The Lightweight, Oil-Free Moisturizer I Recommend to Absolutely Everyone
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As a beauty editor, I'm pretty confident in the product recommendations I dole out. But since concerns and needs are so specific and personal when it comes to skin care, it's rare that I can confidently recommend a single formula almost universally. It's not unheard of, though.
The Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream is a moisturizer I'd hands-down suggest for anyone and everyone, since it benefits any skin type and has virtually none of the polarizing factors (fragrance, heavy texture, greasy residue) that can put some people off of skin-care products. Touted by the brand as both "rich" and "oil-free," the lightweight lotion spreads easily and absorbs quickly. With an emollient base, it packs a whole bunch of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients — like squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, vitamin E and ceramides — but also goes above and beyond the duties of replenishing skin. (The formula is also spiked with peptides to help plump and firm.)
While I generally have a very seasonal skin-care routine, I love that I can use this cream year-round — it's airy enough for summer humidity, but also quenching enough for autumn and winter dryness — and with a variety of other actives and treatments, since it plays well with pretty much everything.
The only slight drawback is the price: At less than $60, it's a bargain compared to the Sturms and Baders of the world, but given that you'll probably find yourself wanting to use it every day, twice a day, it's likely you'll go through the $58 bottle fairly rapidly. (For me, it's usually a little more than a month-long supply.) If you're a person with skin, though, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream, $58, available here
Homepage photo: Courtesy of Shani Darden
Please note: This product was gifted. Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. In no way do either affect our editorial decision-making.
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