This one’s coming up by very popular demand, ever since I put a picture on Instagram a while ago. This is primarily because I absolutely loved the Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Lotion (which I still use! It’s very good, very hydrating, good value and easily accessible for us, which matters).
Naturally therefore, everyone’s wondering if this Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream is as wonderful?
The Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream is the counterpart to my favourite Premium Hydrating Lotion. Like the lotion, this contains 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid – Hyaluronic Acid for a moisture retention barrier, Super Hyaluronic Acid with 2 times the moisture retention capacity, Nano Hyaluronc Acid to penetrate deeply into the skin to provide moisture deep down, Absorbent Hyaluronic Acid that allows it to stay on skin through sweat or washing and 3D Hyaluronic Acid that binds together to form a 3D moisture net wrapping the skin to provide long lasting moisture retention.
On top of all that, the Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream contains 3 types of ceramides to strengthen the skin moisture barrier, which helps keep skin moist and supple.
It all sounds pretty amazing, if you ask me. But the more important question is this – how does it fare?
It took me a little while to figure out my thoughts. I loved the lotion so much, that I told everyone I know to go and buy (and they were obedient enough to LOL! Happily, most of my friends and family love it as much as I do) But with this cream, that enthusiasm was curbed somewhat.
I do like the texture. It has a very lightweight, velvety texture that feels very comfortable on the skin. There is slip and weight to the cream, which does not confuse you about what it is. This is a face cream. Yet, it applies to my skin like a lotion, gliding over to seal any goodness of serums I’ve applied, and offering a punch of hydration and moisture.
The thing is, this Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream is supposed to provide skin with intense moisture, and to me, this falls a little bit short on its promises. At the beginning, I was quite happy with this. My skin felt moisturised, and it was comfortable.
But as a few months went by, I found that it was falling short.
For me personally, I find that while this says it provides skin intense moisture, and appears to be targeted at those with drier skin, I found it was not sufficient for me. I would find myself adding a few drops of facial oil, especially when used at night. In the day time, it fares a lot better, as it keeps my skin moisturised and supple, but without making it greasy.
Do bear in mind that I never slap this cream on my skin on its own. There is always a serum and lotions under it, as I never depend on my cream to deliver moisture to my skin. My moisturisers serve to seal in all the goodness. Yet, I found that didn’t help my skin very much. To a large extent, I felt that the other version, the Hada Labo ACE Cream was about as good, or perhaps, just a touch better for me.
It isn’t to say of course that this isn’t a good moisturiser. To be honest, you could do worse, for a basic moisturiser that is easily available. In a pinch, if I was caught out without a moisturiser on hand, I’d run out and get myself a tub.
But I just feel that it was not as impressive as the lotion in the same range, and for that reason, I am a little less enthusiastic about it.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream is a lightweight cream moisturiser that is filled with hyaluronic acid, and includes ceramides, to protect and nourish your skin barrier. This helps your skin retain moisture better and remain supple. I do find that while it serves its job well in the day, I am less enthusiastic about it for night use. A few drops of facial oil does improve it somewhat. It is affordable and effective, just that my normal-dry skin prefers something a little more emollient.
PROS: Affordable, Easily accessible, Lightweight texture absorbs well and easily into the skin, Helps skin stay moisturised for longer
CONS: Not as emollient as I like but otherwise a good moisturiser
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a light textured moisturiser that makes skin feel moisturised and comfortable, Anyone who wants a good and simple moisturiser on a budget
PRICE: RM78.90 for 50ml
WHERE TO BUY: Guardian, Watson’s and most leading pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide. Outside of Malaysia, you may be able to find this on Amazon or Ebay or in your local Asian supermarket
For those interested, here is the ingredient list for the Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream.
I’m not that hot at reading ingredient lists, but I do seem to notice that Ceramide is a little low on the list, so I wouldn’t be putting too much emphasis on it bar its existence. What it does have is the Hyaluronic Acid, which really, is what makes this cream comfortable for drier skin. That said, I do confess to not being too hot at reading ingredient lists, so I will present this without too much further comment :)
Have you used this Hada Labo Premium Hydrating Cream?
I always say that if there’s one brand from the pharmacy I’m happy to run to for a basic skincare range, it’s Hada Labo. This Premium Hydrating range is a welcome addition, especially for those of us more *ahem* mature people. We need all the help with moisture we can get! :D
Paris B
I am waiting for review on Elizabeth Arden’s Ceramide capsules or CeraVe if you happen to have their lotion/cream. These are popular with ceramides as their actives.
Thanks for the reminder Margaret. I do happen to have the EA Ceramide capsules that I’ve been planning to have a go at, and I have one of the Cerave creams/lotions. Better dig that one out before it expires! :D
I am using it also due to the good impression of the hydrating lotion in the same range. I have combination skin and found it a bit greasy at first, but I feel good after reducing the quantity of moisturizer to apply (tend to scope out more than what i need). My skin feel moisturizing when i wake up in the morning. For noon time, sometime will feel slightly greasy. At night, i will add 2-3 drops of oil to the moisturizer also if i do not have the time to pat the oil to my skin. Since you prefer ACE cream, do you think ACE cream can work better to combination skin? Hada Labo offer affordable products, really interest to explore more on its products :)
Your silent reader for long, this is the first time posting :)
Hi Sim, thank you for delurking! :D I do think this is a pretty decent cream moisturiser, but somehow less impressive than the Lotion and I’m glad that you seem to agree haha! I think the ACE cream is about the same in terms of texture but perhaps, less “hydrating” so maybe will feel a little lighter. But it is still a cream after all. Don’t use too much, warm it up, and it should be fine :) Hada Labo is a pretty decent and affordable brand. I think it’s absolutely worth trying their products!
Ooo~ I was going to ask if you think this cream will fare well with oily skin too . My skin has been acting up and becoming oily but dehydrated, no thanks to the hot summer weather. So I am having wrinkles and pimples at the same time, argh! Anyways, that aside, I do notice that Ceramides are usually nearer to the bottom part of ingredients list so I guess we don’t really need too much of them in the formulation? (Just a guess) I have been pretty into reading ingredient list because of my sensitive skin that doesn’t like to tolerate alcohol denat and I notice that this Hada Labo cream contains paraben. Just wondering, do you have any preference for or against Parabens? (I have read bad things about it but usually it just serves as a preservative, but I’m curious about your thoughts on it.) ? Also, Happy CNY!
Hi Rosalind, I’ll suggest that instead of the cream, try getting the lotion instead. It is lighter, and seems to deliver better moisture to combat dehydrated skin. Also, because it’s lighter, it won’t feel so heavy on your oily skin. Then you can follow up with your usual moisturiser :) Oh and thank you for pointing that out about ceramides :)
As for parabens, I don’t have a preference either way. As it is a preservative, I prefer to err on the side of the known vs the unknown. So, if there is an ingredient that does the same thing but doesn’t cause harm, then I’m all for it. But as I don’t react to parabens, and I don’t personally find them evil no matter what people say (same with alcohol, unless in excessive amounts) so I am ambivalent :) Happy CNY Rosalind!
I too have been using hada labo premium range for a couple of years now, I’m not too impressed with the face cream, skin feels quite dry in the morning, even after serums have been used. I find using the serum and lotion works really well tho!