Through thick & thin III: Why different product textures exist

Recap: Thickeners (or rheology modifiers) give products their thickness.

Combining different types and amounts results in products of varying consistencies. Why create different textures?

 

For that luxurious feel

Heavy creams have long been associated with luxury. Playing on this psychology many of us have, lots of signature products from high-end brands are purposefully formulated to be thick and rich.

 

Prevent evaporation to retain moisture

Thick moisturisers have a high content of thickeners (particularly fatty alcohols and waxes), giving a high degree of occlusivity to reduce moisture lost and retain suppleness long after application. This is particularly great for chronically dry or dermatitis-prone individuals.

 

For product layering

An increasing number of brands (and people) have become advocates of layering of multiple products (i.e. toners, essences, gels, serums, facial oils) to reap benefit from several actives in their daily regimes. These products are generally designed to be thin as their fluidity allows consecutive layering of one another easily, without ‘suffocating’ the skin.

 

So now you know thickness doesn’t necessarily reflect quality nor performance. However, it is still an important feature for defining product category/function and affecting our overall experience with any product.

This marks our series finale! Unsure of what textures best suit you? That’s what we’re here for, so feel free to get in touch!