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Our obsession with serums is unabating but there is also a definite place for a rich moisturiser in our skincare routines – even during summer. We ask skincare guru and Chanel skincare expert Melanie Grant why we need to layer up, and the benefits of investing in a high-quality nourishing cream.
Moisturiser vs Serum
If you diligently apply your serums but forgo your moisturiser, you might want to rethink. Why? Both have defined and complementary roles. “Serums and moisturisers work in tandem to offer complete and comprehensive care for the skin,” says Grant, who points out they also work on different layers of the skin.
Serums: “Serums deliver hydration, antioxidants and actives to the deeper layers,” says Grant.
Moisturise: “Your moisturiser is designed to sit on top, ensuring the protective acid mantle remains intact while also preventing trans-epidermal water loss.”
Cocoon & Plump: Air conditioning, chlorine, beach days and travel during summer can leave skin parched and devitalised. Enter the rich cream. “Cocooning the skin with an occlusive barrier prevents trans-epidermal water loss, keeping the skin plump, hydrated and quenched,” explains Grant.
Your best skincare routine
“Layering your products from lightest to heaviest will allow for efficient and effective absorption,” says Grant. “After cleansing, apply water-light lotions, then plumping essences, active serums and lastly your moisturiser to seal everything in.”
Lighten Up: Don’t like the feeling of richness on your skin during the day? Don’t skip your moisturiser. Instead try a lighter formulation. “If you prefer a lighter-weight finish during the day, opt for a water-based gel or emulsion, prioritising ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid and peptides,” suggests Grant. “This will keep your skin plump and hydrated.”
Pro pick: “My skin saviour is Chanel Sublimage La Crème Texture Suprême,” says Grant of the much-loved cream, which is now refillable. “It provides the skin with a much-needed dose of essential fatty acids and boosts hydration while enveloping skin in a nourishing barrier that protects it against trans-epidermal water loss, devitalisation and reactivity.”
Chanel Sublimage La Crème Texture Suprême, $590. Refill, $502 at Myer
Massage with your moisturiser
“Combining your moisturiser and massage is a great way to boost blood flow, promote radiance, oxygenate the tissues and flush stagnant lymph,” says Grant, who suggests using an almond-sized amount of cream, warmed between your palms then worked with upward and outward motions. “Use the full breadth of your hands, work with your facial contours to infuse the cream while focusing on any areas of tension like the jawline, marionette lines and between the brows.”
