Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Edit: ok, this is a hybrid review for the SERUM as well as the Cream. I didn't realize they would be lumped together, so the majority of this is about the serum, which works out well since the two are quite similar, with the serum having a more concentrated feel. I'll add in some notes about the cream, where relevant. Summary: -Very hydrating. I can tell immediately. (both serum and cream) -Contains no bad alcohols, only beneficial ones (both serum and cream) -Long lasting dewy, moist skin (both serum and cream, though especially serum) -The SERUM can replace other steps in a routine IF need be (hydrating toner, essence, ampule, moisturizer) -Absorbs quickly yet has soft, dewy feel (both serum and cream) -Little goes a long way (both serum and cream, especially serum) -Plays well with sunscreen AND MAKE UP (no pilling, see notes below) (both serum and cream, together or separate) -Contains fragrance, is a STRONG scent (that dissipates) not a gentle scent(SERUM) -Contains fragrance, noticeable gentle scent, dissipates (CREAM) This Cetaphil deep hydration 48 hour activation SERUM really does add a significant boost of moisture to skin. It is targeted toward "dry, dehydrated skin", and I think it is a success in that regard. I went without my typical, beloved hydrating toners, complex serums, and fancy moisturizers in lieu of trying out this serum (as well as their moisturizer of same objective) for a few days. The SERUM is a lotion. It comes in a small serum like pump style bottle. It seems rich and concentrated. But it is not a liquid or syrup like many serums. It doesn't take much to cover the whole face. It goes on smooth, and feels silky. My skin is instantly moist and dewy, and the feeling doesn't go away. When used during the day, I always follow it up with a sunscreen. The CREAM is a lightweight cream moisturizer in a little open pot. You may want to use your own spatula or Popsicle stick to get product out if you don't want to use fingers. It works well on top of the serum, or alone. Very nice for adding moisture and locking in the serum. Don't need much. It spreads well. Feels nice on face and neck. Doesn't seem to aggravate the redness from Rosacea. Always follow up with sunscreen. While it contains lots of fatty alcohols (the GOOD kind that you want for your skin), I DO NOT SEE any bad alcohol (ie denatured, SD, etc). This serum is chock full of emollients, skin conditioners, humectants. The only real issue I have with it is the inclusion of "Fragrance" as an ingredient. While not everyone will be bothered by fragrance, some people with extra sensitive skin are. This product is also made in such a way to help address sensitivity, so it kind of confuses me that it is added. Now, most fragrances don't bother my skin (I have worked hard to repair my skin barrier, and I note that over past year or so that fragrance does not irritate.). HOWEVER, some fragrances simply bother me in the sense that it can trigger a headache and/or nausea. Somehow this doesn't happen with this, either. BUT, DANG this scent is STRONG (particularly in the SERUM). It kinda reminds me of the scent from a depilatory cream. If they took the scent down a notch or two (the pot of moisturizer is similarly scented but not nearly as strong), I wouldn't have issue with it. It doesn't linger forever, fortunately. Since I doubt will continue with this product (though, it does work, and it could be a contender for a time when I really need to pare down-- say I am doing an overnight somewhere and dont want to load up on products)--I have been also using it on my hands, elbows, and arms-- anywhere that feels dry. While I have used this SERUM alone (just to truly see how it does), or this along with their CREAM moisturizer, I have--through habit-- used it over hydrating toners and other serums, and under sunscreen and make up. I have NO PILLING. The spot where I figured I would be most likely to see pilling (little balled up product, usually from not letting it absorb, dry between applications) is with my liquid foundations. I have used cushion foundations, liquid foundations (with a sponge, with a brush, with my fingers) and I have used liquid foundations with SPF (using a sponge, a brush, or my fingers).. and none of those options made the products pill. I figured the possible force of the applicator (or my fingers) would move the skin and products enough to make them pill.. but nope! So I dare say that it makes for a decent primer? My skin: mid 40s, fair, leans dry, leans sensitive, Rosacea (non-acne, just redness with visible veins), loves hyaluronic acid and other humectants and emollients. SERUM Ingredients: WATER, GLYCERIN, SORBITOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, GLYCERYL CITRATE/LACTATE/LINOLEATE/OLEATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, OCTYLDODECANOL, HEXYLDECANOL, HEXYLDECYL LAURATE, DISTARCH PHOSPHATE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, ANHYDROXYLITOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) OIL, CITRIC ACID, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, DISODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, GLOBULARIA ALYPUM LEAF EXTRACT (BLUE DAISY), HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PANTHENOL (VITAMIN B5), PANTOLACTONE, FRAGRANCE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E ACETATE), XYLITOL, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE CREAM Ingredients: WATER, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3) ANHYDROXYLITOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) OIL, CITRIC ACID, GLOBULARIA ALYPUM LEAF EXTRACT (BLUE DAISY), HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PANTHENOL (VITAMIN B5), PANTOLACTONE, FRAGRANCE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SQUALANE, TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E) XYLITOL, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE.