K-Beauty’s known for its innovative application and product techniques. We’re talking everything from masking with toners to drenching the skin in a thick occlusive layer AKA slugging. So, it’s no surprise that Korean women have been known to follow the 3-second moisturizing rule.

This click-baity sounding rule suggests that you go straight into their skin care routine immediately after washing up, within 3 seconds.

While this may just seem like a silly recommendation from an over zealous skin care fanatic, science tells us that moisturizing immediately after cleansing is better for your skin! Here are the reasons why you should adopt this technique.

1. Your skin is more receptive to topical actives when wet

Your skin’s outer layer, the stratum corneum or SC, has one major function: to act as a barrier between your living cells and the outside world. When you apply a serum (or any other skin care product) to your skin in what’s called a topical application, you want your skin to absorb the maximum amount of active ingredients. However, your SC will resist the best it can and try to keep it out, because that’s its job (it just wants to make you proud!).

Most of the time, a skin care company will have formulated the product to convince your SC to let the actives through, with tricks like including penetration-enhancing ingredients like glycols, and having low pH levels for acids. Wetting your skin as well will give it a huge boost.

2. Occlusives in your moisturizer can seal in the water

Moisturizing ingredients fall into three categories: humectants, which hold onto water and stop it from evaporating; emollients, which sink into your skin and smooth out any cracks; and occlusives, which form a film that can seal in water.

It’s because of the occlusives that you’ll want to apply moisturizer as soon as possible. Water evaporates, and cleansing usually causes your skin to be “leakier” to water, so you generally end up with more dehydrated skin after cleansing if you let it dry and don’t moisturize. Occlusives form a non-evaporative oil-based film on top of the water to trap it in, so it can reenter your skin. The faster you get your moisturizer on, the more water you’ll trap, and the less time you’ll spend with dehydrated skin!

This is particularly true for when you apply a body cream. While you’ll likely be adding more water to your face in toners and serums, your body is usually neglected except for moisturizer. If you apply a body moisturizer that doesn’t contain much water to dry skin, your skin won’t have much water to absorb. But if you’ve waited too long, don’t fret – a water-containing moisturizer will help hydrate as well if your skin isn’t damp.

3. Our moisturizing and occlusive favorites

Then I Met You’s dreamy Renewing Rich Beauty Cream contains occlusives, emollients, and humectants to truly draw AND seal in moisture to the SC. It’s hydrating chops are impressive, with squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid living alongside ginseng and baobab.

The buttery formula that the Sioris Enriched By Nature Cream provides is an added bonus when one learns its packed full of ceramides and shea butter, which provides a protective layer over the skin, not allowing water to evaporate out of the skin barrier.

+Now that we know it pays off to go straight into your skincare routine right after cleansing, will this affect your skincare routine? Have you felt the difference? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The 3-Second Moisturizing Rule appeared first on The Klog.

We’re now at that point in the winter when there’s really no escaping dry and dehydrated skin. If your go-to moisturizer suddenly isn’t cutting it or you’re on the hunt for a natural, inexpensive skin solution, you may be considering incorporating products like petroleum jelly or coconut oil in their purest forms into your routine.

We’ve been having the same thoughts, so we asked two dermatologists to share their expert opinions on popular single-ingredient moisturizers and the pros and cons of applying them straight-up.

RELATED: I Used Baby Lotion as a Moisturizer for 2 Weeks and Here’s What It Did to My Skin

Olive Oil

“Olive oil is a light moisturizer which anyone can use on the face,” says Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. “Less is more – a few drops are all you need.”

In addition to its hydrating properties, the oil – it’s best to use organic extra virgin olive oil on the face – is also rich in antioxidants that protect against environmental damage.

Hyaluronic Acid

You won’t find pure hyaluronic acid already stocked in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet, but we have it on the list because it’s a solid option for those looking to use products with minimal ingredient lists.

“It’s a great moisturizer as it pulls a lot of water and most people tolerate it very well,” says Susan Bard, MD, another New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.

The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100 contains 100% pure sodium hyaluronate, a form of the ingredient that better penetrates skin than others. Since the ingredient is a humectant and pulls moisture from skin to the surface, we always recommend applying an occlusive on top to prevent that moisture from evaporating into the air.

Petroleum Jelly (a.k.a. Vaseline)

“Petrolatum, [or petroleum jelly] is occlusive making it a heavy moisturizer ideal to lock in moisture in very dry skin,” says Dr. Bard. She does note that it’s very sticky so if the texture is an issue for you, a similar, non-sticky option is glycerin.

The ingredient also might be too much for oily or combination skin types. Hear about what happened when one writer with a breakout-prone complexion used Vaseline as a moisturizer here.

Coconut Oil

A couple of years ago, coconut oil was considered a miracle, do-it-all ingredient that could be slathered anywhere and everywhere. However, while it still has its place in one’s medicine cabinet as a body lotion or hair mask, it may not be the best facial moisturizing product for everyone.

Dr. Mudgil says he’s “not crazy” about the idea of applying coconut oil on the face as a moisturizer. “I’ve seen a lot of contact allergy in my practice from patients using coconut oil.”

Dr. Bard doesn’t recommend it to patients because the oil “has a high comedogenic [rating] which will lead to clogged pores.”

A better facial use for it may be as an oil cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen.

Shea and Cocoa Butters

These formulas, says Dr. Mudgil, “have a comedogenic index of zero, meaning technically they should not clog pores.” Still, he says, “I’ve had many patients who have developed clogged pores using those products so it’s very patient dependent.”

Perhaps one explanation is that they’re very thick. For this reason, his advice is to use shea and cocoa butters to treat dry skin on the body and not the face.

If you do want to give either one a try as a facial moisturizer, start with a very small amount of product and apply as the last step in your routine.

Bottom Line

The products listed above could be miracle dry skin solutions for some, but they could also be recipes for breakouts for others. If you’re thinking of incorporating any of them into your routine, patch test and start small to see how your skin reacts before slathering the ingredient all over your face.

It’s also important to take the type of moisturizing agent an ingredient is into consideration. For example, petroleum jelly is an occlusive, meaning it sits on top of skin and serves to seal in moisture, but it doesn’t necessarily hydrate beyond the surface, so it’s best to apply an ingredient that’s a humectant (like hyaluronic acid) or an emollient first for best results.

+Have you used any of the above as a face moisturizer? Share your experience below! What other ingredients do you have questions about?

The post The Best (and Questionable) Single-Ingredient Moisturizers to Apply on Dry Skin appeared first on The Klog.

Maybe you bought a moisturizer on a whim with the hope that it was the one that’d finally work for you. Or perhaps you purchased a moisturizer that all your friends — heck, even the entire internet — seem to swear by and you were so sure it’d be your next HG hero. The thing is, not all products (even the really popular ones) work for every single person out there. Sometimes, a moisturizer just doesn’t cut it when it comes to your specific skin care needs.

To help you determine whether it’s time to retire your jar, we asked a dermatologist and esthetician to weigh in on the subject. Below, they’ve outlined four signs that your moisturizer is either doing nothing for your skin, or worse, working against you.

The Sign: Your Skin Feels Tight

The Cause: If your skin feels tight — no matter your skin type — whenever you use your moisturizer, then something’s not quite right, but your moisturizer itself may not be to blame. “This is a sign that your skin’s barrier is damaged, and all the moisturizer in the world isn’t helping it until you fix the underlying issue,” says Renee Rouleau, a celebrity esthetician and founder of her own line of skin care products.

The Remedy: The most likely underlying cause of uncomfortably-tight skin, says Rouleau, is that your skin’s moisture barrier has been damaged. The issue probably lies somewhere in your daily routine, so your first step is to check all the ingredients and eliminate products one at a time to find the culprit.

Rouleau says to start with your cleanser. “Avoid sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium laureth sulfate, as both further damage the skin’s barrier,” she advises. Another culprit could be a treatment product that’s too aggressive (or one you’re using too often). Take a step back with retinol, AHAs, peels, and physical exfoliators. Once you have a handle on your regimen, your moisturizer will have a better chance of working for you.

The Sign: Your Skin is Dry

The Cause: If you’re applying moisturizer religiously yet your skin feels dry and flaky, that’s a problem. Rouleau says that you’re probably dealing with a poorly-formulated moisturizer that’s not adequately repairing your skin’s barrier to help keep skin hydrated.

The Remedy: “What you should be looking at is the ingredients, as this is where you will find what you need to fix your skin. Look for emollient, barrier-repairing ingredients — like evening primrose oil, cranberry oil, shea butter, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil,” says Rouleau. Ceramides are another barrier-repairing ingredient that helps with moisture retention. Try the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream.

The Sign: Your Skin is Oily

The Cause: If your skin feels oily more than 30 minutes post-application, you may be using a moisturizer that is heavier than you need, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. “In this case, [the moisturizer’s] emollient properties are more than your skin requires right now.”

The Remedy: Swap out your too-heavy moisturizer for something that’s lightweight, advises Dr. King. A water-based product or gel formulation is probably your best bet. Try Tony Moly Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream ($24.50) or ENature’s Squeeze Green Watery Gel Cream. Moisturizers that help promote a matte finish can also be helpful, especially if your skin type is naturally very oily.

The Sign: You’re Breaking Out  

The Cause: “If you have acne-prone skin, you need a formula that is repairing the skin’s barrier and also helping with clogged pores,” says Rouleau. “Often times, people with acne end up with a product that addresses one of these concerns, but not the other.”

The Remedy: Find a moisturizer that helps target your acne while still bolstering your skin’s barrier to improve hydration. The goal isn’t to beat your skin into submission, but to kill it with kindness. We recommend Dr Oracle’s A-Thera Cream, a gel moisturizer that is formulated specifically for acne-prone skin types. Another option is A’pieu Glycolic Acid Cream which combines AHAs and salicylic acid (known to effectively target acne) with birch juice and panthenol (vitamin B).

Bottom Line

If you’re not getting what you want out of your moisturizer, it may not be the right formula for you. To find the perfect fit, always check the ingredients to make sure they align with your skin type and concerns. And when you find that winner, ensure you get the most out of it by exfoliating regularly and applying it daily.

+ Got more moisturizer questions? Share them in comments below! 

The post Four Signs Your Moisturizer Isn’t Working For You and What to Do About It appeared first on The Klog.

Ahead of the release of Then I Met You’s latest innovation, we were granted a special introduction and behind the scenes peek from the brand’s founder (and our founder too!) Charlotte Cho.

In celebration of Then I Met You’s 3rd year anniversary, let me introduce the newest member of the growing Then I Met You family, our creamy, dreamy and dewy Renewing Rich Beauty Cream.

Fun fact: Then I Met You only drops two products a year, with each product usually having a 2+ year development process. We like to go deeper. We’re thoughtful and intentional because we know that we must rise above the rest of the millions of creams out there in the market (and win some awards along the way!)

Now, let’s take a look into what makes our hydrating, ginseng powered dreamy cream so special- and explore why it deserves a spot in your routine.  

Why Ginseng?

Ginseng became a hot topic for me personally and professionally. 

Dr. Claire Chang, a close dermatologist colleague, told me it’s her go-to ingredient that she recommends to her patients for skin smoothing and brightening benefits, especially for those concerned about fine lines, deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity. This intrigued me. On a personal level, my entire family drinks potent ginseng regularly through tea, so I was curious enough to dive deep into the research and learn more about the topical benefits of ginseng.

What I found was that ginseng, when harnessed the right way, can truly be powerful for your skin. Although it’s a popular medicinal ingredient in Asia, few brands feature the potent ingredient in their formulations. Korean brand Sulwhasoo, a luxury skin care line, is one of the few brands that have utilized the ingredient for skin care.

So, I went all in with research and development specialists to make a cream that would feature this innovative and powerful ingredient. Ginseng is rich in amino acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and polypeptides, and works incredibly well at reducing free radicals that could lead to premature aging. To top it off, there are many studies to show its impact on being a natural skin brightener!

We chose Panax ginseng extracts that were steamed and dried 9 times, (a process that is even used with ginseng that is consumed.) Panax ginseng, the highest grade ginseng, really enhances the potency of the Renewing Rich Beauty Cream. 

More on the potent effects of ginseng here.

Who is this cream for?

I didn’t make this cream for perfect skin. If you’re like me, 36, and seeing some signs of aging (fine to deep lines), dullness, dry/parched skin, and want to see more of a dewy, bounce and glow– I made this for you with the most natural, powerful ingredient available.

If you’re tired of “rich” creams doing nothing but sitting on the surface of your skin, or just making you into a grease ball– the Renewing Rich Beauty Cream will surprise and delight you. It feels like  the most hydrating cocoon of moisture that absorbs quickly, but gives you that deep and long-lasting moisture your skin is craving.

And although ginseng is an incredibly pricey ingredient, I made this at an accessible price point (nothing like the $100+ ginseng creams I’ve seen) and also made this a fragrance-free experience so that even sensitive skin types could enjoy it.

Not all moisturizers are created equal

Believe it or not, moisturizers are often not made correctly. At the very minimum, you need occlusives, emollients and humectants to make a great moisturizer, and oddly enough many moisturizers don’t strike the right balance. The Renewing Rich Beauty Cream has all of them, and complementary ones at that. 

It also features 3 power-hydrators: high concentrations of squalane, baobab and hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin both feels and is deeply hydrated.

Unreal Texture

In my years of development testing and curating for Soko Glam I’ve never come across a moisturizer that feels like this on my skin. I’m really proud of this experience that we’ve created, and I know it will stand out amongst many of the popular creams out there. Many focus group tests later, I know that the testimonials and reviews have spoken. 

Tips on How To Use:

It’s winter and your skin is parched! Here’s a pro-tip for getting the most of your moisturizer: apply on newly damp skin. Whether you are coming out of a shower, or damping your face with toner and essence prior to applying cream, moisturizers work longer and better in these conditions. 

You’ll notice this is a cream with a special slip to it that would be perfect for incorporating in a mini facial massage to start or end your day. We call this our Glow Deeper 9 Point Facial Massage, and we’ll share the entire technique soon! It’s incredibly invigorating and so necessary to invest in just 1-2 minutes of a facial and neck massage, with the strains of looking at a computer or smartphone all day. It promotes circulation, it brightens your complexion, and it helps sculpt and lift. 

You can use the Renewing Rich Beauty Cream morning and night! Though it has a special slip, I didn’t want it to make it so decadent that you couldn’t use it in the morning or your makeup would slide off. 

As you can see, we literally thought of everything when it comes to the Renewing Rich Beauty Cream and I can’t wait for you to try it, and share your experience with us.

With jeong, 

Charlotte Cho

The post Glow Deeper™ Series: Awaken Your Skin and Your Senses With Then I Met You’s Renewing Rich Beauty Cream, Their Latest Moisturizing Dream appeared first on The Klog.

From overnight masks to serums to cleansers, you’ll find that many skin care products have a moisturizing element to them. Today, though, we’re isolating the category of moisturizers, which are the very last product you apply at night and the last before throwing on your SPF in the morning. The moisturizer category is, perhaps, the most daunting simply because there’s so much to choose from. They come in a variety of base types—ranging from gels to emulsions to full-on thick creams—and aim to plump, refresh, and seriously hydrate your skin.

RELATED: The Three Types of Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer

To help you narrow down your selection and find the moisturizer that’s best for you, we’ve broken down our ingredient and product recommendations by skin type.

Oily Skin

There’s a perpetuated myth that people with oily skin don’t need moisturizer. Because of this misconception, it’s common that those with oily skin actually become more oily when they skip out on using a moisturizer. When the skin is lacking necessary hydration, it can produce even more oil to overcompensate for its loss. 

The bottom line: Even if your skin is excessively oily, it still needs to be replenished with hydration.

By regularly applying a moisturizer, you can actually plump your skin, reduce fine lines, and ultimately help regulate oil production to reduce that oiliness. This applies to acne-prone skin, as well. 

Oily and acne-prone skin should use humectant non-comodogenic ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera, as well as cold-pressed plant oils such as rosehip, camellia, and squalene. Conversely, this skin type should avoid ultra-heavy ingredients that may clog pores, such as olive oil, coconut oil, petroleum-based products, lanolin, and dimethicone.

We recommend the Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream, which is formulated with 63.7% Jeju green tea water that effectively calms skin quickly, while antioxidants help to combat against free radical damage, to help keep skin supple and youthful. Rounding out the formulation are amino acids and panthenol (vitamin B5) to keep skin smooth and super-hydrated for a bouncy, soft appearance.

Even oily skin types will love this watery gel cream, which absorbs quickly and easily into the skin, thanks to its unique “hydra emulsification system” which mimics the skin’s structure to help deliver hydration deeper into the skin than a traditional moisturizer.

Dry skin

We’ve said it before, and we’re happy to reiterate the point: As skin matures, oil production slows down and skin becomes ultra-thirsty. So while moisturizer is a must for any skin type, it is absolutely integral to dry and maturing skin if you want a hydrated, glowing, plumped complexion. If you live in a dry climate, or spend a lot of time indoors in the heat or air conditioning, you may also experience excessive dryness, which, like aging, can lead to increased fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and loss of elasticity.

Unlike other skin types, dry and mature skin can handle rich oils and heavy formulations, and should therefore seek out products that really double down on moisture. You can also try products that moisturize while they tone, firm, and improve elasticity.

RELATED: The Do’s and Don’ts of Mixing Skin Care Acids

One of our favorites for dry skin and Best of K-Beauty winner for “Best Texture” is the Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Moisture Cream. This rich, soothing cream packs a serious dose of hydration to keep dryness and redness at bay. It totes a special matrix of three types of hyaluronic acid help to draw moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated all day long.

Sensitive Skin

Those with sensitive skin should look for two primary qualities in a moisturizer: soothing capabilities and products with pure ingredient lists. Seek out natural, calming ingredients such as chamomile, calendula, oatmeal, green and white tea, honey, and fruit and nut extracts. Meanwhile, it could be beneficial to avoid products with potential irritants such as dyes, fragrances, excessive alcohol, and sulfates. Lastly, while everyone should conduct patch tests with new products, this is especially important for those with sensitive and reactive skin types.

Our top moisturizer choice for sensitive skin is Neogen’s Probiotics Relief Cream, which keeps skin youthful, resilient and firm with this probiotic and peptide-packed moisturizing cream. The formulation is infused 11 types of peptides help encourage collagen and elastin production, while probiotics build a stronger skin barrier and lock in all the benefits. Nourishing ingredients like royal jelly, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil and shea butter help deliver hydration effectively to the skin for a smoother, more supple appearance and safe for sensitive skin.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is unique because it battles both dry bits and oily patches. It can also fluctuate from really oily skin one day to super dry skin the next. Since the primary issue is a “back and forth” between oily and parched, you should seek products that balance your skin. Green tea, vitamin E, and antioxidants are all top notch ingredients.

To soothe and balance your combination skin, we recommend the The Plant Base AC Clear Magic Cica Cream. This gentle formulation is comprised of patented ingredient Inflax which provides relief to irritated acne-affected skin and works as a powerful antioxidant, while Natural Protector provides soothing and revitalizing effects thanks to its acne-fighting properties. 55% centella asiatica (cica) extract and green tea powder calm inflammation upon application, while murumuru seed butter deeply moisturizes skin, helping to soothe even the most sensitive or irritated skin barrier.

Normal Skin

If you have normal skin, you have a lot more freedom when it comes to choosing a moisturizer that works for you, but it’s still important to choose a formula that’s going to keep your skin well-balanced and hydrated, even during changes in seasons and harsh environmental conditions. 

If you’re dry or oily or even somewhere in the middle, we recommend Olivarrier Comfort Barrier Cream. This reparative and strengthen moisturizer helps protect and prevent moisture loss. Ingredients light squalane and fatty acids help fight against pollution and free radicals while yuzu water and sea buckthorn extract calms irritated skin.  

The post The Best Moisturizers for Your Skin Type appeared first on The Klog.

Calming Tide Gel Cream

With Then I Met You, we create everything with intention. We think not only about making sure the ingredients are efficacious and provide results, but we go deeper in the overall experience, too. From the Cleansing Duo to the Skin Balancing Duo, we have been thoughtful and purposeful with each step. Now we’re excited to announce our newest addition to the TIMY family!

Let me introduce our Calming Tide Gel Cream, a light-as-air experience that is designed to make your skin hydrated, supple and firm with our signature Tri-Tide Complex.

RELATED: Glow Deeper Series: The Two Products That Finally Helped Me Get Rid of My Persistent Hormonal Acne

Featuring Tri-Tide Complex

One of the important lessons I’ve learned through my journey curating products for Soko Glam, is understanding the ingredients, textures and delivery systems that will make a difference in your experience and the results. For this gel cream, I selected ingredients that would compliment each other and the textures that people would find most pleasing.

We infused our signature Tri-Tide Complex, which includes 3 effective peptides (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 and Palmitoyal Pentapeptide-4) that will bring bounce and firmness to your skin. These peptides are not only more effective together, but they are complementary to the natural antioxidants and other superfood ingredients in your routine as well.

With the Calming Tide Gel Cream, I wanted to challenge the notion that lightweight moisturizers can’t do more than just hydrate. While most of the peptide creams out there are ones that weigh heavily and feel greasy on your skin, the Calming Tide Gel Cream penetrates effectively into the skin thanks to our lightweight delivery system. Because of the Tri-Tide Complex, it will also address anti-aging concerns such as loss of firmness and it will revitalize the building blocks that make up your skin.

As you swipe this innovative gel texture on your skin, you will feel it being a burst of lightweight moisture, and know that it will be retained thanks to fortifying ceramides. Ceramides strengthen the skin’s natural barrier so that your skin remains supple and healthy. We also included one of my favorite, well-studied ingredients: niacinamide – a perfect compliment to ceramides; niacinamide promotes the production of ceramides and antioxidant activity, while being suitable for sensitive-skin.

A combination of Hibiscus (which is also the national flower of Korea), sodium hyaluronate (humectants) and niacinamide help skin retain moisture for all-day hydration. And to soothe and calm, Madecassoside, a major compound of the centella asiatica plant, was added to restore the skin barrier. This powerful, sensitive-skin friendly ingredient also aids in wound healing, redness and inflamed skin. Know that with every effective moisturizer, you need emollients, humectants and occlusives, and you have that all of that here in one lightweight and effective formula.

And if that wasn’t enough – we intentionally designed the Calming Tide Gel Cream to knock the idea of the “boring” category of moisturizer on the head. This sleek, pebble-shaped delight will make moisturizing exciting and I guarantee you it will stand out on your vanity. For this custom packaging, we drew inspiration from water sweeping over smooth pebbles in the sand. A moment of calm and reflection.

How to Use the Calming Tide Gel Cream

After the Cleansing Duo (oil-based cleanser + water-based cleanser) and the Skin Balancing Duo (toner and essence), you’re ready to lock in the moisture with the Calming Tide Gel Cream! Of course, if you have other treatment products such as eye creams, sheet masks or serums, you can use it after essence and before you jump into the gel cream.

So what skin types is this moisturizer suitable for?

The lightweight texture can be used comfortably by all skin types, especially as things warm up. For normal, oily, combination and even acne-prone skin, it will be that perfect lightweight hydration you’ve always craved.

I personally have dry skin, and often think that only heavy creams will do it for me. But that is such a misconception! After using the Calming Tide Gel Cream, my skin looks and feels bouncy and firm to the touch, and I love how my skin just soaks it in – without a heavy and greasy feeling that so many oil-heavy creams have. If you are dry like me, but enjoy more oils in your moisturizer and layering up, then I recommend using the gel cream as a serum layer, followed by a more oil/cream-based moisturizer!

The Name

Last but not least, I wanted to share the story behind the name, Calming Tide Gel Cream. As Then I Met You is guided by the concept of jeong, a deep and emotional connection, and constantly seeks to inspire others to embrace it, I wanted to acknowledge the people in our lives that we turn to during times of anxiety. With anxiety and depression rates at an all time high, I truly believe it is meaningful connections and people with whom you have jeong and to whom you can turn, that will help you calm your anxieties.

This couldn’t be more pertinent, as we go through this global pandemic and are having to adjust to social distancing.

Like when a tide gently washes over you and creates calm, this is a moment for self-reflection to think of that person in your life; if you’ve had the chance to connect with them in a meaningful way, and if not, how you intend to show them that you simply appreciate and care for them.

I can’t wait for you to try this new addition to our TIMY family, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did creating it!

The post Glow Deeper™ Series: Charlotte Cho Makes Waves With New Light-As-Air Skin Care Innovation appeared first on The Klog.

Having a good moisturizer is one of the most important parts of your skin care routine, especially during the cooler months. One step in identifying which moisturizer is best for you is understanding the difference between the three main types of moisturizing ingredients:  Emollients, humectants, and occlusives. 

Below, we outline these commonly-used moisturizing agents and unpack just what they do for you skin and what K-beauty products to find them in.

Emollients

When your skin is dry, it cracks and flakes, leaving small crevices between skin cells. Emollients fill these crevices, leaving the surface of the skin more smooth and even and prevent getting to that rough, scaly texture in the first place.

Emollient and moisturizer are sometimes used interchangeably, as most moisturizers contain ingredients which serve as emollients. Some common emollients to look for on ingredient lists include dimethicone, cetyl alcohol, squalane, and shea butter.

If you’re looking for a skin-softening emollient moisturizer, a great option is the Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream, which boasts squalane on its ingredients list. 

Humectants

Humectants are the power player in the moisturizer world; rather than just filling in or sealing in moisture, they actually help produce moisture in the skin. Humectants attract moisture from the environment around you, and also help draw moisture out of the deeper layers of the skin to help hydrate the surface, its most vulnerable part. Essentially, humectants work to increase the water content in the skin itself. Some key humectants are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera.

Because humectant agents are lightweight, they’re great for oily skin types, for use during the daytime and/or summer months, and in hydrating serums.

For a humectant-rich product, try the The Plant Base Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100. The ampoule contains no other ingredients aside from sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid that better penetrates the skin than hyaluronic acid. It can be used before a moisturizer or on its own, depending on your skin’s needs. 

Occlusives

So if emollients smooth out the skin, and humectants attract moisture to the skin, what more could you need? Well the issue with moisture is that it’s easily lost from the skin, so you need ingredients to help seal everything in. This is where occlusive ingredients come in.

Occlusives basically form a protective seal on the surface of the skin to help reduce moisture loss. They lock in all the hydration which is already present in your skin, as well as help your skin retain all the moisture it gained from your other steps (essences, serums, etc.). Beeswax, lecithin, and lanolin alcohol are all examples of occlusives. 

Since they can be heavier than the ingredients mentioned in the above categories and can in some cases cause breakouts for acne-prone skin types, they are best for dry skin and/or for nighttime use.

Bottom Line

Understanding the different benefits of these three types of ingredients can be super helpful when deciding what to look for in a cream based on your skin concerns.

However, while the ingredients are all characterized differently, the best, most well-rounded creams contain all three of the above ingredients. This way, your skin will be soft, hydrated, and protected after each and every use. Depending on your skin type and goals, you may just want to look for a product that contains a higher concentration of one category of moisturizer over another. 

The post The Three Types of Superstar Ingredients to Look for in a Moisturizer appeared first on The Klog.

Just because your skin can handle an acid at night, a layer of vitamin C in the morning, and a week-long bout of skipping your 3-to-10 step skin care routine, doesn’t mean your skin should have to deal with layers of active ingredients and a bit of neglect day-in and day-out. In reality, the constant gung-ho attitude towards actives just because your skin can handle them is probably damaging your skin’s barrier. (Ask anyone with sensitive skin, overdoing acids can cause sensitivity and damage.)

In the end, even the toughest of barriers should be treated often with gentle fortifying and calming ingredients. Although exfoliating acids are great and can be beneficial for anti-aging and acne efforts, they should only be used 2-3 times a week! Skin fortifying ingredients, like cica, ceramides, mugwort, and hyaluronic acid can be used daily, and work to build up the barrier, plump the skin, and repair damage, so the skin is less vulnerable to infection, inflammation, and free radical damage.

The new moisturizer from Acwell, the Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream, is formulated for all skin types specifically to strengthen the skin barrier with moisturizing and calming ingredients while still delivering on all of the benefits of skin care acids- like tackling hyperpigmentation and brightening an uneven, dull tone.

Acwell’s latest moisturizing innovation is a silky cream that promises instant hydration on contact. With glycerin, centella asiatica (AKA cica), and mugwort, the cream delivers on its hydration and calming claims. If you have sensitive or sensitized skin, you’ll be familiar with these ingredients, however, if you don’t have the above, mugwort and cica are both K-Beauty staples that work to hydrate and build the barrier. The two also soothe with anti-inflammatory and soothing compounds, like madecassic acid, that can help with anything from windburn to over exfoliation. 

The great thing about this hydrating and soothing cream is that it doesn’t just focus on moisture and dryness, it also works to address other skin concerns. It goes beyond and steps into the realm of evening out skin tone and texture. So, all you active lovers can give your skin a dose of gentle TLC while still chipping away at those skin concerns!

As with all of Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing line, the Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream contains licorice root extract and licorice root water, which both actively work to inhibit the production of melanin, stopping hyperpigmentation and dark spots in their tracks. In order to boost brightness, the new staple also taps into the power of classic hanbang favorite, lotus flower, and vitamin tree fruit.

This moisturizer departs from the usual when it comes to packaging. We’ve been seeing jars of hydrating goodness all over our grids as of late, but Acwell chose to depart from the norm. The Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream is housed in a cute squeezy tube that makes it perfect for on-the-go. 

The jam-packed new silky cream is a much-awaited addition to the Acwell Licorice family, which already boasts a caffeine-infused eye cream, an award-winning antioxidant focused serum, and our favorite on-the-go essence-mist, alongside a K-Beauty holy grail toner. 

+Do you plan on picking up the Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream? Let us know why or why not below!

The post Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream Is The Brightening Answer to Fortifying All Skin Barriers appeared first on The Klog.

Choosing the right moisturizer seems so easy. All we need is something that will hydrate our skin, right? Well, yes to a certain extent. But with the amount of moisturizers that exist today, it’s just such a daunting task. Why? Because there are just way too many options.

To make it easier for you, I recommend taking two important factors into consideration: skin type and ingredients that are needed to adequately moisturize your skin type. Read on to find out what those ingredients are.

Tips for oily skin types:

Oily skin types should look for gel-based moisturizes as these formulations feel light on the skin and don’t leave behind an oily film. Water-soluble ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin generally feel light on the skin while providing adequate hydration. These ingredients are known as humectants which means they attract water molecules from the dermis and atmosphere and hold onto them. This is what keeps your skin well hydrated.

Tips for dry skin types:

Dry skin types should look for a cream-based moisturizer. Anything that has a creamy texture usually contains occlusives and emollients. Occlusives seal in moisture while emollients also seal in moisture and help soften skin. Both terms can be used interchangeably. Helpful ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for dry skin include: Dimethicone, oleic acid, urea, and lanolin.

Product recommendation: Olivarrier Fluid Oil 100% Squalane 

Tips for normal and combination skin types:

Normal and combination skin types can usually get away with any type of moisturizer. However, a good mix of both water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can be especially beneficial. Examples of common hydrating and water-soluble ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Examples of common oil-soluble ingredients include ceramides, jojoba oil and dimethicone.

Product recommendation:  Skinrx MadeCera Cream

Tips for sensitive skin types:

Sensitive skin types need extra care. When choosing a moisturizer, it’s important to choose one with a short ingredients list. The more ingredients present in a moisturizer, the higher the chance of irritation. Sensitive skin types should look for soothing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredients. These include: Aloe vera, soy, shea butter, allantoin, bisabolol, colloidal oatmeal. Always start with using just a little or doing a patch test under your chin to see how your skin reacts. If your skin doesn’t develop any irritation or sensitivity, you’re good to go!

Product recommendation: Hanskin Real Complexion Moisture Cream

The post Are You Moisturizing With the Right Ingredients For Your Skin Type? appeared first on The Klog.

Late fall and early winter is a dreamland for moisturizer lovers. Not only do we get to dip into our stash of “winter” creams and lotions, but emails and messages from brands announcing the launches of tempting dense creams and lightweight gels crowd our feeds and inboxes, tempting us to grow our collection of hydrating heroes.

With each moisturizer promising ultimate hydration, and with new skin care brands launching monthly, it’s a bit harder than it used to be to decipher which launches are worth our coin. Below, we’re highlighting the four best recently launched moisturizers to make it easier for you to decide which one best fits your skin concerns. 

Let’s get into it! 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream

Best For: Hyperpigmentation 

Acwell fans are sure to be delighted with the latest addition to the brand’s fan-favorite licorice infused line. Launched late December, this silky cream delivers hydration with a gentle and soothing mixture of glycerin, cica, and mugwort that also makes this a great winter irritation remedy.

Much like it’s licorice line siblings, the Licorice pH Balancing Essential Cream really shines when it comes to its hyperpigmentation benefits. With 60% licorice root water and licorice root extract, this cream targets melanin production so acne scars, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation will fade with consistent usage! Did we mention its formula also boasts brightening niacinamide?

This moisturizer is a great pick for anyone looking to even and brighten their skin tone during the colder winter months! 

Then I Met You Renewing Rich Beauty Cream

Best For: Anti-Aging

If Then I Met You has a launch, you know it’s going to be *good.* The jeong-based skin care line notoriously spends years on its formulations, which are often innovative and in an entire lane of their own (*ahem* the sorbet-like texture of their Living Cleansing Balm).

Their Renewing Rich Beauty Cream, launched right before Thanksgiving, follows in Then I Met You’s tradition of purposeful, effective skin care with highly thought out formulas. Seeking a three pronged hydrating approach, this creamy dream of a moisturizer contains a mix of emollients, humectants, and occlusives to fully cocoon the skin in hydration. 

However, it’s the product’s focus on a Quad Ginseng Complex that really makes this cream a step above the rest when it comes to counteracting aging. Steamed and dried 9 times, this complex delivers free-radical fighting antioxidants that visibly improve the appearance of lines, boost moisture and promote elasticity.

Neogen Dermalogy Cica Repair Snail Cream

Best For: Sensitivity

Snail mucin’s a staple in the K-Beauty world. The ingredient works well with all skin types and is pretty much a one stop shop– it’s hydrating, gently exfoliating, anti-aging, brightening, and soothing. So, it only makes sense that skin care lovers would want it in their moisturizer. 

Neogen’s newest hydrating cream, the Dermalogy Cica Repair Snail Cream pairs 88% snail mucin with cica, a healing and soothing mainstay. In this formulation, snail mucin’s humectant properties really shine, helping the skin to hold onto moisture and promote a healthier barrier! 

I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel Cream

Best For: Acne

Hydrating moisturizers don’t always need to be luxuriously thick- the I’m From Vitamin Tree Water Gel Cream is a great example of this! 

The cooling gel cream spotlights the antioxidant and moisturizing properties of hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract AKA sea buckthorn berry. A favorite ingredient of Kourtney Kardashian, sea buckthorn berry is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin E, meaning it really works to protect the skin from free radical damage. 

This gel cream it a great option for those looking for a bit of cooling protection!

+Which new moisturizer launch are you loving? Let us know below!

The post Our Round-Up Of The Four Best Recent Moisturizer Releases That You Should Pick Up ASAP appeared first on The Klog.