Beat The Heat With The Latest Crop Of Lightweight Moisturisers
Sticky skin days are over. These lightweight picks deliver all the moisture, none of the grease.
In Singapore’s year-round humidity, slathering on a thick cream can feel like a fast track to mid-day shine, especially if you’ve got oily or combination skin. But skipping moisturiser altogether isn’t the answer either. The latest wave of lightweight moisturisers is made exactly for this: fast-absorbing, non-greasy formulas that deliver hydration without smothering your skin. Think barely-there textures that still do the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your complexion balanced, fresh, and dewy, not drenched.
What is the three minute rule of moisturiser?
It’s simple but game-changing: apply your moisturiser within three minutes of cleansing or showering. That post-wash window — when your skin is still damp — is prime time for locking in hydration and maximising absorption. Skip it, and you risk losing moisture to the air. Whether you’re dealing with sensitive skin, dry patches, or just trying to achieve that healthy, dewy glow, this rule can make all the difference. It’s a tiny tweak that can level up your entire routine, no fancy product needed, just smarter timing.
When do moisturisers expire?
Moisturisers don’t last forever, and yes, that half-used jar at the back of your shelf might be doing more harm than good. Once opened, most moisturisers have a shelf life of around six to 12 months, depending on the formula and packaging. If you’ve been bouncing between products or keeping one “just in case,” it’s time for a reality check. A change in texture, smell, or colour is your first red flag — it could mean the formula has broken down or oxidised, making it less effective at best and irritating at worst. Using expired moisturiser can clog pores, trigger breakouts, or even cause rashes, especially if bacteria have crept in. Bottom line: if it looks off, toss it. Your skin deserves better than old cream.
Here's a lineup of lightweight moisturisers that leave your skin feeling soft, fresh, and comfortably hydrated throughout the day:
Dior Beauty Hydra Life Fresh Sorbet Creme, $133
Why we love it: Lightweight without skimping on moisture, Dior’s Hydra Life Fresh Sorbet Creme is the kind of moisturiser that feels like nothing but does everything. Designed for normal to combination skin, the gel-cream texture sinks in fast—no greasy film, no pilling—while delivering a serious hit of hydration (48 hours, to be exact), thanks to a doubled dose of hyaluronic acid and Dior’s mallow extract from its own gardens. With 95% of the formula made from natural-origin ingredients, it leaves skin visibly plump, fresh, and quietly radiant. Slather it on post-cleanse, morning and night, and go about your day without that heavy-moisturiser weight on your face.
Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser, $69 for 50ml
Why we love it: If your makeup tends to slide off by noon or pill right after skincare, this one’s for you. Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturiser plays well with your base while doing the heavy lifting on hydration. The texture? Cushiony, never greasy. The formula? A concentrated triple peptide complex that softens the look of fine lines and keeps collagen levels in check. Biofermented hyaluronic acid adds an extra layer of dew, helping skin stay smooth, bouncy, and prepped for whatever comes next, whether it’s a full beat or a bare-faced kind of day.
Tatcha The Water Cream, $125 for 50ml
Why we love it: Poreless skin might be a myth, but this comes pretty close. Tatcha’s Water Cream is a cooling, oil-free moisturiser that floods your skin with hydration and leaves it looking visibly smoother - pores blurred, texture softened. Ideal for Singapore’s swelter, it feels weightless but works hard, thanks to a blend of Japanese botanicals and Hadasei-3 (a trio of fermented superfoods) that calms, plumps, and supports your skin barrier. It’s skincare that makes your face feel like it’s had a glass of cold water, because sometimes, that’s all you really need.
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Balancing Gel Moisturiser, $106 for 50ml
Why we love it: If your skin’s been feeling tight, flaky, or just generally over it, Biossance’s Squalane + Omega Repair Cream brings it back from the brink. Fragrance-free (perfect for those with sensitive skin) and rich (but never greasy), it’s packed with barrier-boosting ceramides, omega fatty acids, and sugarcane-derived squalane that sinks in fast and actually stays put. Think deep hydration, a dewy, not shiny finish, and a formula that plays nice with even the most sensitive skin. Use it after cleansing on your face and neck to lock in moisture, smooth fine lines, and restore that soft, healthy glow your skin’s been begging for.
Cle de Peau Beaute Protective Day Emulsion, $200
Why we love it: Cle de Peau Beaute’s Protective Day Emulsion recently released their new enhanced key radiance care range and it's made for skin that lives in heat and humidity—Singapore included. The lightweight texture absorbs instantly (no stick, no shine), yet manages to keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours straight. Backed by the brand’s Day Rhythm Fine-Tune Technology, it works with your skin’s natural cycle to keep things firm, elastic, and smooth. Bonus: built-in UV protection shields against sun damage without piling on another layer. It’s the kind of smart skincare that quietly does the most. Available from July 1—mark it down if you're serious about your summer skin routine.
Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Creme, $155 for 50g
Why we love it: This icy blue beauty feels like water going on but actually does the work — hydrating your skin for up to 24 hours reportedly and helping it look plumper and more glowy over time.
The science-y part? Camellia extract is suspended in tiny micro-droplets that burst when you apply, so your skin gets the good stuff right away. There’s also antioxidant-packed blue ginger, which sounds cute but actually helps your skin stay calm and protected in gross weather (looking at you, midday MRT sweat).
It’s expensive, yes, but if you’re after a weightless moisturiser that actually makes your skin feel fresh, not fake-dewy, this one lives up to the hype — especially if you hate anything that feels heavy or sticky.
Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, $55
Why we love it: The Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream - yes, the one Meghan Markle’s reportedly obsessed with, earns its viral status for good reason. Lightweight but deeply hydrating, it’s built for all skin types and tackles the usual suspects: fine lines, dullness, and elasticity loss. The formula combines barrier-boosting niacinamide (that enhances your skin's hydration and barrier) with freeze-dried hydrolysed collagen that melts into skin for better absorption. The result? That elusive glass-skin glow - no filter, no gimmicks.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream Moisturiser, $74 for 50ml
Why we love it: Don’t be fooled by its airy texture, this rose-infused moisturiser delivers serious hydration. Packed with time-release technology and a duo of hyaluronic acids, it keeps skin dewy and nourished for up to 72 hours while reinforcing your moisture barrier. Especially clutch for dry or tight-feeling skin, it sinks in fast and leaves behind a soft, fresh glow. Use it morning and night when your skin’s feeling parched and needs more than just surface-level relief. Consider it your skin’s long-haul flight companion, even when you’re just commuting to work.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, $150 for 100ml
Why we love it: Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream isn’t just another “bouncy skin” promise, it delivers. This gel-cream hybrid is packed with signal peptides, amino acids, and pygmy waterlily to help firm, smooth, and rebuild your skin’s texture over time. Whether you’re battling sun damage, fine lines, or just general dullness, it works across all skin types to restore balance without heaviness. Bonus points for being vegan, cruelty-free, and mercifully non-sticky. Think of it as a protein shake - but for your face, serving up plumper, more radiant skin with every use.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.