moisturiser-for-every-skin-type

Why finding the right moisturiser matters

Moisturiser is tasked with several important jobs. Alongside supporting hydration and fortifying the skin moisture barrier (your skin’s protective lipid layer), moisturiser also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve radiance.

However, moisturiser is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ product. For example, a thick night cream loaded with emollients might be perfect for dry and sensitive skin types, but it won’t be a suitable moisturiser for oily skin. In fact, it might exacerbate oil concerns.

Your choice of moisturiser needs to be compatible with your skin type while complementing other products in your skincare ritual.

How to choose a moisturiser for your skin type

Since each skin type has unique moisturising requirements, there are a lot of factors to consider when selecting your coveted daily moisturiser. Start by determining your skin type (dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive). From there, you can explore our advice for diagnosing the hydrating needs for your skin type, along with products that will support your skin moisture barrier function and target other concerns.

Moisturiser for dry skin

Dry skin has naturally fewer or underactive sebaceous glands. These glands produce sebum – a natural skin lipid – which ultimately work to keep the skin surface lubricated. If you have dry skin, it’s common to experience tightness, flaking, rough texture, and dullness. Skin dehydration can also emphasise the depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

What to look for: The most effective moisturiser for dry skin will replenish lost lipids in the skin and form a protective shield over the skin surface. The Revitalift Filler Plumping Water Cream with Hyaluronic Acid is formulated with a nourishing blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerin, and three types of ceramides: all working together to reinforce the skin moisture barrier and lock in hydration. Apply morning and night.

Moisturiser for oily skin

Oily skin is the opposite of dry skin: it has overactive sebaceous glands, making it prone to clogged pores, excess shine, and blemishes.

Although the skin is rich in protective lipids, it still needs hydration to maintain balance – so don’t skip this step in your skincare routine for oily skin.

What to look for: A mattifying, non-comedogenic moisturiser for oily skin will help balance your skin’s sebum content while visibly smoothing the appearance of pores. For a day cream, we suggest a mattifying moisturiser like the Revitalift Bright & Pore-smooth Vitamin C* Cream, which imparts salicylic acid to the skin surface to smooth and refine the appearance of pores. At night, opt for a lightweight gel-based moisturiser.

Moisturiser for combination skin

Like the name suggests, combination skin can experience both dry and oily skin simultaneously. Dry patches tend to form on the cheeks, while excess oil is common on the areas with the most sebaceous glands: the forehead, nose, and chin (the T-zone).

What to look for: A moisturiser for combination skin should prioritise balance: imbuing the skin with enough hydration to nourish dry areas, while controlling shine on the T-zone. One moisturiser that caters to the duality of combination skin is the Revitalift Laser Triple Action Anti-Ageing Day Cream. Formulated with pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin Cg (a vitamin C derivative), this product hydrates – without adding extra shine to oil-prone areas.

Moisturiser for sensitive skin

Of all skin types, sensitive skin is the most susceptible to discomfort from external aggressors – stimuli like environmental changes, potent skincare ingredients and products, fragrances, and astringent soaps. Common hallmarks of sensitive skin include redness and tightness, as well as tingling and itching sensations.

What to look for: Sensitive skin types are more likely to experience transepidermal water loss from a compromised skin moisture barrier – which can exacerbate feelings of sensitivity. So, a moisturiser for sensitive skin has the pivotal role of comforting, hydrating, and minimising redness. Our top pick is the Revitalift Fragrance-Free Day Cream, which is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, allergy-tested, and designed specifically for hypersensitive skin.

Moisturiser for normal skin

If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with normal – or balanced – skin, you probably have few concerns. Alongside a cleanser and sunscreen, a lightweight moisturiser will help maintain that balance, protect against environmental stress, and delay visible signs of ageing.   

What to look for: You can seek out an antioxidant-infused moisturiser for normal skin like the Bright Reveal Niacinamide Dark Spot Hydrating Day Cream SPF15. Powered by a moisturising complex, niacinamide, and UV filters, this moisturiser brightens and protects.

The power of hyaluronic acid in moisturisers

Widely used in skincare and cosmetics, hyaluronic acid is considered the gold standard of skin hydration. This powerful active ingredient is classified as a humectant – a water-attracting substance – and can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

When applied topically to the skin, it helps replenish the skin’s natural water reservoir: plumping the skin surface and supporting the skin moisture barrier. What’s more, the body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, which makes it highly compatible with all skin types.

Your daily moisturising routine: AM & PM tips

Now that you’ve found a suitable moisturiser for your skin type, you can follow some of our general guidelines below.

• Opt for a lightweight moisturiser formulated with SPF.
• Layer with your heavier night creams, particularly if you have a moisturiser for sensitive skin or dry skin, as this is when your skin is in ‘recovery mode’.
• Always apply moisturiser to cleansed skin, and after any targeted serums.
• In the morning, be sure to apply sunscreen after you moisturise (even when your moisturiser has SPF).

Complementary skincare will help support the needs of your skin type, but it’s also important to find makeup that’s compatible with your needs. So, now that you’ve found your perfect moisturiser for dry skin, discover how to prep and apply makeup on dry skin.