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I am really fuzzy when it comes to moisturizers, so the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer didn’t have it easy convincing me. Not that I have found many bad moisturizers during my years of testing skincare, on the contrary. I have found many that do exactly what they are supposed to do, and most of them do that quite well.
The problem is more that in order to convince me, they need to wow me. They need to feel so good upon application that I get really excited about using them, and those are much harder to find and sadly very often come at quite a high price.
So looking at this budget option – what did I think?
What the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer claims
A rich facial moisturizer that effectively hydrates.
Facts about the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer
Prize and size
One tube – it comes with a pump and looks very similar in packaging to the elf Pure Skin Cleanser, so similar that I would advise double checking before application if you keep them both in the same spot – contains 75 ml and is available for 13 € on the website here. I had the mini, so I can‘t comment on how well it works with a pump.
All elf skincare products are vegan, this one is also fragrance-free.
Texture and smell
In texture, it is a typical cream. Firmer than a lotion, but still easy to spread. I can‘t say how well it works with the pump packaging it comes in as I had the mini version, but have not heard about complaints in this regard. Like many fragrance-free products this one has a distinct scent coming from the ingredients themselves, and while I personally am not a fan, it is only really noticeable when you spread it, but never gets overwhelming. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare dangerous?)
How to use the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer
Like all moisturizers this goes on either as last step in your routine at night or before sunscreen in the mornings. While it could be used for both, I personally don‘t think it lends itself to morning use, at least not if your skin is normal to oily. They call it rich, but I didn‘t find it to be very hydrating, and while I agree that it isn‘t greasy at all, it leaves kind of a protective layer on the skin and is quite tacky, so not something I enjoy on my face during the day.
Ingredients of the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer
sii|h 0 0, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Stearic Acid emo|vc 0 2–3, Ceteth-20 surf|emu|surf, Trehalose 
h, Silica vc, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour so|aox|emo, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Allantoin so 0 0, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Ceramide NP sii, Ceramide AP sii, Ceramide EOP sii, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Cholesterol sii|emo 0 0, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate emu, Carbomer vc 0 1, Xanthan Gum vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Phenoxyethanol pres, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Tromethamine buff, Steareth-2 emu|surf 2 2, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate emu|surf, Disodium EDTA chelHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
A possible explanation for this feeling of a protective layer is the presence of three different types of Ceramides. Ceramides are a waxy substance, and depending on the formulation they are in can often lead to a product leaving a film on the skin, which can, especially when your skin is irritated and feeling raw, be very welcome. (More info: The benefits of Ceramides in your skincare explained)
Other than the Ceramides you will find Phytosphingosine and Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride to replace skin lipids, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate and Trehalose as humectants as well as Allantoin and Niacinamide to soothe the skin. (More info: The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare explained and The benefits of Niacinamide in your skincare explained)
The whole Pure Skin line contains Colloidal Oat Meal again aimed at soothing irritated skin, but at which percentage I can‘t say. (More info: The benefits of Colloidal Oatmeal in your skincare explained)
What surprised me in skincare aimed at sensitive skin was the addition of Chamomille Flower Extract. Chamomille is known for its soothing properties in herbal medicine, that much is true, but plant extracts of any sort are a black box in terms of what they actually contain, so not the best choice for people prone to allergies.
More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products
Does it live up to its claims?
No.
I perceive it as neither rich nor very hydrating.
How does it compare to…
Geek and Gorgeous Happier Barrier
The Geek and Gorgeous option feels similar in firmness and in the protective layer it leves on the skin, but I perceive it as more nourishing than the elf version. While some ingredients are present in both, the ceramides and the colloidal oatmeal for example, others do differ. Happier Barrier has Green Tea instead of Chamomille Extract for example, and no Hyaluronic Acid. To which extent that will affect your purchase decision depends on how much emphasis you put on individual ingredients over general feeling on the skin. I personally prefer the Geek and Gorgeous Happier Barrier version.
You can read my full review of the Geek and Gorgeous Happier Barrier Cream here.
Murad Quick Relief Moisture Treatment
While Murads cream is not technically a cream, but a treatment (hence the name) it is my surprise new favorite for when my skin is feeling a little sore and in need for soothing. Just like the elf version it leaves a protective layer on the skin, but I perceive it as more hydrating and more effectively soothing. It is much more expensive though, so I understand if it is not within your budget.
You can read my full review of the Murad Quick Relief Moisture Treatment here.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Moisturizer
The main difference between the elf version and the version from Dr. Sam’s is that the latter contains neither Ceramides nor Colloidal Oatmeal. It also feels more lightweight straight out of the tube and more hydrating on the skin, but with that same protective layer feel to it that I would attribute to the added Panthenol. I enjoy Dr. Sam’s version a tad more, but neither is a favorite.
You can read my full review of the Dr. Sam’s Flawless Moisturizer here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the elf Pure Skin Moisturizer to?
The elf Pure Skin Moisturizer didn‘t convince me in terms of texture and hydration. While I appreciated the choice of ingredients, I found it to be too tacky and waxy on my skin to enjoy wearing it. I also didn‘t find it to be very hydrating. If your skin is very irritated, you might appreciate it, but for my skin (normal to oily and prone to breakouts) type it just didn‘t deliver.
Shop elf skincare here
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