Rarely do I use a skincare product and immediately find myself transported into a wondrous world where I can’t stop touching my face; reveling in the “toing toing” feel of smooth supple plump skin.
All this after just 1 application.
Magic I tell you. Pure Magic!
Light gel cream texture that is quickly absorbed with no sticky residue
This is precisely how I felt when I started using the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief gel cream. It is labeled for all skin types and the light oil free texture does make it light enough. Yet for those with skin approaching the arrid air of the Sahara Desert, it works too!
This year alone, I’ve experienced 3 gel based moisturizers. Clinique’s is the third. The first was H20+ Face Oasis – very good product. But took a while to dry and leaves a bit of sticky feel, and has a strong sharp scent.
Second on the list was Clarins Hydraquench Smoothing Gel. Very good too but not quite up to plumping up my dry cheeks and the scent too was a little strong.
Enter Clinique Moisture Surge – fragrance free and leaves my skin feeling and looking well moisturized. The light gel creme sinks right into my skin without any sticky feeling. My skin loves it – laps it all right up! Why did I suddenly feel like Goldilocks? 😀
Smooth moisturized skin makes a good makeup canvas
After just 1 week of day and night use, I’m just amazed that my skin looks and feels smooth and plump. It hasn’t looked this way in a while – I’d been trying other creams that worked well for what they were targeted for but did not quite meet the moisture quota. The nice thing is that with smooth skin comes a smooth canvas for makeup which is looking better too. I’ve been using this for slightly over a month now and am still happy with it.
Anyway, long story short, I really like the Clinique Moisture Surge gel cream, and I’m going to keep this as a skincare staple.
Try it as an essence or mask!
I’ve used it as a mask also – just apply a thick layer and go to sleep. Wake up, and your skin is just amazingly soft and smooth. I’m going to take it with me on a plane journey soon. It’s just what my skin will need to combat the dry cabin air.
Sometimes, I use this like an essence at night. I apply a light layer on the skin and then apply other creams on top of it. Works well too. Or maybe its working well with my Dior Capture XP Overnight Recovery Serum. Hmm…
… or over makeup… if you dare
Apparently you can use this OVER makeup too. I’ve never put it to the test since I haven’t found an occasion to, but if you have, do share!
I love this but caused friends to breakout
However, the Clinique Moisture Surge may not be for everyone. I raved about this to a friend in Australia and she promptly scored herself a sample to try. A few days later, she told me of breakouts from using this moisturizer 🙁 Pity… but that’s skincare for you!
A 50ml tub of baby pink goodness retails at RM160 – I will not quarrel with this for the world since it works a treat for my skin!
Pros: Absorbs quickly, Non oily, Fragrance Free, Leaves skin looking and feeling plump and moisturized immediately
Cons: May cause breakouts on some people
I don’t believe in finding Holy Grail material – I’m too fickle. But if I had a Holy Grail category, this baby would be right up there holding the precious chalice… until it gets dethroned at some point maybe … 🙂
I’d always been wary of trying the Clinique Moisture Surge despite reading many good reviews on it, because I’ve broken out often from Clinique products – Total Turnaround is a total disaster on my skin. But I’m so glad I bit the bullet and tried this one.
Have you tried the Clinique Moisture Surge gel cream? Are you a fan? Did this break you out?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
I haven’t tried this, but the product is seriously 150ml? That’s a lot! 150ml for RM160 is quite okay with the generous amount that we are getting. Coz’ normally my moisturizers are 100ml at most. 😀 Shall go over the counters to see them!
Hi Sue
Sorry to disappoint. Its only 50ml >< Trigger happy finger hehe… Thanks for drawing it to my attention!
ahh this was my fav too! but after finishing a tub, i didnt continue coz i just to try other different brands. LOL.
Hey prettybeautiful
I’m also always trying other brands but lately I’ve been coming back to this so I’ll likely keep it as a staple for those times when my skin cries for moisture
Wonder if we can get samples to try out before buying
Hi Catherine
Doesn’t hurt to ask! 🙂
Just this morning, while applying this, I said to myself “Uh Oh, almost done with my BIGGEST sized Moisture surge, need to repurchase” !!! I’ve finished 2 already 🙂 I love
Hiya Nikki
Clinique fan you! 😀 I’m converted if only for this one product
Hahaha I so know what you mean about the “toing toing” feeling. I love this product too. Currently using H2O’s Face Oasis, so cannot repurchase this just yet 😛
Hiya Tine
Question – would you go back to moisture surge after H20+? 😀
‘tiong tiong’ -> LOL !
Sounds like a great product. Do you use it day and night?
How does it compare to the Garnier Essence ? Oh, I know both are very different in prices, but it’s gel based too, right? 🙂
Hi Aiyu
Hehe… ya its got a “toing toing” feel. 🙂 I use it day and night or sometimes at night only and others in the day. I prefer it over Garnier Essence even considering the price point. It just makes my skin feel so much better.
hahaha…welcome to the bandwagon! I abandoned it for a while to try the Garnier Aqua Defense (two tubs worth!), and am now back to Moisture Surge…happened to pick up two tubs during the last major sales, so ended up with a good deal on it – happy happy skin! 😀
Hi Beetrice
Next major sale I also got to stock up! Haha
Ah, this is my good friend too. Have been meaning to review it in the longest time. Few more weeks to go i guess.
Hi Abby
Yay for liking Moisture Surge too! 🙂
Currently, I’m using H2O+ but don’t like the sticky feeling on skin. Will definitely try on Moist Surge. I have no idea why the SAs in my area are always so stingy to give samples? I won’t buy anything new without trying on sample 1st. I have sensitive skin, tried many full size products bur failed to work on me. Wasted a lot of money so I reject to do my purchases without trying them 1st.
Hi Synaesthesia
Ditto. I love the results I get from H20+ and I seriously think its an awesome product. But that sticky feeling on the skin bugs me. Maybe you can try bringing your own sample tub and asking the SA to give you a dollop to try? 🙂
Hi!
I am currently using Biotherm Aqua Source, wonder how does it compare to this one here. I have oily/combination skin, not too sure if this will break me out or not…;-)
Hi Lemon
Biotherm products have not agreed with my skin for some reason. I can’t tell if this will break you out so you might want to try to get a sample and see.
Been using it for ages. Its good stuff, but I find the hydration is a little superficial (doesn’t absorb deep enough into skin cells), so its ok for those with combination to oily skin, but I’ve asked around and it doesn’t seem suitable for those with dry skin. =)
Also tried it over makeup on a few ppl. I guess you can say it works, cos its basically a layer of clear cream on top of your makeup, but after you apply it on, you can’t touch your makeup again cos it smears everywhere.
Hiya Erin
Ah! Thanks for the note for those planning to use over makeup. I guess its good in a pinch 🙂 I’ll take note of the superficial hydration – actually I have combination-dry skin and its working really well to ensure my cheeks don’t look as cracked as deserts 🙂
i have been using this for 1/2 a year
its very good i used it just before my foundation & my foundation rest well on it.. & it makes my skin asorb the foundation easier then without it.
it didnt cause any breakouts to me but i defitnaly love this~
Hi bebee
Thanks for sharing your experience. So amazing that so many people love this and I only just discovered it 😛
The price is so painful for a student like me. >.<
Guess it's good ole Garnier Aqua Defense for me for now. Unless someone want to get me Clinique Moisture Surge for Christmas. 😛
Don’t know why, I love buying moisturizer..
I know I can’t use too much of it on my face but I just love buying them! After reading this I feel like wanna buy again..
i got some moisture surge sample a few days back but havent touched it. reading ur review makes me cant wait to try n compare it with garnier aqua source essence! 🙂
love this love this !!!! i am using the sample size.. will definitely purchase the full size after the sample is done !!! yay !!!
Hi there!
I’ve been using this for 2 years now and i really love it! I’ve stop using Clinique 3 step skincare, but never stop using this. It’s just a really great product!
Yes, i have this too. At first i got the sample sized one when they were having the promo, but i finished it and got the whole set. The 7day scrub cream, cleanser for my oily skin, toner in 3 – oily skin, and moisture surge! yes, it was expensive. But my skin, has been clear and smooth ever since!
I dont even break out when i have my “monthly thing” anymore. The worst it gets is having those “worms”, some ppl call it sebum.
Oh btw, Paris, i dont know if i’ll work for you. But for me, it works THE BEST, when i alternate it. like at first i tried once a week of alternating with my Eucerin hydro-balance, but now, i use Eucerin at night and MS in the morning as my makeup base as well.
Yay for the Moisture Surge! I use it on the eczema flare-ups on my face with no problems at all. 😀
I just backed from HK and the dried weather in HK currently had dried out my skin and the weather also caused peeling on my skin. i applied this gel on my skin and made it as mask too. My skin was better on the 2nd day. it really helped!