Desert Essence • Daily Essential Moisturizer • Moisturizers

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kpineda on 5/2/2013 8:01:00 PM more reviews by kpineda

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Best ever! Ive tried everything -I want something natural but also something that works! Heaven in a jar - ive battled red cheekies for 5 years now because I do too much to my face! Lol! Even all natural products and sensitive skin care products! Anyways this calmed my hot little cheeks in one day! One day and I'm 46! The glycerin in this is natural not synthetic I love plastic but this really does process on the skin better! Evens skintone doesn't cause acne its brilliance in a jar and natural - great base for makeup neutralizes the skin into perfection! It does dry matte when first applied and later provides the right amount of moisture - I don't get it! All I wanted was to find something natural and healthy for me that works right my skins loving me back again! And I want to tell the world! I ordered from the dessert essence site! Sweet! Thumbs up! PS/ the jars a dusky red/orange with a chocolate lid so the boys can use it to! Bonus happy faces! Lol!

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*TOP REVIEWER* tricyclesinskirts on 4/14/2013 11:57:00 PM more reviews by tricyclesinskirts

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Sometimes a girl needs some moisture, no frills. Check this one out, promise ya.

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dancedance_003 on 4/14/2013 11:46:00 PM more reviews by dancedance_003

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I actually just repurchased this moisturizer. After using up the first tub, I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy another simply because I thought I could solely rely on jojoba oil (also by Desert Essence) as my moisturizer. While the jojoba oil was doing a good job on its own, it still felt weird not having an actual moisturizer, and the jojoba felt a little greasy since it's getting warmer. I read other reviews about this having a strange sweat-like scent, and honestly, I don't smell anything at all. I'm also not particular about scents either; there's really nothing that bothers me, so I guess my nose isn't sensitive enough.

This is what I would call a "dry" moisturizer. It hydrates my face, but I can't see any trace of it after it absorbs into the skin, and it absorbs rather quickly. Thus, it gives me a matte finish. It's not sticky at all; just very smooth (I have combination skin, but it's relatively normal most of the time). It's a really nice light-weight moisturizer for spring, summer, and fall. During the winter, if I want a little more moisturizing properties, I add a little jojoba or vitamin E oil as a boost.

I like the ingredients, it doesn't break me out, fairly inexpensive (I think I paid less than $5), and one tub lasted me for well over a year. Overall, it's a basic moisturizer that does what it's supposed to do, and I would definitely repurchase.

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rachellelkelley on 4/12/2013 6:58:00 AM more reviews by rachellelkelley

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I got a deal on Amazon for 3 of these. I really like it. I'd say it is a "no frills" product, but it does make my skin look beautiful. Someone else said it's almost like a primer, and I agree. It is very matte on the skin. It doesn't have much of a smell to it, and it never breaks me out or makes me blotchy like other moisturizers have. It's not glamorous but it works very well.
I love a lot of other Desert Essence products as well. Their chai lotion is awesome. :-)

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kazaba on 1/20/2013 1:28:00 AM more reviews by kazaba

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I was so excited to find this product. Natural ingredients, amazing price, decent size. After I ran out of my Aveeno Ultra-Calming moisturizer, I really wanted to try and find something that didn't have as many chemicals and wasn't quite as expensive. I definitely thought this would fit the bill.

Unfortunately, I had a bad reaction to this. While reading the other reviews for this product, I was amazed at the similarities to my own experience. Let me say this: I do NOT have sensitive skin. My skin is dry, yes, but not acne prone, and I have never had an adverse reaction to any skincare products before. This made my face burn, turn red, and almost start to peel. It made my skin feel tight, and formed a film which would crumble off in the areas I am most dry. I am so disappointed :( Never trying it again.

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joymelissa on 11/17/2012 2:25:00 PM more reviews by joymelissa

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I really like this cream. I used it on my face & when I am really dry I like to mix it with about 2-4 drops of Argan Oil at night. I used this over proactiv & Retin-A, depending on what I am using that night. I have tried department store & Sephora brands as well and I like this best for my skin. I have never broken out from it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mmherman on 10/9/2012 7:41:00 PM more reviews by mmherman

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This smells horrendous at first, but you get used to it. At least I have gotten used to it. I think it is partly because of the jojoba oil, but maybe some other oils are adding to the yucky "moldy sweater" smell it has. Okay so it really doesn't smell like a moldy sweater, but I saw someone use that analogy and thought it sounded pretty good.


If you can get over the smell, which is bad, but okay really not horrendous, you might find yourself liking this moisturizer.


I was on an antibiotic for acne and just don't like the idea of staying on it forever so right now I'm trying new products out that are more natural and acne fighting....or not acne irritates. Usually I use Olay Beauty Fluid and I like it, but I know it has a bunch of yucky chemicals. I went to my local health food store and looked at what they had for skincare. Lots of stuff was too expensive for me and this moisturizer was more in my price range. You get a lot for the price. I got mine for about $6. I think that is a great price and you get quite a bit of product.


In regards to how it works it is a pretty "dry" moisturizer. What I mean by this is I don't get that silky smooth silicone feel from it. My skin does feel hydrated from it. I think I like moisturizers like this. Olay Beauty Fluid is sort of like this too, except it has that silicone feel.


So far this hasn't bothered my acne prone skin, which makes me happy. I still have acne, but I think I will always have acne...unfortunately. If you are considering this I would say give it a try. Maybe you can mix some essential oils into this moisturizer. I considered putting some rose oil in mine, but got lazy. Perhaps towards the end of the moisturizer I will try that and report back.

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*TOP REVIEWER* makeupdee on 8/26/2012 12:35:00 PM more reviews by makeupdee

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Unfortunately, this seems to be giving me a few pimples. Nothing serious, but I normally don't get spots except for a pimple or two around my chin before my period. After using this for 2 weeks I have a spot in the middle of my cheek and one on the side of my nose, so I'll be going back to my Simple moisturizer, which was doing great but more expensive than this one. Other than that, I was pretty much happy with this, and the price was super-cheap, with natural ingredients, so I really wanted it to work, but it's not worth getting pimples.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kalya on 8/21/2012 7:58:00 AM more reviews by Kalya

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This product stinks, literally and otherwise.
Inside the unhygenic jar, it looks sickly - like spoiled whipped cream or bad yogurt. The smell is gagging. I usually like the scent of geranium essential oil and this is definitely not the same scent. Like another user wrote, this smell is similar to smell of sweaty skin or some bodily secretion. Yuck....
Applied on the face - well, that's another story. I got small red itchy bumps on the side of the face I tested this on. I think it is the sodium hydroxide ingredient (lye) a.k.a caustic soda, which as the name implies, could be caustic to skin, especially sensitive skin and is used in detergents and heavy-duty *cleaners* !!
Back to the store it goes. I am so done with Desert Essence products.

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*TOP REVIEWER* DecoDolly on 6/14/2012 9:13:00 PM more reviews by DecoDolly

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I, unfortunately, also had a bad reaction to this moisturizer. The first few times I used it, I was fine, but used it again the other day on my face and upper body and it caused my skin to burn and turn beet red. Face, neck, chest, back, arms, everywhere. Not fun. The only other product that I've had this reaction to was the Yes to Cucumbers soothing facial moisturizer. Glyceryl stearate and cetyl alcohol are the only common ingredients, so I have to assume that I have a sensitivity to one or the other or both. Be careful with this one.

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apollo5 on 3/25/2012 3:29:00 PM more reviews by apollo5

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

i wouldn't recommend this product to anyone who has dry skin. the matte finish is horrifying. i want a moisturizer to have a brightening (as opposed to dulling) effect.

the consistency of the product is fine, until it gets on your skin! it has a sticky, filmy feel that is just outright unpleasant. i thought i'd like this product since i'm a huge fan of the jojoba oil, but it just isn't the case. not recommended and definitely will not repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tealeafdoll on 3/20/2012 2:18:00 PM more reviews by tealeafdoll

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this face cream, I have tried so many moisturizers that either leave my skin either shiny/greasy and seem to sit on the surface or dehydrated and without enough moisture. This cream leaves me hydrated with a matte, calm finish to my skin and it never makes my face look red or blotchy as I have found with other products in the past.
It works well without make-up almost giving me the same finish as a primer, but it is also a great base for foundation.
The ingredients haven't broken me out or irritated my skin and the huge tub lasts such a long time, even using it twice a day. Would completely recommend.

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Ellinia on 1/27/2012 9:14:00 PM more reviews by Ellinia

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Can't say much about this product since I just picked it up today. But one thing that got to me so much so that I just have to write a review about it....THE SCENT!! I opened it and it didn't smell like anything at first- unscented, like the package said. When I put some on my fingers, i notice this very distinct smell, that smelled like....sweat/spit! It smells so disgusting. Picked it up at my local Super Supplements and the lid looked kind of dusty. I don't know if it's been there too long or what..but oh! the smell! I wanted my brother to try it and he immediately washed it off and asked for my perfume 'cause the smell just doesn't go away!! :(

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*TOP REVIEWER* scopingforyou on 1/27/2012 5:58:00 PM more reviews by scopingforyou

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

PROS: Good price. Natural ingredients. Very moisturizing but doesn't leave me very oily. Feels very good going on. Very light, pleasant fragrance.


CONS: Some won't like that it comes in a jar, but my hands are clean when I use this. So I don't mind. ****EDIT: Started to notice I was getting red spots/patches from this that would appear about 2 minutes after application and go away for the most part after about an hour. Thank God I remembered a fabulous and funny MUAer named GlindaGoodWitch making this statement in one of her reviews: "Any time I get a "glow" of any sort after cleansing, it usually means 2 benadryls & a nap." Well, I've been able to do quite a few exfoliations, retinol treatments, etc. and still have my sensitive/rosacea-prone skin be okay. I've only had that reaction one other time (with the Alpha Hydrox 10% cream.) But I'm so glad I did remember her statement because I followed that advice exactly (after washing my face with some mild cleanser, of course.)


ALTERNATES: My new love for natural products is Derma e's Hyaluronic Acid line (day and night cream). I personally love Replenix Antioxidant Moisturizer SPF 50 (in silver tube) for great moisture and spf protection that doesn't bother my sensitive skin.

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silvercons on 1/10/2012 6:16:00 AM more reviews by silvercons

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

Since being on roaccutane I have developed some flakiness (but still had some underlying oiliness) and was on a hunt for a cream that was moisturizing without being too heavy and most importantly not cause acne nor blocked pores.
I have found exactly what I need in this cream.
When I first applied it, it felt like a heavy cream but my skin just soaked it up without leaving any greasiness.
On a couple of occasions there has been a tingly sensation for a minute or so. I've put it down to the roaccutane causing some skin sensitivity.
I love how there aren't any added fragrances, there really isn't any need for that stuff.
I really hope my skin continues to love it after I get off my medication :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* threejane on 1/6/2012 11:16:00 PM more reviews by threejane

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I wanted to love this. Lots of natural ingredients, no major smell, nice (for me) tub so I can get every bit out, feels smooth when you put it on, absorbs quickly...


And therein lies the problem. You put it on and ZOOP! Five minutes later it is gone. So you out more on. Zoop! Gone in five minutes. Lather rinse repeat.


It feels great during the five minutes that it is absorbing, but then your skin sucks it up and it just goes away, leaving an ever-so-slightly waxy (but non-moisturized) feeling in its wake.


I wish it worked better, or at least lasted longer, because in addition to all of those attributes, it's pretty cheap for a face cream that isn't comprised of mostly mineral oil. But the staying power, and thus hydrating power is almost nil. Will not repurchase and do not recommend.

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lzbthmehr22 on 1/6/2012 8:33:00 PM more reviews by lzbthmehr22

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

I LOVE this moisturizer. Why aren't all lotions in jars that let you get every last drop without a fuss? Not only that, but most moisturizers make me break out, whether or not they are oil free. This one I can use every day, it is not greasy at all, it leaves my skin really soft, and I don't see any adverse effects. Best moisturizer ever!

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Jesamyn on 12/16/2011 12:15:00 PM more reviews by Jesamyn

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Still on the quest for a cruelty-free alternative to Olay Classis Sensitive Skin. My skin is quite sensitive but otherwise 'normal', so I just need a basic moisturizer. I seem to react to many moisturizers containing sunscreen. As a result, my preference is for non-SPF products, and I apply a baby sunscreen as needed.

I picked this up after trying the tester a few times in my local New Seasons to get a feel for whether I would react. I am very glad I did. It's a light cream with a pleasant, mild scent. It sinks into my skin very quickly and leaves a matte finish. The moisturizing is just right for my skin and not at all greasy. A little dab normally does for me, though I apply a bit extra if it's particularly dry out. I'm not in love with the container as I don't care for tubs, but I can live with it. I will definitely re-purchase.

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viveroo on 12/14/2011 2:46:00 PM more reviews by viveroo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

Just started using it. I do have sensitive skin type but no reaction to the cream. Moisturizing but not heavy. Would buy again.

Update May 2012
Starting to find that it is not moisturizing enough. The good thing is that it is still not causing a reaction against my skin; however because I am finding it not moisturizing enough means I will probably not purchase again.

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ms_kevala on 12/12/2011 11:50:00 PM more reviews by ms_kevala

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I try hard to buy only cruelty free products, and it can be tough to find a good quality, affordable cruelty free moisturizer. So, I was excited to try this after reading the reviews. Unfortunately, my sensitive skin didn't react well. Like a few others, I experienced itching, redness, and irritation. Fortunately, the irritation passed pretty quickly, but it was bad enough that I will definitely not try this product again. So...I'll keep looking for that perfect moisturizer.

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