I feel a little bit like a broken record, but I’m constantly talking about my dehydrated, redness-prone skin. Part of it is that my skin needs a lot of TLC, so when I find products that make it look and feel its best, I want to shout it from the rooftops. The other part is that I’m simply a skincare-obsessed beauty writer and talking about skin is quite literally my job.
This time, I’m talking about my dehydrated, redness-prone skin for the first reason. Yes, there’s a product out there—a moisturizer to be specific—that makes my fussy complexion look calm, clear, and bouncy. I’ve been using it for a while now, and I continue to be impressed with the results, especially since it only costs $15 and most of my other favorite moisturizers are triple that price, if not more (who doesn’t love a budget-friendly product recommendation?). Keep scrolling to see which moisturizer it is and why it’s the perfect time to test it out for yourself.
Here it is—the $15 moisturizer that I can always count on to give my skin a kick of soothing hydration. This little green-and-white tube contains a unique jelly-textured formula that feels light and cooling on my skin—never rich or greasy.
While I use it all year round, I tend to reach for it more in the spring and summer, which is when my skin needs lightweight moisture. In the winter, when it needs something a little heavier, with more occlusive ingredients, I’ll apply this and layer a heavier moisturizer or a face oil over the top. Either way, it gives my skin the water-based moisture it craves without causing excess irritation or congestion. That means I’m dealing with less redness and fewer clogged pores while simultaneously seeing plumper, bouncier skin. It’s a total win-win.
It’s all thanks to the ingredients. The three main ones I want to talk about are sodium hyaluronate, aloe leaf juice, and green tea extract. Let’s start with the first one, shall we?
Sodium hyaluronate is similar to hyaluronic acid, the powerhouse hydrating ingredient we all know and love. In fact, sodium hyaluronate is simply the sodium form of hyaluronic acid, which means it can just as effectively draw in and retain moisture. It’s part of the reason this moisturizer gives my skin a big boost of hydration and makes it look plump and bouncy.
Next, these sunscreen serums save me time and money (and sun damage).