Can you believe in all this time of Audrey & Elizabeth (6 years this month!), I have never written about moisturiser and why we use it? I know! It seemed a bit surprising to me as well.
For many, a skincare routine started with a simple moisturiser. But as we give more attention to skincare, the focus now often seems to be on serums and treatments, rather than this fundamental step.
And while I think serums and treatment and lots of other options have a place in routines for those who want to add them, I believe moisturiser is a key component of even the most basic regimen.
For skin to look its best, it needs to be hydrated from the inside and the outside. To hydrate from within, water consumption is so important. We know the body is mainly made up of water and for skin to look healthy, it needs to be hydrated.
To fortify the outside, moisturiser is important. The skin’s natural moisture barrier can be damaged by pollution, UV rays and even over treating the skin. Plus as we age, skin performance slows down, which is why boosting it with a moisturiser is necessary.
Moisturiser also helps balance skin. Sure, it makes sense to apply moisturiser if your skin is dry, but you may think it seems wrong to use moisturiser if you have oily skin. Not true. Formulation selection is key. Choosing a gel or water-based cream allows skin to produce less oil over time.
If you have super dry skin, you may be using a facial oil and conclude that you don't need a moisturiser as well, but this isn’t quite right. Facial oil is great as a barrier on the top of other skincare steps. It helps seal in everything you’ve applied underneath to treat your skin. However, oil takes a long time to absorb into the skin, which is why a more easily absorbed moisturiser is important to be used under facial oil.
Looking for a new moisturiser? I recommend searching for one that contains vitamins A, C and E. These three are the best age-preserving ingredients you can use and work beautifully together. If you’re reading labels, look for retinyl palmitate (vit A), ascorbic acid (vit C) and tocopherol (vit E).
If ingredient reading isn’t your jam, let me recommend the moisturiser that I swear by: Environ Skin EssentiA. Created in South Africa by a plastic surgeon working with cancer patients, I have used this moisturiser morning and night since I’ve been seeing clients. With five different levels, the product centres on the A, C and E triumvirate and offers increasing amounts with each formulation. This ensures the skin continues to improve over time. And of course, correct application is key.
Environ isn’t available on the high street, but it is available directly from me in the treatment room. Please let me know if you would like to try it.