Regardless of what month of the year it is, Malaysia’s known for its scorching weather during the day, and intense humidity 24/7. This combination isn’t just a recipe for constant sweating and discomfort even in your most comfortable cotton-based clothes, it also contributes to kicking your sebum production into overdrive and melting your makeup. There are days when the air feels so thick that even staying indoors doesn’t remedy anything.
When it comes to making sure your skin stays comfortable throughout the day without relying on alcohol-laden products to keep your complexion matte and smooth, picking the right moisturiser is crucial. After all, you want to find a formulation that keeps your skin’s thirst quenched while keeping it velvety sans drying it out. Here are 10 moisturisers for any skin type that can help you achieve that fine balance.
Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturiser
This sensitive-skin friendly moisturising gel uses an infusion of sustainably-sourced squalane oil and probiotic technology to help deliver weightless yet incredible hydration to help restore the skin’s radiance while maintaining the skin’s protective microbiome. It also helps to reduce the effect of daytime stressors to help reduce dull and sallow skin. Ingredients like Allantoin and Bisabolol also help to soothe the skin after enduring external aggressors. W sephora.my
Tatcha The Water Cream
For mature skin that’s prone to dryness but still want a non-greasy look, Tatcha’s The Water Cream uses a plethora of Japanese botanicals to help clarify and revitalise the complexion. Wild rose and leopard lily help to purify the skin and control excess sebum production, while supporting natural cell turnover. For a lit-from-within glow without the greasy shine, 23-karat gold helps to give your skin a real boost of radiance. W sephora.my
Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturiser
If you need a moisturiser that delivers nourishing, lasting moisture without the heaviness, Farmacy’s Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturiser is able to provide even for drier, more mature skins. This water cream uses a Triple Hyaluronic Acid Complex and a signature patented Echinacea GreenEnvy Honey™ as humectants to draw and lock moisture into the skin, while fermented soy, mistletoe, Japanese blood grass, Tsubaki and meadowfoam seed oils work to soften the skin and prevent moisture loss. Cupuaçu butter beads melt into the skin to support the skin’s moisture barrier, while Cichoric Acid, Royal Jelly, and propolis help deliver powerful antioxidants to keeps skin smooth and supple. W sephora.my
Dr Jart Vital Hydra Solution Biome Water Cream
The Biome Water Cream by Dr Jart boasts a fresh gel-cream texture that quenches the skin’s thirst while leaving a lightweight finish. Its unique hydrating solution helps to deeply hydrate the skin, while locking in moisture and keeping the skin's natural microbiome healthy using a combination of prebiotics like Streptococcus Thermophilus Ferment with hyaluronic acid. The cream also uses low-molecular weight collagen to help create a protective moisture barrier to help prevent water loss. However, sensitive skins should do a patch test first before committing as this moisturiser does contain fragrant essential oils such as Orange Peel, Eucalyptus and Bergamot. W sephora.my
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturiser
If you love the original First Aid Beauty Cream but need something more mattifying, the new Oil-Control Moisturizer is the answer to your oily-skinned problems. This cream hydrates and soothes the skin with nourishing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Oat Extract, while a blend of mineral microspheres and Niacinamide work together to impart an instant matte finish while helping to control sebum production. It leaves skin with a powder soft, blurred-skin effect - making it ideal for hot and humid weather conditions. W sephora.my
Omorovicza Balancing Moisturiser
Combination and oilier skins can benefit from this luxurious gel-cream from Omorovicza. It uses botanical extracts in pineapple and rosemary to help reduce the appearance of pores while sloughing away dead skin cells via natural enzymes. Meanwhile, Apple Pectin and Omorovicza’s patented Hydro Mineral Transference™ helps to infuse skin with lasting hydration while restoring firmness and suppleness to the skin - making this moisturiser effective for those with more mature skin as well. It also has a primer effect thanks to the inclusion of Ruby Crystal that brightens the skin while blurring fine lines and imperfections in the skin. W kensapothecary.com.my
Chantecaille Anti-Pollution Mattifying Cream
Pollutants from city life can often dull and irritate the skin, while frequently staying in air-conditioned rooms can really dehydrate the skin, forcing sebum production to go into overdrive to overcompensate for the dryness. Chantecaille’s Anti-Pollution Mattifying Cream combats the negative effects of blue light emitted from mobile and laptop screens with a powerful blend of antioxidants derived from White Horehound Stem Cell and Lentil extract. This lightweight cream also helps to refine the skin, blur the appearance of pores, while imparting a natural glow. W net-a-porter.com
Grown Alchemist Hydra-Repair Day Cream
This day cream from Grown Alchemist works to nourish and condition the skin without leaving a sticky or greasy residue. More suited for dry skin types, it contains Aloe Vera, Camellia Oil and Rosehip Oil to improve hydration levels while softening the skin. A blend of Jojoba Oil and Mayblossom also help to normalise the skin’s natural sebum levels, so that the oil and water levels in the skin are rebalanced for optimum skin health. Meanwhile, this cream also improves the appearance of skin damage such as UV-induced oxidative stress thanks to biosaccharides present in cane sugar. The moisturiser comes in a velvet-like texture, doubling as an ideal makeup primer. W kensapothecary.com.my
Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Mattifying Fluid
Achieve a velvety, soft-matte complexion while restoring skin’s hydration and moisture levels with this lightweight fluid from Caudalie. Best suited for combination to oily skins, it maintains skin’s optimum hydration levels with the brand’s signature Organic Grape Water, while built-in silica powders help impart a smooth matte finish to the skin. It’s also formulated without mineral oils, phenoxyethanol, or animal-derived ingredients, and is non-comedogenic. Meaning - you can easily wear this all day without it clogging your pores. W kensapothecary.com.my
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
This is perfect if you've got very oily, combination dehydrated, acne-prone, or sensitive skin. Two pumps of this incredibly light, clear gel is enough to melt seamlessly into the skin without adding more oil. It’s formulated with Rice, Barley, Algae, and Cucumber extracts and Sodium Hyaluronate to improve your skin’s hydration and moisture levels without irritation, while its Clean-Shield Technology helps to defend your skin against pollutants. The best part? It’s free of alcohol, fragrances, colourants and essential oils. W sephora.my
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Photos courtesy of the respective brands.
