It’s winter and exam time which means my skin is going haywire and needs some self care. My skin is both prone to breakouts and oily but it’s also eczema sensitive – especially during exam stress! So I tried this Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask to help boost my skin and also relax myself.
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Clinique Moisture Surge Mask
Main Ingredients and Their Benefits
Water acts as a solvent and enables multiple other chemicals to work much better than if they were without water. As water is water, it is also suitable for all skin types and won’t be over-drying or make skin oilier.
Glycerin promotes skin cell maturation which can help fight effects of skin problems such as psoriasis whilst improving the appearance of skin in general. It is a humectant and helps the skin maintain its moisture which in turn makes the skin look healthier.
Cetyl Alcohol works as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener and carrying agent. It keeps oil and water from separating and helps the spreadability of the formula. It conditions and softens the skin.
Dimethicone is a type of silicon that aids the product to glide onto your skin and also acts as a barrier after application. Dimethicone is used to protect mild skin irritations, dry patches or healing wounds, and is effective at locking in moisture thanks to its larger molecules.
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate is a viscosity agent and film former. It is used for hydrating and has an absorbing capability to help the skin as it helps maintain the skins resistance and integrity.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) is naturally soothing and has moisturising properties. It contains nutrients such as Vitamin A, antioxidants such as Vitamin E and also polyphenols and phytonutrients which makes it anti-inflammatory.
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate works as an emollient, conditioner and thickening agent. It removes the appearance of dry patches and gives the skin a smoother look. It also assists the product by increasing spreadability.
PEG-8 is a synthetic polymer of ethylene oxide which works as a humectant and solvent in skincare products.
Glycereth-26 is an emollient and multitudinous oil used in cosmetics. It’s primary function is as a product thickener.
Sucrose is a natural sugar used in hair and skin care products which attracts and retains moisture. It also assist in protection from pollutants and toxins.
Sorbitan Stearate is an emulsifier used to thicken and stabilize cosmetics formulations.
PEG-100 Stearate is used as an emollient, emulsifier and moisturiser although PEG stearates are usually known to clean the skin.
Trehalose is a sugar used in many skincare products as a flavouring agent and moisturiser, as with most sugars it retains moisture and contains antioxidant properties.
Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter acts as a skin conditioning and cleansing agent as well as an emulsifier.
Cetearyl Alcohol is used as an emolllient and helps soften your hair and skin.
Caffeine is used in skincare to improve the look of cellulite and puffiness around the eyes. Although, there’s a mixed scientific response as to whether it is effective.
Butylene Glycol is a solvent, viscosity-decreasing agent and a conditioner. Therefore, helps reduce the product from drying out and works well in anti-aging products as it helps retain moisture.
How To Use
Use the moisture surge overnight mask once a day, in the evening. Or when needed.
Use after skincare routine, or anytime skin needs a moisture boost.
Apply to face and throat all over, or where needed. Tip: Avoid eye area.
First Thoughts
I’m not a huge fan of ‘overnight’ masks as I find many to be too much for my skin – however I enjoy the moisture surge range from Clinique so wanted to give the moisture surge overnight mask a try. Looking at it’s ingredients, it does include gylcerin and butylene glycol which are both really good for dry skin. However it does have shea butter, cetyl alcohol and dimethicone which are all chemicals which may cause breakouts or block pores which is a worry.
But I gave the moisture surge overnight mask a chance because I usually get on with Clinique products and I’d heard good things. I also expected good results to improve my eczema patches as I thought it would be a deeper moisturiser.
During Use
Applying the mask was easy and it’s easily spread across the skin. It feels extremely reminiscent of the moisture surge moisturiser with how it feels and it instantly starts to sink into your skin. But, it does sit slightly longer than your average moisturiser, but it does dry up quickly which I felt was strange for a mask. Although I do get it because I’d hate to go to bed with a wet or tacky face.
My room was freezing cold, so the product was as well. This made my face feel super calm whilst wearing the mask. I also found that my eczema didn’t feel irritated, and once the product had dried it felt soft and hydrated. This is not surpising with a moisture surge product.
After Use
I did find that my skin felt hydrated, however my eczema patches didn’t feel any better than before. Although the mask didn’t seem to irritate it, it also didn’t seem to be as moisturising as some moisturisers which I’ve previously used.
Another issue I had is that my skin did start to break out around my temples, jaw and chin which is not normally where I get spots. This is something I find with a lot of overnight masks, so it wasn’t surprising. But it’s always a little disappointing when this happens.
Would I Purchase Again?
Compared to other hydrating masks I’ve tried like the Honey & Oat Body Shop one, this isn’t the best. It also doesn’t feel suitable for my skin type and I think it does more harm than good when hydrating. So I doubt I’ll be picking this up anytime soon.
View Comments (1)
Shame it didn't quite work out for you! I found that a couple years ago my skin started reacting to Clinque and I'd end up with breakouts whenever I used their moisture surge moisturiser.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/