HYDRATING CREAMS AND A LONG HISTORY OF EXPERIENCE: LET’S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DRY SKIN

Avène Optimale

From the age of 19 till the age of 30 almost I used Avene Hydrance Optimale hydrating cream (Hydrance OPTIMALE Légère). It was suggested by a skin doctor who was a friend of my mother. I am thankful to her up to this day. I was using a little bit of it applying it to the whole of my face day and night, and it was enough for a long while. At the age of 30 or so I started to notice some changes on my skin, it can be even the age of 29, but something has changed. Hence, Avene Optimale was not enough, so I had to try so many different products after that.

Clarins Daily Energizer Cream

Although it is a very good cream and it keeps the skin quite hydrated, hydration does not last long and it has a very cosmetic smell, especially after having used Avene it is felt even more. Although I can suggest it to someone with less dry skin or someone with oily skin maybe… from my point of view, Clarins daily energizer did not work. Best value for money is quite discussable.

Clinique Moisture Surge

Clinique gel that offers full hydration, for me it lasts 8 eight hours, not more than that. For dry skin, Clinique gel is not a solution… for sure. I need more substantial than that and you too if you have dry skin.

Nuxe Daily Cream

Then I tried Nuxe daily cream “Crema Giorno Pelli Secchi Crème fraîche de beauté”

… It is good but somehow I felt that it was not enough. Currently, I am using its night cream which is Crema da notte nutriente Rêve de Miel and it seems that I really like it but by the morning I notice that my skin is already getting dry again. That is also fine, I would not want to have too much oil in my skin either. I think I might buy this once more as the smell is like honey and its texture is also very light. All the Nuxe products are light, and even their packaging is light. So you can carry them with you easily as you travel.

Avene Rich Compensating Cream

If you want a REAL hydrating cream for day and night, Avène Rich Compensating Cream 50mlcream is a wonder! I finished already one and bought the second one.

Erbario Toscano

There is also a brand that is available here in Italy. It is called Erbario Toscano, they have creams with roses and olive oil. They claim to have almost everything natural, no parabens at all. (I am sure I indicated above that I prefer no paraben products although I am not super sensitive about it.) On the other hand, we should be sensitive as makeup and creams are all stuff we carry on ourselves for a long while and almost every day. When it comes to daily creams it seems more important to me. To keep the long story short, maybe this website can provide you with some ideas: https://www.erbariotoscano.it/tag/erboristeria/ First of all, it is important to see that their products seem small but they last for a long long while.

The one I used was the one with the rose: Crema viso pelli sensibili 3R biocomplex (50 ml). It was good at hydrating and used it day and night. The smell of rose is super subtle so for those who do not like the smell of flowers, it can still be an option.

I have recently bought the olive oil serum for the face and will try it, will post also a blog on the oil serums and their performance again for those who are complaining about their dry skin!

Mixa Hydrating Cream (sensitive skin expert)

Another cream that I have finished twice and absolutely loved using was Mixa hydrating cream, has a very light smell, it is more economical than others, it goes also quite a while… You can use it abundantly. The only problem with Mixa is that it is a German brand and is not available everywhere. They are always in tough competition and for this reason, their share in the markets might have been lowered. Moreover, accessibility was not always easy… However, I like all of their products and would like to prepare a separate blog on Mixa, if you find Mixa and their products, give them a try!

Burt’s Bees Intense Hydrating Cream (night)

Such a nice buy! It is the best value for the money. And moreover, it smells a bit like honey. I used it every night and I can say that it has a calming and soothing effect on the skin. It is in a glass jar and the jar can be used later on for keeping other things or making your own mixtures in your own laboratory! Quite happy with this experience.

                                 

Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème

Tried some luxury creams such as Chanel as well. But honestly, I would not change it for Avene rich compensating cream. Chanel smells heavenly, it is soft, the texture is nice, you feel like it works for a while. But if we look at the best value for money, I would not suggest Chanel as it was quite expensive as far as I remember.  

L’Occitane (L'Occitane Ultra-Rich 25% Shea Butter Face Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin)

Of course, I tried L’Occitane, too, and was very happy with the 25 per cent Shea butter one. I finished one and bought another one to stock. The smell of the crème is very light and I really believe it has a good amount of Shea butter (you might have understood that I like light smells, and not too much cosmetic or pharmaceutical ones, even a good perfume within a product can be disturbing sometimes if you put it on your face every day). This cream as I used at night, leaves your skin hydrated all night and even in the morning you feel that the hydration has not worn out, some people are disturbed by this aspect, as they find their skin oily, but as a dry skinner, I don’t feel it at all like a burden. I feel that it is rather a success of the cream!

Caudalie Moisturising Sorbet Cream

Last but not least, I need to share with you my new wonderful discovery. I share this proudly as I have been using it and so happy about it: Caudalie hydrating cream, it has a very light smell (a bit like olive oil), a nice package that is easy to carry with you and although it says we should consume it within six months, I think it will not finish within six months as small amounts are enough for your face. Despite that, I use it abundantly and it hydrates my skin so well from morning till the evening. I will definitely buy another one and stock it for myself. I like Caudalie in general, as it is a very natural cosmetic brand, without silicones, sulfates and parabens…

Summary

The best of all times for dry skin, if I had to choose is these:

1.  Avène rich compensating cream (day and    night)
2.  L’occitane 25 per cent shea buttercream
3.  Caudalie hydrating cream
4.  Burt’s bees intense hydrating cream for  night
5.  Nuxe night cream with honey

 Have a nice hydrated day and night!