Tag: Emulsion

Moisture Matters: Five moisturising skincare products to nourish your skin this autumn

Contrary to what we were taught at school, the first signs of autumn are not the sight of falling amber leaves, but the feel of dry, cracking skin as we delicately put fingertips to face. Whether you prefer a slather of hydrating cream, a dab of lightweight emulsion or a glistening layer of regenerating night serum, keeping your skin plump is key. We spill the beans on the moisturising skincare products hitting the shelves this season.

Gafencu_beauty_moisturising_serum_Ecological Compound_tatcha_Indigo_Overnight_Repair

First up, is Japanese beauty and skincare brand Tatcha’s Indigo Overnight Repair, a soothing moisturising treatment that visibly calms any irritation or inflammation and delivers active natural ingredients to strengthen the skin’s defensive layers. You can rest assured that the product will work to counter the effects of everyday exposure to harsh weather and pollution, so you wake up refreshed with luminous, healthier-looking skin.

Gafencu_beauty_moisturising_serum_Ecological Compound

If you’re looking for a lighter application, Ecological Compound emulsion from French skincare and cosmetics brand Sisley Paris is just the ticket. Packed with carefully balanced ingredients such as ginseng, rosemary, horsetail, hops and centella asiatica, this water-based serum moisturises, nourishes, revitalises and boosts the epidermis’ protection while toning facial contours. It can be used alone or before your usual moisturising cream for additional hydration.

Gafencu_beauty_moisturising_serum_Ecological Compound_Lancome_Advanced Genifique Eye Cream

Not neglecting the eyes, we’ve included a quick-effect eye cream, Génifique Yeux by luxury skincare line Lancôme, that aims to visibly strengthen the eye area and provide a more radiant, youthful look in just seven days. Enriched with a complex of seven pre- and probiotic fractions, it’s light to the touch but packed with strong, defensive moisturising elements.

Gafencu_beauty_moisturising_serum_Ecological Compound_Lancome_Advanced Genifique Eye Cream_la mer hydrating infused lotion

Alternatively, marine-inspired La Mer continues to perfect the art of fermenting sea kelp into miraculous skincare products. Its latest all-nourishing, feather-light emulsion is packed with micronutrients. The Hydrating Infused Emulsion comprises nutrient-rich kelp and soy, as well as lime tea concentrate, to counter the effects of free radicals, and antioxidants to calm redness and inflammation – effortlessly revitalising the skin with the brand’s trademarked cell-renewing Miracle Broth.

Gafencu_beauty_moisturising_serum_Ecological Compound_Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

Last but not least, internationally renowned cosmetics company Estée Lauder’s new Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix is designed to offer a more supple, youthful contour around the eyes. Infused with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, the formula promotes collagen production to target the reduction of expression lines and dark circles, while fortifying the delicate under-eye area for a healthier glow.

Essences, Ampoules, Emulsions: What’s the difference?

Derived from Korean beauty practices, the incorporation of essences, ampoules and emulsions into a skincare regimen places a strong emphasis on hydrating the skin. Containing higher concentration of active ingredients than serums and moisturisers, these products are water-based formulas aimed to be light enough to sink deeper into the skin, treating skin conditions on a cellular level — resulting in flawless skin as popularised in K-beauty culture. To get you started, here’s a quick guide to the differences between essences, ampoules and emulsions. 

gafencu skincare beauty Essences, Ampoule & Emulsions What's the difference (2)

Essences
Although essences are less concentrated than serums, they do contain more hydrating ingredients that essentially soften the skin with an extra dose of hydration. This then allows the dermis to absorb the products in preparation for the next steps of your skincare routine and allowing it to reap more benefits from the overall beauty regiment and stay nourished.

How to use it: After washing and toning the face, pour a little essence into the palm of the  hands and pat into the skin. Leave it to soak in for a minute or two before applying serum. gafencu skincare beauty Essences, Ampoule & Emulsions What's the difference (3)

Ampoule
Very much like serums, an ampoule commonly refers to a booster for the skin. Highly concentrated with active ingredients (often botanical in nature),  not only does it hydrate the skin on a surface level, it also treats skin conditions such as ageing and brightening on a cellular level. 

How to use it: Apply an ampoule after putting on serum. The product can even be mixed in with your moisturiser or foundation to keep the skin nourished while underneath thick layers of cream.

gafencu skincare beauty Essences, Ampoule & Emulsions What's the difference

Emulsion
An emulsion is a light-weight watered down version of a facial lotion. It hydrates and  moisturises the skin. Its water-based formula also makes layering other products afterwards more effective. They can also be applied underneath a sunscreen, and for those with oily skin types and aren’t fond of the heavy, thick or oily textures of face creams, emulsions are lighter and more breathable on the dermis, and therefore more comfortable to wear.

How to use it: Emulsions would typically go after toner, essence, serum, and ampoules (in that order), and just before a moisturiser because it is thinner in texture than a cream, but thicker and less concentrated than a serum or essence.