Daily Moisturizer for Combination Skin

Product: Desert Essence Daily Essential Moisturizer – for Normal Skin (With Jojoba Oil & Aloe Vera)

I had never given Desert Essence products a look, always passing them over in favor of more expensive lotions and potions whose names contain words like “hyaluronic” and “peptides.” Subconsciously, I hesitated to buy anything with the word ‘desert’ in the title, assuming these products were designed for a race of very tan people living in the Southwest, not a pale Midwesterner like myself. When this moisturizer went on sale one day, I picked it up, thinking it would be a great all-purpose cream. Turns out this little gem is one of my favorite products now!

This is a simple cream designed to rehydrate normal skin, restore softness and soothe. I used it during the summer: in the morning under makeup, as a night cream and as a soothing balm to my sunburned face and chest after a week at the beach. The main ingredients are aloe vera and jojoba oil, which are both healing and soothing to the skin.

The ingredient list is short, and what it doesn’t contain is just as impressive as what it does. No phthalates, parabens, artificial fragrances, dyes or petrolatum compounds. This cream is also vegan and gluten free. Desert Essence was founded in 1978 to promote the benefits of Jojoba Oil and Aloe Vera and they boast a commitment to organic, cruelty-free products and a sustainable model of business. No animal testing is performed on raw materials or the finished products.

My favorite thing about this product is the finish it provides. I have combination skin and I’m usually disappointed by every product that claims to provide a matte finish. This lotion is rich and nourishing but ‘sets up’ quickly, with no shine. It’s a great makeup base and I’ve found that when mixed with foundation, it creates a perfect tinted moisturizer without any of the excess sheen that is so common in those products.

My next favorite thing about this moisturizer (and all of the Desert Essence products) is the price!  It retails for $6.99 and is currently on sale on the Desert Essence website for $5.59. This is a must-have, all purpose moisturizer from a company that you can be proud to support!

Guest blog post by Abi Mogge, a 29 year old woman from Northern Illinois. Shes work at a radio station and as an occasional pianist. She dabbles in biking, running, cooking and blogging.