How to use Water Lock or Hydration CreamUpdated a year ago
How you use either Water Lock or the Hydration Cream can also make a difference. Here are a few routines to consider with either Water Lock or Hydration Cream, depending on how your skin feels at any given moment.
Water Lock for maximum hydration
We call this our “soak & seal” method because it’s unbeatable for eliminating dehydration as quickly as possible.
- First, saturate your skin with water. The best way to do this is by taking a bath or shower, but you can also splash your face with water for a few minutes.
- Next, apply a generous amount of Water Lock.
We recommend doing this every day while your skin is still showing signs of dehydration, and you can stop once you feel like you’re back to your normal bouncy, and glowy self. Afterward, you can just do this once in a while when you feel like your skin needs a bit of gentle TLC.
Both for maximum renewal
If your goal is to visibly transform your skin by banishing wrinkles, reducing texture, or fading discoloration, then this is the nighttime routine we’ve developed for maximum renewal.
- Cleanse and exfoliate your skin with the Double AHA Cleanser.
- Saturate your skin with water
- Apply the Enzyme Active Retinol Serum immediately - it’s our most potent skin renewer, and it’ll still help slow down moisture evaporation somewhat.
- Wait for at least a few minutes for the serum to absorb. The longer you wait, the more of the serum your skin will absorb and metabolize.
- Moisturize with the Hydration Cream. You can apply it all over, or just to target areas like around the eyes.
- Finally, apply a small amount of Water Lock all over to create that final occlusive seal.
Regular Use
Your simple nighttime or daytime routine can include the Hydration Cream, which is ideal for combination or dry skin, Water Lock which is excellent for all skin types, or neither, which is ideal if your sunscreen is moisturizing enough.
- Splash your face with water. Cleanse your skin if necessary, especially at nighttime.
- Protect your skin from free-radical damage with the Vitamin C Superserum in the daytime, or the Retinol Serum at night.
- Apply a pea-sized amount of the Hydration Cream or Water Lock and allow it to sink in completely. You can skip this step in the daytime.
- Finally, apply at least a 1/4 teaspoon of sunscreen to your face and neck if it’s daytime.
Bottom Line
While both Water Lock and the Hydration Cream are technically moisturizers, they serve different functions.
The Hydration Cream focuses on delivering long-term results, acting as a slow and steady moisturizer designed to optimize your skin's behavior. It’s meant to absorb into the skin and act on the molecular level, while Water Lock sits on top like a protective seal.
Water Lock is more of an emergency treatment, with the ability to immediately seal moisture into the skin for rapid TEWL prevention. It also functions as a regular moisturizer thanks to its mild and non-comedogenic formula that suits all skin types.
We don’t believe in having strict rules in skincare - products like Water Lock are meant to make it easier to customize and adjust your process based on what your skin needs at any given moment. There might be room in your skincare routine for both, or you may find yourself preferring one over the other. Either way, our team at the lab wishes you moist, glowy, happy skin!