Clarins • HydraQuench Cooling Cream-Gel • Moisturizers

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Koumiko on 12/5/2012 9:08:00 PM more reviews by Koumiko

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I have very dry, sensitive skin, and this product doesn't irritate it at all. My only problem is that I bought the gel formula, which absorbs really fast into your skin -- yes, there is no greasy feel, but there is no moisturizing feel either -- my skin still feels tight after it absorbs into my skin.

I used it at night, intending it to be a heavy night cream without the grease, but I might just switch it to my day cream, because it is still light enough and it won't be greasy. If you have dry skin like me, I'd suggest trying the Hydraquench CREAM instead of the Cream-Gel.

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janetbustamante on 11/7/2012 4:50:00 PM more reviews by janetbustamante

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I really like hydraquench cream gel from Clarins, I have oily combinated skin, it doesn´t brake me out, it keeps my skin hydrated with a matte effect ready for my make up rutine. I just have a con about the package cause it evaporates really fast in summer, thats all.
I use it at mornings and nights wich is great cause it is just one cream for day and night! I really recommend this!!!!!

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spinnaker on 10/3/2012 2:44:00 PM more reviews by spinnaker

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is part of Clarins Hydraquench line; a line based on Katafray bark. It contains a serum, several creams of different weights, a mask and a lip balm.

This is a lightweight, water based 'cream', which equals cream-gel in Clarins speak. The smell is similar to that of the serum but less intense. It comes in a heavy blue glass pot and is a reasonable price for Clarins - not as expensive as some of their line but not their least expensive either.

The bottom line: As I am in my late thirties (gasp! I don't know how I got to this age either!) I layer this with the HydraQuench serum. The cream gel is light and inoffensive and does have the advertised mattifying effect on my face. The lighter texture and mattifying effect work well with my combination skin but if my skin was any drier, this wouldn't be heavy enough.

It is okay. Just okay. Not stellar, not terrible. My skincare routine and indeed life in general, is too short for just okay. So I probably will not repurchase. Reach for stellar and never stop until you have found it!

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mrsminniver on 9/2/2012 6:11:00 AM more reviews by mrsminniver

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

I have always had the belief that since I possess mature skin, I need a heavier moisturiser despite the fact that only have normal/slightly oily t-zone (but only in summer). With this cream, Clarins has managed to dispute that myth and improved my skin to no end. Towards the end of last winter, I was finishing a heavy textured skin cream aimed at wrinkle reduction and while it was alright, I did end up with blackheads and whiteheads and surmised that I needed to give my skin a break and just go back to a basic moisturiser which provided hydration and nothing else. Read the reviews here and decided to give this product a go.

Again, I automatically reached for the cream for drier skin but the consultant stopped me and told me to give this alternative a try as she felt that a lighter textured cream-gel was more suitable for me and the heavier version would be better reserved for the winter months. I was dubious but bought this and the serum along with it. It has been 3 months in summer and am using a 2nd bottle of this beautiful cream. My skin is looking great (there is no dryness at all); I wear only the serum during the day with a sunscreen and makeup if necessary and both the serum and this cream at night. I do not feel at all tight in the morning...just right. With autumn, I feel that my skin is ready for another treatment and because Clarins is winning points with me, I might just give their Capital Lumiere range for all skin types a go. If that works, perhaps I'll switch to the heavier version for winter. Will let you know how that goes.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

laquiche on 8/29/2012 5:07:00 AM more reviews by laquiche

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Relaxed, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

Excellent moisturizer! i used it during a winter trip to the UK and it provided me excellent hydration during the day! now i use this as a night moisturizer over an anti aging serum and in the morning my skin is really plumped! This moisturizer sinks right into the skin without leaving a greasy finish. It is very pricey and i want to try other products but why not repurchasing it one day?

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shonyasingh on 8/6/2012 3:59:00 AM more reviews by shonyasingh

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Love this. It's been my night cream for a while now, about 1 year, and I really love it. They have reformulated it though, and now it comes with a different smell (I don't mind either), different colour (was cream, is now more white), and slightly different texture on me. It still does the trick though. Really hydrates, and isn't too greasy or rich. Perfect.

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vatel7 on 7/16/2012 7:51:00 AM more reviews by vatel7

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Good base for make up.

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phoebe9797 on 7/13/2012 6:54:00 AM more reviews by phoebe9797

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is really an amazing product and my skin has never looked better after a month of use. I bought this when my skin became dehydrated and completely broken out after using Jurlique's balancing day cream for a week. This product is amazing to use, feels refreshing on application and my skin immediately feels hydrated. After a week of use, I noticed my skin had evened in texture and tone, and my pore size greatly reduced. My skin looks and feels the better than I thought possible using this moisturizer, and after trying quite a few in my time, I will definitely stick with this.

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cron on 6/23/2012 2:45:00 PM more reviews by cron

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is a very good moisturiser, if you have oily skin. My skin still felt a bit tight around my mouth but my T-zone was matte. Having said that, my skin is an absolute bugger to keep happy and I was impressed how matte the rest of my face was. I will try this again when its very very hot outside. No breakouts.

EDIT - Apart from the mud mask which I still love, Clarins skincare gave me skin irritation so I had to stop using it.

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Annajane89 on 4/13/2012 3:42:00 PM more reviews by Annajane89

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Working in an extremely dehydrating environment has left me desperately seeking a moisturiser that moisturises with absolute maximum effect without clogging my pores or breaking out my already acne-prone skin.

Until now I had struggled to find such a product. But now this little blue pot of loveliness has entered my life, I can happily say that any dryness on my face is now history!
According to the clarins consultant, The cream-gel formula can be applied both morning and night, eliminating the need for a separate day and night moisturiser. Ideal for a woman who is always travelling and doesn't want to pack a hundred different lotions and potions every day.

The cream-gel smooths nicely over the face, and a little really does go a long way. I i imagine this pot is going to last me a long time yet, making it well worth the price tag (£29 duty free). Once applied, skin is left feeling smooth and pores appear minimised. I do admit that it would be nice to see more of a radiance after application, buti suppose you can't have everything!

Results really do last all day, even after an 8 hour flight. This cream also works well as a base under make up, however I always make sure to leave at least 15 minutes before applying foundation as this does have a tendency to ball up and leave rubbery flakes on the skin.

Overall, a fantastic product for those who suffer from dehydrated skin. Really does work to full effect, and well worth the money!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mellouise on 2/29/2012 6:14:00 AM more reviews by mellouise

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

One of only 3 moisturisers ever in my life to not break me out! So it's HG for me. It says non-comedogenic, and it really is. Been using for a month so far, it's practically eliminated blackheads and breakouts. It feels lovely and cooling to apply. You only need a tiny amount - I reckon my jar will last about a year, so it's not that expensive (I paid £28). It's also got rid of a few dry flaky patches I had, and made my eye area look more hydrated. Skin feels smoother and a bit firmer. I've also tried 30mls of the Hydraquench cream, with similarly great results.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ElleDuncan on 12/18/2011 2:42:00 PM more reviews by ElleDuncan

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Holy Grail. This should live in with the stuff in my shrine.

I think I will keep the empty jar and put it in a time capsule for my great grand nieces, so when they wonder what I used, they'll know.

Alright, seriously:
discovered this in Japan two years ago, it saved my skin right before my wedding. And I mean, amazing recovery, from dehydrated under acne treatment and stressed out, etc, travelling, blah blah blah: wow. I used it for a month and ran out of the Japanese samples I'd been given, then used on and off from samples at home, while I tried numerous other big brands over the next two years. (including but not limited to Chanel, Lancome, Dior, Clinique, Shiseido, Biotherm, Vichy, LRP, Avene, etc.)

Recently had a fight (and lost at first) with retinol, with both RoC and Vichy, and in desperation, did the following:

Wash only with fresh clean wash cloth and gently exfoliate with warm water in the morning to remove dead cells and residue from Spectro 2.5% BP treatment. Then where minimal makeup (concealer and light mineral powder dusting to set) and at night I wash with Dove Unscented Sensitive Bar - yes, you read right - and the ONLY moisturizer I use both at night and day is this Clarins Hydraquench cooling cream-gel.

It stunned me the other day to realize that I had not put on ANY makeup and was about to walk out the door, brushing my teeth and saw my face and suddenly I remembered...and then thought, holy cow, I don't look so bad at all! In fact, just in time for christmas and my house guests, I am not embarrassed about my skin for the first time in months and months.

The ONLY thing I did to get these changes in skin quality was use this exclusively while washing only ONCE with dove at night. It THRILLS me to think I have one product day and night that is every day making my skin look and feel better and better, despite using what is essentially a cheap cleanser (soap bar!) and acne lotion that dries my skin a bit. I don't think I'll ever sway, seriously.

NOTE: Get a sterile little sample jar (sephora has great ones) and use a sterile instrument to put a bit at a time (one week's worth) from the jar; then NO bacteria worries and you can keep the Mother Jar in the fridge for extra shelf life and safety. Plus, you always have some with you when you need it. I do that with anything in a big jar. So packaging yes it's only a 3, but I solved my issues around that just fine.

Acne prone or dehydrated but not super dry skin types will LOVE this stuff. Worth every damn penny.

14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

gwenee on 7/29/2011 5:53:00 AM more reviews by gwenee

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

love this, works well for me. my skin's a little on the sensitive side but this doesn't irritate it. i was initially using the hydraquench smoothing gel but did not like the texture and how it felt on my skin. the staff recommended me to this, got a sample and purchased it :) i would repurchase this if i cannot find anything better out there.

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kirikadawn on 7/21/2011 1:02:00 AM more reviews by kirikadawn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Grey    

I really wanted to love this since I loove their gentle foaming cleanser but... meh. It's very hot here in the summer (and very cold in the winter) and my usually dry and flaky skin has turned into an oil slick this summer and every moisturizer just makes it worse. This is no exception. I'm still oily like crazy and it feels too heavy. I was expecting something that is more gel and less cream but this is more like a cream then a gel. It doesn't break me out though so at least there's that. It also smells odd to me.
In any case I'd conclude that this did not deliver what I had hoped it would. But I will give it another go when the weather gets colder, perhaps it will be good for that. For now, I'm sadly not impressed.

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*TOP REVIEWER* iramasson on 3/22/2011 2:41:00 AM more reviews by iramasson

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Black    

I have only a sample of this product. It is nice to use in summer. It doesn't seem to clog pores but still gives you the moisture. Its too. I have gone to enquire about the full price of this and was a bit shocked by the price. I am not sure it is really worth the price..

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*TOP REVIEWER* Jinhee on 10/24/2010 8:34:00 AM more reviews by Jinhee

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I'm always on the lookout for a day cream that can provide adequate all-day moisturizer, work well under vitamin c fortified sunscreen (been using philosophy booster c lately) and makeup, and feels good on the skin. Texture is so important, that can make or break moisturizers for me, especially during the daytime. And I knew from the reviews that the gel had a cooling effect, which I couldn't pass by, and I'm glad I got this with the cream with SPF version. Really like them both. The gel is lighter but provide ample moisture. It actually smoothed out the fine lines, albeit temporarily. Smells divine and will last for a long time since I need very little. Calms and cools on contact and it feels really good! Find myself applying unnecessarily just for the tingly effect. As long as I let the gel dry before my layers in the morning i didn't have any issues. Held up very well and didn't make cheeks tight at the end of the day. It might not be enough moisture for my dry dry skin come winter, but I'm liking the it so far. Elegant and quality line. Love the thick bottle, it looks and feel "expensive" but a bargain really.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Jennada on 9/26/2010 3:24:00 PM more reviews by Jennada

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I usually switch up my skin care fairly often, but after using a sample of this, I think I am hooked. I ended up buying the full size, and am very happy I did! I have sensitive skin that is oily in the T zone, and dry on my chin and around my mouth. Nothing I have used has seemed to address all of the skin issues that I have, until I tried this lotion. It seems very light, but provides enough moisture, and at the same time prevents my tzone from getting shiny and oily. My skin feels soft and refreshed...very happy. A little goes a long way, so, although it is pricey, I believe it will last for a long time.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

terrorteensuperstar on 9/11/2010 4:11:00 AM more reviews by terrorteensuperstar

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Very moisturizing and lightweight for my normal skin. I have dry cheeks and I tried the one for dry skin and it was too heavy so I gave this one a shot. It leaves my skin smooth. The only thing I cant stand is the smell, it smells really unpleasant to me, but other than that it's a good product.

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chik915 on 8/9/2010 11:53:00 PM more reviews by chik915

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

i wore this once. Texture is ok, didn't cause breakout. but i read the ingredient list. it contains alcohol! So i stopped using it.

My husband uses it now. He likes the alcohol, good for after shaving. :p

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SequinsAndAbsinthe on 8/7/2010 5:27:00 AM more reviews by SequinsAndAbsinthe

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Dark   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

HG. Pure moisture. No breakouts. No matte finish (I hate matte finishes). Rehydrates my oily but dehydrated skin and leaves it smooth and plump. This and Biotherm's aquasource are my great loves and I switch between them in different seasons, preserving this one for bitter yorkshire winters. The packaging is very heavy and requires you to dip your fingers it it. That I don't like.

Overall: Highly recommend to oily, break-out prone sensitive (but not hyper-sensitive), dehydrated skin.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No