What Is a Moisturiser?

A moisturiser is a skincare product designed to keep your skin hydrated, soft, and protected.

It does this by helping your skin:

• retain water
• stay smooth and flexible
• protect itself from external damage

But not all moisturisers work the same way.

Why Moisturisers Are Important

Your skin naturally loses water throughout the day.

This is called Transepidermal Water Loss.

When this happens:

• your skin becomes dry
• your barrier weakens
• irritation and sensitivity increase

A good moisturiser helps:
✔ reduce water loss
✔ strengthen the skin barrier
✔ keep your skin balanced

The Three Types of Moisturisers

Most effective moisturisers are made up of a combination of:

1. Humectants
2. Emollients
3. Occlusives

Understanding these will help you choose the right product for your skin.

1.HUMECTANTS — HYDRATE THE SKIN

Humectants attract water into the skin.

Think of them as:
👉 “water magnets”

How They Work

They draw moisture:

• from the environment
• or from deeper layers of the skin

and bring it to the surface.

Common Humectants

Hyaluronic acid

Glycerin

Aloe vera

Urea

Best For

✔ dehydrated skin
✔ oily skin
✔ acne-prone skin

Important Tip

Humectants need to be sealed in.

If used alone:
👉 water can evaporate → leaving skin even drier

2. EMOLLIENTS — SMOOTH & REPAIR

Emollients help soften the skin and improve texture.

Think of them as:
👉 “skin smoothers”

How They Work

They fill in the gaps between skin cells, making your skin feel:

• softer
• smoother
• more even

Common Emollients

Ceramides

Fatty acids

Squalane

Shea butter

Best For

✔ rough skin
✔ damaged skin barrier
✔ dry patches

Key Benefit

They help repair the skin barrier over time.

3. OCCLUSIVES — LOCK IN MOISTURE

Occlusives form a protective layer on the skin.

Think of them as:
👉 “sealers”

How They Work

They prevent water from escaping by forming a barrier on top of the skin.

Common Occlusives

Petrolatum (Vaseline)

Beeswax

Lanolin

Mineral oil

Best For

✔ very dry skin
✔ compromised skin barrier
✔ night routines

Important Tip

Occlusives can feel heavy, so they’re best:
👉 used at night
👉 or layered over lighter products

How to Choose the Right Moisturiser

Most moisturisers contain a mix of all three, but the balance matters.

If You Have Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

👉 Look for:

• lightweight moisturisers
• more humectants
• fewer heavy occlusives

If You Have Dry Skin

👉 Look for:

• emollients + occlusives
• richer creams

If You Have Sensitive or Damaged Skin

👉 Focus on:

• barrier-repair ingredients
• gentle formulations

Simple Way to Think About It

Humectants → bring in water
Emollients → smooth and repair
Occlusives → lock everything in

Final Thoughts

You don’t need the most expensive moisturiser.

You need one that:
✔ matches your skin type
✔ supports your skin barrier
✔ fits into a consistent routine

👉 Not sure what your skin needs?

Take the Skin & Hair Test or reach out and I’ll guide you.