I Didn’t Think Moisturizer Could Be A Gamechanger — Until I Tried This One

Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give them a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)

The assignment…

I’ve heard terms like “microbiome-friendly” a lot recently referring to gut health, but when I heard about a product made specifically for our skin’s microbiome, I had to give it a try. So I tested Medik8’s new barrier-boosting, microbiome-balancing Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream ($49) to see if it could instantly smooth, plump, and moisturize my (very) sensitive skin.

What I tested...

The new Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream ($49) is clinically proven to instantly plump and smooth skin,‡ deliver 100 hours of hydration and a +55% increase in skin moisture,† and boost skin barrier function by +30% in just 1 hour.† It’s a fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (read: non-pore-clogging), verified skin microbiome-friendly, and dermatologist-tested lightweight formula made to layer perfectly with sunscreen and makeup.

Straight A’s in…

• Non-irritating formula. They say it works for all skin types, but as someone with very reactive skin — who has been burned by false “sensitive skin-friendly” advertising before — introducing any new product makes me nervous. Spoiler alert: My concern was unwarranted. The cream was gentle on my skin and did not cause any uncomfortable reaction or make me break out. That alone is a huge win for me.

• Hydration. Not all moisturizers are created equal, and this is the proof. My skin looked and felt immediately moisturized, and stayed that way no matter what I did. Plus, a little of this stuff goes a long way, so even a small swipe from the tub left my skin looking and feeling better. When they say 100 hours of hydration, they mean it.

• Lightweight feel. Unlike sticky or goopy creams that feel like they’re just sitting on top of your face all day (if you know, you know), the cream goes on in a thin, smooth layer. It’s got a lightweight — but not watery — texture my skin could still breathe through. Plus, my SPF and makeup went on easily and stayed on over it all day.

Works best for…

• Anyone whose skin barrier could use a little extra love — because the change of season dryness is real. 

• Someone looking for an instant moisture and plumpness boost.

• People who want to make sure their skin is healthy, nourished, and moisturized long-term.

Gets extra credit for…

• Powerful, high-quality ingredients. They aren't kidding about being science-backed. The ingredients in this moisturizer mean business. It’s full of prebiotic peptides, which help balance your skin microbiome and replenish your skin barrier with ceramides and lipids. Plus, it’s got everyone’s favorite skincare powerhouse, hyaluronic acid — which helps draw moisture into the skin and leaves you with a hydrated glow. 

• National Eczema Association recognition. It was awarded the NEA Seal of Acceptance™, meaning it’s suitable for people with eczema and sensitive skin and meets rigorous criteria from the National Eczema Association’s expert panel. 

• Sustainability. In addition to Medik8 being B-Corp certified (meaning they stick to the highest social and environmental standards), the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream comes in refillable, fully recyclable packaging. So rather than needing extra packaging every time you refill (which you’ll definitely want to do), you can just pop the recyclable pod out of the glass container and replace it with a new one. They’ve truly thought of everything.

How I did my homework…

I applied the Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream twice daily for one week. I put it on in the morning under my SPF (and makeup when I went into the office), and in the evening after washing my face, on top of my usual nighttime serum. I worked from home and from the office, went for walks and exercised, and went out with friends in the evenings to see how it held up against my normal routine, and my skin felt moisturized — but not oily or greasy — the whole time. 

Footnotes…

• Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, $49

• Think it's just another moisturizer? Think again. The new barrier-boosting formula with prebiotic peptides helps balance out the skin microbiome for overall healthier-looking skin.

^{†Proven via independent clinical study on Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream on 33 volunteers over 2 weeks}

^{‡Proven via independent clinical study on Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream on 35 volunteers over 4 weeks}