June 13, 2016

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion Review & Swatches

PR Sample / Affiliate
This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion1

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion ($12.99) is a new, SPF 15 moisturizer that launched in a fragrance and fragrance free formula. I really love some of Garnier latest skincare products such as their new Skinactive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Wake Up Hydra Gel Moisturizer, Micellar Water, and even the Ultra-Lift Transformer Anti-Age Skin Corrector.

I think Garnier does a good job of keeping up with innovative and unique skincare launches in the drugstore world and some of their products are definitely staples of mine.

But I also think they sometimes get things terribly wrong.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion sounds like an ideal product for drier skin like my own. This was formulated with Glycerin and acts to help skin to retain moisture and keep it actively hydrated through the day. It creates a protective layer around skin to prevent moisture loss. Pretty cool right? I love the idea of a highly moisturizing and moisture retaining moisturizer as my drier skin needs all the hydration it can get.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion

I love the idea of Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion but it doesn’t quite work well for my skin type. This comes in a 4 oz staple pump bottle in two different formulas one of which has a bright, fresh fragrance (which I loved) and the other is completely fragrance-free. Hooray to Garnier for formulating this as fragrance-free as many people simply can’t stand fragrance in their skin care for a number of reasons one of which would be irritation. Considering Garnier has a heavy fragrance in most all their skin care products, I do think it is a step in the right direction to create two different formulas for those, like me, that don’t mind it and for those sensitive users who do!

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion sadly, has a rather low SPF 15 which may or may be an issue for most users. Personally, I like a higher SPF when I’m out and about. With an SPF 15, reapplication would be necessary very quickly!

The formula is a milky lotion that an SPF feel and look to it. It’s a fluid that absorbs fairly easily into skin and leaves behind a slight white cast that disappears quickly enough as it sets. It feels refreshing cool and lightweight on the initial application but proves to be a LITTLE TOO hydrating for me. I know right? I thought that nothing could be too hydrating but this formula successfully retains and creates new moisture throughout the day.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion swatches

The problem with this?

It turns me into a grease ball. Within 2 hours of application my skin literally feels like it is melting off when I use this. It creates a lot of shine and excess oil. Good news? I’m super well hydrated! Bad news? My makeup looks rubbish and I’m shining like a beacon in the night! It’s not a good look in warm weather!

Sadly, Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion doesn’t agree with my skin for some reason or another. I love the idea of this and I think it actually does work well at keeping skin super hydrated but that also causes a host of other issues such as shine, an oily finish, and makeup slips and slides off my face.

Sorry Garnier! I wanted to love this one but no dice.

Available now at drugstores or grab it on sale at Ulta.com.

Tried it?

Do share!

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion6

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion7

PR Sample / Affiliate
This was provided to me by a brand for review and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post but all opinions are my own.

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

  • Rachel

    I’m wondering if you might have better luck with this one during the dry winter months? So bummed to hear it was too greasy for you – with my combination skin I’d likely not make it an hour without breakthrough oil!

    • Isabella Muse

      I’ve been using it since early April, and April was kind of cold here and even at that point I was greasy! Maybe deep in the Winter!? I’ll def retry when it gets colder but I have a feeling it’ll be much the same!

  • minda

    hey Musekin, wish I waited for your review. I have oily skin and this is AWFUL. Waste of money, even broke out which I never do.

    • Isabella Muse

      Thankfully no break outs for me! But it made me so so so greasy!

  • Cindy

    Based on your assessment it looks like maybe this would be better as a night cream? I did try the Miracle Anti-Fatigue Wake-Up Hydra-Gel Moisturizer (could there be any more hyphens in that name??) and I like it when I’m home not wearing any makeup. I have rosacea so when I’m applying makeup to go out I usually use a moisturizer with some anti-redness action, like Dermadoctor’s Calm, Cool, & Corrected. Using the Garnier at home makes that $85 jar of Calm, Cool, & Corrected last a little longer, LOL.

    • Isabella Muse

      Mmm not sure I’d wear it as a night cream considering the SPF. I really like the hydra gel! Ha I hear ya 😀

  • Diana

    Thanks for the warning…I lean oily, so I definitely won’t try this.

    On another note, I really wish drugstore facial sunscreens would up the SPF. The vast majority of products seem to hover around SPF 15, which I feel is inadequate. I like to stick around at least SPF 50, and Neutrogena seems to be the only one I can find around that level.

    • Isabella Muse

      people will constantly argue that SPF 15 is plenty but I completely agree, I found it inadequate as well! I’ll stick with SPF 50 thanks very much!

    • Rachel

      I totally agree with you!! SPF50 is what I prefer, also. But yesterday I got so irritated at Neutrogena because my HG summer moisturizer (water gel) finally came out with SPF and it’s only 15!?! I put it back and grabbed my old standard; guess I’m still layering with sunscreen. Ah well. I do sometimes wonder if I really need it though, as my summer CC cream has 50 in it as well. So essentially I’m placing 2 layers of SPF50 on my face. Plus my powder, eye cream, and lip balm. Still, being a pale ghost, I take sun care pretty seriously!

      • Isabella Muse

        I don’t get. WHY!? Spf 15 really!? It’s like no point to me!

  • Katherine T.

    Wow, too moisturizing for the Muse?? Is that possible? Maybe they should just take out the SPF and re-market it as a night cream! Ok, despite your warnings….. I want to give this a try. In the morning, I use my regular SPF30 sunscreen, which is just moisturizing enough not to interfere with my foundation, but towards the afternoon, my under-eye, cheeks, and forehead get dry from the office AC (plus being 46 yo doesn’t help either), so I want to use this as a spot moisturizer, and having SPF 15 will be a nice bonus too. Will definitely go for the fragrance free one.