I have spent the last three weeks looking like a shedding lizard thanks to my apartment radiator. It is a specific kind of winter misery where your face feels three sizes too small for your head. I have always loved the original serum version of this, so when I saw that they finally turned that hydration magic into a proper cream—and it was on sale for $24.00—I figured my thirsty skin deserved a literal drink.
A Cloud Made of Volcanic Water
The jar has that classic Vichy weight to it—it feels more like a luxury splurge than a pharmacy find. When you first dip into the Mineral 89 Fragrance Free 100H Rich Cream, it has this bouncy, cloud-like consistency. It is thick enough to feel substantial, but it does not have that heavy, suffocating ointment vibe that some dry skin creams have. Thank goodness for that. Since it is completely fragrance-free, there is no floral explosion to irritate my nose or my reactive cheeks; it just feels clean and cool the second it hits your skin.
The Post-Flight Recovery Mission
I decided to put this to the ultimate test during a weekend trip that involved two long flights and a hotel room with the humidity of a literal desert. Usually, by day two of travel, my foundation starts sitting in cracks I did not even know I had. I slathered this on before bed and again before my morning coffee, and the results were actually visible in the mirror. My skin stayed plump and bouncy even after hours of recycled airplane air.
- Plumping Power: My fine lines (the ones that only show up when I am dehydrated) basically vanished after the first night.
- Absorption: It sinks in remarkably fast. I could put my makeup on three minutes later without it sliding around.
- Finish: It gives a healthy, dewy glow that looks like you actually sleep eight hours a night.
- Sensitivity: Zero stinging on my rosacea-prone areas, which is a rare win.
The Final Verdict
Is it actually 100 hours of hydration? I do not know because I wash my face twice a day like a normal human, but the moisture is undeniably persistent. For $24.00, it is outperforming moisturizers I have paid double for. It is the kind of reliable, no-nonsense cream that makes your skin look resilient and healthy without needing a complicated twelve-step routine. If your skin is currently screaming for help, this is the peace offering it needs.
Who Should Buy This:
- Anyone with dry, tight, or flaky skin that needs immediate relief.
- People with sensitive skin who are tired of fragrance-heavy products causing breakouts.
- Hyaluronic acid fans who want a thicker, cream-based delivery system.
Who Should Skip This:
- Extremely oily skin types (this rich version might feel a bit too nourishing for you).
- People who genuinely enjoy a luxury scent in their nighttime routine.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren