Moisturising Guide

• Choose a moisturiser for your skin type
• Look for key hydrating and moisturising ingredients
• Consider layering moisturising products

We all know that a good moisturiser is central to every skin routine. Moisturising keeps your skin feeling supple and balanced, which helps fight against everything from acne to fine lines.

It’s one of the cornerstones of your routine, along with cleansing and applying sun protection.

But how can you find the right moisturiser for your individual needs and make sure you’re really maximising this stage of your skincare regimen?

What types of moisturisers are available?

You can buy every type of moisturiser imaginable — there are creams, lotions, oils, ointments, gels and the list goes on. But the main thing you need to know is that moisturisers tend to vary in thickness.

If you have skin that’s prone to getting dry, you’ll want a much thicker moisturiser than someone who has oily skin and is prone to acne. For instance, a cream formula might work perfectly for someone with very dry skin, but clog the pores of someone with oily skin.

So, think about your skin type consider your needs. Most people also pick a lighter moisturiser for the daytime and save the heavier options for night, when you can use this step to lock in your active ingredients overnight so you wake up with glowing skin.

Moisturisers for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin

Moisturising is crucial for those with this skin type. Look for ingredients that can act as emollients as a start — an emollient is a type of ingredient that prevents water loss from the skin. They include shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil.

As well as this, you should look for products containing ceramides. These are fats that are naturally found in our skin, and adding them to your routine can really boost dry skin’s health.

Key moisturiser ingredients for dry skin…

• Shea butter and cocoa butter
• Coconut oil
• Squalane oil
• Ceramides
• Hyaluronic acid

Moisturisers for oily, acne-prone or combination skin

Finding a moisturiser can be a nightmare when you have oily or combination skin, or are prone to breakouts. But the most important thing to remember here is never stop moisturising.

It might feel like your moisturiser is clogging your pores, but removing moisturiser from your routine will encourage your skin to produce even more oil and lead to acne.

Instead, look for lighter moisturisers that will keep your skin balanced whilst not clogging up your pores. Gel moisturisers and lighter lotions tend to work well for this skin type.

Many people also find that using formulas containing silicones can help control oil production, so it’s worth trying products with silicones.

Key moisturiser ingredients for oily skin…

• Silicones (particularly dimethicone)
• Hyaluronic acid
• Niacinamide
• Rosehip oil

Moisturisers for normal skin

When you have normal skin, it can actually be difficult to decide which moisturiser is doing more good than another one. However, it’s still important to pick the right product for your needs.

Make sure to choose a moisturiser than doesn’t clog your pores (one that isn’t too heavy or too light) and look to incorporate some extra nourishing ingredients like niacinamide.

Key moisturising ingredients for normal skin…

• Niacinamide
• Light oils, such as Rosehip oil
• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin

Layering moisturisers for ultimate hydration…

Another technique you can use to maximise moisture and hydration is to layer moisturising products. This can be especially helpful for those with dry skin, but it can also help during the colder months when the drier air can make your skin feel tighter.

Typically layering moisturisers means applying a hydrating product, and then locking it in with something thick like squalane or petroleum. This is a great way to finish your nighttime routine and can help your active ingredients to work better too.