A moisturizer-meets-serum in a convenient stick format? Dreams do come true with a lotion stick. Read what to look for in a formula, how to best use them, and more.
Are complicated, heavy, and cumbersome moisturizers weighing you down (literally and figuratively)? Try an on-the-go moisturizer stick, which not only is wonderfully convenient but also packs a hydrating punch no matter where your day takes you. Keep reading to discover the ease of incorporating a lotion stick into your routine, ingredients to look out for, and more.
What is a Moisturizer Stick?
A moisturizer stick is a compact face balm that might easily be confused for a lip balm—but it’s vastly different. While they both hydrate, a moisturizer stick is designed to be a clever serum-meets-moisturizer formula, all in a convenient, to-go stick. A lotion stick, as it’s also known, is also inherently multipurpose: you can swipe it anywhere and anytime to hydrate, refresh, and address anything, from dry under eyes and makeup settling into fine lines to brightening mid-day dullness and enhancing radiance instantly. Think of a moisturizer stick as your do-it-all skin buddy, there to help support you in any way needed. Basically, it’s dewy skin on demand.
Things To Consider In A Moisturizer Stick
With the rising popularity of a lotion stick, it’s easy to think they’re all created equal. But some formulas stand out from the crowd with extraordinary ingredients, clinical claims, and multi-purpose benefits.
The Serum Stick
This concentrated solid serum targets signs of aging and dryness instantly and over time, rehydrating skin and makeup throughout the day. While stick moisturizers from other brands may appear nearly identical to Tatcha’s OG hydrating treatment, The Serum Stick stands above the rest for a few specific reasons.
Zero Percent Water
Similar hydrating formulas contain water as the first ingredient, but The Serum Stick has a grand total of zero percent water. Instead, it contains 80 percent purified squalane, which richly moisturizes and supports the skin’s barrier function while also locking in hydration all day, helping to minimize dryness instantly. This ingredient is particularly treasured in the formula because the weightless emollient absorbs easily without clogging pores or leaving behind an oily residue. In clinical studies, 95 percent of users demonstrated an instant improvement in dryness immediately.*
Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid
Many other brand’s formulas contain hyaluronic acid, a potent hydrator. But Tatcha’s Serum Stick includes a specific low molecular weight formula to help draw moisture into the skin, helping to plump and hydrate while on the face.
Healthy Aging Bonus Ingredients
Hydration is a necessity in any moisturizing stick, but what else does the formula accomplish? When it comes to The Serum Stick, Japanese lemon balm is strategically included to reduce the appearance of fine lines and creases from dehydration. While it might sound like a modern ingredient, lemon balm, or kousui hakka as it’s known in Japan, has been used for centuries to help calm inflammation. Another innovative ingredient that’s all our own? Our proprietary Hadasei-3 complex, which nourishes, hydrates, and supports skin in a single swipe. Users found their dry skin instantly smoother after applying, but it also has impressive long-term benefits: 95 percent of users demonstrated an improvement in the look of fine lines after four weeks.*
Immediate Radiance
There are many reasons to swipe on a moisturizing stick, but an immediate improvement in brightness is an unexpected bonus. In clinicals, The Serum Stick was shown to improve skin’s radiance immediately in 91 percent of users.*
*Based on once-daily use in an independent expert grader (or consumer) study of 23 women. Individual results may vary.
How to Use a Moisturizer Stick
The brilliance of a stick lotion is its multipurpose usage. Swipe on anytime, anywhere. But here are a few additional uses and benefits.
The Eye Area
The Serum Stick smooths dryness and addresses fine lines instantly and over time, which makes it perfect for the delicate eye area. Perk up the skin around the eyes before applying the right sunscreen for your skin type or mid-day to help minimize lines and crepiness when dehydration creeps in.
Makeup-Related Dryness
Matte formula makeup paired with dry air and sensitized skin can equate to makeup dryness, leaving skin looking more flat than usual. Glide on The Serum Stick to soften, comfort, and hydrate dry spots.
Prime Skin
Create a dewy, seamless, and primed face with The Serum Stick. Simply melt into clean skin to prevent makeup from settling into fine lines, while also improving makeup’s blendability. Feel free to apply over makeup mid-day, too, to refresh and add a natural glow.
Given its endless versatility, a moisturizer stick belongs in your skincare ritual—no matter your skin type, daily routine, or makeup preferences. The only question left to ask is ‘How many different ways will you find to utilize your dewy-on-demand moisturizer stick?’