Yes, you can definitely use emulsion and cream together in your skincare routine.
Using both an emulsion and a cream can be a beneficial strategy for achieving well-hydrated and moisturized skin, particularly for those struggling with dryness. These products serve different roles in a routine and, when layered correctly, can offer enhanced benefits.
What are Emulsion and Cream?
Understanding the basic function of each product helps explain why using them together works:
- Emulsion: Often lighter in texture than creams, emulsions are typically water-based but contain oil droplets. They provide hydration and a layer of moisture that feels less heavy. They absorb quickly into the skin.
- Cream: Generally richer and thicker than emulsions, creams contain a higher oil content relative to water. They are designed to provide a stronger occlusive layer, locking in hydration and preventing water loss from the skin's surface.
Why Use Both?
Combining an emulsion and a cream leverages the strengths of both formulas:
- Layered Hydration: Emulsions deliver initial hydration and lighter moisture deep into the skin.
- Enhanced Barrier: The cream then seals in the hydration from the emulsion and previous layers (like serums), creating a robust barrier against moisture loss.
According to a reference from May 31, 2023, if you struggle with severely dehydrated or dry skin, then using both an emulsion and a moisturizer (like a cream) in your routine can be a beneficial move. This is because it's essentially piling hydration on top of hydration, which double ensures that water won't escape.
Who Benefits Most?
This layering technique is particularly recommended for individuals with:
- Severely Dry Skin: Skin that lacks both water (dehydrated) and oil (dry).
- Dehydrated Skin: Skin that lacks water, which can feel tight and look dull, even if it produces oil.
- Mature Skin: Skin that tends to become drier and thinner over time.
- Those in Dry Climates: Environmental factors can increase moisture loss from the skin.
How to Incorporate Both
If you choose to use both, they are typically applied in order of thickness, from thinnest to thickest:
- Cleanse
- Tone (if used)
- Serum (if used)
- Emulsion
- Cream
- SPF (in the morning)
By applying the lighter emulsion first, it can penetrate the skin more easily before the heavier cream creates a protective seal over the top.
In summary, using an emulsion followed by a cream can provide a comprehensive approach to moisturizing, ensuring both deep hydration and a strong barrier function, especially beneficial for those needing extra help retaining moisture.
