Step two after the utmost important step of cleansing: once the skin is clean of impurities and the pH is balanced, the skin is ready to take in all the goodness your moisturiser can give. A good moisturiser should be for your skin type and condition and will hydrate, nourish and protect… from here, everything else is a bonus!
So what is a moisturiser? It’s an emulsion which means it’s made of water and oil. Generally, the richer a cream feels, the more oil it has in its base and will usually be better for a dry skin. The lighter a cream, the more water in the base and can be more appealing to an oily skin. Sounds so simple, yes? Well… not really! A moisturiser’s texture is very important to the user, but so often, we’re choosing the wrong product for our skin type. Very regularly a woman will look at her skin, see visible pores around the nose, and automatically deems her skin to be oily: she will then buy her cream to compliment this self-diagnosis. After a few weeks, months or even years, she’ll wonder why her skin feels so tight, looks so dry, or she just can’t moisturise enough!
Then how do we choose? Recommendations from a Skin Therapist about your skin type and condition is the perfect place to start. Your skin care specialist will listen to your skin overview, will analyse visually and by touch, and help you to discover your skin type and any conditions present: i.e. are you dry, oily, sensitive, etc. Your Therapist can apply a moisturiser of their recommendation so you can feel its effect, how it penetrates and its finish.
And what exactly should a moisturiser do? As mentioned at the beginning: hydrate, nourish and protect! Being an organic range, PHYT’S uses many different vegetable oils in the base of their moisturisers: Argan, Sunflower, Wheatgerm, Hemp, Shea Butter, Jojoba, Sesame Seed, Olive… the list goes on. These vegetable oils contain essential fatty acids, vital to normal cell functioning, and are full of antioxidant Vitamins: A, C, E, F… and it is these oils that will hydrate, nourish and protect. On top of that, PHYT’S use other plant extracts to give other benefits to the skin: regeneration, toning, firming, balancing, antibacterial, healing, calming, stimulating… the benePHYT’S are never ending!
So sun cream isn’t necessary to protect? YES IT IS!!! When needed: as in when you will be outdoors for long periods exposed to UV rays, winter or summer. If day to day you are indoors and not outside in daylight hours, particularly in winter: PLEASE do not panic about SPF (sun protection factor) being included in your moisturiser. A moisturiser is applied once in the morning, so even if you have an SPF of 20 included in the cream, you would have to reapply by midday to give your skin UV protection again in the afternoon. Let’s be honest, who reapplies their daily moisturiser? Yep, no client I know! That’s why everyone should have an SPF (minimum 30 for face) to hand at home, in the car, in the bag, wherever, so when the great outdoors comes a calling, you’re readily protected.
How should we apply a moisturiser? Take a small amount and simply dot the cream onto each area of your face and neck (with PHYT’S, always include your eyelids and lips). Using your fingertips massage cream into the skin: it will spread beautifully with the heat from your fingers and massaging it in thoroughly guarantees its penetration into the skin.
Top PHYT’S picks for moisturisers:
Always get a recommendation from a trained PHYT’Skin Therapists, but our hot sellers include:
Phyt’ssima Soin Visage
For dry / chapped skin. Argan, Hemp, Shea Butter, Rosewood. A really rich moisturiser which leaves you wonder how did this penetrate when it disappears into your skin! Skin feels relieved of dryness and irritations, feeling soft, supple and protected all day.
Crème Phytonagre
For hormonally sensitized skins / capillary issues, and all round firming cream. Evening Primrose, Borage, Vanilla, Juniper, Camphor. An enveloping cream to reduce sensitivities, firm, nourish and comfort, particularly when the capillaries are inflamed or there is a tendency towards rosacea. In general, gives excellent results for firming so hence it flies off the shelves!
Crème Reviderm
For dull, depleted skins in need of oxygenating. Chlorophyll, Shea Butter, Acerola, Kombu Seaweed. Like a wave crashing on your skin and awakening it to bring out vitality! A more fluid texture which still gives protection, even in winter, and full of stimulating, brightening and oxygenating ingredients. Improves microcirculation bringing freshness and regeneration to all the skin cells.
The list goes on, just check out our product lines ! Happy moisturising
Written by Dearbhala Brennan from Phyts Ireland