Dr Sam Bunting has launched the Flawless Moisturiser Balance, a £36 dermatologist-formulated moisturiser designed for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin
Anyone with oily or blemish-prone skin will be familiar with the struggle of finding a moisturiser that works for them. Many formulas can leave skin feeling greasy or trigger breakouts, while lighter gel creams don’t always provide enough hydration, which leaves many avoiding a moisturiser altogether.
Dr Sam Bunting says one of the most common sentences she hears in her clinic is: “I don’t really use moisturisers. Everything I’ve tried either breaks me out or feels too heavy.” But now, the cosmetic dermatologist is hoping to solve that problem with the launch of Flawless Moisturiser Balance.
The new launch follows the success of the brand’s cult Flawless Moisturiser Intense, which has picked up 10 beauty awards since launching in 2023. Flawless Moisturiser Balance takes all of the science from the original award-winning formula and reimagines it for those with oily, combination and blemish-prone complexions.
Dr Sam said: “Flawless Moisturiser Balance is the product I’ve wanted to create for every patient who walked out of clinic without a moisturiser because nothing on the market felt right for their skin. The science behind it is the most advanced we’ve put into a moisturiser formula. And the texture – finally – does justice to it. I hope it changes things for you the way I know it can.”
Its hero ingredient is 2% Sunflower Sprout Extract (SSE), which has been developed to support mitochondrial resilience under environmental stress. This means it helps skin cells stay healthy and keep producing energy, even when they’re exposed to things like pollution and UV rays.
Flawless Moisturiser Balance
Flawless Moisturiser Balance is a non-comedogenic moisturiser for blemish-prone, and combination skin. It delivers clinically proven barrier repair in a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that won’t clog pores, leave residue, or set your skin back.
During tests by Professor Mark Birch-Machin, Professor of Molecular Dermatology at Newcastle University, the SSE was shown to reduce UV-induced damage to mitochondrial DNA in human skin cells by 34%, and to preserve their cellular energy reserve by 18%, which Dr Sam has described as ‘statistically significant results’.
Another oily skin-friendly moisturiser that harnesses the power of SSE is Mantle’s The Lite Cream. The lightweight daily moisturiser is enriched with NAD+-boosting extract from sunflower sprouts and niacinamide. Usually £42, it’s currently reduced to £35.
For something a little more affordable, the CeraVe Oil Control Moisturising Gel-Cream is widely regarded as a great budget-friendly moisturiser for oily skin. Usually 17 but reduced to £12.75 at Boots, it’s formulated with three essential ceramides, niacinamide, and oil-absorbing technology, it provides all-day hydration while leaving the skin with a matte finish.
Back at Dr Sam’s, the Flawless Moisturiser Balance stars antioxidant 3% Silymarin, which helps defend against oxidative stress, as well as 1% Ectoin, known for soothing reactive skin while boosting hydration. It’s also packed full of ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier, and Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, which helps calm redness.
The fragrance-free formula is also non-comedogenic, meaning it’s designed not to clog pores. It boasts a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that won’t leave behind a greasy finish, and has been designed to sit comfortably alongside other popular skincare ingredients, including retinoids, making it suitable for those following more active-led routines.
The brand says the moisturiser was clinically tested on 32 people with oily, combination skin over a two-week period. According to the results, 100% agreed it hydrated without clogging pores and 97% said stressed and sensitive skin felt soothed after use. And customer feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive, with the moisturiser having racked up 4.84 stars out of five.
One reviewer called it ‘an absolute game changer’, adding: “I’ve used Dr Sam’s moisturizer for about 5 years now and I love it, but I think I love moisturiser balance even more. It feels so hydrating but absorbs straight away. Doesn’t feel sticky at all either and moisturises through out the day.”
Another praised: “This moisturiser is great because it goes on so smoothly and skinks into the skin really quickly, without clogging pores and breaking me out! It works beautifully under makeup and SPF. New favourite.”
“I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin, and this moisturiser is perfect for me,” said a third. “It’s lightweight but still leaves my skin feeling hydrated without being greasy. It absorbs quickly and, unlike many other moisturisers I’ve tried, it doesn’t cause any burning or stinging.”
However, one did note that it doesn’t work as well with their tanning drops, which may prove problematic if you’re someone who likes to mix other products into your moisturiser. “Really good moisturiser for sensitive/blemish prone skin. I’ve really struggled to find a good moisturiser that doesn’t flare up my skin, but this was great! Only thing I would say is that it doesn’t mix as well as others with tanning drops. But a great base for spf and makeup.”
Shoppers can learn more about the Flawless Moisturiser Balance on the Dr Sam’s website here.
