Lately, my skin has been drier than the Sahara. In my 20s (*ahem!*), I never thought about moisturizing. I had oily skin. To protect against sun damage, I would apply a layer of Oil of Olay Complete SPF 15 in the morning, but that was it.
Now, however, I’m in my early-30s, and dry skin, especially on my face, is one of my top skin concerns. Turns out that as we get older, skin tends to get drier. The glands that produce oil under our skin don’t work as well as they used to; that causes skin cells to clump together in flakes and scales (oh, joy!) and dulls our complexion.
Everyone’s skin changes with age, but for women dry skin strikes earlier than it does for men. Guys experience moisture loss in their skin later in life than women do. A woman’s skin tends to become considerably drier after menopause. Thankfully, there’s moisturizer.
How to spot dry skin…
Ordinary dry skin is known as xerosis. It’s not serious but can be seriously not cute to look at, especially when it causes fine lines and wrinkles. The severity of one’s dry skin problems varies depending on age, hydration (drink that water, ya’all!), overall health, genetics, the climate where you live and the amount of time you spend outside.
Typical symptoms of dry skin due to normal aging are…
- Skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Skin that looks dull or dehydrated
- Skin that feels and looks rough
- Itching
- Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling
- Fine lines or cracks
- Unusual redness
Frequent causes of dry skin…
Some people inherit dry skin problems, so if mom and dad are always slathering on the lotion, chances are you’ll eventually find yourself in the same boat.
And a lot of people don’t realize that dry skin can be a worse problem in winter than it is in summer. The closer temps get to freezing, the lower the amount of moisture in the air outside, but indoors, central heating and air conditioners, wood-burning stoves, space heaters and fireplaces also lower indoor humidity and make dry skin even worse.
It’s raining moisture, hallelujah!
Here in NorCal, it’s chilly outside and the heater is on 24-7. Lately, the skin on my face has been so tight and uncomfortable, and I’ve developed a few red, dry patches that not even my tried-and-true Clinique Moisture On-line moisturizer was able to heal.
I was nervous to try MAC Moisturelush Cream because I had a bad incident with MAC Green Gel Cleanser last spring that left me with a less-than-stellar opinion of MAC’s skin care products. Lord knows I loves me some MAC, but I wasn’t a believer in their skin care line. Since “the incident,” I’ve been hesitant to try anything new from them.
But I sucked it up, took a chance, and I’m sure glad I did. Both Moisturelush Cream and its eye cream counterpart deliver the goods. Both have made a huge difference in my skin, and they haven’t broken me out (…yet, knock on wood!). If you need heavy duty moisturization with no anti-aging bells and whistles, then run — don’t walk — to your MAC counter and snag both of these moisturizing miracles ASAP!
Product: MAC Moisturelush Cream
Price: $30
Use: As a hydrating cream for face and neck
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Official Moisturelush Cream Product Profile:
A densely hydrating face cream that helps to moisturize and protect facial skin. This new formula provides immediate moisturization while creating soft and luscious skin. Provides rich lasting moisture, moisturizes dry, chapped skin and maintains skins natural barrier. Glides on easily with a a silky application and ample playtime. This comfortable, non-drying formula helps create an even surface for smothh, more perfect makeup application. Apply to face, morning and night, after cleansing.
Moisturelush Cream is half way between a face lotion and a face balm (thicker than Clinique’s Moisture Online, but thinner than Creme de La Mer). Because it’s thicker than a typical face cream, I have to spend a minute working it in. It has a light floral scent and feels great as it sinks in, so I don’t mind spending the time. Unlike most heavy-duty moisturizers, Moisturelush is smooth without being sticky, which means I can use it on my neck too!
My skin feels drenched in moisture after using it. Just a tiny bit of this on my face and neck and my skin feels happy.
Product: MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
Price: $28.50
Use: As a hydrating eye balm
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Official Moisturelush Eye Cream Product Profile:
A densely hydrating eye cream that helps to de-puff while it lifts and firms the area around the eyes. This new formula provides immediate cushion and luminous optics provide a rejuvenating glow. Opthamologist and dermatologist teseted. Non-Acnegenic. Apply to clean, dry skin under and around the eye, morning and night.
Moisturelush Eye Cream also really surprised me. I put it to the test by applying it to a dry, red patch that I’ve had on my left eyelid for the past two weeks. Within two days of using this the dry patch disappeared.
Moisturelush Eye Cream is thicker than the regular Moisturelush cream and more like an eye balm (which is thicker) than an eye cream. Because it’s so dense, I have to spend even more time working it into the skin than I do with the regular cream, but, like the regular cream, it has the same light, floral scent and soothing feeling, so I really don’t mind. Also like the face cream, it doesn’t leave a greasy film yet is still intensely hydrating.
A few heavy duty eye creams have left me with pimples on my eyelids, but so far my eyes have remained zit free. I haven’t noticed any de-puffing, though, but my eyes weren’t that puffy to start with, so that’s not a big deal for me.
I’m really hoping that both of these products continue to work as well as they have for me. If you have dry, sensitive skin like I do, I think you’ll love ’em both.
They’re moderately priced for department store creams, and because I only have to use a little bit of each, I’m guessing one jar of each will last at least eight months. If you’re on a budget and need to decide between the two, then go for the eye cream. It’s slightly more moisturizing than the face cream, and you can use it to spot treat dry areas like around the nostrils and mouth.
Thank you all for your well wishes while I was sick. I’m feeling sooo much better now, and I’m extra psyched today because the sun is shining and all I see are blue skies!
Hope your Sunday has been moisturized and mellow.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Would you know if the moisturelush eye cream is better than the fast response eye cream? >.
Thanks for the review, Karen! I don’t have a very high opinion of MAC’s skincare line, but I’ll definitely keep this in mind next time I need a new moisturizer.
Oh! I’m trying the Moisturelush face cream now. The very spiffy MA’s were kind enough to give me a sample. I too am pleased. The cream is hydrating a persistant dry and flaky spot in the corner of my mouth.
Unfortunatly for me, I am blissfully ignorant on different types of moisturiser. Is strobe cream better than moisturelush? Should I use
studio mositure cream or lightful daily moisturiser? Gah! I just know SPF is good. *lol*
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the post on the dry skin girl. I am having a massive dry skin attack, red blotches, flaking, itching,-around te eyes.sooo not pretty. Of course I can’t apply any make-up either, so I have about 10 new products sitting there waitng for me- cant wait to use my Chanel Demure and winter nights quad. All I can do is look at them !
Stay Fab !
Hey Karen!
I had bad experiences with MAC skincare too – notably the scrub, EZR and the cleanser. But I love anything for dry skin and this is quite tempting. Esp. the eye cream! But I get rashes really easy, I wonder if this will react with sensitive skin?
Hey Karen,
I am not a fan of MAC skin care — loves me the make-up though and recently went crazy with the N Collection (N1 Lipglass is my new favorite nude lip). Anyway, I love the Avene Skin Care line — it’s a very hydrating line from France, but us ordinary folks in the States can now get it at CVS! As a make-up artist I see crazy skin — yikes, but the Avene line really helps me and my clients — bye, bye, dry! Just thought I would let my new beauty junkie friend know about a great product — it’s the poo!
Hi Sandy,
It really depends on what your moisturization needs are. If you have lids that are more oily, then Fast Response would probably be better. I do keep a tube of Fast Response around – I like mixing it with concealer sometimes, and I like to use it when I’m in a more humid climate, like Hawaii. But for winter, I’d have to recommend the Moisturelush eye cream!
You’re welcome, Emilee! What products have you tried from the MAC skincare line?
Hi Tekoa,
I’ve never used Strobe Cream before, but I have read that it’s good for a glowy effect on the skin. I’m guessing that it’s probably not going to be as moisturizing as Moisturelush, though.
As for daytime moisturizers, I’m not familiar with the MAC family of moisturizers, so I can’t really give you recommendations between Lightful and Studio Moisture. But if you’d like some other non-MAC brand recs, I’d be happy to give you a few! Just let me know. 🙂
And girl, you better be wearing that SPF! Protect ya neck!
Oh, Anna I can’t wait for you to use that Winter Nights Quad, either, tis the best.
I got Radiant Gems for Christmas and I’m thinking of exchanging it for another Chanel quad. Do you have any that you can recommend? I’m thinking “Spices” might be nice.
I’m so sorry for your dry skin! I totes feel ya pain. I had a red spot on my eye for two weeks and it wouldn’t go away (I tried EVERYTHING on it, too) until I used Moisturelush Eye Cream. It’s the stuff of miracles, I tell ya.
Hi Rowena,
I think it’ll depend on if you get reactions to certain ingredients or scents. I do have the ingredient list, and I’d be happy to post it so you can see what it contains before you buy. Just let me know.
I know some people are sensitive to scent, and even though this has a light smell you might react to that as well.
The eye cream is rated as non-acnegenic, and I react to everything, so you might be able to use it. Maybe do a spot test on your arm a few days beforehand, and then test it on your neck before actually putting it on your eyes.
Hi Melissa,
Sounds like good stuff. What products do you recommend I check out?!?!
Thanks for this review.. I’ve been debating whether or not to try this out. I have a dry patch on my chin that just won’t quit – had it for a year now and have tried a ton of different products without any fix.
Dag….the Green Gel cleanser along with MAC’s other face products killed my face so I’m afraid to use anything by them as far as face goes too. But hmmm…if you can use this and not have any problems then maybe I should cop a sample!
Hi Tuprnut,
You know, I thought that red patch on my eye had taken up permanent residence so I was really shocked that the eye cream actually made it go away (and I tried EVERYTHING on that bad boy!)
Get a MAC MA that you’re chummy with to give you a generous sample! 😉
Hi Brittany,
RIGHT? That Green Gel was a mess. That’s why I was so shocked by how fab these moisturizers are!
But, just to be safe, you still might want to patch test first (on your arm or your neck) before you dive in!
Girl, they do have a ton — so here is what I use and would recommend:
Cleanse with Gentle Gel Cleanser
Spray with Thermal Spring Water
Moisturize (daytime) Soothing Eye Contour Cream, Thermal Spring Water Soothing Serum, Light Hydrating Cream
Moisturize (night) with Ystheal eye contour cream, Eluage Cream
Also, I am friends with one of the greatest make-up artists in Hollywood — Tricia Sawyer — she has her own make-up line (www.triciasawyerbeauty.com) if you are interested, but she makes a primer that is amazing! I can’t live without it!
Check those out and see what you think — CVS may have samples.
NICE! I don’t live by a CVS so I’ll check it out online, wooty woot woot!
Honestly, I swear ya’ll just feed my addiction, LOL!
Hi Karen 🙂
is the moisturizer suitable for night? I’ve been using 80 bucks worth moisturizer by Aloette and I am pretty sure that a bit cheaper will do it too….but…I’ve tried quite a few and the results are not good at all.I live (mostly,but we also travel a lot) in Northern Ontario where the temp. sometimies goes to minus 40’C (and you still need to leave the house!),plus windchill factor so my skin really needs somethnig good.
What’s the verdit?
Thanks doll 🙂
Hi Madeleine!
Wow, you get a big ole star for being so tough in the cold! I know I couldn’t hang. Moisturelush was surprisingly the most moisturizing thing I’ve tried in a looooong time (and that includes the famed Creme de La Mer). I use it at night and in the day underneath my sunscreen. It’s the only thing that made my persistent dry spot go away. It’s pretty amazing! I haven’t always been the biggest fan of MAC skincare but they really got this one right. 😉
Hi Karen,
Your courage to give MAC a second chance was def rewarded, awesome!
Can you please list some of the ingredients on the Moisturelush Creme? Like most, I have similar winter-dry-skin issues. Thanks!
Hi Lea,
I’m so sorry this took so long to get back to you, but I couldn’t find the box! But here it is:
water, caprylic triglyceride, sweet almond oil, isostearyl neopentanonate, peg-100 stearate, squalane, isopropyl palmitate, butylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, peg-40 stearate, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, tocopherol, linoleic acid, caffeine, cholesterol, oryzanol, hordeum vulgare (barley), extract, wheat germ extract, rice bran oil, sodium carbomer, carbomer, nylon-12, polysorbate 80, sodium dehydroacetate, acrylamides copolymer, polyaminopropyl biguanide, ethylhexyglycerin, acrylamide/sodium acryyloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, isohexadecane, fragrance, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol
Hi Karen,
Since posting this, has Moisturelush made you break out? I want to try it due to dry winter skin, but at the same time I have been having horrible break outs and I’m afraid this will only irritate it further/cause more breakouts, but I can’t seem to find a good updated review.
Has it made you break out?
Thanks!
Hi Addicted_2color,
Nope, neither the eye cream nor the face cream has broken me out (and everything breaks me out, I swear). In fact, I’m almost halfway done with my jar! I am still loving it. I’m in Vegas right now, where the air is really dry and cold, and Moisturelush has been saving my face from going bone dry.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help.
karen! I was so sad. I visited my local counter at Macy’s this evening and they are out! She (the MA I usually go to and is also the assistant manager) said most of the local MAC counters in the area are out! When I finally decided to get it…(I got the moisturelush eye about two weeks ago and said I’d come back for the face one)…. they are out! boo. Oh well. I’m going to call a few stores in the area just in case, if not I’m going to 2nd day it through MAC online! Thank you though for getting back to me very quickly. Have a good rest of the weekend.
Hi Karen,
I’ve just bought the moisturelush eye cream. It does feel a little thick, and i bought the mac brush to put it on mixed with then their concealer. Was thinking of taking it back for the lighter eye stuff but i want to give it a go seeing as you think it’s so good! What do you mean by ‘work it in’. I didn’t think you were meant to rub around the eye area. Can you please explain? although it’s thick, i don’t want to rub the eye area…please help!
Hi Alisa,
I usually just apply the cream by itself to my lids, without the concealer. I pat in gently with my ring finger, and don’t rub. Because it’s so thick it doesn’t immediately sink in like their Fast Response Cream, but after a few gentle pats (like 10 per eye) it eventually sinks in. I also do right after the shower or after washing my face, because that seems to make it sink in faster.
Which concealer are you using? In my experience Fast Response always gave the best results when mixed with MAC Liquid concealers.
Thanks Karen. Yes, I’m using the mac liquid concealer…I want to use the eye cream under my eye too, as this is where i want the benefits. Is it better to only use it under the eye before bed? When i put it under the eye and then put concealer on top it seems too thick. What happened was the mac girl put it on me and mixed the fast response with the concealer (applied with brush), then when i went to buy it she said that my eyes were dry underneath so i should get the moisturelush. only thing is, now that i’m at home if i put the moisturelush on under eyes and then concealer it doesn’t blend well and seems too thick.. oh well, maybe i will need to get the fast response for when i’m wearing concealer?
Hi Alisa,
I’d probably use the cream at night if you’re having problems mixing the cream with the liquid foundation (I can imagine it being very difficult!). Fast Response will work so much better with the Liquid Concealer, for reals!
I was given a sample of the Moisture-lush (which is being/has been discontinued… so I was told by the Mac employee). Anyways I tried some around my eye area and it made me break out! I have fairly sensitive skin and normally stick to using products by Cetaphil, Clinique or Avene. So just a fair warning to those with sensitive, dry skin!