I was recently asked by Grazia magazine for my thoughts about gels which are popping up all over the beauty aisles. To see what all the fuss is about and understand the benefits better, have a read below.
Why are we seeing a move away from creams to gels?
Gels contain a higher ratio of water to oil than creams or lotions so are perfect for adding moisture to the skin without making it greasy or sticky.
Do they help deliver ingredients better or are they just a gimmick?
Gels are lighter weight and absorbed more quickly than creams so are great for layering with other products, especially if you’re pushed for time.
Are they more suitable for one skin type or do they suit all?
Gels are suitable for all skin types, but the fact that they are non-oily means that they are particularly good for hydrating skin that is prone to breakouts or excess shine without aggravating these problems. Certain gels may not provide sufficient hydration for extremely dry skin types, but the addition of ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can overcome this.
What products do they work especially well with – can you ditch serums/oils etc?
Gels don’t necessarily replace oils or serums; they just provide a different method of delivering ingredients into the skin, whether it be an antioxidant, a moisturising agent or any other skincare active.
For example, I have combination skin and tend to develop a bit of shine in my T-zone by the end of the day. To combat this, I use a lightweight vitamin C antioxidant gel on my nose and forehead in the morning and a serum version from the same brand on the rest of my face where the skin is drier.
A lot of the jelly formulas contain things like hyaluronic acid – is the weighting more compatible to these formulas? Or are there any ingredients in particular that work better in gels than creams and why?
Jelly formulas are designed to be plumping, smoothing and hydrating. Hyaluronic acid is a really powerful humectant, meaning it can hold up to 1000 times it’s weight in water molecules, so is the perfect ingredient in a gel to help deliver these goals.
What other textures do you think we’ll start to see trending?
We’ve seen creams, lotions, sprays, serums and gels so maybe foams or mousses are next.
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