For the longest time it was sold out at my local Kruidvat drugstore, but I finally managed to get my hands on the Kruidvat Hydro Day Cream! What’s so special about it? This white label day cream costs about as much as a sandwich and was voted both “best buy” and “best of the test” in the moisturizer category by Belgian Consumer Organization Test-Aankoop last year. It even topped big names such as La Mer’s Moisturizing Gel Cream. By now we all know that a more expensive product doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better product, but even I was surprised a product that cheap could top the list so I decided to buy it to review.
The Hydro Day Cream is available at Kruidvat drugstores only (NL & BE) and comes in 2 versions: one for normal & combination skin and one for dry & sensitive skin. It’s recommended for people in their 20s and promises 24 h hydration while UVA & UVB filters protect the skin from the sun. It helps to reduce the signs of fatigue and makes sure the skin looks refreshed and healthy.
Ingredients: Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate / Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Squalane, Homosalate, Urea, Trehalose, Sorbitan Caprylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Panthenol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Serine, Pentylene Glycol, Perfume, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Dictate, Pullulan, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Polycrylate, Linalool, Benzoic Acid, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamon, Alphaisomethyl Ionone, Potassium Phosphate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Tocopherol, CI 42090.
The Kruidvat Hydro Day Cream comes in a hefty glass jar which makes it eco-friendly, but less travel-friendly. Upon opening the jar my fears become reality as a big scented cloud of alcohol and fragrance enters my nose. It’s a gel type of cream, which I like and would recommend for combination to oily skin types, but after applying I notice this doesn’t really do anything more than form a silicone film on top of my skin. After a couple of hours the hydration wears off, making the makeup around my nose and mouth look a little dry.
Unfortunately the Kruidvat Hydro Day Cream didn’t quite match my expectations. After all, the cream only scored 64/100, which isn’t that good.. but for some reason nobody paid attention to that. It may be the best in its price category but personally, I would rather spend a little bit more money on skin care with less but effective ingredients (actives). Especially if you have problem skin (sensitive, acne-prone) I wouldn’t recommend this as it might make your skin irritated due to the alcohol and fragrance.
Kruidvat Hydro Day Cream for normal & combination skin (50 ml) – € 3
Disclaimer: Product was purchased.