Welcome to Dear Soko, a series dedicated to answering your biggest skin care questions with advice from Soko Glam’s skin experts. Whether you’re confused about specific ingredients or what you need to do to achieve healthier skin overall, our experts are here to guide you.
This week’s question is: “What textures of moisturizer are best to use in the morning and at night, and how can I layer different textures of products?”
Here, a Soko Glam skin expert’s answer:
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If you’re like me, you’re usually running out your door and may not have time for a super extensive skincare routine in the morning. Whatever steps you decide to prioritize in your morning routine, you should always be applying sun protection and a moisturizer!
Gel-like textures or more lightweight moisturizers like emulsions tend to be very popular with oily skin types and indeed do work great for them. But oily skin types shouldn’t be afraid of using cream moisturizers in the morning either! The most suitable cream formulas for oilier skin types are whipped mousse like textures that melt into the skin or even more lightweight lotions like the COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion.
It’s important that dry skin types ensure their face is hydrated first thing in the morning to both prevent any tight feeling in the face and discourage dry patches from forming. Drier skin tends to love rich creams like the Dewytree Ultra Vitalizing Snail Cream or balm textures like the Etude House SoonJung Cica Balm-Panthensoside 5.
For the quickest morning routine, you could choose to use an SPF that is creamy and hydrating like the, NEOGEN Day-Light Protection Sun Screen SPF 50/PA+++ and have it double up as your moisturizer. This works for most skin types, however those who tend to be extremely dry may want to layer their SPF over a cream moisturizer for optimal hydration.
In your evening routine you have more time to block out extra me-time for sheet masking, exfoliating, or layering on the treatment products. Again, you’re going to want to make sure to use a moisturizer to lock in the extra layers of skin care as well as keep your face hydrated throughout the night.
You can typically use the same moisturizer you use in the morning in the evening as well, as long it doesn’t contain SPF. It’s good for all skin types to get an extra layer of hydration throughout the night, so picking a slightly thicker moisturizer than your morning moisturizer can work well. Even gel formulas can be formulated to be hydrating enough for an evening routine, like the night cream that is included in the NEOGEN Vita Duo Cream Joan Day Joan Night.
You could also use a sleeping mask like the Enature Birch Juice Hydro Sleeping Pack weekly or a couple of times a week. Sleeping masks are supercharged night creams that offer the benefits of a hydrating and nourishing mask while you are asleep! Sleeping masks are usually formulated to sink right into your skin so as not to get all over your pillows and bed sheets and can be washed off in the morning during your usual morning cleanse. Not only do they easy to fit into any lifestyle, by taking extra care of your face in the evening you may find you don’t have to layer on as many products in the morning.
Hope this helps you create your own perfect day and night routine!
Warmly,
Your Skin Expert