3 LUXURY DO-IT-ALL MOISTURISERS I LOVE

 

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Today we're talking one-step luxury moisturisers that do so much more than moisturise by packing in amazing active ingredients. They're perfect if you want all that good stuff on your skin and you're not afraid to invest, but you need things to be quick and simple. Let's dive into the three that I think could be worth your money...

The first product we'll talk about is U Beauty's the Super Hydrator* | £65 (15ml). This is a kind of creamy formula that's amazing on my drier, more dehydrated skin type. In terms of actives, it's formulated with sodium ascorbyl phosphate (a Vitamin C derivative) to help improve the skin's tone, give it an overall glow-boost and provide antioxidant benefits (so skin-damaging free radicals can be neutralised). We also have Vitamin E and a Vitamin E derivative, which can help stabilise and boost the antioxidant potential of Vitamin C. Superoxide dismutase is another really powerful antioxidant; all in all, these are great ingredients for your morning skincare routine in particular. We also have a PHA in here, which is a really mild form of chemical exfoliation that has hydrating benefits, so it can help smooth the skin, make it glow and allow other ingredients better penetrate the skin. Mandelic acid is an AHA, specifically great for hyperpigmentation and there's a little bit of glycolic in here too for a glow-boost. In terms of moisturisers, hydrators and other replenishing ingredients, we have fatty linoleic acid, nourishing shea butter, moisturising oils like grape seed, avocado and almond, a soothing peptide, panthenol to calm the skin and help it retain moisture and several forms of hyaluronic acid to draw water into the skin. It's honestly gorgeous on my skin! I love how soft, smooth and plump it looks when I use this product and I like the fact it allows me to get these sorts of ingredients onto my skin on days when I just want to cleanse, use this and put on my sunscreen; it ensures I never miss out and it always delivers a good skin day.

Next is a more recent discovery: the Spectacle Performance Creme Multitasking Moisturiser* | £76. This has a pretty universal texture, almost like a cream with a hint of gel, and I like to use it as part of my evening routine; I just cleanse, apply a hydrating toner and then use this. It's formulated with pretty much a wish list of ingredients I love! First up in terms of actives is Matrixyl 3000, which is probably the peptide that's most proven to potentially do something to improve the appearance of fine lines in a lasting, meaningful way, and another called Matrixyl synthe'6 which is purported to help boost up your skin's stores of collagen and hyaluronic acid, so your skin stays looking plump and healthy. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is one of my favourite Vitamin C derivatives; it's gentle, oil-based and has some research behind it. It's bolstered by Vitamin E, just like with the. U Beauty formula. We also have Q10 in the mix, which is a really great antioxidant. There's niacinamide in the mix too - I'm sure you know about this ingredient already but if you've been living under a rock: this wonder ingredient can help reduce oil production in the skin, prevent hyperpigmentation spread through the skin and boost up the skin's natural barrier by increasing its ceramide production. There's also retinal in here, which is my personal favourite retinoid. Retinoids are the well-ageing class of ingredient as they actively boost up your collagen production and reduce signs of photoageing, as opposed to just preventing further damage. Retinal is my favourite form of it because it's punchier than retinol but is still far gentler than prescription retinoids and you get to see those results fast. These actives are formulated alongside ceramides, squalane (a skin-similar plant oil) and hyaluronic acid. Whilst it's not cheap, it's easy to see how this product can remove a bunch of other steps from your routine, and it works, delivering smooth, even skin as well as working to protect and replenish it.

Lastly is an old favourite of mine: the Venn Vitamin B Activated All-in-One Concentrate* | £155. This is a kind of creamy lotion that definitely has a lightweight feel on the skin but a richness to it that means I can honestly use it AM or PM, in the summer or during winter. This is formulated with niacinamide and panthenol, as per its namesake, alongside a peptide with antioxidant benefits and skin-plumping potential. This is bolstered by other amino acids that can help form the basis of collagen in the skin. Pycnogenol is in the mix too, which is a really amazing antioxidant derived from maritime pine bark, and there are a number of plant extracts that have anti-redness and anti-inflammatory benefits. Shea butter and fatty alcohol give it that richness and emollience, providing a gorgeous base for the gentle actives in here. If I'm not sure what my skin needs, this is often what I reach for as a quick one-step moisturiser that's gentle, doesn't contain too many intense actives but packs in a bit more that your typical moisturiser. I love it and one bottle honestly lasts forever!

Do you like a moisturiser with a little more? What are some of your favourites?

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