoured effect.
Some people have taken to applying a lower SPF to areas of their face they want to tan more, and a higher SPF to those they want to remain pale and ‘highlighted’ but either way, this is bad news.
Is Sunscreen Contouring Good For Your Skin?
Absolutely not. Not even slightly. The sun is responsible for almost 90 percent of skin aging, accelerating the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, sagging and dark spots. This means it’s absolutely essential to protect ALL exposed skin to the damaging effects of UV radiation. Because tan skin = damaged skin. End of story. Not only that, but c’mon people, skin cancer.
Much Better Advice?
First, in order to truly protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, you need to apply SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen every day to all areas of exposed skin. The alternatives are just not worth it. And if you do want to create contours on your face and body such as highlighting your cheekbones, sculpting your nose or defining your abs, stick with a self-tanning lotion or makeup. Easy. And way less damaging.
4. Lemon Juice As Toner
What's It All About?
Pure lemon juice. As toner. Simple as that.
Yes, lemons are astringent, yes they’re packed with vitamin C and yes, vitamin C is awesome for the look, feel and health of your skin. But when life gives you lemons, do not squeeze out their juice and use it to tone or brighten your face.
Is Lemon Juice Good For Your Skin?
Citric acid can be an incredible ingredient in many topical skincare treatments, offering great antioxidant qualities and helping to fight environmental skin damage. However, skincare products are formulated in certain ways and use very specific concentrations of ingredients in order to help benefit your skin without causing irritation. Pure lemon juice, however? The opposite. Applying it in its pure form can seriously irritate your skin, screwing up your barrier function and causing long-term issues with hyperpigmentation and sensitivities. It can even burn your skin if you’re not careful.
Keep yours for the G&Ts and leave lemon skincare cocktailing to the pros, OK?
Much Better Advice?
Get your fix of vitamin C from a facial serum that contains sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP) which is a gentle and very effective form. Our Vitamin C Facial Serum is always a big favorite but we also have the mighty Vitamin C Super Serum + which really amps up your glow factor. We like to use it twice a week, alternating between this and the OG.
5. Face Taping
What Is Face Taping?
This cheeky little trick has been used by Hollywood’s finest for decades so sorry, TikTok-ers, but you did not invent this one. Also known as wrinkle taping, the idea behind it is that you strategically place sticky tape on your face, usually overnight, to lift the skin, reduce muscle movement and therefore reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s most often used under the eyes, at the edges of the cheeks, over the forehead or across the chest area.
You can also use face tape to provide an immediately lifting effect, keeping it on for an event, for example, whilst camouflaging it with heavy makeup.
Is Face Taping Good For Your Skin?
As an immediate wrinkle-reducer and skin-smoother, face taping is actually pretty effective. But it’s a very short-term fix and takes a lot of clever makeup artistry to cover the tape and make it look natural.
As an overnight solution however? Yeah, we’re not convinced. For one thing, the glue that’s used on the tape can be super irritating for some skin types, especially if it’s used under the eyes where your skin is thin and extremely delicate. And for another, leaving the tape on for long periods of time can clog your pores and encourage breakouts. The phrase, ‘out of the frying pan, into the fire,’ comes to mind.
Much Better Advice?
Two words: effective skincare. Cleansing and exfoliating regularly, treating your skin with daily antioxidants, applying sunscreen daily and using age-defying ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C? So much better than silly old face tape that might be OK for ten minutes but will do no good in the long-term.
Try our new Smoothing Collagen Serum, Firming Collagen Day Lotion and Collagen Boosting Skin Supplement which are great for healthily preventing premature aging.
Good Or Bad? 5 TikTok Skincare Trends – Dissected
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