Moisturizer: what is its true purpose?
In a Western skincare routine, moisturizer is often considered the main treatment, sometimes even the only hydrating step. In the Japanese ritual, its role is more specific: it comes after water-based and active treatments to help the skin retain moisture and preserve the benefits delivered by the previous steps.
Its purpose is not simply to provide immediate comfort. Above all, it helps reduce water loss, support the skin's hydrolipidic barrier, and create a more stable protective layer on the skin's surface.
Why is moisturizer applied last?
In the Japanese layering method, skincare products are applied from the lightest to the richest texture. Thanks to its richer consistency, moisturizer remains closer to the skin's surface, forming a protective layer. It acts as a shield that helps preserve the skin's natural balance.
- It helps reduce the evaporation of water from the skin, also known as transepidermal water loss.
- It helps limit the penetration of external particles such as pollution, dust, and certain allergens.
- It prolongs the effectiveness of the active ingredients contained in the lotion, serum, essence, or facial oil applied beforehand.
What are the benefits for the skin?
When properly selected, a moisturizer helps keep the skin softer, more comfortable, and better protected throughout the day or overnight. It supports the skin barrier, which is essential for maintaining healthy, balanced skin that is less prone to discomfort.
- It helps maintain the hydration built up throughout the skincare routine.
- It strengthens the skin barrier, which is essential for healthy skin.
- It provides comfort, improves suppleness, and preserves softness.
- Its variety of textures allows it to suit different skin types and times of day.
How do you choose the right texture?
The texture of a moisturizer should be chosen according to your skin type, the season, the time of day, and the richness of the skincare products applied beforehand.
Depending on its texture, a moisturizer can meet very different needs: a lightweight fluid cream for daytime or summer, a creamy texture to balance and protect the skin, or a richer formula for mature skin, colder weather, or evening routines.
1. Lightweight textures
Lightweight textures for a minimalist routine
Lightweight textures are ideal for younger skin, daytime routines, warmer weather, or routines that already include several hydrating products. They are particularly suitable when the skin has already received multiple skincare steps and mainly needs protection without feeling weighed down.
Regena Facial Milk
Regena Facial Milk
Waphyto A lightweight, fluid texture that is ideal for comfortably hydrating the skin during the day without leaving a greasy finish. Its botanical formula nourishes and softens the skin while maintaining a fresh finish.
Ultra-Hydrating Cream
Ultra-Hydrating Cream
Ruhaku A lightweight melting cream, especially suited to skin seeking hydration without any heavy feeling. Rich in antioxidants derived from Okinawan gettou, it helps protect, nourish, and smooth the skin.
Flowers in Bloom Cream
Flowers in Bloom Cream
IREN Shizen A lightweight, comfortable cream designed for skin seeking radiance, suppleness, and everyday hydration. It fits perfectly into modern, lightweight, and effective skincare routines.
DECORTÉ Double Hydration
Double Hydration is a concept developed by DECORTÉ that redefines the traditional layering routine: the emulsion is applied before the lotion.
It softens the skin and prepares it to better absorb the water delivered by the lotion, leaving the skin softer, plumper, more radiant, and more receptive to the skincare products that follow.
2. Normal to creamy textures
Creamy textures to protect without weighing the skin down
Normal to creamy textures offer the perfect balance of comfort, protection, and lightness. They are well suited to younger skin during winter, evening routines, as well as mature skin in summer or in the morning, when a richer texture may feel less comfortable.
They are also an excellent choice for sensitive skin following a minimalist, barrier-repair routine with few active ingredients, as they provide a protective feeling without overloading the skin.
Rice Ferment Moisturizing Cream
Rice Ferment Moisturizing Cream
Bizen A velvety, non-greasy cream formulated with 38% rice ferment, niacinamide, and rice oil. It helps maintain the skin's natural balance while keeping it comfortably hydrated throughout the day.
Liposome Advanced Cream
Liposome Advanced Cream
DECORTÉ A rich yet comfortable texture that enhances the feeling of hydration and suppleness. It fits seamlessly into both morning and evening skincare routines, depending on your skin's needs.
AQ Absolute Radiance Protective Day Cream SPF15
AQ Absolute Radiance Protective Day Cream SPF15
DECORTÉ A daytime moisturizer with SPF designed to protect the skin, maintain comfort, and support daily hydration. It is ideal for those looking for a texture that is neither too light nor too rich.
Kanazawa Beauty Face Cream
Kanazawa Beauty Face Cream
Makanai An airy texture that melts effortlessly into the skin. It is especially suitable for combination skin, skin prone to excess shine, or anyone looking for a comfortable moisturizer with a silky finish.
3. Rich textures
Rich textures to nourish and repair
Rich textures are ideal when the skin needs extra comfort, nourishment, or protection. They are particularly suitable for mature skin, colder seasons, evening routines, and any time the skin benefits from a more cocooning treatment.
They are also recommended during winter, when the skin barrier is more vulnerable due to cold weather, wind, temperature fluctuations, and dry air.
Adaptogen Nourishing Cream
Adaptogen Nourishing Cream
Ipsum Alii A rich, nourishing cream formulated with adaptogenic botanical ingredients to help the skin better withstand environmental stress. It is ideal for mature skin, winter routines, or evening skincare rituals.
DECORTÉ AQ Absolute X Cream
DECORTÉ AQ Absolute X Cream
DECORTÉ For mature skin lacking firmness or comfort, a more advanced cream can make all the difference. DECORTÉ AQ Absolute X Cream combines nourishment, firmness, and radiance to help the skin appear denser, smoother, and more luminous. Its rich, enveloping texture makes it an ideal addition to an evening skincare ritual, when the skin benefits from more intensive care.
AQ Sculpting Balm Cream
AQ Sculpting Balm Cream
DECORTÉ A richer balm texture that wraps the skin in comfort when it needs extra care. It is especially suited to mature skin, cold weather, or evening routines focused on nourishment and repair.
Regena Enriched Cream
Regena Enriched Cream
Waphyto A botanical night cream with a generous texture designed for skin in need of extra comfort. It helps nourish, soothe, and support the skin throughout the night.
When and how should you apply your moisturizer?
When?
In the morning, moisturizer is applied as the final skincare step, after lotion, essence, and serums, and before sunscreen.
In the evening, you may choose a richer moisturizer, especially if your skin is dry, mature, sensitized, or exposed to cold weather. During summer, a lightweight or fluid texture is often sufficient, particularly if your routine already includes several hydrating products.
How?
Apply a small amount to clean, well-hydrated skin. Gently smooth it over the face and neck without excessive massage, helping preserve the integrity of the skin's natural hydrolipidic barrier.
A moisturizer should never feel occlusive. Its purpose is simply to seal in the skincare routine, protect the skin barrier, and lock in the hydration provided by the previous steps.
Choosing the right moisturizer
Choosing the right moisturizer is about more than simply selecting a hydrating product. It's about finding the right texture at the right time to help the skin retain moisture, strengthen its protective barrier, and maximize the benefits of your entire skincare routine.
