How to Choose the Right Moisturiser for Your Skin (Without Making It Worse)
Moisturiser seems like the simplest product in your routine — until your skin starts reacting, breaking out, or feeling drier than before.
At Platinum Cosmetics, we regularly help clients rebuild their routine after using the wrong moisturiser for their skin type. And we get it — with so many options on the shelf (hydrating, mattifying, gel, balm, barrier-repairing, water-based…), it’s easy to feel lost.
Here’s how we help clients find the right moisturiser for their skin — and why it makes a bigger difference than most people realise.
Why Moisturiser Matters
Your moisturiser’s job is to:
Help your skin hold on to water
Reinforce the lipid barrier
Protect the skin from external irritants
Provide comfort, flexibility, and calm — especially after treatments
When it’s not doing this — or actively disrupting your skin — you’ll notice tightness, flaking, oiliness, or inflammation.
Common Moisturiser Mistakes We See
Choosing texture over function (a gel that “feels nice” but dehydrates the skin)
Using actives in every product — including moisturiser
Avoiding moisturiser entirely due to fear of breakouts
Using rich creams on skin that can’t absorb them properly
Our Guiding Rule: Your moisturiser should soothe, support, and protect — not stimulate or strip.
Which Moisturiser Should You Use?
Here’s a rough breakdown we use in clinic:
Dry or sensitive skin
Choose: Ceramide-rich, lipid-replenishing creams
Avoid: Alcohol-heavy formulas, strong essential oils, or anything with exfoliating acids
Best for: Barrier repair, post-treatment support, hydration
Explore our skin care range for professional-grade options we use in clinic
Oily or congestion-prone skin
Choose: Light gel-cream textures with humectants like hyaluronic acid
Avoid: Heavy occlusives like shea butter or coconut oil
Look for: Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and simple formulas
Post-laser or post-needling skin
Choose: Ultra-gentle, fragrance-free moisturisers designed for compromised skin
Use with: Soothing facials and mineral SPF
Always: Follow clinician advice before reintroducing actives
What If No Moisturiser Seems to Work?
This is a red flag that your skin barrier may be impaired. We recommend booking a consultation so we can assess your skin, identify what’s causing the reaction, and recommend a recovery routine — sometimes with in-clinic support.
Moisturiser Shouldn’t Be Complicated
When your skin is working well, your moisturiser should feel invisible — like a layer of comfort and calm. If it’s stinging, clogging, or making things worse, it’s time to reassess.
Book a consultation and we’ll help you choose a moisturiser (and routine) that works with your skin — not against it.