Hydro-Softening Lotion

I moved back to the desert after 13 years in the PNW. I'm also turning 50 this year and my skin has changed from having children (and a husband!) and just aging in general. I needed a new skin lotion that could help with the obvious desert dryness. The reviews on this product were impressive. And while the name is French, and the price tag much steeper than I would typically spend on a skin care product, I thought I'd give this a try and hope I would be pleasantly surprised. The reviewers said it lasted a long time and was amazing. I respected that the product was made in Japan. That probably also accounts for the higher cost of the product, but from my own research, the Japanese do a really good job on their beauty products so I thought I'd give it a go. Of course, this could be a situation where it's only manufactured in Japan and Japan has nothing to do with the actual formulation of the product. The instructions say to use 3 pumps worth on a cotton ball per use. The first time I tried that, I found most of the product repelled off the cotton ball and onto the bathroom sink vanity. I must be using the wrong brand of cotton balls... Instead, I carefully do one pump into my hand and use my fingers to lightly spread it all over my face. It feels like you'd use a lot more product each time if A. you used 3 pumps and B. you used a cotton ball or cotton pad to wipe it on your face. So, less waste of the product itself and having to buy/use/toss cotton balls/pads if you just use your hand and fingers. But you do you. Like I mentioned above, I only need one pump of the lotion in my hand and I can easily cover my entire face, under my chin and neck, and have enough to smooth over my ears and the backs of my hands. This "lotion" is very thin, it's not thick at all like other products I've used. To me, it looks and feels a bit like gelatinous water. Does micellular water feel like this, too? I've never tried it. Also from the product listing information and the reviews, I couldn't exactly tell if I could truly use this as a stand alone face lotion or if this was more of a toner and/or if I needed to use this with multi-products to get my intended outcome. I just want one product I can slick on my face after I get out of the shower or before I got to bed. I have only given this four stars because I haven't had it for very long and I don't ritually use is every day (morning and night). It's too early to know if this is going to work for me over the long haul. When I have used it, it's been fine, but I wouldn't say (yet) that this is the holy grail of face lotions. I've used drug store products that have been a lot less expensive and my face felt more moisturized (but not greasy) after I've applied them. Maybe this is a product you need to apply daily and you notice the results over time? I dunno. YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.) P.S. - I've posted a photo of me holding the bottle in my hand so that you can see how large the bottle actually is. (You're welcome!) Also, reviewers mentioned that it smells really nice but I can barely detect any scent at all.

Lovely lotion that hydrates effectively as a first step to my routine. Helps me use less serum and moisturizer, since I'm spreading them on a slightly damp face. I can see the difference in my face when our weather is extra dry (12% humidity today, for example), but it doesn't seem to make me feel sticky when the humidity soars. I do completely ignore the instructions, though. They advise you to use three pumps on a cotton pad (their proprietary pads, obviously), which is hilarious. I use a half pump on my palms and press lightly onto my face. Works like a charm, and the bottle lasts a whole lot longer. My hands are usually still damp enough to press the remainder on to my neck and decollete. And no cotton waste, either!

One of the best hydrating softening lotions I have ever used. During the winter months this is perfect, I can still stay with my lighter moisturizer because this lotion is so rich and hydrating on my skin, and absorbs quickly, leaving a soft, supple feel. The only reason to dislike this product is the high price point. I wish this was more affordable.