Confused about which ingredients moisturize your skin? Then this post is for you, keep reading! Not sure what the ingredients are when you are looking at an ingredient list of a moisturizer? Or what those ingredients do?

Here’s my notes from this blog post.

Source:

https://skinlibrary.co.uk/blogs/librarian-edits/moisturisers

Here’s what you are looking for:
Humectants, Emollients, and Occlusives

🌟Humectants:
Humectants pull water either from the environment or even the dermis layer of your skin.

Humectants help to temporarily plump up your skin and helps fade fine lines and wrinkles. Great for all skin types, but shouldn’t be used without emollients or occlusives.

For best use: apply products that have humectants to damp skin. Follow with your moisturizer that includes emollients or occlusives. They work better when they can attract water from a humid environment (versus a dry climate).

Example of humectants are:
* Glycerin
* Hyaluronic acid
* Urea
* Alpha-hydrozy acids (AHA)
* Aloe Vera
* Sodium Hyaluronate
* Propylene Glycol

🌟Emollients:
Emollients are ingredients that can prevent moisture loss by filling in the gap between the damaged skin barrier. Emollients have a heavier texture to them. All skin types can benefit from it, although people with dehydrated and drier skin are the ones that can get the best out of it.

Examples of emollients:
* Ceramides
* Squalene
* Fatty acids
* Plant-based oils (jojoba oil, olive oil)
* Triglycerides
* Colloidal oatmeal

🌟Occlusives:
Occlusives form a physical barrier on the top layer of our skin and prevents water loss. It works like a cup lid that prevents your water from evaporating.

Occlusives have the heaviest texture out of them all. It may feel a little bit too suffocating for oily skin type and suit best for extremely dry skin.

For best use: It is best to pair the occlusive-rich product with other hydrating ingredients to hydrate your skin before sealing it with an occlusive. Another way is to directly apply it straight after taking a shower on damp skin.

Examples of occlusives:
* Shea butter
* Cocoa butter
* Mineral oil
* Dimethicone
* Waxes
* Mineral oil (petroleum)

If you are still confused or just want more moisturizing tips you can watch these helpful videos:

https://youtu.be/8pjlX3C968I

https://youtu.be/ynmbyRLxF-g

https://youtu.be/5cA6W2mDSA8

Photo Source: *I did not make this photo
https://hanieh-qyral.medium.com/the-three-pillars-of-moisturizer-the-art-and-science-behind-your-skincare-672ea9be8e11

Moisturizing Ingredients: What to look for

What chemical exfoliants are you enjoying and would suggest for me? I’m looking for some new products.


My skin: I have oily leaning skin that can clog, but because I use niacinamide my skin isn’t that oily anymore and I previously had mild acne but no longer have issues with that mostly due to double cleansing.

My concerns: Dehydration and skin texture are my concerns now.

What I’m using now for exfoliants: These two LRP products are my current exfoliation products that I have been using because I bought them for when I was having acne and hadn’t researched skincare yet and was a beginner. I’ve been using them for about a year. It’s a 2% BHA wash and a 2% glycolic toner (AHA) with .5% BHA. I use the wash once per week and I use the toner once or twice per week. I don’t use them in the same routine. 

Why I want a change: The wash is kind of stripping and has menthol in it, and it’s fine for my skin to use once per week. The toner also is very alcohol based, and it’s also fine on my skin, but I’m sure they aren’t the best. So I just want products to replace them once I’m finished with them. I think I might want to try a different AHA than glycolic but I’m not sure which one to pick. My skin isn’t that sensitive and can handle the Glycolic 2%/BHA in the same product. The other products that I use daily are in a routine labeled “current favs” on my profile. TIA

AHA/BHA suggestions 🥳

Where’s all of the sunscreen enthusiasts/lovers at who have reviewed more than say 3 sunscreens? Those of you who have followed the recent events involving sunscreen testing, and have now updated and picked sunscreens that you love and are keeping in your arsenal. 

How many sunscreens have you tried? Which ones do you love and are keeping in rotation at the moment? Can you also talk about the finish it gives you? Tinted or untinted? Is it mineral or chemical filters? Have you tried it underneath makeup? Is there a white cast?

I have only tried 3 sunscreens so far and have only came up with 1 favorite. I ❤️ the Canmake Mermaid UV Gel (the clear version). This Japanese sunscreen leaves a natural finish on the skin and it just feels like a lightweight gel moisturizer. It is not shiny or greasy. It is clear and not tinted and does not leave a white cast. The filters are a hybrid of mineral and chemical. I don’t wear makeup but the product is described as able to be used as a makeup primer. It’s available on YesStyle. It’s currently costs US $10.64 for 40g. I highly recommend this sunscreen and I think it is well worth a try and would potentially be great for all skin types. It does not feel heavy after reapplication. My skin is more oily leaning and it does not feel heavy or clog my pores. I wish it came in a larger size so I could buy it by the gallon! It is not waterproof, so if you plan on swimming or sweating I would suggest using a different sunscreen.

🏖 Sunscreen enthusiasts ☀️

Which products do you love from Naturium and were there any that you tried and didn’t like? How do you all feel about the products? Or are there some that are on your wishlist?

I haven’t tried this brand but I have seen Susan Yara’s YouTube channel called Mixed Makeup before and I’m interested in this brand. It doesn’t seem like a popular brand on this app, but it seems popular in the Facebook groups that I’m in.

Naturium Faves?

I got my YesStyle order! I’m on a budget so it’s not one of those huge hauls but I’m excited all the same. I even ordered a headband and a cute bag to carry my skincare.

The two new products that I’ll be trying out in the next couple of weeks are-
✨COSRX-Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
✨COSRX-Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask

I’m restocking my sunscreen with my fave (these will be bottles 2 and 3)
✨Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV (Clear)

I got this Panda headband to hold my hair back when I wash my face. It was $4USD, super cute, fits good, and works well.
✨Yulu Fleece Face Wash Headband (White)

I bought a toiletry bag to carry my skincare in for when I travel, and I’m quite impressed by the size of this bag, my LRP cleanser is in the bag for scale because it’s my biggest bottle. I definitely think it’ll hold all my skincare. It has some pockets in there and a little hook. I like it so far and it was only $8USD.
✨Evorest Printed Makeup Bag- Toiletry Bag - Sakura - Black

YesStyle Haul 💖👏

This product was too thick for my liking. I don’t mind a little bit of shine but this product was too shiny for me. I did not like the oily texture or the fragrance it has. I wore this for a couple days and then couldn’t bring myself to apply it to my face anymore.

I feel like this sunscreen would be better for dry to normal skin types and is not for people who tend to be oily. My skin is more on the oily spectrum but I don’t feel like my skin produces tons of oil.  Because my skin is oily I did not like this sunscreen and will not be repurchasing it. It was too shiny for me and felt oily. I wouldnt say it was necessarily greasy though.  It does have sunflower seed oil in it. So if you enjoy sunflower seed oil, you don’t mind fragrence, you have drier skin, and want a thicker sunscreen that does not leave a white cast then you might like this sunscreen.

It isn’t waterproof or sweat proof, but thats ok. Just means you need a different sunscreen for swimming or exercising.

This is my favorite sunscreen, no white cast and it feels like a lightweight moisturizer. Does not break me out, does not feel too heavy, it doesn’t even feel like I am wearing sunscreen even though I apply a lot of it. It has a natural looking finish. It is good for those who want good everyday protection but you dont want to feel greasy and you want a natural finish. It reapplies well. It does not pill. You should definitely try this sunscreen if you are on the fence about it. I feel like it would be good for all skin types. It isn’t heavy for people with oily skin and it still moisturizes if you have dry skin.

I found it to be quite chalkly after a couple of reapplications. The matte finish was a little more on the drying side for my combination&#47;dry skin. My face would end up feeling mildly tight at the end of the day even though I wore moisturizer underneath it. So if you are someone that needs a lot of moisture and like a sunscreen that gives a little moisture, this is not the one for you.

It wasn’t greasy, and felt very light on my skin. It has a light peachy tint to it but it still left a slight white cast. It came out very milky and dried down to a powder. My skin is very light but it looked almost like I had applied a white powder to my face. Its probably better for people with oily skin and want to wear it underneath makeup.

Doesn’t work well to remove sunscreen or makeup, but serves the purpose of a gentle cleanser that is great for all skin types.

I love this cleanser and highly would recommend it. If you haven’t tried a gentle cleanser before you should definitely try this one. It is gentle yet still actually cleanses the skin. I thought my skin was oily but turns out I was just previously stripping it with a bad cleanser and giving myself oily skin. My skin cleared up after switching to this cleanser. This cleanser is super gentle and non-stripping. It is good for in the morning or as a second cleanse in the evening. Not good if you have been sweating or you need to take off makeup or sunscreen, but that is ehat an oil double cleanse is for. I am able to use this cleanser with the 60 second rule. This cleanser is well worth buying and comes in a decently sized bottle.

Its a little sticky, but thats fairly normal for lip products.

I highly recommend this lip balm for anyone who gets chapped lips. Its not one of those ones that dries out your lips. I wear this every night when I go to bed to prevent loosing moisture from my lips overnight (TEWL). It seals in moisture and prevents my lips from drying out. Its also great for winter.

Jaxxy26