Review: Clarins- HydraQuench Cooling Cream-Gel

"A super-light fresh climate control moisturiser for normal to combination skin. Refreshing and non oily, it continuously hydrates the skin while protecting it from excess shine caused by heat and humidity."

- Clarins

The Clarins HydraQuench series has a total of 6 types of face creams targeting at different skin needs.

They are namely:
1. HydraQuench Cooling Cream-Gel - for normal to combination skin
2. HydraQuench Cream- for normal to dry skin
3. HydraQuench Smoothing Gel- for all skin types (but i think it suits oily to normal skin better)
4. HydraQuench Lotion with SPF 15- for all skin types with SPF 15
5. HydraQuench Rich Cream- for very dry skin and all skin types exposed to extreme conditions 6. HydraQuench Cream with SPF 15- for normal to dry skin types with SPF 15

Out of the 6 listed face creams/lotions in the series, only the first 3 are available in the Singapore market. I was told by the Clarins Sales lady that they will ascertain the demands of the consumer in the particular market before deciding to bring in certain skincare items.

In this case, the climate in Singapore is mainly humid and hot, sometimes wet when the rainy seasons hit us, thus the Singapore market will not be having items 4 to 6, unless there is a change of mind.

Today i will be reviewing the HydraQuench Cooling Cream-Gel. The cream comes in a blue frosted glass jar. Packaging-wise its pretty hefty, i much prefered its glass packaging compared to plastic jars, its a matter of personal preference.

The cream has a light beige tone to it and its looks heavy, but looks can be deceiving as the texture of the cream is way lighter than it looks it resembles those of gel. I find that products in the HydraQuench range have a certain faint smell to it that i simply can't put my finger on exactly what it is, nevertheless it a soothing fragrance, so it doesn't really bother me.

Upon application on the face, the cream actually spreads out quite nicely and easily absorbed by the skin, there is also a wave of very subtle cool tingling effect minutes after the application. I tried using it both as a day and night cream. As a day cream, it managed to moisturise my face for about 8 hours, the dry patches around my cheek areas remains sufficiently moisturised, i don't see any flaking of the skin. As a night cream, it is a little insufficient for people with dry skin types, but for normal to oily and combination skin types, the cream-gel goes very well with the range's Biphase serum.

I would buy it again as a day cream and use it on days when i felt that i need just a little more hydration.

Priced at S$88 for 50ml.

Main Ingredients: Aqua(water), alcohol, glycerin, squalane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, tapioca starch, ammonium acryloydimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, phenyl trimethicone, butylene glycol, parfum, ethlhexylglycerin, tocopheryl acetate, palmtoyl proline, C13-14 isoparaffin and tetrasodium edta.