This Trader Joe's Moisturizer Isn't a Clinique Dupe - It's Better
Did you know that there’s a difference between moisturizing and hydrating? I am a self-diagnosed skincare obsessive and I learned this like, 6 months ago. Hydrating is something that all skin types need - even oily skin can get dehydrated. Your skin needs water to rehydrate it, plump it up, and make it look healthy. Moisturizing is when your skin just isn’t producing enough natural moisture (oil) and you need to artificially add some back in. Moisturizer is also to help your skin from losing hydration, so you can use a hydrating product to put that water back in your skin, and then a moisturizer on top to seal it in and prevent hydration loss.
This is all to say, I have learned to love hydrators (they are almost never called that) and one in particular is a great one, and a great deal. Trader Joe’s Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer is less than $10, comes in a huge container, and works like something that costs 5 times as much.
It is allegedly a dupe for Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, and I’d say that’s mostly true. I was given a deluxe sample of the Clinique hydrator at Sephora and was using it before applying makeup, on no makeup days as a daytime lotion. The difference in the TJ’s one, though, is how it sinks into the skin and feels like you’re wearing nothing. It’s like a magic trick. Particularly on days when I’m not wearing makeup, I usually coat myself in a heavy moisturizer and just let that simmer while I go about my day. With these hydrators, and in particular the Trader Joe’s formula, it’s as if I’m wearing nothing - but I’m still treating my skin to a nice drink. And, if I want to, I can put a moisturizer on over that and really treat my skin to some intense moisture.
The container is 2.5 ounces, which is MASSIVE, and the packaging feels luxurious, despite the $8.99 price tag. The next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, swing by the beauty aisle and pick up this hydrator - your skin, your wallet, your whole LIFE will thank you.
