Busting myths and disrupting the norm go hand-in-hand with Skin Rocks, and Caroline Hirons’ latest launch —The Light Moisturiser— is a perfect example. Light as air, yet offering outstanding barrier support, this hydrating gel-cream moisturiser is as efficacious as it is weightless.
Myth Busting
The skincare industry is no stranger to myths, and I am the first one to try and dispel them. Moisturiser is one of those categories that is wildly misunderstood, especially when it comes to texture and efficacy. Forget what you think you know about ‘lightweight’ moisturisers, because this outstanding new gel-cream is full of surprises.
So many people associate light textures as somehow less nourishing, less hydrating, or less effective at barrier support. Well, guess what? We’ve spent three years creating something that proves all of these wrong — and have the clinicals to prove it. For decades we’ve been fed this idea that thick, heavy creams equal better barrier support, that gel-creams don’t deliver long-term hydration, or that oily skins should only use oil-free formulations. This is simply not true. Light in feel does not have to mean light in performance, and there should never be a trade-off between benefits and texture preference. With The Light Moisturiser, there are no compromises.
So, what’s different?
I was determined that this moisturiser should punch well above its weight (literally)— delivering the same benefits and extraordinary results as the other moisturisers in the Skin Rocks category. It had to be suitable for all skins, be a lighter —and just as brilliant—version of our OG moisturiser, and deliver proof over promises when it came to hydration. The evidence is in, and it’s unequivocal: this formula is clinically proven to increase moisturisation by up to 141% after 1 hour*
*Based on an independent clinical study of 52 participants, after a single application, compared to untreated skin.
With something that went against the grain of industry expectation, ingredient balance was everything. A barrier-first approach is a non-negotiable for me, so that meant formulating with both the same pro-vitamin D3, ceramide precursor and Lipid Advanced Complex as The Moisturiser. We have spent years refining and perfecting this complex of actives, phytosterols, plant oils and squalene, and we knew we wanted to harness the power of this but in a lightweight gel-cream formula.
Yes, the final product offers a beautifully light texture for oily, combination and congestion-prone skins —but oil-free was never a consideration: even the oiliest skins need the skin-conditioning and barrier benefits of this lipid-rich blend. A strong resilient barrier is essential for keeping ALL skin types healthy, and for that you need lipid-soluble ingredients. Depriving oily skin of oil can make the skin overproduce sebum to compensate, but with The Light Moisturiser you get all the benefits, just none of the heaviness. It’s a brilliant balance.
Similarly remarkable was the new formulation star: a desert succulent stem cell active that is unique in the Skin Rocks Moisturise category. Derived from the stem cells of hardy desert plants— that thrive in extreme conditions and are incredible at retaining water— this exciting ingredient delivers impressive skincare benefits and is shown to help optimise the skin structure, allowing for increased water retention and efficient vitamin D synthesis. Oilier skin gets the moisture it needs without excess shine or congestion. It’s a genius ingredient for skin that’s oily but dehydrated.
A Textural Triumph
Hitting the textural sweet spot took some serious work. It needed to be light as air, non-sticky, and leave skin comfortably soft with a fresh, invisible finish. We won’t talk about one of the earliest iterations where the gel was so thick it came out of the jar in one whole piece.
Fast forward through multiple versions (not just for texture, getting the fragrance balanced in the base was also a challenge) and we realised that not only were people with oily or combination skin going to love this, but its sheer, instantly-absorbed texture made it the perfect moisturiser for warmer climates or as a seamless makeup base. At this point we knew it was destined to be way more than the sum of its parts.
The Family is Complete
As my third Moisturise category ‘baby’, I am thrilled to have created a trio of incredible moisturisers that literally has every consumer and concern covered.
With our OG everyday Moisturiser designed for every skin, our dry-skin-quenching Rich Moisturiser, and now our light, nourishing gel-cream formula that’s perfect for oily/combination skin types, it’s a hat-trick folks.
Words by Caroline Hirons, Skin Rocks Founder and Skincare Expert
