Photo: sabrinacarpenter / Instagram
In Singapore, career women are often faced with this one, pressing skin dilemma: Our hot and humid weather often means that your complexion is quick to turn oily and feel sticky, yet it also gets dehydrated fast once you duck into the comfort of an air-conditioned building. So, what’s a girl to do? The answer lies in finding the right type of moisturiser for our weather. We speak to dermatologist Dr Teo Wan Lin, founder and medical director at TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Centre, to find out what to do in such situations, and how to choose the best hydrator for your needs.
“Prolonged exposure to air conditioning can lead to dry skin because of the drop in the ambient humidity, resulting in increased transepidermal water loss. As a result, it is important to pay attention to skin hydration,” says Dr Teo. “However, given Singapore’s tropical climate, almost everyone is in a flux between the hot humid outdoors when commuting and the freezing dry indoor temperatures of our air-conditioned offices and malls. As a result, I recommend all my patients to skip creams and go for emulsions instead.”
According to Dr Teo, emulsions are essentially oil-in-water formulas that help to restore skin’s protective barrier without aggravating shine and oiliness. Due to their lightweight textures, emulsions are also more comfortable to apply and leave on in humid climates like ours. And if your skin starts to get drier than usual after you’ve spent long hours in an air-conditioned space, Dr Teo recommends spritzing on a facial mist throughout the day. Choose facial mists that have hydrating properties like Dr.TWL Dermaceuticals Mineral Booster ($139.10). This contains purified mineral-rich deep-sea water infused with amino acids and humectants to soothe skin.
Now that you know what to look out for, here are the nine best emulsions to add to your regime.
https://www.herworld.com/beauty/best-lightweight-moisturisers-emulsions-hydrate-oily-dry-dehydrated-skin-hot-humid-weather/
9 best moisturisers
Benefit Cosmetics Triple Performing Facial Emulsion, $56
image
Formulated with a brightening and moisturising complex to boost skin plumpness and luminosity, this will give your mien a lit-from-within glow. It also contains plant extracts to nourish skin and comes with SPF15 PA++ protection.
Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Emulsion, $105, Sephora
image
Mamonde Moisture Ceramide Intense Emulsion, $32
image
This newly reformulated emulsion contains twice as much hibiscbus extract as its predecessor, which means it’s more effective in strengthening skin’s natural moisture barrier to minimise damage from harmful environmental aggressors. Expect clear and supple skin all day long.
Clarins Multi-Active Day Emulsion, $118
image
Combat the first signs of premature ageing with this radiance-boosting emulsion. The cocktail of botanical ingredients helps to fight free radical damage so that your complexion remains youthful and blemish-free. Another plus: this also contains broad-spectrum SPF 20 to protect skin from harmful UV rays.
LANEIGE White Dew Emulsion, $45
image
This milky emulsion is formulated with a patented brightening technology to visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots. It helps to even out patchy skin tones while replenishing moisture levels.
HERA Aquabolic Refreshing Emulsion, $60
image
Perfect for those with oily or combination skin, this refreshing lotion contains lotus flower extract to nourish skin and a host of bio-minerals to help regulate skin’s sebum and moisture levels for a balanced complexion.
Dr.TWL Dermaceuticals Radiance Fluide Hydrating Emulsion, $278.20, drtwlderma.com
image
This contains amino acids to boost skin repair, oligopeptides to reduce the signs of ageing and niacinamide to brighten skin so that you can achieve a naturally dewy glow. It also plumps skin surface and doesn’t feel tacky at all, making it perfect as a makeup base.
Innisfree Green Tea Seed Essence-In-Lotion, $32
image
The latest addition to the brand’s bestselling green tea line, this emulsion features the newly improved Fresh Green Tea Water 2.0, a key ingredient that is said to be 3.5 times more potent than the original formula. It also contains 16 kinds of amino acids to deliver and lock in moisture so that skin stays dewy all day.
THREE Treatment Emulsion, $109
image
Made with 99 per cent naturally derived ingredients, this silky emulsion restores skin’s moisture and sebum levels. Its two key ingredients – laurel leaf oil and frankincense oil – work together to strengthen skin’s barrier function, protecting it against harmful environmental aggressors like pollution, dirt and dust.
ALSO READ: 10 FACIAL CLEANSERS THAT WILL NOT DRY OUT YOUR SKIN
