July 5, 2012

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream Dry Skin Review

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream now comes in a dry skin formula.

But seriously, how could they make Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream anymore hydrating than it already is?

Well, seems they have!

Winning!

I loved it when I originally reviewed it and I love it now. Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream Dry Skin is brilliant.

I could happily end my review at that.

But here’s the thing…

This is an oil-free moisturizer in a gel-like formula. If you haven’t tried the original here’s a brief recap of the formula…the gel formula is a water base so at first application it instantly “bursts” on your skin and feels like a cool cup of water has been applied on your face.

Without the aid of anything else it does seem to seal moisture into skin and locks it in so skin is left feeling smooth, soft, and crazy hydrated all day. The formula absorbs easily into my skin without leaving behind any oily or shiny film.

It has a pleasant fruity floral almost apple-like fragrance. I like the scent a lot but I definitely think it could be overkill for some especially if you’re sensitive to fragrance in skincare.

Funny…

It contains a hell of a lot of alcohol. Really it should strip and dry out my skin terribly but someway, somehow it doesn’t. Alcohol doesn’t do skin any favors particularly in regards to aging and yes, I really shouldn’t love this as much as I do but I can’t help it. It just works.

The dry skin formula seems to triple the benefits of the original so skin feels even more hydrated and moisturized after use. I didn’t think they could improve on an already great formula but they have.

I wouldn’t recommend this version for oily or combo skin, if you want to try it go with the original as this might be a little TOO much.

Overall, Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream Dry Skin is a win for me. The alcohol in the mix is definitely a buzz kill but I typically use this in the Summer only so hopefully I’m not doing too much damage.

Use the original?

Love it?

Leave it?

Do share!

Tried this new version?

Tell me ’bout it!

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jess

    I really enjoy both version, but don’t notice too much of a different between the two.

  • Mary

    I use the dry skin one at night and the original during the day. I was totally scared to death of buying this because of the alcohol but you said it right, Muse! It just works! I don’t know why though. Hopefully this won’t take a toll on my skin later on but for the moment, it just plain works. It’s hydrating (but with so much alcohol, how could it be?) with a cool clean feeling and does not have a greasy feel to it like most other moisturizers do. It’s dirt cheap too!

  • Charlotte

    The original is my HG, for my oily/combination acne prone skin. Literally the only moisturizer I will allow to touch my face. Hydrates beautifully, long lasting, dries quickly but feels soft, zero oil or shine, no breakouts. I’ve never used anything else like it, although I hear it is a dupe for an expensive product by I think Clinique.

  • Sam

    I wanted to love the original, I really did. But all that alcohol irritated the heck out of my face >_<

  • cat

    Oh, Muse, always tempting me with these dry skin products… Hope you had a fun and relaxing 4th of July. 🙂

    • the Muse

      lol cat sorry 🙂 was amazing thanks, too quick tbh! I blinked and it was over. hope yours was lovely as well!

  • Tohnia

    I might need to get this as an “after swimming” facial lotion…I teach swimming for about 4.5 hours 3 days a week and my skin is SO DRY! Even though I usually have oily/combo skin, the chlorine/acid just dries me right out. I’m still looking for am amazing skin lotion…damn Accutane stripped my skin of being able to have any moisture! This looks so promising!

  • Melissa

    IMO denatured alcohol isn’t really terrible. I’m not a chemist or a doctor (just play one online -kidding) but I recall reading that denatured alcohol is what makes gel stuff gel. Anyhow thank you for your review. I forgot to pick this up when I was at CVS and now I have a coupon so tomorrow it shall be mine!

  • DJ

    I hope I can find this, I need it now! My skin turned dry which is strange for summer. I usually have oily/combo skin.

  • JoElla

    I may give this a go. I found the first one actually drying to my combo/psycho skin.

    • Melissa

      I’m stealing joella’s “combo/psycho” description because that suits my skin perfectly. If my face is oily my body is dry and vice verse – it’s crazy! 😛

  • Hoang

    I have the original right now but I don’t find it too too moisturizing. I might give this a go. Do you think this would work well as a winter moisturizer? I have been trying to find a good winter facial moisturizer but I haven’t had any luck :/

    • the Muse

      i don’t really use it in the winter hoang, I need something heavier, but it really depends on your skin type.

  • Chynna

    I was hoping this one wouldn’t have the alcohol in it. Bummer. I’m using the Neutrogena Dermatologics Total Hydration Water Gel from QVC and I love it, but it’s more costly than a drugstore version. It does work well and has no alcohol, though.

  • jen

    i am currently using the original version and i have combo/oily skin. would this be more or too moisturizing for me?

  • Joei

    Hi, do u know where I can buy this in London? I really want to try but doesn’t seem like my local drugstores have it or the garnier website. Please help!

  • LaLa

    I’ve wanted to try these but am afraid of breaking out 🙁 are they fragranced? And usually generics dehydrate my skin at the end of the day, how did your hydration hold up with this moisturizer?

    • the Muse

      did you read the review lala? addressed all this in the post.

  • D-tan

    I will definitely get this for the winter time since my skin gets super dry except for my t-zone (damn Asian skin curse!!)

  • cea

    is the scent of this one the same as the original? I LOVE the smell of the original but it’s just not cutting it for me as far as moisturization goes. haha so is it the same or a bit different?

    • the Muse

      i dunno if watson’s carries this version mang, you can try. I’m not even sure if the dry skin one was released in Asia but you should def have the original one for combo/oily skin but I think yours comes in a yellow jar, don’t quote me though hun.

  • Olyvia

    Great reviews! I just found out about these “Gel creams” from an advertisement on a magazine. Then I went looking for review and found your blog, which is very helpful! Now I’m torn between getting the original vs this new dry skin one. In your opinion, which one smells better? or is less fragranced?

  • Ella

    I just saw your review of this…do you think this is a suitable nighttime mositurizer for oily skin?

    • charlotte

      That is exactly what I use it for. The regular formula is enough for me during the summer, but in the winter I switched to this at night. I still use the regular in the am under my makeup. I adore both formulas, they are the only moisturizer I have ever used that gives me sufficient moisture without any greasiness and zero breakouts.

  • Brooklyn

    Would this work on dry skin with acne? The acne & cold weather make my skin really dry & I’m just wondering if this product will help or hurt my acne but I’ve been trying everything for my acne & dry skin but nothing’s working & I really want to try this product I just want to make sure it won’t make my acne worse

    • charlotte

      It never broke me out, however that is no guarantee.. everyone is an individual. I’ve since moved on to other things but I still think it’s a great product. If you skin is truly dry I doubt it would be enough moisture, probably a good choice for AM under makeup though. You should look into oils, I use olive oil as cleanser and moisturizer and it doesn’t break me out, in fact it helped my acne and blackheads tremendously. There are oils that do break me out, coconut and argan are at the top of the list.. you have to find which ones work for you.

  • Brooklyn

    Also can I use this product in the morning and apply liquid makeup for dry skin with concealer afterwards? Or should I just not use it in the morning & just apply it at night except for on the weekends because I have more time to apply it on the weekends in the morning & I don’t need to apply makeup after either?