A moisturizer that really makes me feel like my skin is plumper and more hydrated within a few hours – anything where I feel like I can actually notice a specific improvement/difference.
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I have no problem finding a moisturizer that goes on silky smooth and feels hydrating. The problem lies in that after it sinks in my skin either feels dry or it never sinks in completely and remains a little greasy or oily. I have yet to find a moisturizer that keeps my skin feeling soft, hydrated, well moisturized and yet sinks in completely o makeup application is flawless! I’ve tried dozens, and when trying on my hand in a store I feel like I’ve finally found a really good one, but usually am disappointed soon after. I’m very open to suggestions! P.S. I have very dry skin, live in a desert climate but too rich creams usually don’t sink in and remain on the surface….
Hi Penny: I pair my moisturizer (I’m From Mugwort cream) with a black snail serum (iUNIK) and then on super dry days, I will spritz my makeup with Tatcha luminous dewy skin and that seems to lock in the moisture without being too greasy. I do not care for rich creams either and prefer to use my regular moisturizer as above and a barrier cream at night (LRP lippikar ap+m baume). The barrier cream sits on top, doesn’t sink in, but locks in moisture better so your skin is prepped for the next day without having to bring out the big guns to wear under your makeup.
Penny have you tried IT cosmetics Confidence in a Moisturizer? One of the few that makes my skin look better in the morning after wearing overnight, but also sinks in enough to wear during the day if I feel dry. I live in the desert too!
For my nighttime moisturizer, it is great vs good if I can still feel its effects the morning after. Such as hydration and a plumping up of my skin.
For daytime moisturizer, great vs good would be that it doesn’t pill up when apply my primer, that is doesn’t mess with my foundation wear time or be so emollient that it causes it to breakup and pool into pores and deep expression lines. Also, that the skin on my face and neck don’t have a tight feeling by days end, either.
A great moisturiser makes my skin look a lot bright, hydrated and firmer after a few applications. It doesn’t happen very often – Immortal’s Moisturiser did that for me and then it was d/c.
A good moisturiser just seems to hydrate my skin for a shorter while.
I can’t stand a greasy lotion – not for my body nor for my face. I like something moisturizing that absorbs well not to oily/greasy one that I don’t have to rub/fuss with much and has a good dry down and plays nice with my primer and make up. I use oils/ lays of moisturizer at my night time routine…
The great moisturizer needs not only to… moisturize… but give me the plumber skin effect in the morning. Usually a good moisturizer is there to lock my nighttime skincare (I never use moisturizers in the morning, SPF is enough) and be the not-noticed step, a great one makes me notice that something changed.
A nice luxurious texture that sinks fast into the skin is also great.
Another thing that makes for me any product great (not just moisturizer), is to be able to actually recycle the packaging (through Terracycle or brand specific programs).
I have combination skin so a moisturizer that doesn’t leave my skin oily or too dry is key. Gel moisturizer in the summer months and a creamy light formula for winter
Plays nicely with other layers and does not pill.
Feels comforting and reduces inflammation
A great moisturizer just makes you say “Ahhh” when you put it on because it feels so good, smells so good, and does good for your skin. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. It should give your skin a drink of water, and seal that water in with a little emollient trace left on top of the skin. My recent cheapy squalane-rich find: Pipette Baby Balm. Some might find it greasy – it IS a balm, like a lip balm – but I have dry skin and live where it’s dry.
I REALLY want to try Fresh’s Creme Ancienne.
If it sits on the top of my skin for too long, its not a good moisturizer for me. I prefer to have it melt into my skin and leave it plump and even a slight glow. I do like some gel moisturizers for this reason, but I do not have oily skin, but rather dry. I do use a thick moisturizer before bed, but not during the day under my makeup. But during the day when I layer serum and moisturizer and sunscreen, I have to let each one sink in before I do my makeup and who has time to do this? 🥴