I wouldn’t be working at Allure if I didn't love skin care, but my combination skin doesn't love everything I try to introduce it to. It's fussy with acids, unpredictable with certain cleansers, and the one category my skin doesn't play well with is rich moisturizers. My T-zone feels extra suffocated — even clogged — when I try to apply a denser formulation across it. But recently, I found something that gives my skin the hydration it needs without making it feel smothered or greasy: water-gel moisturizers.
They're watery, bouncy, and completely absorb in just a few minutes. They're gels that are free of the fatty ingredients that make creams, well, creamy. "They're the best of both worlds, with the weight that comes with being a gel and the cushion of a moisturizer," says cosmetic chemist, Ginger King. "They are suitable for most skin types."
Don't think for a second that water gels lightweight, watery nature will keep them from being as moisturizing as other creams. The fact that these are water-based does not make it any less effective than its richer counterparts. Instead, they offer a different medium to transport actives, according to New York City-based dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla. "Gel formulations are translucent because the formula is created as a water-based semisolid, which allows it to spread easily. The water just acts as a vehicle for the actives in the product to be used on the skin."
