Why We Chose (and love) An Oil-Based Moisturizer

I've always gravitated towards a balm. But why?

For the cushiony, comforting support it creates. For the lasting moisture lock. For the way it helps seal in everything applied before it, creating what feels like a protective envelope over the skin.

That led me to wonder: if an oil-based moisturizer helps lock moisture in, what else does it lock in? Does it encourage congestion? Can it make blemishes worse? These are fair questions, and ones I asked myself for years.

Every complexion is different, so I can only speak to the one I've lived with for the past 43 years. My skin has always leaned combination—oily yet dehydrated—while also being resilient, sensitive, rosacea-prone, and, on three occasions, affected by adult cystic acne. And oh my goodness, does refined sugar ever show up on my skin.

Before we go any further, it's worth understanding one important distinction. Hydration and moisture are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Water-based products hydrate the skin because they contain water. Oil-based products do not hydrate in the same way. Instead, they help support the skin barrier by slowing water evaporation and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), allowing the skin to retain moisture for longer.

I've never been a skincare maximalist. I believe caring for our skin is both physical and psychological. When we trust what we're using, we're more likely to use it consistently—and consistency is often where results begin.

My approach has always been effectiveness, which doesn't necessarily mean more. It means choosing what works, then allowing it to do its job.

My own routine is remarkably simple: hydration, one thoughtfully chosen active, a moisture layer, and sun protection. Depending on the season, climate and the state of my skin, those products may change, but the philosophy rarely does. Reduce the friction. Less, but better.

Sun protection deserves an article of its own, but what I will say is this: our relationship with the sun is nuanced. Where we live, the UV index, the season and the amount of time we spend outdoors all matter. We absolutely need to respect the sun—but we also need it.

Back to the number of products.

For years I layered a hydrating product, followed by a liquid facial oil, followed by a moisturizer. More often than not, that moisturizer was water-based, and while it certainly had its place, it never gave my skin quite what I was looking for.

With Calm And Define, there is no need for a separate facial oil because the balm transforms into one upon application. It was formulated to perform beautifully both day and night. That mattered to me because while I don't need to wear makeup, I genuinely enjoy it. The balm had to wear seamlessly beneath it while also delivering the nourishment I wanted overnight.

More on the formulation and ingredients in another Journal entry. For now, I'm simply grateful to have created something that genuinely works for my skin—and even more grateful to now share it with others who have been searching for the same feeling.

For me, the goal was never to choose oil instead of water. It was to create a formula that helped my skin feel consistently calm, comfortable and balanced.

Calm And Define is the result of that search.