My Olay Total Effects cream was on its last legs (its only 20g after all) and I know I said I was going to try the Olay Total Effects Night Cream, but when I was checking it out at Guardian pharmacy, I got distracted by Eucerin. I’ve not tried many Eucerin products even though the Eucerin White Solution Fluid sunscreen works wonders for me so I decided to get a night moisturiser from Eucerin instead.
I ended up with the Eucerin Hydro Balance Refreshing Hydrating Cream. Yet another mouthful from Eucerin which I’ll call Hydro Balance Cream throughout this review.
The Eucerin Hydro Balance cream comes in a light blue glass tub which is more luxurious than the price belies. What I like is that the tub is sealed under the cover with a foil cover so you know that its fresh and not tampered with. I’ve seen people open up creams and lotions in pharmacies to test them when there are no testers around so I’m always leary of products that aren’t sealed for protection.
The Hydro Balance cream itself is very light, almost a gel-like texture that is white in colour. So, calling it a cream is a little misleading because its not creamy the way we would expect it. According to the Eucerin website the attributes and benefits of the Hydro Balance cream are:-
Attributes:
* With water-binding Isomerine
* Non-comedogenic
* Fragrance-free
* Alcohol-free
* Colorant-free
Benefits:
* Instant moisturization lasting for 24 hours especially designed for normal to combination skin.
According to the box, Isomerine is the key ingredient that attracts and binds moisture to the skin to keep it hydrated and refreshed. This cream is also oil free and not sticky.
I only use this cream at night not for any reason other than the fact I already have a cream for the day that works well. Further, I sleep in an air-conditioned room most nights so I’m afraid of my skin drying out. I’m happy to report that the Eucerin Hydro Balance cream fits all my needs perfectly.
When applied, the cream feels a little oily at first but once absorbed, it stops feeling sticky or oily and my skin feels hydrated even when I get up in the mornings. I have normal-combination skin and its working well for me without any breakouts or reactions. Eucerin states that the Hydro Balance Cream is formulated for sensitive skin and I think it would work well for those with dry skins too. People with oily skins may not like it as much even if its very light and is oil-free.
The Eucerin Hydro Balance Cream does not promise anything more than add moisture and keep your skin moisturised so I’d say this cream is good as a basic moisturiser. If you are looking for a night cream that promises more e.g. anti-aging, whitening etc then this will not be for you. For my part, I’m liking the Hydro Balance cream for my night regime because its just so simple and uncomplicated and sometimes, that’s all your skin really needs 🙂
A 50ml tub of Eucerin Hydro Balance Refreshing Hydrating Cream retails at about RM54.90 at most Guardian or Watsons’ or other pharmacies. It sometimes goes on sale so watch out for that. Because the cream is so light, only very little is needed for the whole face and neck so I can forsee one tub lasting quite a while.
Pros: Light, Not Oily, Keeps skin well moisturised, Inexpensive
Cons: Tub packaging can be unhygienic
[rating:4/5]
Tine says
September 29, 2008 at 9:11 amFrom your review, the Eucerin moisturiser reminds me of Clinique’s Moisture Surge. I shall give it a go when I go back to Malaysia. If it’s just as good if not better, then I’ll switch. It’s a heck lot cheaper anyway 🙂
Emyli says
September 29, 2008 at 9:35 amHi Paris, just wanted to say how much I love the reviews. Keep it up!
Not sure about the Eucerin moisturizer as most of the ingrediants are lab created products such as Saccharide Isomerate, Propylparaben, and Methylparaben. But I think it would have a very good effect on people with sensitive skin as the ingrediants are very mild, and as people with sensitive skins have thinner skin layers it would be very much easy for the product to penetrate much better.
Have you tried using Dermalogica?
Emyli
Nikki says
September 29, 2008 at 10:08 amJust like Tine, I find the texture looks just like the Clinique’s Moisture Surge Extra Moisturizing cream, glad it worked for you and same with Clinique, they don’t have the extra anti-aging properties or sunscreen! Eucerin looks and sounds very promising and I love how professional their packaging looks 🙂
ParisB says
September 29, 2008 at 10:48 am@Tine : Ah! I’d always wanted to try Moisture Surge but never did because Clinique products don’t work too well with me. If this is similar, do let me know!
@Emyli: Thank you for your kind words. I am not too familiar with product ingredients at this time and my skin isn’t too sensitive. I have not tried Dermalogica products yet. I have some samples but have not got round to testing them.
@Nikki: I haven’t tried Clinique’s but if its similar then hey! We have a low end dupe! 🙂
Monstro says
September 29, 2008 at 12:05 pmMay opt for this when my Dermalogica runs out! It’s wayyy cheaper. And I use other serums at night, which would be complemented by a simple cream like this over it. 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Cyndi says
September 29, 2008 at 12:44 pmI am an ardent user of Eucerin cleansing milk and your reviews about Eucerin products make me feel like grabbing their whole range home. I am really tempted to get their sunscreen fluid and also this. I still cannot decide whether to get Avene’s or Eucerin yet lol. Eucerin’s seems to be cheaper. =)
ParisB says
September 29, 2008 at 1:44 pm@Monstro : If all you want is a simple moisturizer this might be it. I’m really liking it for now.
@Cyndi: I haven’t tried the Eucerin cleansing milk and I’ve not tried many Eucerin products lol… still I’m quite happy with the ones I’ve tried thus far.
Celine says
September 29, 2008 at 4:07 pmI thought I have stumbled upon my new night moisturiser until the part you wrote that people with oily skins may not like it. Doh. Any suggestions of a night moisturiser for oily skin? Anyone tried the new Loreal Derma Genesis? I just got myself the Loreal Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Day Cream SPF18 (wow, such a long-named product) and love it – not oily, absorp instantly with nice tinge of frangrant. It’s difficult with Loreal products because their website do not feature certain products made for Asian skin.
ParisB says
September 29, 2008 at 4:38 pm@Celine : I tested the L’oreal Derma Genesis and I hated the scent so I won’t be testing it for now. Too strongly scented. The Revitalift series isn’t bad – I used to like the essence/serum. I know someone with oily skin who likes the Kanebo Blanchir Milky Conditioner. Usually lotions are better than creams for oilier skins.
rinnah says
September 29, 2008 at 11:08 pmI went and bought the Eucerin cleansing milk after reading your good review on their sunscreen. Am pleased to say that it’s not bad, actually! Might just try this night cream too, since Eucerin does not seem to aggravate my skin. 🙂
michelle louis says
October 29, 2008 at 12:59 pmHas anyone tried Eucerin White Solution SPF 40 whitening extra treatment fluid? I was given a few tubes in Bangkok but no instructions? Obviously it is a sunscreen but what is the whitening bit about and am i about to put deadly chemicals on my fair skin??
ParisB says
October 29, 2008 at 1:27 pm@michelle louis : I have reviewed it – try going to this link to read the review on Eucerin Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid. Its my favourite sunscreen/day moisturiser.