Balms
Balms, moisturisers and face oils. What’s the difference between all these variations?
In general, the difference between a balm, moisturiser and face oil is its consistency and thickness.
Facial oils typically contain essential fatty acids (Omegas and others), vitamins, and antioxidants with important skin benefits. Facial oils mimic the natural sebum production of our skin, which in turn helps balance our own oil production.
Moisturisers are meant to be lightweight and are, therefore, formulated with a high percentage of water, to which are added emollients (Shea or cocoa butter among the most common). They’re meant to hydrate the topmost layers of the skin. Using a daily moisturiser is just right when you have normal, combination or oily skin. But for treating dry skin, whether seasonal or more inherent to the skin, a moisturiser is not enough to deliver adequate moisture and protection from the elements. This is where balms come in.
Face balms are solidified oils that melt into a liquid when they come into contact with the warmth of your skin. Unlike moisturisers, balms are anhydrous, meaning that they contain no water. They provide a more robust and nourishing protective layer to your skin, sealing in your skincare for optimal results while shielding from external elements such as cold or dry air. Balms are known to be healing, calming, ultra-hydrating, luxuriously thick, and are usually the final step in the skincare regimen.
There are many different types of masks and balms on the market, ranging from hydrating to drying and even brightening, which makes them useful for all skin types. Done weekly, you’ll see a change to the skin, and breakouts will have a chance to dry up and heal.
Looking for results-driven professional skincare? We have it covered at NASCENT with brands such as Aspect, Aspect Dr, Aspect Minerals, Aspect Sun, Colorescience, Cosmedix, Cosmedix Elite, Dermaquest, PCA Skin and Societe. Look for Free Delivery, Gifts & Regular Specials.
Please Note: Aspect Dr products feature higher-level active ingredients to ensure maximum efficacy without a prescription. These products are only sold at select physician, skin clinics, and spa locations. If your purchase contains any Aspect Dr products – our Skin Specialist is required to speak with you regarding the use of these products before your purchase can be authorised and shipped.
A Guide to Selecting the Best Skincare Products
Your skin is the bodies largest organ. Its major functions are protection, regulation and sensation. If our skin is not functioning to its full ability, these functions may become compromised.
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of skincare options these days. Not only are there doctors, dermatologists, skin professionals and aestheticians telling you this or that, you also have YouTubers, bloggers and beauty enthusiasts flooding you with thoughts and ideas too. It’s no wonder there are so many skin issues and concerns these days. When you don’t know where to start or what information is reliable, how is your skin really going to respond? More importantly, the use of incorrect skincare products can actually exasperate your condition or cause additional skin problems.
The use of professional active ingredient skincare is recommended. The “Professional” skincare products we recommend on this site can only be purchased through certified stockists and practitioners who are required to provide their professional advice on the application of these products, (as opposed to those you can purchase over the counter (OTC) in the department stores and supermarkets). These recommended professional products contain;-
- higher levels of active ingredients to boost your skin’s health and correct skin problems
(OTC product lines have less active ingredients to minimise the chance of irritation to protect the buyer) - are backed by clinical studies
(not exaggerated unsubstantiated claims) - are made in small batches and distributed to trained or licensed skin therapists, spas and salons to be supplied with professional advice on their use
(OTC products are made for the masses and sold in department stores and supermarkets) - contain small molecule technology for dermal and epidermal penetration
(OTC products that lack active ingredients, have large molecules which are not able to penetrate the skin. When a product can’t properly penetrate the skin, it will only “superficially” treat and temporarily provide relief to skin concerns. This gives the illusion that the products are working without actually treating the skin. Professional lines use molecular technology that penetrates the skin producing clinical results) - are packaged in airless pump packs to eliminate spoilage of ingredients when exposed to the air
- have pH balanced and adjusted ingredients – skin functions at its prime when the natural pH is between 4.5 and 5.5.
(Often OTC products don’t take pH into consideration and will leave the skin in an alkaline state. When the skin is alkaline, bacteria and free radicals (such as pollution) can invade the skin) - do not contain unnecessary fillers and preservatives
Professional skincare often has a reputation of being “too expensive” but that is more often than not actually far from the truth. A good professional line will price their products according to the concentration of active ingredients versus fillers and are actually overall more budget-friendly. It is a common mistake to overuse products which leads to the perception that professional skincare is more expensive. Our Skin Specialist will advise you on the appropriate amount and when to use the products according to your skin condition and type.
When used properly, professional skincare products will last longer and work better giving you the ultimate bang for your buck. OTC products will have a lower upfront cost but over time can be similar in price or more expensive than professional skincare and won’t actually repair the skin condition being treated.
