The air becomes nippy, the humidity drops, the heating kicks in... the cold weather has a way of drying out our skin and affecting its radiance. The solution? A total hydration cure! Begin this spa-worthy routine right away, to make sure your glow doesn't fade as the mercury drops.
What is the best facial moisturizer?
It all depends on your skin type. There is no single "best" moisturizer, but a range of formulas to suit every need.
- For dry skin: Choose a rich cream containing on plant butters or nourishing oils.
- For combination to oily skin: Go for a gel texture, fluid or non-comedogenic, which moisturizes without weighing down.
- For sensitive skin: Look for hypoallergenic skincare with soothing ingredients like oatmeal or thermal spring water. Natural formulas are often more pleasant for sensitive skin.
A good moisturizer ideally contains active humectants (such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid), emollients and has a texture in line with your preferences.
Here are a few essential beauty tips to keep your skin soft and moisturized:
➜ Find the ultimate hydrating mask to pamper your skin!
➜ S.O.S: How to keep your skin soft and hydrated
How do you hydrate a dehydrated face?
Here are the four essential steps for moisturizing and purifying your face to restore your skin's freshness every day.
1
EXFOLIATE
When? Once or twice a week.
Why? Not only does exfoliation deeply cleanse the skin by removing impurities from the pores, it also makes the skin more receptive to skincare products—and therefore more effective. Five minutes well spent!
The technique: After cleansing the face with a gentle product, apply an exfoliator using small circular movements, then rinse thoroughly.
Did you know? Exfoliation is best done in the evening, as cell regeneration is at its peak at night. They don't call it beauty sleep for nothing!
2
USE A MOISTURIZING MASK
When? Once or twice a week.
Why? Masks are intensive treatments that boost the benefits of our beauty routine. Packed with active ingredients, they replenish the skin's moisture levels, improve its appearance, leave it supple and soft, and increase its resistance to external aggressors.
The technique: Apply the mask to the entire face, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off (or massage the excess into the skin). If possible, do this in the bath: the heat will help open the pores and release the active ingredients... and can enjoy some well-earned relaxation!
Psst! If you apply your mask before going to bed, you can also leave it on overnight, to allow your skin to reap its full benefits.
The products: Whether you prefer it in a jar, tube or sheet, your mask needs to be enriched with plumping active ingredients—minerals, plant extracts and so on. Want an extra-refreshing sensation? Choose a gel texture that is easy to apply and absorb.
Tip: Even if you want to achieve optimum results, there's no point in applying a thick layer of mask. Because the skin only absorbs what it needs, the excess will be rejected—and wasted!
How to moisturize your face without cream?
The good news is that there are many ways to moisturize your skin, even without cream! The most important thing is to choose a skin care product suited to your skin and lifestyle. Here are a few ways to moisturize your skin:
- Serum: Often lighter, it is ultra-concentrated and may suffice for oily skin, for example, or in the summer.
- Enriched mist or thermal water: Perfect for refreshing and moisturizing throughout the day.
- Night mask: For lasting hydration without a greasy texture.
- Vegetable oils (non-comedogenic): Such as squalane, jojoba or rosehip oil, rich in essential fatty acids.
3
APPLY A MOISTURIZING SERUM
When? Every day, on clean skin, before applying a moisturizer.
Why? As an active concentrate, the serum, among other things, reinforces the effect of other products that are then applied to the skin. What's more, since the serum is, for the most part, in liquid form, the ingredients penetrate more deeply, targeting specific problems.
The technique: Warm a small amount of product in the palms of clean hands. Using your entire hands, apply the serum to the face, evenly covering the targeted areas. Then, using your hands, gently press the product into the skin.
The products: Finding YOUR serum is not always an easy task. It is important to choose the right one for your needs.
- To achieve a glow, select an antioxidant serum with vitamin C.
- To moisturize, go for a hyaluronic acid-based product.
- To counteract age, look for retinol, an effective anti-wrinkle ingredient, or collagen, which helps fade fine lines and wrinkles while minimizing skin sagging. Find our anti-aging products here.
- To counter acne, choose a product containing salicylic acid. Besides exfoliating, this ingredient purifies the skin's pores.
Vichy
Mineral 89 Hydrating Booster Daily Booster, 75 ml
For the 1st time in a luxury 75 ml size, a breakthrough skin care formula, combining 89% Mineralizing Thermal Water with Hyaluronic Acid, for a boosting effect. Minéral 89 fortifies and makes skin more resistant to help protect against external aggressors like pollution and cold weather. It boosts hydration to replenish the skin's moisture barrier. Skin feels more hydrated, plumped and toned. Day after day, skin radiates with a healthy glow.
Jouviance
Hydractiv sérum+, 30 ml
Quench thirsty skin with this moisture-rich intense hydration serum. Its lightweight formula brightens and protects skin, and infuses it with long-lasting hydration.
Teaology Tea Infusion Skincare
Hyaluronic Infusion Hydrating Serum, 15 ml
Intensive moisturizing serum with organic blue tea infusion and molecular hyaluronic acid 99% of natural origin Ideal for all skin types, even the most sensitive
4
HYDRATE
When? Every day, morning and evening.
Why? Facial moisturizing is the mainstay of our beauty routine. In the morning, it protects the skin from the cold and wind, and prevents it from drying out too much during the day. In the evening, it supplies the skin with what it needs to regenerate and replenish its water reserves. You can't do without it!
The technique: After cleansing, use your fingertips to spread a thin layer over your face, and save a little extra for your neck and décolleté: these delicate areas lack natural oils and are particularly vulnerable to dryness.
The products: A good moisturizer must meet three criteria: act gently—since the cold is an irritant—have a sustained effect and, above all, it must be suitable for your skin type.
- Dry skin loves products rich in nourishing and emollient agents, with intense, long-lasting power.
- Normal to combination skin, which produces more oil, prefers non-greasy formulas, such as gels, balms or light creams.
- Oily skin needs specially formulated skincare to eliminate excess sebum, reduce the appearance of pores and diminish imperfections.
What is the most natural facial moisturizer?
Some natural ingredients are renowned for their exceptional moisturizing power. Here are a few that can easily replace certain creams and facial care products without too much risk to the skin.
- Aloe vera: Rich in water, it soothes and moisturizes intensely.
- Honey: A natural humectant, it draws water into the skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal: Calming, it moisturizes and soothes irritation.
- Jojoba oil: Close to natural sebum, it helps regulate and moisturize.
These ingredients can be used on their own or incorporated into cosmetics. Provided they are well formulated, they become true allies for natural, long-lasting hydration.
Is your skin going through a particularly difficult period? Serum to the rescue! Apply it before your moisturizer to enhance the effect of its active ingredients and increase its thirst-quenching virtues tenfold.
Avène
Hyaluron Activ B3 Renewal Firming Day Cream, 50 ml
Dermatological Innovation Concentrated in 6% niacinamide (vitamin B3) and 0.2% pure hyaluronic acid, the Hyaluron Renewal firming cream acts on the cause of aging and prolong the life cells*. From a single application, the skin is plumped, smoothed and radiant. It contains 92% natural ingredients, no ingredients of animal origin and its recyclable glass jar is infinitely refillable.
![Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Light Cream, 50 ml](https://www.jeancoutu.com/catalog-images/471325/description/clarins-hydra-essentiel-ha-light-cream-50-ml.png)
Clarins
Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Light Cream, 50 ml
The daytime face cream that hydrates, in a light version.
