I don’t know about you guys, but where I am now, the weather is so darned hot, I don’t even feel like putting anything on my skin! Ok, let me rephrase that. I don’t feel like putting anything heavy on my skin. It’s usually quite humid here but the burning sun seems to have burned up all the humidity so it actually feels quite dry. And HOT!
So, when I’m faced this THIS pool of quivering jelly, all I want to do is dive right in!
This blue transparent gel is the Olay Aquaction Longlasting Hydration Gel. Part of the Olay Aquaction range, this range is currently only available in South East Asia – previously only Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and now also Phillippines, I believe.
While I don’t get regional releases, I understand why a product like this would be released in our region, because it suits our weather to a T! The very lightweight gel feels very comfortable on our skin especially in hot and humid tropical weather, and it delivers a burst of hydration to the skin that we so desperately need, without turning our skin oily.
It’s been available for a while now, so I’d be curious if you have tried it and like it? :)
The Aquaction gel is very light and absorbs into skin very quickly without leaving any sticky after feel. It also feels lovely and cool, almost like a splash of water on the skin.
However, I’m not crazy about the scent which I find far too strong and far too fragranced for my tastes. Cut the scent and I might like it better because the scent bugged me. I also broke out from regular use so I ultimately cannot use this gel too often, which is a pity because I’m really craving lightweight gel moisturisers that deliver hydration now. It’s just too hot to use creams or even gel-creams!
Another use I found for this lovely gel is as a sleeping mask, or as a hydration mask when on board a plane. I first tried it out this way on my last trip to Sydney for Olay. When I got on board, after I’d washed my face and before going off to sleep, I applied a fairly thick layer of the blue gel on my skin.
Just before we landed, I washed it off and I was impressed that my skin felt and looked hydrated despite the dry cabin air. It beats scaring your seat passengers when using a sheet mask, and it feels lovely and comfortable, albeit a little sticky since you have a thick layer of product on your skin. But, the benefits were worth it.
However, I recently found that if I use it too often, I get little breakouts so I’ve had to stop using it daily. I gave Tine a tub and she really liked using it so just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you :)
In a nutshell
The Olay Aquaction Long Lasting Hydration Gel is a lightweight gel moisturiser that absorbs fairly quickly into the skin and does not leave a sticky or oily after feel. It is comfortable on skin and does keep it hydrated for long hours. You can even use it as a sleeping pack or as a hydration mask on a flight, for example. It helps keep skin hydrated in dry airplane air. I however found it too fragranced and I broke out from using it too regularly.
Pros: Lightweight gel feels comfortable on skin, Absorbs quickly, Not sticky nor oily, Provides skin with longlasting hydration, Affordable
Cons: Strong scent, Only available in SEA region
Who will like this: Anyone who likes lightweight gel moisturisers, Anyone with oily skin or who lives in humid climates
I couldn’t find the box, but here is the ingredient list:-
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Betaine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Panthenol, Acrylates/C10-30, Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Dimethiconol, DMDM Hydantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Menthyl Lactate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Agarum Cribosum Extract, Copper Gluconate, Ethylparaben, CI74160
I think that if you can handle the ingredients, or have oily skin, then you might like this because it’s very comfortable to use and does deliver on the hydration, which is so important especially when it’s tempting to skip on moisturisers when it’s very hot and humid. Whatever it is, don’t. Your skin will not thank you for it. Instead, opt for a light product that is high in hydration so your skin doesn’t get dehydrated :)
Do you like the Aquaction Hydration Gel? Are there other gel moisturisers you like?
Due to my drier skintype, I prefer using creams or gel-creams. However, my preference for products will change depending on the weather as well, and currently, gel moisturisers for the day are perfect. It’s far too light for me for use at night where I still stick to creams, but for the day, hydrating gel moisturisers keep my skin hydrated without turning oily :D
Paris B
Olay Aquaction Long Lasting Hydration Gel Price: RM59.90/50g (look for sales!) Availability: Most leading pharmacies, supermarkets and where Olay products are stocked
Ooooh, I’d actually use this as a mask! Like what you did on the flight! An alternative to sleeping packs, you reckon? :)
Yep! It’d work as a sleeping pack, but I found the scent a bit too strong for my liking. Would have been better had it been lighter.
Darn that they are not available here. It is getting so hot and humid here and that looks like it would feel absolutely awesome on the skin!
It does feel awesome, and while I’m not sure where you are, if you can get hold of the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel, it’s absolutely lovely too, and perfect for hot and humid weather! I’m loving that one :)
Hiya dearie Paris B!
I have only tried the sample and didn’t like it at all :( I am sorry to say that when I went to check the actual packaging at the pharmacy, I was not surprise that it’s no longer made in Thailand :( I mean those were the days when Olay’s products were really good. Apologies, it’s just me being too fussy :P Well, I prefer Laneige’s Sleeping Pack though :D tee~hee! :D
Hiya AnT! :D Sorry to hear this didn’t sit well with you! I didn’t realise this wasn’t made in Thailand! I think they generally still are for other products maybe?
Gooood morning! I used this awhile ago, it’s OK, didn’t break me out, and the strong scent also bugged me. Around the same time I also got the gel for night moisturiser and it has the same scent but it’s slightly thicker. The texture is so light I tend to use more amount than normal cream moisturiser. Good to know that it can be used as sleeping mask because my Laneige one is running out! :D
p/s: Yes I do find the it was so HOT and dry in KL. Felt like being oven-roasted all the time!!
It’s still hot and oven-roasting here, Ting! Hope things are settling down in BKK where you are. I didn’t know they had a night moisturiser in the same range too (blur as usual LOL!) but then our skin needs all the moisture it can get right? :)
I don’t understand why so many hydrating products contain alcohol (the bad kind) within the first 5 ingredients. Alcohol dehydrates and damages the skin barrier function :/ Some hydrating serums and moisturizers even have alcohol as the 2nd ingredient after water! *gasp*
From what I understand, alcohol acts as a carrier for certain ingredients, but as you’ve pointed out, not all alcohol is created equal. Perhaps what brands should be doing is using better quality alcohol instead of the cheaper bad ones, but then ultimately it will come down to their bottom line. Personally, it doesn’t bug me very much as my skin doesn’t react much to alcohol in skincare but I know of people who do so it would be nice if there was a better substitute.
Oh me very likey this one, thanks so much for living a jar for me! I actually like the scent! Haha don’t you just love how certain things don’t work for you but others love it? :D
If you were nearer, you could even have 2 more tubs! LOL! Yes, it’s great that we’re not all made the same way – else how are we ever going to share products, eh? ;)
I really like the Garnier gel moisturizer (the light green one in the glass jar). I use it for daytime and boy do I need it here – I’m a sweaty mess by the time I walk down the street! And it has been dry too, maybe all that haze?
Indeed! How interesting to remind me of that Garnier gel moisturiser. I used it a long time ago when it was first out and I liked it then but it wasn’t potent enough for me. If you like, try the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel too. Very nice and hydrating too!
I feel like this is similar to Laneige’s Water Bank sleeping mask. I love the gel moisturizers. For the summer especially, light weight and moisturizing.
This Olay one sounds great! It really is a shame that it’s only available in South East Asia.
It’s quite similar, but a bit more sticky than Laneige so it’s less of a mask and more of a moisturiser that you need to use a little less of. Maybe we’ll see it head to other parts of the world soon? It’s always so hard to tell with these brands isn’t it? I never know what they’re thinking!
Oh, so I ended up finding this on an online website I shop at frequently! It’s pretty cheap too, so I am contemplating on whether to buy it or not.
Hmm I don’t like sticky products too much. But if it is a little sticky, but at least that means it’ll… well stick to the face for longer and will be more moisturizing.
Hmm interesting point, but if you don’t mind it being a bit sticky, it’s worth giving it a go. There is a strong scent though, so do bear that in mind!
I hated the scent of this too and it just didnt make the cut for dry skin types like mine. The Clinique intense hydrator is way better and without the terribly chemical scent too!
I couldn’t take the Clinique Intense :( I am however really liking the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Gel especially now it’s so hot here, so I’m glad for that, and it’s got no scent! Yay!
I’ve never heard of sleeping masks. I’d like one for blackhead removal if there is such a thing.
This mask looks lovely, but I rather think it would break me out. I wonder why it’s not in the US? I’ve never seen any of the range here.
Sleeping masks or sleeping packs are very big in Korean skincare and I’m sure they have some for pore control too! Not sure about blackheads though :) This one is more of a moisturiser that can be used as a mask as opposed to being a standalone mask. I’m not sure why it’s only available in this part of Asia for now. Perhaps it’s to test the hot, humid market? :)
Hi Paris, how does it compare to the Garnier Aqua Defense Essence Gel?
Hi Catherine, afraid it’s been so long since I used the Garnier Aqua Defense gel I can only work from memory which is to say that the texture is very similar. Light and watery gel. I personally find the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free gel better (because there is no scent and it doesn’t break me out) but it is also pricier :)
I have gone through a whole tub of the emulsion type. I have combination dehydrated skin. I used it at night in air conditioned room. I tried use it daytime, found that my t-zone gets oily.During the nite I have to apply more compared to Clinique Intense Hydrator(i am using now). we will finish it faster for almost RM60/tub. Not worth the money i think. Hydrating side, i think just nice, not that great. Smell – can bare with it.
Thanks for sharing Wan :) I couldn’t use the Clinique Intense version because that broke me out but I liked the regular Clinique Moisture Surge gel cream. That’s lovely to use and not too expensive either :)
This looks so cool, Paris! I can’t use gel moisturizers (my skin’s just too dry), but they always look so appealing — all lightweight and water-like :P
Indeed! I don’t think it’ll work for dry skins – we need our oils! :D But here, where it’s so hot and humid, these gel moisturisers are a boon for people who wouldn’t apply moisturiser otherwise (yes, they do exist!)
Oh the gel looks so promising! However similarly I have dry skin so maybe it\’s preferable to stick to creams and such but it would be good to use this maybe once a week to replenish the moisture without it leaving such a sticky feel on the face. Got to say that I like the fact that it is quite lightweight and water-like though :)
With dry skin, definitely stick to creams or heavier gel-creams. I find these lightweight gel things a bit too light for most of us, but it does feel nice in the day sometimes, like the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free one. At least that one didn’t have a scent! hehe… To keep skin balanced, I actually use a sheet mask every other day. Noticed it was helping because I was trying to finish my stock, but it does help a lot!