Vogue Verified: The Clinique Moisture Surge Is the Tall Drink of Water My 40+ Skin Needs This Fall

I can’t tell you how many tubes of Clinique’s Black Honey Pop Lip Cheek Stain I’ve been through. Let’s assume dozens. And now that it’s also available in Nude Honey, well, add a few more oils to my ever-expanding tally. While I’ve long been a fan of Clinique’s makeup—and am wearing Nude Honey—as I type, I hadn’t dabbled much in its skincare. Then, right as summer started turning into fall, the Moisture Surge collection landed on my doorstep in all its pink-bonbon-colored glory.

Normally, my skin leans on the oily side of normal, but it starts feeling a little parched this time of year, every year. Not to mention, while my affinity for pink bonbons hasn’t changed since I was six years old, my skin certainly has: With 40 in the rearview mirror, extra moisture never hurts. Needless to say, I was ready for the promised Surge.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been using Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator in place of my regular day and night creams. At first, I was lured by its marketing promise of instant “hydration and glow,” which didn’t sound far-fetched, given it contains aloe and two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. Still, a chat with Ida Wong, VP of Global Product Development at Clinique, had me more convinced that my seasonal skin-care woes were in good hands. And after testing the product for a short time, I know I’ll be recommending it to my peers for weeks to come. Want a sneak peek of what I’ll be rambling about, glowing skin after 40 and all? Keep reading to learn more about the product’s formula, how to use it, and what unaffiliated dermatologists have to say about it.

Clinique

Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

$30

CLINIQUE

• What it is: “Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a refreshing lightweight gel-cream with exclusive, nutrient-rich Aloe Bioferment and hyaluronic acid,” Wong explains. She adds that it’s clinically proven to deliver instant hydration that penetrates skin over 10 layers deep, and to provide 100 hours of continuous hydration. What’s more, its auto-replenishing technology helps skin trigger its own rehydration system, which leads to “an endlessly dewy, plump, healthy-looking glow,” Wong says. Unaffiliated dermatologists stand by the brand’s claims: “Clinique Moisture Surge stands out because of its lightweight gel-cream texture that delivers long-lasting hydration without heaviness or greasiness,” says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Danville, California. “It contains hyaluronic acid, Aloe Bioferment, and antioxidants that help plump and soothe the skin.” Overall, Dr. Badreshia-Bansal deems the hydrator “an excellent choice” for those with normal to dry skin; she also recommends it to patients seeking extra hydration during colder months or after travel.
• Key ingredients: Aloe Bioferment, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, auto-replenishing technology
• Best for: Hydrating, plumping, radiance
• Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 2.5 oz, 4.2 oz

Rather like me, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator has a vintage pedigree. “In the 1980s, Carol Phillips, a visionary beauty editor and Clinique co-founder, imagined a deeply hydrating product without an oily finish,” Wong says. “At the time, heavy-textured cream moisturizers were most commonly found on the market.” Phillips worked with Clinique’s founding dermatologist, Dr. Norman Orentreich, and Clinique scientists to create the original Moisture Surge in 1988. And now here we are, five generations of the product later.

In addition to hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E, the cream’s latest iteration contains the aforementioned auto-replenishing technology, a blend of active aloe water and caffeine that kickstarts the skin’s natural rehydration process. And what makes the exclusive Aloe Bioferment a hero for hydration? “It’s made from lactobacillus, aloe water, and responsibly-sourced and certified organic aloe extract powder,” Wong says, adding that it’s based on more than 30 years of research in fermentation technology. “This hydrating ingredient is concentrated over 500 times and is further transformed into a bioferment through a meticulous, 10-step fermentation process over five-plus days,” Wong continues. By breaking actives down into smaller molecules, the fermentation process makes the ingredient more bioavailable and penetrable. Overall, Wong describes the Aloe Bioferment as: “A nutrient-rich ingredient that is clinically proven to help skin retain moisture.”

The gel-cream can be used in surprising ways, which I’ll explain below. But to start, I went with a derm’s advice. “I recommend applying it after cleansing and serum, followed by sunscreen in the morning, or layering it under a richer cream at night for additional moisture,” says Noah Gratch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and Long Island.

My experiment started at night. After cleansing, toning, and using the Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum, I used the Replenishing Hydrator. (With apologies to Dr. Gratch, I skipped the richer cream because I wanted to see how the gel-cream works on its own.) Cooling, featherweight, and somehow still cushiony, the formula sits on the skin like a silky, moisturizing cocoon for about 30 seconds, and then it starts sinking in. As it absorbs, it feels like a chilled glass of aloe water penetrating the pores; you can actually feel it sinking deeper and deeper. “It has a lightweight, gel-creme texture that breaks into a watery-fresh gel,” Wong says, explaining its uniquely refreshing sensation.

True to its claims, the cream left my skin looking bouncier and more radiant by bedtime, and when I brushed my teeth the next morning, I couldn’t help but stop and admire my upgraded dewiness. After a morning dose of vitamin C serum, I used the Auto-Replenishing Hydrator again, then topped it with sunscreen. This has been my routine for the past couple of weeks.

In that time, the temperatures have dipped and the winds have picked up, but I haven’t experienced my typical bout of seasonal dryness. I’ve even started using the hydrator over makeup, since Wong gave me this hot tip: “In addition to a daily moisturizer, used morning and night, [the Hydrator] can be used as a five-minute mask, applied over makeup as a dewy highlighter, and as a cuticle treatment and frizz smoother.”

The enduring popularity of the product rests on its results. “With regular use, the skin feels softer and smoother, appears plumper, and looks more radiant overall,” Dr. Gratch says. “It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydration, making it an excellent option for anyone dealing with dryness, tightness, or dullness.”

Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, would recommend it to nearly anyone. “Because it’s oil-free and fragrance-free, pretty much all skin types in need of a burst of hydration can use it, whether that s dry, acne-prone, or sensitive,” she says. “I also find that male patients tend to prefer gel-cream formulas over traditional creams and find them very comfortable to wear.” What’s more, the product is virtually risk-free. “It’s dermatologist-tested for all skin types, safe for sensitive skin, allergy-tested, and 100% fragrance-free,” Wong notes.

According to Gratch, the cream’s singular formula makes it worth the investment. While oil-free, “It’s formulated with humectants like hyaluronic acid and aloe bioferment, which help pull water into the skin while reinforcing the barrier,” he says. “This makes it unique in its ability to deliver deep hydration without clogging pores, so it works well for normal, dry, combination, and even acne-prone skin types.”

Rayva Khanna, MD, a dermatology resident at Georgetown University Medical Center, also deems it a worthy addition to nearly any skincare regimen. “This product is a unique blend of antioxidants, powerful hydrators, and aloe vera,” she says. “What makes it stand out is that it’s a powerful moisturizer without being too thick, so it helps provide lasting hydration for both dry and oily skin types.” As noted, it’s also a workhorse when it comes to hydration, whether you use it during the day, at night, to tame frizz, or as a mask. And if you like adding pretty pink products to your bathroom cabinet (or is that just me?), consider its packaging an added perk.

• Ida Wong is the VP of Global Product Development at Clinique.
• Noah Gratch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York and Long Island.
• Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, is co-founder, CEO, and Medical Director at Elite MD - Advanced Dermatology, Laser, and Plastic Surgery Institute in Danville, California.
• Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto.
• Rayva Khanna, MD, is a dermatology resident at Georgetown University Medical Center.