Gels Are Better for Your Skin Than Your Hair
I’ve never liked hair gel. I grew up during the ‘90s so hair gel to me will always be fluorescent, bubbly gobs sold in giant tubs.
In junior high and high school, all the guys used so much extra strength hold hair gel that they were able to form a solid “helmet” of hair. I still remember this one kid whose gelled hair caught spit balls and he walked around not realizing they were up there.
That traumatic memory poisoned by opinion about anything gel-like used for beauty purposes.
It wasn’t until I discovered moisturizing facial gels that I began to appreciate the quality of the weird, amorphous medium. With the weather warming up, I’ve realized that facial moisturizing gels make the perfect transition between the thick creams of winter and the oil-free lotions of summer.
Here are a few moisturizing facial gels that I am into right now:
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($34 US) is my beauty savior following the days after an extreme exfoliation session or chemical peel. With just a modest dose, this thick gel soothes my parched, chemically assaulted skin and lovingly cares for it with intense moisture.
As the name suggests, the creamy gel’s moisturizing agents surge to skin’s rescue when it needs it the most. As skin drinks in Moisture Surge’s hydration, skin looks supple, plump and smooth.
Kinerase HydraBoost Intensive Treatment ($75 US) is unique in that it’s formulated to act like a “moisture magnet”. This blue-tinted gel has four potent hydrators that attract, lock in and deliver hydration long after typical moisturizers have stopped working.
Key ingredients in this lightweight moisturizer include hyaluronic acid (natural moisturizer with great water-binding capacity to the skin), vitamin B-5 (deep penetrating moisturizer), saccharide isomerate (moisture regulator) and malachite extract(protects skin cells from oxidative damage). All the ingredients work in concert to replenish skin from the inside out.
I throw this little wonder into my makeup bag for skin sustenance on long flights (it’s TSA compliant too!).
Chock full of La Mer’s Miracle Broth concentration and lime tea, The Moisturizing Gel Cream ($130 US) “visibly transforms the skin, leaving it hydrated, conditioned and refreshed.” Miracle Broth, a concoction of sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, vitamins C, E, B12, and natural oils, delivers the benefit of the original Crème de la Mer without the original rich texture.
The Moisturizing Gel Cream is a great option for those who live in warmer climates or during the hotter months to get the benefits of La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth without the original richness.
Another reason I like it? The gel formula absorbs quickly into the skin and allows me to apply my makeup without the wait the original version needs.
Love this post? Subscribe to The Daily Cookie RSS feed and email to get product reviews on the latest product releases from your favorite beauty brands!
This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR. We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.
On May 5th, 2010 Phyrra said:
My skin loves gel formulas
I use the Body Shop’s Vitamin C Skin Boost, which is a gel.