Moisturizers – they are such an important step of any skincare routine. Why? Well, the main function of any moisturizer is to help retain water in the skin and to prevent it from drying out. Moisturizers help to prevent the skin from dehydration and assist to ‘seal’ everything in. It does this by creating a barrier on the outermost layer of the skin. This barrier helps to keep moisture and any of your actives from serums ‘locked in’. Not only do moisturizer help to retain moisture but it also helps to protect the skin from the external environment. Applying a moisturizer as a final step of a skincare routine helps to keep the skin’s important and healthy oils intact (because of the barrier or ‘film’ it has created). In turn, the combination of the moisturizer’s barrier and the skin’s oils helps to protect the skin and prevent the skin from drying out. Dry skin has been known to cause further irritation as it generally means the skin’s barrier has been compromised, so having a great moisturiser that suits your complexion is important to help protect and maintain the skin’s natural barrier function.
Whilst moisturizers are very important to any skincare routine, it’s also a product that can be extremely difficult to shop for as there are just so many options for consumers in the skincare market. Companies often market moisturizers to help a variety of different skin concerns and with the rise in technology available, moisturizers now come in a variety of different textures, packaging and scents. Through all this marketing, jargon and wide array of active ingredients available to consumers, it can be quite difficult to pick a moisturizer that is suitable for their skin type.
However, there is one company whose mission is to create a range of relatively simple yet effective moisturizers – minus all the excessive bells and whistles. The Moisturizers Co. is a brand whose passion is to create skincare (with moisturizers being their specialty if you couldn’t already tell by the name) that are formulated with less unnecessary ingredients but have a real focus on high concentrations of botanical/clinical-grade ingredients that deliver results. This passion has led the company to release 4 moisturizers. Founder of The Moisturizers Co, Christine Chen says about these formulations: “These are carefully crafted to target the top 4 concerns from the 25 – 65 female age group: pigmentation, sensitive skin, blemishes with enlarged pores, and premature ageing—the primary skincare concerns”.
***Please note that this is a sponsored post and as transparency is important to me, I just wanted to disclose this. As many of you know, maintaining a website is expensive, so I truly appreciate you supporting me in this. This post isn’t any way a sponsored review, instead, I hope it is somewhat educational and interesting for you to read – I know I learnt a lot when writing it!
The Moisturizers Co. formulas are truly unique as each of the formulations has been created to work and complement other skincare products but are also able to stand on their own. “Our goal is to really curate a line that’s not just effective on its own, but to perfectly complement skincare from other brands,” says Christine. The company also take a more personalised approach with their customers – really trying to understand and learn their needs and wants. “We don’t just want to hit great numbers or move our moisturizers fast, we are a skincare brand created by women, that maintains ongoing conversation with women to help discern well on their skin needs and more. This helps us to bridge the gap between us and our target market. It’s also heartening to see that their responses usually echo our thoughts—so we can definitely understand where they’re coming from” she adds. It’s this passion and dedication of really getting know to her customers, that have set Christine’s The Moisturizers Co. apart from many other skincare brands in the market (not to mention the products have won a hefty amount of awards!) and what ultimately lead her to work with a team of cosmetic chemists to create 4 incredible moisturizers based on skin type and concerns. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, oily, dull or you are concerned with premature signs of aging – there is guaranteed a moisturizer in The Moisturizers Co. range for you!
So how does one find out what their skin type is like? For example, my own skin seems to a combination of all sorts of skin types – it’s both extremely sensitive (yay eczema) but also can get a little oily at the t-zone. Would that categorize me as a Sensitive Skin type? Or would I be considered an Oily Skin type? “We recommend taking a skin analysis that could identify your skin type based on carefully planned questions that provide structured answers to deliver an accurate analysis” suggests Christine. The Skin Analysis on The Moisturizers Co. website is a great starting point to understanding your skin and takes only a few minutes to complete. Once you’ve narrowed down your skin type and understood its needs and wants – the right skincare choices should naturally follow and thus better skin over time. Do remember that results don’t just happen overnight though! Christine also adds that “Skin types can change due to factors like stress, environment and more, so it’s a good idea to evaluate your skin type every 5 years too to ensure you’re always using the right skincare”. So now we’ve narrowed a skin type – what sort of moisturizer should you be looking for?
Normal/Dry Skin – Aging
If you find that your skin feels tight (especially after a shower or bath), doesn’t seem to absorb skincare very well, fine lines are more obvious and that your complexion looks a little tired, grey or even ashy then you may have dry skin. It is important to note that dry skin should not be confused with dehydrated skin which is a skin condition which anyone can experience, whereas dry skin is a skin type. Dry skin generally means that the skin lacks oils and lipids and, in this case, moisturizing is an extremely important step in the skincare regime. Those with dry skin tend to have concerns with premature ageing as the skin lacks its natural oils and lipids.
Finding a moisturiser that gives the skin long-lasting moisture, a boost in oils, feels slightly heavier and promotes skin repair and collagen production is important for those who have a drier skin type. Generally, a moisturizer that has a slightly richer texture and contains a balanced mixture of oils and humectants. Formulas that do contain oils will help compensate for the skin’s natural lack of oil and lipids, and humectants will help the skin retain water (as dry skin types generally also do suffer from dehydration).
The Moisturizers Co. Cell Regenerate Gel Cream with Mulberry and Squalane is definitely an option to consider when shopping for a drier skin type, especially if prevention of fine lines is also a major concern. This moisturizer is packed with beautiful oils that give the skin the boost it needs without feeling too heavy. It’s a beautiful and cosmetically elegant gel in cream formula that glides beautifully over the skin. This moisturizer is formulated with Squalane Oil, Geranium Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil which all work together in unison to promote collagen production, protect the skin from environmental aggressors and boost skin elasticity. As an added bonus, this moisturizer is also loaded with anti-ageing actives such as Resveratrol (from the Mulberry Extract) and Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) which are powerful antioxidants that help to protect the skin, assist the signs of premature ageing and have fantastic anti-inflammatory properties. The Moisturizers Co. Cell Regenerate Gel Cream also contains the humectant – propylene glycol which helps to retain the skin’s moisture, making this moisturizer a fantastic balance of oils and humectants to help those with normal/dry skin and those concerned with ageing.
Dry/Sensitive Skin
Skin dryness can also be associated with extremely sensitive skin, if skin is flaking or peeling but is also easily irritated, red or inflamed or prone to skin conditions such as dermatitis or rosacea then your skin could be classified as sensitive. If this is the case, then a much gentler and more cautious route should be taken when using or introducing new skincare products into your daily routine.
If you know that certain ingredients irritate the skin, then it is crucial to always read the ingredients list and avoid these ingredients. It is also important to look for moisturizers that contain a minimal amount of ingredients and work to not only moisturize and protect the skin but also help to soothe the complexion. If skin is highly sensitive – sometimes less is more and keeping a simple yet highly nourishing and moisturizing routine can work wonders for the skin.
My skin mostly falls under this category and I have a few favourites, but The Moisturizers Co Ultra Moisturizing Repair Gel has easily become a go-to of mine for my extremely sensitive skin (I have nearly hit empty with this). It’s a beautiful gel formula that calms the skin, helps with skin repair and reduces inflammation due to its impressive list of calming botanicals – think soothing calendula, cucumber, chamomile and allantoin. These key ingredients give this moisturizer its ultra-repairing and calming properties and also its unique calming and cooling gel texture – making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. If your skin falls under this category – I cannot recommend this moisturizer enough!
Oily/Combination Skin
Those who have skin that is frequently shiny or greasy in appearance, with enlarged or clogged pores, blackheads and have frequent breakouts may have an oily/combination skin type. Those with an oilier skin type usually find that pesky pimples, blackheads or a history of acne are common due to pores being clogged and enlarged, causing dead skin cells to accumulate.
When looking for a moisturizer to suit this type of skin type, it is normally recommended to go with a moisturizer that is lighter in texture and that are also formulated with ingredients that help to control oil production and shine. Ingredients that help to gently exfoliate the skin such as AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), gentle astringents and those that help with inflammation of the skin are always a bonus in a moisturizer. It is also important to look for formulas that are generally low in oil content (or contain more lightweight oils) but are still also high in humectants such as glycerin, propylene glycol or sodium hyaluronate which help to retain water in the skin. Formulas that also contain anti-bacterial ingredients also help with skin that is acne-prone.
The Moisturizers Co. Ultra Pore Refiner Anti-Blemish Night Cream with Niacinamide was formulated to be the perfect solution to help those with an oily/combination skin type. This moisturizer is packed with just the right number of actives to help keep oil production under control, refine pore size, retain needed water/moisture and also help with the reduction of the redness of pesky pimples. These actives work all in unison to help prevent further breakouts and keep the complexion balanced. It is packed with tried and true actives such as Niacinamide which has scientifically proven to help with enlarged pores, brightening the complexion and also aids with premature aging. It also contains gentle AHAs in the form of glycolic and lactic acid which works to help eliminate the build-up of dead skin cells and overall help to reduce the likelihood of acne and pimples on the complexion. To help with inflammation, botanical ingredients such as witch hazel and wild yam root extract are incorporated to soothe any inflammation and in turn, assist with healing of the skin and have anti-bacterial qualities that help with further breakouts on the complexion.
Dull/Pigmented Skin
Does your skin feel a little blotchy and you feel that it is quite sun-damaged with pigmentation throughout? Skin pigmentation affects the colour of your skin and our skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin. Special cells in the skin are responsible for producing melanin but when these cells become damaged or unhealthy, it affects melanin production. Hyperpigmentation is caused by too much melanin being produced, thus skin getting darker. It comes in a few forms, with the most common being sunspots (from too much sun exposure), melasma from a change in hormones (think pregnancy) or post-inflammatory pigmentation which is caused when there is inflammation of injury caused to the outer layer of the skin (ie. acne).
Pigmentation can be a complex issue to fix and it is definitely a skin issue that will take time before seeing substantial results. However, using the right mix of actives in your daily skincare regime – both in serum and moisturiser can assist with this sort of skin concern. Look for brightening actives such as arbutin, Vitamin C, liquorice root extract, Vitamin A, etc – which have had studies show an improvement in overall skin colour over a period of time. Consistent, daily use of these sorts of actives may help with skin brightening/lightening over time and even serve as antioxidants – helping to protect the skin from environmental stressors such as pollution and premature ageing.
The Moisturisers Co’s Brightening Moisturizing Cream with Arbutin and Vitamins is actually a moisturizer created with skin dullness and pigmentation in mind and combines a few of the mentioned actives such as arbutin and Vitamin C to help with skin brightening and overall improvement of the skin’s overall tone. As pigmentation is quite complex, it is important to have a few different brightening ingredients in a formula as the combination of these brightening ingredients help to disrupt pigmentation at its different stages. Arbutin is the key active in this formula and was chosen due to its slow release into the skin, making it less irritating (and better for those with sensitive skin) whilst also helping to lighten pigmentation and prevent the formation of melanin. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant (and thus will help protect the skin from further damage) and has plenty of studies showing its efficacy in brightening the complexion. Whilst brightening is a focus in this formula it is also loaded with protective ingredients that will help protect the skin from external aggressors such as pollution and the sun’s UV rays. It is also in packed with collagen-boosting ingredients that help with the skin’s elasticity, giving it a glowing and plump complexion.
The Moisturisers Co’s Brightening Moisturizing Cream with Arbutin and Vitamins has a beautiful, luxurious feel in texture, and I find that it not only gives the skin a beautiful glow, but it also immediately hydrates and keeps the skin looking fresh and works so well underneath makeup.
As you can see, understanding the skin is crucial in picking a formula that works best for your complexion as the right mix and balance of actives and ingredients can absolutely change the efficacy of your skincare routine. Christine Chen’s The Moisturizers Co. aims to make this selection of skincare products a little easier, offering a skin analysis as well as a moisturizer for almost every single skin type/major skin concern. These formulas were developed after much client and customer interaction and feedback and has a real focus on the quality and efficacy of its formulas. What makes this brand different comes from the fact these formulas are fantastic on their own but also have been created with the intent to work well with other products, allowing the user the freedom to use what they like.
Want to learn more about The Moisturizers Co? Check out their website and learn about their full product range here.