The humble moisturiser is ready to humble-brag. Once as basic as a white T, the new breed of moisturiser is high-tech and loaded with skin-smoothing extras. Meaning: It’s pretty much the simplest facial fix around. “Those fine dehydrated lines you see?” says associate professor of dermatology Dr Emma Guttman. “Those will eventually get deeper and become permanent wrinkles without proper moisture.”
Here’s where things start looking up: The latest gels, serums and moisturisers come in all sorts of textures, so there’s something for everyone.
READ MORE: 5 Things That Are Sabotaging Your Skin Without You Even Knowing It
Dry Skin?
You know your way around a jar of face cream. But these new formulas might revolutionise your routine – there’s not a thick, gloppy one in the bunch.
You need a rich day cream – because yours is the skin type most in need of an intense moisturiser in the morning. Antarcticine, found in Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (R400 at Kiehl’s), helps hydrate skin and shield it from the damaging effects of free radicals. Antarcticine also helps to protect skin from cold temps. Hello 24-hour moisture.
And some overnight opulance… File this under: perfection. Extracts of California poppy can be found in Clarins Multi Active Night Cream (R800 at Clarins), which helps compensate for the harmful effects of cold late nights and interrupted sleep. Excellent for parched skin, it’ll make your face look more glowy by morning.
READ MORE: 4 Experts In Different Fields Share How They Switch Up Their Beauty Routine In Winter
Normal Skin?
How about less time patting yourself on the back for a well-behaved hide and more QT with some of these recommendations below? You folks need to maintain and enhance.
Packed with high levels of active ingredients, Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Crème (R1 525 at Woolworths) boasts microfluidics tech. “The micro-droplets bind with skin for continuous hydration over time, while attracting water to skin for an immediate plumping effect,” says dermatologist Dr Jill Waibel. Slather it on in the morning.
Then you need to invest in a souped-up night cream: “It’s important that normal types still replenish their skin at night using something a little richer than a morning serum so their barrier remains strong,” says dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman. Luminesce Advanced Night Repair (R1 425 at Wantitall) is a rich cream containing Baicalin, which promotes new cell growth and allows for easier exfoliation of old cells, creating a younger looking surface. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which will plump and soften your skin.
READ MORE: 6 Face Masks For When Your Skin Is Really Going Through Stuff
Oily Skin?
Sorry not sorry: People with oily skin aren’t off the hook. “Oil production and hydration are two separate issues – and a lot of people don’t understand that, so they avoid moisturising products,” says dermatologist Dr Joshua Zeichner. Get your fix without getting greasy.
Moisturising-mattifying gel: How’s that for an oxymoron? These little geniuses mix botanicals that sop up oil with non-goopy, non-clogging humectants like squalene and hyaluronic acid. Estée Lauder Clear Difference Oil Control/Mattifying Hydrating Gel (R830 at Wanitall) “contains oil-absorbing brown kelp to help prevent breakouts,” says dermatologist Dr Fransesca Fusco.
You need a night cream with linoleic acid. Why? Acne-prone skin has been shown to be deficient in this specific omega-6, says Zeichner, and studies prove the ingredient can decrease the size of a pimple when applied topically. “So a cream that replenishes linoleic acid will not only help moisturise but can also ease inflammation in breakouts,” he says. Find it in Clinique Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream 50ml (R1 035 at Clinique). Bonus: It’s also laced with collagen-pumping peptides.
