Skincare isn’t just about what’s in the bottle. It’s also about the experience — how the formula itself feels, absorbs, and works. And that’s why there’s so much buzz around texture these days. Not only is it a big part of the experience, but it can also make a difference in how a product works with your individual skin and routine. Today, we’re aiming the spotlight at lightweight textures, particularly emulsion formulas that deliver weightless hydration to skin. Here’s how they work and why you might want to use one, stat.

What is a lightweight texture?

In most cases, that lightweight moisturizer you’re using is an emulsion, which is a water-based formula that uses emulsifiers to combine oil and water. Unlike facial creams, which tend to be, well, more like a cream, emulsions usually have a more liquid-y feel. They fall somewhere between serums and cream moisturizers, offering hydration without the usual weight of a rich formula.

That doesn’t mean that they’re any less effective than their heavyweight counterparts, though. The difference is actually in the mode of delivery, thanks to the water content — we’ll get to that next.

What’s the benefit of a lightweight formula?

There are a few perks of a lightweight texture. First, lightweight moisturizers are more likely to be non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores. That makes them a winner for anyone prone to breakouts, and a safe bet if your skin looks oily or congested.

Not only that, but lightweight products also sink in ASAP. That’s a win for people prone to oiliness throughout the day. It’s also the reason why they’re ideal for the warmer months, when you’re working with both sweat and excess oil. (It’s true: Sebum production on your skin maxes out in the summer, per a study published in Skin Research and Technology.)

From bi-phase to bouncy creams, these unique K-beauty textures offer different perks for skin.

And, of course, even lightweight moisturizers offer the skin barrier-repairing benefits of their velvety counterparts. They’ll often feature humectants like hyaluronic acid, which keeps your skin cells operating smoothly, and glycerin to help draw water into skin.

That said, they do tend to be more hydrating than moisturizing. Quick physiology lesson: Your skin needs both water and oil to function properly. That water gets in via hydration, whereas “moisturizer” typically implies oil. To that end, water-based products are your best bet for hydration, so they’re still considered necessary for every skin type and condition.

How to use lightweight textures

One of the biggest advantages of lightweight formulas is that it’s tough to go overboard — in this case, you can’t have too much of a good thing. And we don’t mean in a singular application. Rather, you can layer lightweight textures throughout your skincare routine. For instance, you can apply two thin layers of a gel-emulsion like Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer for added hydration. You could also layer on Plum Plump Hyaluronic Serum (packed with five types of hyaluronic acid for instant plumping) under the Pink Juice Moisturizer. 

 If you’re on the drier side, try pairing Pink Juice, which gives you hydration, with the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, which delivers that moisture with a blend of squalane and jojoba oil. But if your skin looks oily, just the lightweight moisturizer should do the trick.

The secret to smooth skin? Layer your hydration — here’s how.

Lightweight textures also lend themselves to K-beauty tricks like cocktailing skincare products. Because Plum Plum Hyaluronic Serum and Avocado Recovery Ceramide Serum are so lightweight, you can pair them without the combo feeling sticky or heavy.

Ultimately, like all things in life, there’s a time and a place for lightweight textures. But that doesn’t mean those are the same for everyone — for some, they’re best for summer only. For others, they’re a year-round essential. (Remember, take it Day by Day, Skin by Skin™.) So before you moisturize, take a peek at your skin, determine if you can lighten things up, and go from there.

Keep reading about how texture impacts products, skin, and more:

• Texture Talk: The Secret To Smooth, Clear Skin
• Gels, Creams, Bi-Phase, Bounce: What Texture is Best for You