My experiment started at night. After cleansing, toning, and using the Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum, I used the Replenishing Hydrator. (With apologies to Dr. Gratch, I skipped the richer cream because I wanted to see how the gel-cream works on its own.) Cooling, featherweight, and somehow still cushiony, the formula sits on the skin like a silky, moisturizing cocoon for about 30 seconds, and then it starts sinking in. As it absorbs, it feels like a chilled glass of aloe water penetrating the pores; you can actually feel it sinking deeper and deeper. “It has a lightweight, gel-creme texture that breaks into a watery-fresh gel,” Wong says, explaining its uniquely refreshing sensation.

True to its claims, the cream left my skin looking bouncier and more radiant by bedtime, and when I brushed my teeth the next morning, I couldn’t help but stop and admire my upgraded dewiness. After a morning dose of vitamin C serum, I used the Auto-Replenishing Hydrator again, then topped it with sunscreen. This has been my routine for the past couple of weeks.

In that time, the temperatures have dipped and the winds have picked up, but I haven’t experienced my typical bout of seasonal dryness. I’ve even started using the hydrator over makeup, since Wong gave me this hot tip: “In addition to a daily moisturizer, used morning and night, [the Hydrator] can be used as a five-minute mask, applied over makeup as a dewy highlighter, and as a cuticle treatment and frizz smoother.”

Why Is Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator So Popular?

The enduring popularity of the product rests on its results. “With regular use, the skin feels softer and smoother, appears plumper, and looks more radiant overall,” Dr. Gratch says. “It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydration, making it an excellent option for anyone dealing with dryness, tightness, or dullness.”

Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, would recommend it to nearly anyone. “Because it’s oil-free and fragrance-free, pretty much all skin types in need of a burst of hydration can use it, whether that’s dry, acne-prone, or sensitive,” she says. “I also find that male patients tend to prefer gel-cream formulas over traditional creams and find them very comfortable to wear.” What’s more, the product is virtually risk-free. “It’s dermatologist-tested for all skin types, safe for sensitive skin, allergy-tested, and 100% fragrance-free,” Wong notes.

Is Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Worth It?

According to Gratch, the cream’s singular formula makes it worth the investment. While oil-free, “It’s formulated with humectants like hyaluronic acid and aloe bioferment, which help pull water into the skin while reinforcing the barrier,” he says. “This makes it unique in its ability to deliver deep hydration without clogging pores, so it works well for normal, dry, combination, and even acne-prone skin types.”