The Only Moisturizer Worth Using When Your Skin Is Drier Than Your Houseplants

I'm fine with being the only person on earth who's killed a house cactus, but I'm definitely not okay with being the person whose skin is drier than my houseplants. Nope, that's just not going to work for me. I may not show my plants as much love as I show my skin, but in my defense, I can't use skincare products like Clinique's Moisture Surge™ 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator ($28) on my shrubs and succulents. If I could, they'd be better off.

Clinique's Moisture Surge™100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator penetrates deep into the skin's surface and locks in moisture for up to 100 hours all thanks to ingredients such as aloe bioferment and hyaluronic acid. Plus, it uses an auto-replenishing technology that's formulated with caffeine and activated aloe water, which triggers the skin's natural ionic "water pumps" to provide nonstop hydration. To put it simply, your complexion will look suppler and more hydrated. That might sound extreme, but it's the truth—my co-workers and I are proof. Keep scrolling to see what we all had to say about this very special hydrator.

Please introduce yourself.

I'm Yusra Siddiqui, an associate fashion editor at Who What Wear. I'm 24 years old and obsessed with all things hydration. (My skin is very dry.)

What's your relationship like with your skin?

I've always had an up-and-down relationship with my skin. I used to load on products because I was so frustrated and fed up, but once I started to take the time to understand my skin and its needs, our relationship became much stronger.

What are your top skin concerns?

My skin is almost always dehydrated and flaky. I also struggle with hormonal acne usually around the time of my period or in high-stress moments.

How does having clear, healthy skin make you feel more confident?

It makes me feel more confident because it shows me that I'm taking care of myself. Whenever I stop my routine or get lazy with self-care, it shows up on my skin. Of course, I'll always have blemishes and imperfections, but when I'm taking care of my skin, I feel much better from within as well. I also don't like wearing a heavy amount of makeup, so when I'm taking care of my skin, I'm able to simply use some sunscreen and just spot-conceal areas that need more love.

What does your regular skincare routine look like?

I listen to what my skin needs when deciding my routine for the day and night. Once I started addressing individual concerns instead of treating my skin as a whole, I was able to see improvements. When my skin is hormonal and irritated, I up the hydration and calming products. When it's calm, I keep it simple with just a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Before I used this product, I was dealing with hormonal breakouts and some skin flare-ups, so hydration was something I very much needed.

What do you love most about the Moisture Surge™ 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator?

I love the consistency of it. It feels light and fluffy, and it sinks into my skin almost immediately. I've been using it for about three weeks now, and I'm still surprised by how quickly it works. Other products usually take some time to produce effects, but not this one. I also can't stop touching my skin, which I know is bad, but it has never felt so supple! It also adds a subtle glow to my skin that almost looks like a highlighter.

What are some unexpected ways you've used it?

I wear a headscarf, and sometimes I have very random flyaways that come out of my scarf. Since you can use it to tame hair, I gave it a try, and it actually gets the job done!

Please introduce yourself.

I'm Caitie Schlisserman. I live in sunny Los Angeles, and I'm a senior beauty director at Who What Wear.

What's your relationship like with your skin?

I have a decent relationship with my skin. I work very hard to provide my skin with a wonderful routine, but at times, I feel like it still acts out.

What are your top skin concerns?

I would say hyperpigmentation and dry skin on my cheeks. I sometimes get hormonal acne around my period but nothing too crazy.

How does having clear, healthy skin make you feel more confident?

I feel that my skin is a direct representation of myself. It's the first thing people see, so when it's acting up, I feel like it's a poor reflection of who I am. It almost feels like I'm not being a good parent to it or something, which gets me pretty down. But on the flip side, when my skin looks healthy—glowy, hydrated, and blemish-free—I feel like I can take on anything. It totally changes my demeanor and how I tackle the day.

What does your regular skincare routine look like?

I have core products both morning and night, including my serums and resurfacing products. But part of my job is to test products, so I'm constantly rotating face washes, moisturizers, masks, etc. I will change up my serums, too, but I always go back to the products that I know work for me.

What do you love most about the Moisture Surge™ 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator?

Where do I even start? This stuff is no joke. It's lightweight but somehow feels rich and luxurious. I love how my skin just eats it up. A little bit goes a long way, and it creates a perfect canvas for applying makeup. I'm telling you if you want an endlessly plump and dewy glow, here you go.

What are some unexpected ways you've used it?

It's been very cold in L.A. this winter, so my skin has been super dry. When I feel like it needs some extra TLC, I pop the tub into the fridge for 15 minutes and then apply it to my skin as if it were a face mask. After five minutes, I massage it in and remove any excess product with a towel. It's a nice way to give my skin an extra dose of hydration.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Anneliese Dominguez. I'm a 27-year-old fashion editor living in Los Angeles.

What's your relationship like with your skin?

I think I got blessed genetically with good skin and have never had any major problems, but that doesn't mean my skin is perfect. I've experienced hormonal breakouts since I was a teenager, but as the years have gone by and I've learned how to take better care of my skin, the breakouts have become less frequent.

What are your top skin concerns?

Hormonal breakouts and dry skin in the winter.

How does having clear, healthy skin make you feel more confident?

I'm a "no-makeup makeup" kind of girl, so when I have clear skin, I'm that much more confident. Nine times out of 10, I'm using a tinted moisturizer or sunscreen in place of a foundation. And the less spot concealer I can use, the happier I am.

What's your regular skincare routine look like?

When it comes to skincare, my motto is "less is more." That used to be because I didn't have a lot of money to spend on products, so I liked to keep it to a minimum. But as I've gotten older and have been able to invest in additional products, I've noticed my skin becoming more sensitive. Now I only use essential products and live by a different motto: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."

What do you love most about the Moisture Surge™ 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator?

It's actually shocking how much more hydrated my skin looks. I noticed a difference even after the first use. And it might just be me, but it almost has a cooling effect upon application, which I usually only feel if a product has been chilling in the fridge. But in this case, it's likely from the aloe. I already know that in the summertime, this will be the first thing I reach for after a long day in the sun. I've been using the moisturizer for about three weeks now, and while I've seen so many benefits (hello, hydrated and glowy skin), my favorite thing I've noticed is how plump my skin looks. My face looks all-around fuller and dewier—and that's something I'll never be mad about.

What are some unexpected ways you've used it?

When I read that you can put this product in your hair, I was skeptical. But as someone with curls that can get super frizzy, I'm willing to try anything. Lo and behold, it tamed my locks, and I'm officially a believer. Next, I need to try using it as a cuticle treatment because these hands could use some help.