Stay hydrated

Moisturizing is an essential step for all skin types day and night.

Moisturizing protects and repairs the skin barrier, locks in water and nutrients to hydrate the skin, improves treatment tolerance, smooths texture, enhances elasticity and prevents aging. The key is to find the right moisturizer for your needs.

4 Ways To Add Moisture:

 

    • Hyaluronic Acid (HA) - naturally occuring, holds up to 1000x its weight in water, provides great hydration when used sparingly, popular in serums but can dry you out if overused, careful this ingredient is not contained in too many of your skincare steps.

    • Glycerin - great humectant, affordable, can put it in a mister for use daily as a base before layering your serums

    • Sorbitol/Propylene Glycol/Urea - slightly exfoliating

    • Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) - soothing, repairs barrier

    • Sodium PCA/PCA - naturally occurring in skin

    • Squalene - lightweight, non-greasy, mimics natural oil

    • Fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl) - contains the word alcohol but not drying, used in creams

    • Shea butter/Cocoa butter - rich, nourishing, excellent for very dry skin

    • Plant oils (jojoba, rosehip, argan) - softening, sometimes has antioxidants

    • Ceramides - strengthen barrier, hydrating, helps tolerate retinoids and actives. Helpful for all skin types.

    • Cholesterol/Phospholipids - work with ceramides for barrier health

    • Essential fatty acids (Omega 3,6) - support barrier and skin elasticity

    • Petroleum/Vaseline - super effective to lock in moisture, heavy, good for dry areas

    • Dimethicone/silicones -light barrier, smooths texture, non-greasy

    • Mineral oil - classic occlusive, gentle, widely used

    • Beeswax/Plant oils - natural occlusives, nourish skin

 
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How to Layer Moisturizers:

1.Humectant

2.Serums

3.Cream/Lotion

4.Occlusive

 
 

Key to Moisturizing

(Skin Concern) + (Climate You Are In):

  • Use a lightweight moisturizer. Gel creams or water-based moisturizers, ceramides. Use non-comedogenic moisturizers.

    Gel Moisturizers:

    • Aveeno Calm+Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

    • SKYN Iceland Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion

    • Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

    • Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer

    • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

    • CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel

    • CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream

    • Dr. Idriss Major Fade Active Seal

    Water-Based Lotions (May be better option for Combo Skin):

    • CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

    • La Roche Posay Double Face Moisturizer (Combines Humectants, Emollients, Barrier, Peptides)

    • SKYN Iceland Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion

  • A rare time in which you can skip the moisturizer. Opt for Vitamin C plus Hydrating Sunscreen.

    Vitamin C:

    • SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF 

    • Timeless Skincare

    Hydrating Sunscreen:

    • SPF+ Supergoop!® PLAY Body Mousse SPF 50 with Blue Sea Kale - for body but people seem to tolerate on face 

    • Lightsaver Activated Non-Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen 

    • RMS Beauty Supernatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum 

  • Combine: Humectant + Emollient/Barrier Repair + Occlusive

    How to Layer: Humectant 🡪 Serums🡪 Cream/Lotion 🡪 Occlusive

    Humectant:

    • Glycerin ( $ )🡪 put it in a mister and mist on face as base before other ingredients

    • SK-II Mini Facial Treatment Essence ($$$) 🡪 put it in a mister and mist on face as base before other ingredients

    Hydrating Emollient Serum: 

    • Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum

    Moisturizer/Lotion (Emollient/Barrier Repair): 

    • Skinceuticals Triple Lipid

    • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

    • Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

    • Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

    • La Roche Posay Double Face Moisturizer - combines Humectants, Emollients, Barrier Repair, Peptides - Dr. Chand’s favorite

    • Dr. Idriss Active Seal -has Vitamin C in it

    • Dr. Idriss Left Un-Red - great for healing barrier

    •  Glossier Afterbaume

    • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

    Occlusive - few nights a week if dry and/or on retinoid nights:

    • Vaseline

    • Triple Paste (Diaper Cream)

    • LaRoche Posay B5 Cicaplast

    • Nivea crème

  • Combine: Humectant + Lightweight emollient/barrier repair

    How to Layer Moisturizers: Humectant 🡪 Serums🡪 Cream/ Lotion 🡪 Occlusive

    Humectant:

    • Thermal water 🡪 put it in a mister and mist on face

    • Glycerin 🡪 put it in a mister and mist on face

    • SK-II Mini Facial Treatment Essence 🡪 put it in a mister and mist on face

    • La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Coothing Repair Spray

    Lightweight Emollient/Barrier Repair Moisturizer: 

    • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

    • Aveeno Calm+Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer

    • Dr. Idriss Active Seal -has Vitamin C in it

    • Dr. Idriss Left Un-Red Cream - great for barrier repair

    • Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentre

    • Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

    • La Roche Posay Double Face Moisturizer (a little heavy but may be okay)

    • Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Crea

    Occlusive - optional 1-2 times a week at night if feeling dry:

    • Vaseline

    • Triple Paste

    • LaRoche Posay B5 Cicaplast

    • Nivea crème