Using the wrong skincare texture could be sabotaging your skin

You might prefer the cooling sensation of a gel over a thick cream. Or maybe you swear by lotions and don’t like the feel of oils. There’s nothing wrong with having personal preferences when choosing skincare products – but what you might not realise is that some textures are more suited for certain skin types and are, therefore, more effective.

Dr Cheak Wan Ying from S Aesthetics explains that skincare textures are generally defined by their viscosity (thickness) and base formula (water, oil or a mix). 

“The texture of a product dictates how it delivers ingredients to your skin and how much of a barrier it forms,” she adds. “The different textures directly impact the product’s ability to seal in moisture and therefore, its efficacy on different skin types.”

Dr. Angeline Yong, founder of Angeline Yong Dermatology & SSKINS Medispa, says different textures interact with the skin in distinct ways because of their formulation base and how they deliver or retain moisture.

For example, light, water-based textures like gels or fluids absorb quickly and are ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, as they don’t leave residue or clog pores. Creams or balms, on the other hand, contain more emollients and occlusives, forming a protective barrier that locks in hydration, perfect for dry or sensitive skin. 

“The way a product feels on the skin often reflects its function and absorption rate: a watery serum penetrates deeply to deliver actives efficiently, while a richer cream sits closer to the surface to cushion and protect,” Dr Yong adds. “Choosing the right texture ensures not just comfort, but also better efficacy and compatibility with your skin’s natural needs.”

The experts take us through the various textures, and which skin types best suit them.

Milks & Creams

Best for: Dry or sensitive skin, also mature skin or post-procedure.

Benefits: Formulated with a high concentration of emollients that gently cleanse the skin without stripping its natural oils, leaving behind a light, comfortable film, preserving the skin’s moisture barrier. 

Dr Yong’s tip: Look for ceramides, glycerin, or oat extract to reinforce the skin barrier. Pair with a hydrating mist or essence right after cleansing to lock in moisture. 

Products to try: 

Sigi Skin Cream Cloud Milky Essence, $89

A lightweight, silky formula that works as your skin’s repair kit. Ingredients include skin-identical lipids that restore the barrier, lock in moisture and keep skin soft and smooth. The milky essence is formulated with a potent blend of barrier-boosting ceramides and helps to strengthen and rebuild resilient skin from within. 

Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer, $95

This moisturiser has a lightweight feel but delivers big results. Its milky texture makes it glide on skin easily and has a soft, dewy finish. Ingredients include Japanese purple rice, which is rich in antioxidants, and prebiotic green tea, which enhances radiance from within. 

Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk Essence, $25

This lightweight, milky formula delivers a boost of hydration in just three seconds. It’s formulated with the brand’s Super Green Tea™, which is over five times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid. Skin is moisturised for up to 72 hours and green tea ceramide strengthens skin barrier so you’ll get plump, bouncy skin. It also soothes sensitivity, redness and dryness.

Gels/Gel Cleansers 

Best for: Oily, combination or acne-prone skin. 

Benefits: Their lightweight, water-based texture purifies pores, removes excess sebum and gives a refreshing finish without residue.

Dr Cheak’s tip: Look for ingredients like salicylic acid (BHA) to promote skin cell turnover, decongest pores and decrease inflammation; or niacinamide for strengthening the skin’s barrier, minimising pores and regulating oil production. The gel texture ensures these active ingredients are delivered without feeling heavy. 

Products to try: 

Kose Repair Gel Cream, $121

Part of the brand’s Infinity Collection, this gel cream contains its moisturising ingredient, Rice Power® No. 7, extracted from fermented rice, as well as niacinamide, which improves wrinkles. The gel texture melts into your skin, making it feel supple, firm and restored.

Astalift Jelly Aquarysta, $148

Japanese brand ASTALIFT uses research pioneered by FUJIFILM, originally developed to protect photographs but is applicable in skincare too as both involve delicate, ultra-thin layers supported by collagen. This gel is powered by nano-astaxanthin, an antioxidant 6,000 times stronger than Vitamin C and delivered in ultra-fine particles for deeper penetration into the skin. Ceramide is delivered into the skin barrier for optimal resilience and moisture retention. 

Creams/moisturisers 

Best for: Dry, mature or compromised skin (where the skin barrier is damaged).

Benefits: These are rich in lipids or ceramides, which replenish moisture and strengthen the barrier, locking hydration in for longer periods. 

Dr Yong’s tip: Seek out ceramides, squalane or peptides to strengthen and repair. Layer over a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid or B5 for optimal moisture retention. 

Products to try: 

ELIXIR Retinol Power Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, $104

If you want to improve undereye lines, crow’s feet and frown lines, this is the cream for you. COLLAGenerator™ and Pure Retinol work together to boost the production of Type I, II and V Collagen. Other ingredients include hyaluronic acid and rosemary extract. Use it as the final step in your morning and nighttime skincare routine. 

Guerlain Orchidée Impériale The Longevity Cream, $812

A result of  20 years of pioneering research into cell longevity, Guerlain has discovered the exceptional power of longevity of an orchid – vanda coerulea. The flower is able to live for over a hundred years, so the brand has created ORCHID LONGEVITYᵀᴹ technology infused with the life force of this plant. Skin feels regenerated, firmer and plumper, plus visible signs of ageing appear much slower with long-term use. 

Liquid Essences / Toners

Best for: Suited for all skin types, useful as the first step for anyone needing extra hydration. But especially beneficial for normal to combination skin. 

Benefits: These fast-absorbing formulas prep the skin, balance pH and enhance penetration of subsequent products. They are excellent for layering without feeling heavy. 

Dr Cheak’s tip: Pat on thin liquid essence if your skin is dehydrated but oily. The liquid texture delivers maximum water without the oil content that could trigger breakouts. 

Products to try: 

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Gentle Skin Toner, $25

This Korean brand specialises in caring for sensitive skin. The Ceramide Ato range features Soy Ceramide, a skin-friendly ceramide derived from black soybeans, with a structure that’s close to our skin’s. The ceramides are broken down into ultra-fine particles through advanced Nano Particle Technology, leading to deeper and more effective hydration. This toner delivers deep hydration and soothes dry, irritated skin. Bonus: it has a non-sticky texture and absorbs quickly.

K Booster Daily Moisture Boosting Toner Mist, $45

Give your skin a boost of energy and hydration. This toner is infused with 100% natural caffeine, which soothes puffiness and removes dark circles, as well as papaya fruit extract, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells. Plus, aloe vera and niacinamide hydrate the skin and circa complex restores skin barrier. 

Masks / Overnight Treatments 

Best for: Hydrating and barrier-restoring masks benefit dry or sensitive skin, while clay or purifying masks suit oily or congested skin.

Benefits: Their purpose is to deliver highly-concentrated ingredients over a longer period of time, as overnight masks, often thick creams or balms, provide maximum occlusion. Overnight treatments tend to be richer, ideal for dull, dehydrated or stressed skin needing intensive repair.

Dr Yong’s tip: For overnight masks, look for niacinamide, peptides or antioxidants to support skin repair. Use 2–3 times a week and always apply on top of your serum or moisturiser to seal in actives. 

Products to try: 

Glow Aloe Hydrogel Sheet Mask, $23 

Viral South Korean skincare brands Glow is known for its simple and effective formulas and aloe vera – known for its skin-soothing properties – takes centre stage here. This mask is infused with aloe vera leaf extract for instant soothing and deep hydration. It also calms irritation, reduces redness and boosts elasticity. The skin-like gel mask is also super comfortable, with its hairline-free, non-slip fit.

Mtm Labo Custom-blended Collagen Mask, $427

A face and neck mask that contains patented freeze-dried collagen preserving active ingredients at peak potency. The mask is activated only when you add the custom-blended onsen essence, created from beauty-award-winning hot-spring water of the Shimane Prefecture, Japan’s oldest hot spring town. The mask stimulates collagen regeneration, repairs the skin and becomes more supple and radiant.