Can I rave about a product that I am loving right now? I hope you don’t mind, because I think I have found a new skincare favorite. I already love the Clinique Pep-start eyecream and now I am trying out the Hydroblur Moisturizer and so far I’m loving it. I am usually into trying my skincare for at least 2 months before I review them, but this product has blown me away after just 2 weeks of using it. So I felt a review was apt.
Clinique Pep-start Hydroblur Moisturizer
Now I only have a trial sized version of this. This was part of a Sephora point perk I picked up last May. The jar contains 15 ml of product, which makes for a fairly generous travel sized package. The price of a full sized container of 50 ml is around the €30 mark.
What made me curious to try this product is the fact that I love my pep-start eye cream so much. I have had great luck with Clinique products in general as their range is aimed at my skin type: dry to dehydrated combination skin that is super sensitive. It took me years to find skincare products that were at least halfway successful at doing something for my skin other than irritate it. I have yet to try a Clinique product that doesn’t work for me.
The Claims
The claims on this are quite good. I hadn’t heard of this product before I got the little Clinique kit from Sephora, but apparently, this has quite a bit of hype going on around it. This moisturizer claims to be oil-free, should blur imperfections (pores and fine lines), yet hydrate the face. It should give a matte finish and performs some amazing double action as it can also be used as primer under foundation. Clinique also claims this can be used for touch-ups throughout the day, but I think they mean when you are not wearing any makeup.
The Packaging
The downside of this? It comes in a jar. This easily makes you use too much product and it also isn’t the most hygienic. A major draw back, as I prefer to use skincare that comes with a pump. It just ensures a much longer shelf life for the product as you continue to use it. This is only a small jar of course and I am pretty good about using up skincare before moving on to something new, but still, it is an inconvenience and I wish brands would just think more about how to package product well.
The Swatch
A review would be nothing without a little swatcheroo. The moisturizer has a very thick texture. It definitely feels like a primer and has that almost silky smooth feel you get with silicones. However, when I apply this to my face, it no longer has this super slick feel you get from those ingredients. Rather, my skin gets a real pick me up. This feels very cooling and refreshing when you first apply it and my skin loves this stuff. It drinks it right up.
Blended out this has more of a gel like texture and I find I only need a little bit to cover my entire face. It is almost like this turns to water when I apply this to my skin. Now some people have mentioned this only lasts a short while, but I have been using this for 2 weeks straight and I still have a ton of product left. I think that this is one of those products you shouldn’t overapply. This can easily get too much for the skin and leave a layer and so I find that a little goes a long way.
When it comes to the blurring properties, it’s not something I am really looking for in a moisturizer, but if it has some effect: then great! In the swatch you can see how the texture on the back of my hand is nearly gone after blending this in. So it most certainly works. I have found myself not reaching for an additional primer since I’ve been using this. However, my makeup still lasts about as long as it normally does. I feel this cream is absorbed by the skin fairly quickly and the effects are only noticeable when you first apply this.
The Conclusion
Can you tell I love this stuff? If you have dehydrated skin with a normal t-zone and are looking for a great moisturizer that works, this for you. I know I will be purchasing the full size of this when I run out of it. It is quite reasonably priced for a moisturizer and I have just totally fallen in love with this.
What day time moisturizer do you like to use?
13 responses to “Clinique Pep-start Hydroblur Moisturizer”
Glad you like it! I got a sample too in a Sephora Play recently, and have as yet to try it. I wish it had a SPF though.
I don’t mind. I often use a foundation with SPF.
Great and good review!
I really need to buy this…
Have a great weekend Xoxo
It’s indeed a good one! Have a great weekend yourself.
Very nice review on the product. You are right about the importance of product packaging. I also prefer skincare product that come in a pump bottle. Like you said the potential for the spread of bacteria is reduce. Because, who really use all the time the little spoon to scoop out the cream? I don’t. I was thinking of buying reusable airless pump bottles to solve the problem of fingertip and bacteria. Nice reading you Maaike. -Dominique
I think this may be too thick for an actual pump. It´s quite a thick substance.
You’re probably right. But I have a body cream which is about the same texture and it comes in a pump. Anyway, I will give it a try and let you know.
I’ve been trying out a new Burts Bees daytime moisturizer & not loving it. Maybe it will still be a points reward when I swing by sephora this weekend.
Skincare can be so hit or miss. Some people swear by X product and then I try it and my skin feels like its on fire!
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