Acne-Prone? It's Time to Switch to Gel Products

Gone are the days when gel formulations in skincare caused dryness and irritation for those with normal to dry skin. This season, gel-based “intelligent products” seem to be taking the spotlight, with new formulas that work well on all skin types and not just on oily and acne- prone skin, for which they were previously recommended. Apart from being typically transparent and thick, an important property of gels is their ability to enhance skin penetration, according to Dr. Giselle Lazaro of NU.U Asia Center of Dermatology.

 Gels may either be alcohol- or water-based, which are both greaseless and thin. Today, many formulations are free from oils and emulsifiers. Emulsifiers prevent the separation of ingredients or properties in cosmetics and skincare products—say oil and water—and work mostly to extend their storage life. Oils in cream formulations, on the other hand, act as buffers in terms of delivering key ingredients into the skin. These new oil- and emulsifier-free gel products “are absorbed quickly, less pore-clogging, more natural, and contain fewer preservatives,” adds Lazaro.

YVES ROCHER SEBO VEGETAL PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL
Best for: Evening out the skin tone while cleansing. 
Why we love it: It cleanses deeply, removes makeup, and unclogs the pores without drying the skin. Also mineral oil-, silicone-, and paraben-free. At leading department stores.