If you’ve been chasing the goal of getting dewy, glowy, hydrated skin when yours is more of the flaky, lackluster, and chronically thirsty variety, you might want to take a super-hydrating hint from the Korean beauty bible and practice double moisturizing.
Sarah Lee, co-founder of Glow Recipe, a popular Korean beauty site, says double moisturizing is an essential step for women who are concerned about aging or dryness.
“Christine [Chang, Glow’s co-founder] and I were taught to take care of our skin since our early teens. We would watch our moms take time in their nightly [beauty] routine to pat and massage serums and lotions onto their face, and a second moisturizer was the final step before going to bed.”
We'd watch our moms take time in their nightly beauty routine, and a second moisturizer was the final step before going to bed.
In Korea, this second moisturizer is known as a nourishing cream. These have more emollients and a richer texture, according to Lee. “In the juice world, these would be juices full of pulp,” she says. “They have that extra punch of nourishment or hydration in them.” The oil-moisturizer combo essentially functions as a “sleeping mask,” says Lee, since the nutrients work their hydrating magic overnight.
And if you're thinking, "Hey, this just sounds like a great way to sell me more products," dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, of Sadick Dermatology, says it’s a legit approach that's been around for a long time. "The idea is that you're doing two stages of moisturizing to pack in the hydration," he says.
Dr. Bhanusali favors argan and grapeseed oils, and for nourishing creams, he likes hyaluronic acid and ceramides—and anything anti-inflammatory.
Here are 6 natural-leaning K-beauty nourishing creams and oils to add to your nightly routine for waking up uber-moisturized.
1. Yuri Pibu Artichoke Power Cream ($38)
"Artichoke is really great for anti-aging and it really lifts," says Lee—and this product has high concentrations of the power veggie packed in.
2. Blossom Jeju Camellia Soombi Night Cream ($74)
"This brand is from Jeju Island, which is like the Hawaii of Korea" says Lee. "The whole line is infused with the camellia flower, which is known for being resilient to the volcanic island and strong winds despite its beautiful and delicate appearance." The flower is known in Korea for its healing properties, and was used on Jeju Island for generations.
3. S5 Organic Cosmeceuticals Replenish Serum ($65)
This rich serum has desert bioactives, lots of omegas, chilean rosehip oil, and arctic sea buckthorn extract in addition to argan oil which all make this great for your skin's elasticity. Bonus: it helps reduce scars.
4. Josh Rosebrook Deep Hydrating Serum ($70)
Chock-full of fatty acids and herbal oils, this serum has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidants that work to stimulate collagen as you sleep. It has hemp seed, sea buckthorn, neem leaf, and slippery elm oils which provide more than just moisture for your skin.
5. Yuri Pibu Cucu Black Truffle Cream ($38)
"Cucu black diamond truffle is very luxurious ingredient that's rarely found in skin care," says Lee. "It's actually very smoothing and brightening, and the texture is very plump."
6. Trilogy Nutrient Plus Firming Serum ($44)
The combination of aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and licorice make this serum a powerful nourisher that brightens and lifts your skin as you sleep.
Ready to seriously moisturize your body as well? These are the 12 best all-natural body oils for smooth skin. And find out which natural face oil Kate Middleton swears by here.
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