What is the difference between a good and great moisturizer for you?

A great moisturizer will have a lightweight texture that sinks in well but does heavy-duty hydration, too! A good one might not have the best texture but is still very effective.

— Christine

12 Comments

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Elizabeth Avatar

One that is hydrating without leaving a film, and that sinks into my skin without completely evaporating. It also needs to be unscented and play well with the rest of my skin care and my makeup (no pilling!!). I still haven’t quite found this unicorn yet though 🙁

Cara Avatar

Have you tried Embryollise Lait-Creme Concentre? It’s a French pharmacy brand and has been a cult favorite in France for decades as both a moisturizer and primer. Fragrance free, cosmetically elegant, keeps skin moisturized throughout the day and can be used overnight if you don’t have excessively dry skin. It’s sold on Amazon and Beautylish and comes in a 1oz travel size. There are a few different versions but the original Lait-Creme Concentre is my holy grail, and I have ultra sensitive, reactive and acne prone skin.

Nancy T Avatar

Good: absorbs really well while still being hydrating, foundation and primer don’t pill over it. Has NO fragrance. Does NOT break me out in my oily T-Zone! For daytime wear, mineral SPF that doesn’t leave a weird white cast is welcome, as chemical SPF always finds a way to irritate my eyes.

Great: All of the above except no SPF, but leaves my skin feeling moisturized and very deeply hydrated, yet not sticky or greasy. Plumps up my skin. Usually the one that I use overnight since it’s the one that is usually on the longest.

Cara Avatar

A good moisturizer is one that, usually due to hydration level, I may only be able to use in the morning or night. A great moisturizer is light enough that it sits beautifully under makeup throughout the day while also providing enough moisture to use at night and wake up with plump, hydrated skin. I have ultra sensitive, reactive and acne prone skin with occasional eczema flare ups (it’s as fun as it sounds) and of the countless moisturizers I’ve tried, only Embryollise Lait-Creme Concentre is my definition of great – it’s cosmetically elegant for daytime use and hydrating and plumping for nighttime.

Genevieve Avatar

A good moisturiser for me is one that offers some hydration and is reasonably easy to apply.
A great moisturiser is one that contains a couple of different ingredients that offers great hydration, works well under makeup (if a daily moisturiser) and for a night time, leaves my skin feeling soft in the morning. An unscented one is perfect for me too.

Deborah S. Avatar

As long as it really moisturizes well, since I am a dry girl and it doesn’t make my face stick to my pillow, I am okay. I would prefer something that is not too heavy on my skin, absorbs well and leaves my skin visibly plump and hydrated looking. I wouldn’t say I have found an amazing moisturizer yet. My current one leaves a residue which I find uncomfortable and makes my hair a little greasy around my hairline so I am actually looking for a new one.
My perfect moisturizer would be deeply hydrating, leave my skin with a glow that is not greasy, is unscented, and has a lighter feel on the skin.

Lacey Avatar

I live in a dry, mountain climate, combo skin, the past few years I’ve been using the belif moisturizers, they’re amazing and I’ve repurchased many times. Easily absorbed, lightweight, no (or barely any) fragrance, mix well with a few drops of squalane oil (Dr. Bronners) and a drop of sea buckthorn or argan oil if I need it. Aqua Bomb for summer, Moisturizing Bomb for winter, Sleeping Mask for extra hydration. Another is Biossance Omega Repair Cream, there’s a bit of earthy smell but it dissipates quickly, it’s very soothing and not too heavy.

Laurie Avatar

my skin is so dry and sensitive that it truly only thrives with basic, petroleum based products – I’ve learned that the hard way! For me, a good moisturizer is thick and basic. A great moisturizer is thick, basic, and also extremely inexpensive (drugstore balms like CeraVe and aquaphor)

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