Known as an emollient, a moisturiser works to lock in vital hydration that’s essential for healthy-looking, balanced skin. It also helps to reinforce the skin’s naturally protective moisture barrier, shielding against environmental stressors. Without it, skin is left vulnerable to dehydration and premature aging. Read on to discover how to find the best moisturiser for your skin type and concerns.
When and how to apply moisturiser
Moisturiser should always be applied as the last step of your skincare routine. Cleanse and tone the skin, then apply a concentrate and/or serum. Wait 90 seconds before massaging a moisturiser on top.
The moisturiser serves to hydrate the surface of the skin, while locking in the lighter ingredients of the serum and concentrate.
How to find the best face moisturiser
While all skin types can benefit from a good moisturiser, different skin types require varying amounts of hydration. This will influence the texture of your chosen moisturiser and determine whether you need a lightweight gel or a richer cream. Then, consider the additional skin concerns you’re looking to treat. Moisturisers can offer anti-aging, brightening and sun protective benefits.
To help you find the best moisturiser, we share our favorite No7 face creams for common skin concerns.
Best moisturiser for dry skin
Dry skin produces less sebum than other skin types and often feels rough, flaky and tight. While instinct suggests using a thick and creamy moisturiser to treat dry skin, this may not actually be the best approach.
Best practice is to use a gel-cream formula filled with ingredients that prevent moisture loss. Hyaluronic acid, with its capacity to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, is a great choice. Other ingredients that help to strengthen and protect the skin barrier, like antioxidants and Vitamin C, are also beneficial for dry skin.
We recommend No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel Cream. A cool, refreshing gel–cream, it absorbs instantly and delivers an immediate burst of moisture that helps to keep skin hydrated for 72 hours. It also blends antioxidant-rich Vitamins C and E with Pollution Shield Technology to help protect skin from external aggressors. Apply every morning for fresher-looking skin.
Best moisturiser for combination skin
Combination skin is characterized by an oily nose, forehead and chin (the T-zone) and dry, flaky skin on the cheeks and along the hairline. As such, the best moisturiser for combination skin will boast a hydrating, oil-free formula that delivers long-lasting hydration to the dry patches, without clogging pores or exacerbating sebum production.
We recommend No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel. Boasting an oil-free gel formula powered by naturally derived plant hydrators, it helps to moisturize the skin without congesting the pores. Apply every morning to flaunt a fresh, dewy-looking glow.
Best moisturiser for oily skin
Oily skin produces excess sebum and often looks shiny, with blocked and congested pores. This excess sebum, however, doesn’t equate to effective skin hydration. Daily moisturizing is important for all skin types, including oily skin.
To help keep oily skin moisturized and supple, apply an oil-free face cream that hydrates while helping to rebalance sebum. Oil-free, water-based gels, like No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel, are particularly beneficial, as they don’t clog pores.
Best moisturiser for mature skin
With age, the lipid barrier grows weaker and the skin naturally produces less sebum, collagen, and elastin, resulting in a dry, lackluster complexion that appears crepey and thin.
As such, the best moisturiser for mature skin should help to hydrate and make the skin feel firmer and more lifted. We recommend No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Face & Neck Day Cream SPF 30. Designed to target the key signs of aging on both the face and neck, it’s formulated with No7’s unique anti-wrinkle, firming and brightening complexes to help fortify and nourish the skin. After 2 weeks, the face and neck look younger, lifted and less crepey.*
*Based on consumer perception study.
Best face cream for wrinkles
A natural consequence of the aging process, wrinkles appear when the body starts to produce less collagen and elastin from the age of 30. Free radicals and external factors can also speed up the aging process, accentuating fine lines. Consequently, the best face cream for wrinkles protects skin against environmental stressors, while restoring youthful-looking skin.
Boasting No7’s powerful anti-wrinkle peptide technology, Matrixyl 3000+, and Double Defence Technology, No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30 helps to protect the skin from the sun and environmental stressors, while hydrating and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Best face moisturiser with SPF
A broad-spectrum face moisturiser with SPF, like No7 Early Defence Day Cream SPF 30, helps to protect skin from the sun’s UV rays. It also boasts No7’s Double Defence Technology to boost skin’s natural defenses and keep skin looking younger for longer.
Expert Advice: No7 Restore & Renew, Lift & Luminate, and Protect & Perfect face creams also boast a broad-spectrum SPF30.
Best moisturiser for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin often has an adverse reaction to the harsher ingredients, dyes and fragrances found in some topical skincare products, resulting in redness, itchiness and inflammation.
While No7’s Restore & Renew face cream and HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel and Gel Cream are all suitable for sensitive skin, No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream SPF 30 is one of our favorites for mature sensitive skin. It combines No7’s powerful anti-wrinkle peptide technology, Matrixyl 3000+, with hyaluronic acid, hibiscus and Vitamin C to help even out skin tone and visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Best brightening moisturiser for dull skin
Dull skin occurs when dead cells build up on the surface. As these cells flatten and dry out, they’re unable to reflect light, creating a dull and lackluster appearance.
To transform the appearance of dull skin, apply a brightening moisturiser that not only helps to replenish lost moisture, but re-energizes and illuminates tired-looking skin.
We recommend No7 Radiance+ Vitamin C Daily Brightening Moisturiser. Powered by brightening Vitamin C, this fast-absorbing moisturiser delivers a daily burst of revitalizing hydration to leave skin looking radiant and feeling nourished.