My relationship with skincare has truly evolved over the years. I went from being someone who washed their face daily with the St Ives Apricot Scrub (my poor face!) and avoided moisturising for fear of becoming “too” oily, to being someone who is much more in tune with when my complexion is feeling dehydrated, or needs more of a “light” touch.
And after much trial and error, I’ve stumbled across the brands that seem to work harmoniously with my combination/oily yet dehydrated skin. I tend to switch up the roster of products based on the season, opting for heavier, richer moisturisers in the winter and lighter lotions in the summer. So, thought I’d share the sextet of products – three for day, and three for night – that are my most loved, most used.
The “day” edit
Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion
A lightweight, breathable cream which provides immediate comfort and hydration to the skin on application. The perfect summer moisturiser, but I also like to reach for this in winter for “day”, as it creates a beautiful canvas for layering makeup over. This contains extracts from mountain peonies and Yai Jiu Hua which smooth skin texture, along with mango seed butter for supple, hydrated skin.
For me, I love the fact that this doesn’t feel dense, instead applying with a soft milky quality which nourishes the skin. Bonus points for the fact that this doesn’t seem to disrupt or cause irritation to my eczema-prone skin.
Very similar in texture and feel to the Sulwhasoo Emulsion, but this feels slightly less substantial or viscous to the touch. My go-to summer moisturiser, and admittedly one I’ve been neglecting a little as I want something that feels a bit more meaty during winter when my skin needs extra care. Though given it’s been mid-twenties for the past week or so, this one is about to come into its own. One of the things I love most about this, aside from just how lightweight the texture is for summer – is that it’s fragrance free. As side note, fragrance can be a cause of irritation for sensitive skin.
The formulation is non-comedogenic, and it features Vitamin E (to protect from free-radicals and combat premature aging), Camellia Oil (to sooth and protect skin), and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8 (to plump and hydrate).
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre
I was first introduced to Embryolisse a few years back, and have gone on to work my way through many many tubes of this cult French pharmacy classic. I like that it works as a bit of a catch-all; cleanser, primer, moisturiser, hydrating mask. And the soft, soapy scent has a comforting and nostalgic quality – like revisiting an old friend.
Right now, this is the moisturiser I tend to reach for most frequently in the morning, as I like that there’s a richness to the formulation, and I can layer up for a more intensely hydrated effect (it sinks into the skin very quickly!). Basically, it always leaves my skin looking plump and fresh. Key ingredients include Shea Butter (intensely nourishing), Beeswax (rich in Vitamin A and shields skin from environmental damage), and Soy Protein (to stimulate collagen).
The “night” edit
I have a trio of products that I am using from Raaie, but I think of the three, the Cocoon Ceramide Cream takes the cake. This is one of my juiciest, thickest, most nourishing moisturisers for night – if my skin is feeling impossibly dry, 10 times out of 10 I’ll be using this. Texturally it’s thickly whipped and luxurious so a little can go a long way though I’m usually one to slather on a decent amount in my own version of “slugging”.
New Zealand is home to such incredible native flora and fauna that are bioactively-rich; meaning, that their unique properties mean they’re often more efficacious than the same ingredients extracted overseas. It’s one of the reasons why you’ll see another cult NZ beauty brand feature on this list; my skin can’t get enough of NZ botanicals (which just makes sense!).
The formulation features seven different ceramides, plant-derived growth factors to repair skin, marine algae to brighten, Mamaku Black Fern to lift and tighten, Manuka 850+ to promote collagen production, to name a few.
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
*Technically* not a moisturiser, but one of those masks I have on high rotation that I use in place of once a week. And if I’m being honest, I’ve been using it with lesser frequency as I’m almost all out and can’t bear to not have a tub of this in my vanity (clearly time to buy a top up!).
The actual texture is unusual. Kind of sticky. Thick. Goes on heavy but sinks in within five minutes, and leaves my face feeling baby smooth – not a lick of residue in sight.
Key ingredient is Black Tea Ferment and Extract, which offers antioxidant protection and supports the skin’s natural elasticity. Great for extremely dehydrated skin, and I’ve not found this to cause any breakouts (not for my oily/combo skin, at least!).
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Face Creme Riche
Final moisturiser for night that I just can’t quit, is the Supernatural Face Creme Riche from Emma Lewisham. I reviewed it in detail here, but for the CliffsNotes edition; the powdery rose scent feels at once both familiar but luxurious. I don’t typically tend to spring for too many moisturisers that are heavily fragranced, but like the Embryolisse, it’s become something of a comfort to me.
We have all those beautiful NZ botanicals front and centre stage. The key ingredient – a plant derivation of Human Tripeptide-1 – signals to our repair system to increase collagen synthesis. The velvety smooth texture of the moisturiser penetrates the skin efficiently, and I feel like my fine lines are softer, less prominent, when I have this on active rotation. Perhaps the most important factor for me, is getting that thick, ultra-nourishing quality from a moisturiser that isn’t too rich or fatty, and this delivers again, and again.
