At £5.00 a bottle, it’s safe to say that Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser is one of the cheapest – if not the cheapest – moisturisers at the drugstore.
But is it also as intensely moisturising as it claims? Can we all switch to this and save lots of money every month? I’ve put it to the test to find out:
What’s In Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser?
HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser contains Sodium Hyaluronate, a form of Hyaluronic Acid that better penetrates your skin.
Its job? It’s a moisture magnet that draws water from the environment and binds it into your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Extra moisture = plumper and brighter skin.
P.S. Sodium Hyaluronate isn’t the only moisture magnet here. Glycerin does the same thing, but on a smaller scale.
Related: Why You Need Hyaluronic Acid In Your Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
DIMETHICONE TO ENHANCE TEXTURE
Dimethicone is one of the heaviest silicones. It has several jobs:
- It gives slip to the lotion, so that it glides more smoothly on the skin
- It fills in fine lines and wrinkles, so they look smaller for a while
- It creates a protective barrier on the skin that slows down water loss
- It makes skin silky soft to the touch
And nope, it does NOT suffocate skin. Silicones have a particular molecular structure made up of big molecules with wide gaps in between. Skin can still perspire through these gaps.
If you must find fault with dimethicone, here it is: it only provides a quick fix. It makes fine lines and wrinkles look smaller for a few hours, but it can’t do anything to make them go away completely.
Related: Do Silicones Prevent Active Ingredients From Penetrating Skin?
SQUALANE
Squalane is one of the very few oils that doesn’t make fungal acne worse. It’s safe literally for everyone.
Squalane is a natural component of your skin. That means your skin recognizes it and absorbs it quickly. It doesn’t leave a super greasy residue behind as other oils do.
Plus, it’s super moisturizing. It creates a barrier on the skin that slows down water loss, keeping it hydrated and soft for longer.
Related: How To Treat Fungal Acne
Need help creating the best skincare routine for you oily skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Oily Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Texture
Lightweight, almost runny. Sinks in immediately.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
In the morning, in between serum and sunscreen. At night, it’s the last step of your skincare routine.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I love the texture of Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser. It’s super lightweight but stops right short at the point of being runny. It’s a pleasure to apply and sinks in immediately without leaving a greasy residue behind.
My oilier t-zone loves it. It plumps up the fine lines on my forehead, so they look smaller. It makes my skin softer to the touch. And it gives a slightly dewy glow that stops my complexion from looking dull and flat.
My cheeks are drier than the rest of my face and here, the moisturiser falls short. It adds some extra hydration, but it’s not enough to keep my skin soft and supple all day long.
I supplement by slathering on a separate hyaluronic acid serum beforehand (Boots makes one too). Problem solved.
Related: My Full Review Of Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Who Is This For?
Everyone can use it, but it’s more suitable for oily and combination skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Not moisturising enough for dry skin.
Packaging
Black and white tube. Sleek and practical.
Does Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| This product leaves the skin feeling intensely moisturised. | Only if it’s oily/combination. |
| Hydrates skin. | Yes. |
| Skin looks brighter. | Yes. |
| Skin feels smoother. | Yes. |
Price & Availability
£5.00 at Boots
Do You Need It?
If you have oily skin and are on a very tight budget, you’ll love this.
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Dupes & Alternatives
- Cetaphil Facial Hydrating Lotion ($17.99)
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Cloud Cream (£45.00)
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, C14-22 Alcohols, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Peg-100 Stearate, Methylparaben, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Isohexadecane, Disodium Edta, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate
