Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

Are you looking for a gentle and effective moisturizer for sensitive skin? Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, may be the right fit for you. In this Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer review, I’ll give you a product overview of Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer. Breakdown each ingredient and its purpose. And, most importantly help you determine whether Vanicream Daily Moisturizer is right for your sensitive skin.

Product Profile – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

Vanicream Daily Moisturizer is one of the brand’s latest products made specifically for the face. It’s aligned with the rest of the brand’s skincare products as it continues to be free of dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.

Vanicream Daily Moisturizer is an upgrade when compared to the rest of the products from this no-frills skincare line. Its lightweight formulation includes 5 different ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane and is a definite step up from their standard Moisturizing Lotion. Also, when it comes to its formulation. For a drugstore moisturizer, it’s on par with some of the prestige moisturizers on the market, if not better. 

Typically I prefer products with 10 ingredients or less. Vanicream Daily Moisturizer has 19, which I don’t love. And some of those ingredients like stearyl alcohol, hydrogenated lecithin and phytosterols can be irritating to those with sensitive skin. But the formulation does have its benefits and if you can tolerate these ingredients, you should definitely give it a try. As always, patch testing is your friend. 

Product Claims

According to the manufacturer, Pharmaceuticals Specialties Inc. This Vanicream Daily Moisturizer is specially formulated to provide hydration and nourishment while being gentle on sensitive skin. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, redness, or irritation, this moisturizer claims to be the perfect solution for your skincare needs. Vanicream describes the moisturizer as “a rich, but lightweight lotion that provides effective moisturization for day or night. It is formulated with ingredients that “ help to hydrate and retain the skin’s moisture” and “it  leaves the skin feeling soft and deeply moisturized while still being lightweight and suitable to wear under makeup.”

On the claims front, I would say some of their claims are true. Does it hydrate and nourish the skin? Yes. Is it lightweight and does it help to retain your skin’s moisture? Yes, it can. However, it’s most likely not going to be moisturizing enough for those with dry skin. Also, if you are experiencing redness, acute sensitivity or any other major irritation. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid, fatty alcohols, and glycols may further irritate these conditions. 

But don’t fret! If you have mild to moderate sensitive skin with no active irritation. And you’re not sensitive to glycols, fatty alcohols or hyaluronic acid. Give this a try!  The ceramides alone are enough for this moisturizer to be in your sensitive skincare arsenal. As sensitive as my skin is, I was able to tolerate this moisturizer with no issues for several months and continue to use it to this day as an occasional treatment step. But, I no longer use it every day and I’ll explain why.

My Experience – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

I was really excited to try Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer because for years I have wanted a moisturizer that had ceramides due to all of their skin health benefits. Several years ago my skin barrier was wrecked. Everything I put on my skin burned. So I began to research how to heal my skin and discovered that one of the key components to repairing a compromised skin barrier are ceramides.

Ceramides For Skin Benefits

Ceramides occur naturally in our skin. But when ceramide levels are low due to a compromised skin barrier. It can cause skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. You can read more about this here.

Realizing that ceramides were a key part of healing my skin barrier I was on the hunt for ceramide everything. But unfortunately, most of the products that had ceramides, also had ingredients in them like essential oils, fragrance, coconut oil, alcohol, polysorbates or other ingredients that my skin just doesn’t like. So I started researching natural forms of ceramides and learned about phytoceramides. Phytoceramides are ceramides that naturally occur in some plants. Great sources of phytoceramides are sunflower oil (which I am allergic to) macadamia nut oil, moringa oil and shea butter (the latter is what I used).

I was reluctant to use shea because I’ve read previously that those who have acne prone skin should not use shea butter. But at the time I was desperate. My skin was in such a terrible state that I was willing to put anything on it to promote healing. So I made my own face cream using shea butter and squalane and applied it every morning and night. After a week I had no more stinging.

After two weeks my skin felt the best it had felt in weeks. And after a month I was able to slowly add in a moisturizing toner and a gentle serum to further support my skin. All in all, it took several months for my skin barrier to fully heal. But I attribute the shea butter cream to nourishing and repairing my barrier as it truly saved my skin. 

Shea Butter – A Phytoceramide Powerhouse

Nowadays, I use this diy shea butter cream for everything. Like when I encounter a product that doesn’t play nice with my skin. I use it to calm things down. It works like a charm and always allows my skin to bounce back quickly. I’ll also use it as a leave-on moisturizing mask, a lip mask and as a substitute for vaseline when “slugging”. 

It’s super versatile, extremely nourishing and cost effective. Plus it lasts for months. Here is the one I use. Also, if you’re a skincare nerd like me and want to learn more about phytoceramides click here.

So needless to say, ceramides are a vital part of skin barrier health. Incorporating them into your skincare routine can be a game changer, especially for those with sensitive skin conditions. And although I love my homemade cream and use it often. I also love trying new skincare products. So when I saw this moisturizer at Target, I had to buy it. 

Vanicream Daily Moisturizer

I tried and enjoyed the Vanicream Daily Moisturizer for about six months. It was my go-to moisturizer during the spring and summer months as it’s a lightweight, water-based formula that feels really comfortable on the skin. This moisturizer provides the perfect amount of moisture on warmer days and gives you an extra skin conditioning boost on cooler days when paired with a moisturizing serum or heavier moisturizer. It works really well under makeup and doesn’t pill underneath sunscreen. But, if you’re looking for a thick, creamy occlusive moisturizer, for super dry skin. SHE. AINT. IT.  Vanicream Daily Moisturizer has a light lotion-like texture, that is more like a creamy serum, rather than a traditional lotion or cream. 

However, even though it’s lightweight, I found it to be deeply hydrating. This is due to the inclusion of some of its hero ingredients like ceramides and squalane which soften and condition the skin. It rubs in seamlessly and leaves you with a semi-matte finish. It’s especially great if you have combination or oily skin. As it balances oil and leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized. However, if you have dry to very dry skin and want to add the healing benefits of ceramides to your skincare routine. You could use this as a creamy moisturizing serum, then follow it up with a heavier moisturizer. Either way, it works great for those who have mild to moderate sensitive skin. 

As I mentioned previously, I tried and enjoyed using this product for several months.  But around the six month mark my skin just stopped liking it. I hadn’t changed anything about my routine or introduced any new products. It just stopped playing nice. I noticed that when I put it on, I would feel a tingly irritating sensation. It wouldn’t last long, but it was there. I also noticed that on days where I would use an exfoliant. I had a higher sensitivity response after I would put the Vanicream Daily Moisturizer on. Again, this is after having used my normal skincare (which at that point was three products, a cleanser, toner, and serum that I had been using for over a year).

Too Much Of A Good Thing

Because I was curious, I switched out the moisturizer and used my shea butter cream as my daily moisturizer. After three days the irritation was gone and my skin felt back to normal. I then reintroduced the Vanicream Daily Moisturizer, but this time, I skipped the hyaluronic acid serum that I typically use every day. The first day of application, was fine, with no issues. The second and third day, again no issues. On the fifth day, my skin started to get a bit stingy after application. But it did not last long. That’s when I had my light bulb moment. It’s the hyaluronic acid!

My skin has a love-hate relationship with hyaluronic acid. If I use too many products with HA, my skin gets pissed. My moisturizing toner and serum both have HA. And although I have used them both without any issues. My skin can act up at the drop of a hat. So in this case, the addition of HA in the moisturizer was just too much for my skin to handle. 

Hydrating Hero

So once things calmed down, I wanted to test a theory.  I decided to do a 30 day trial of just using the Vanicream on its own, with no toner and serum. And sure enough, no issues. But because I love my moisturizing toner and serum, I reincorporated them back into my routine and now use a moisturizer that is HA free. 

Although I’m no longer using this as a daily moisturizer. I do use it as a creamy serum on days that I’m not using other products with HA. I continue to find it effective at hydrating and softening my skin when it’s feeling dehydrated.

Sidenote, you DO NOT need hyaluronic acid in every skincare product. Skincare companies will tell you differently and tend to gratuitously add it to products when it is not necessary. Furthermore, if you’re not careful, too much hyaluronic acid can cause irritation and sensitization. Yes, it plumps. Yes, it moisturizes. But you don’t need it in your cleanser, toner, serum AND moisturizer. One HA serum is enough. Or if you have a well-formulated moisturizer with HA, that is perfectly sufficient.

How I Use It – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

I have combination skin that tends to be more oily in the warmer months and drier (but still oily) in the cooler months. So when using this on warmer days, I cleanse, apply a moisturizing toner and then use the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer as my moisturizing step. My face feels soft and comfortable all day and I don’t feel dried out or too oily.

On cooler days I’ll cleanse, apply a moisturizing serum, then follow that with Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer. As a final step, I’ll apply squalane or a moisturizing oil like marula or argan to seal in moisture.  When I do this extra step, my skin stays comfortable and hydrated all day long.

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Ingredients

Smell, Texture + Consistency

• It’s fragrance-free, but not free of fragrance. It has a very slight non-descript smell. As a person who is sensitive to fragrance it causes no issues for me. 

• The texture is a smooth, lightweight lotion.

• Rubs in seamlessly and does not pill under makeup or sunscreen.

Similar Alternatives – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

Cocokind’s Ceramide Barrier Repair Serum

If you are looking for an alternative to Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, Cocokind’s Ceramide Barrier Repair serum is similar in its moisturizing and hydrating abilities.

It is a cleaner formulation and it includes ceramides, cholesterol and squalane. This formulation does include sunflower oil, so if you are sensitive to botanicals in the daisy family, you may want to skip this one.

Is It Sensitive Skin Friendly? – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

• Depends. If you have mild to moderate sensitivity, and not reactive to any of its ingredients, this is a great option. Adding ceramides to your skincare routine could be a game changer for your skin. However, if you are experiencing active irritation, skip this moisturizer until your skin feels its best.

• If you are hypersensitive to very sensitive, this moisturizer is not for you. But if you still want to incorporate ceramides into your routine, shea butter and moringa oil are loaded with phytoceramides and are great single ingredient options.

Final Thoughts – Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

Who They Say It’s For?

• All skin types

Who Is It Really For?

• Appropriate for mildly sensitive/sensitive skin types that are not experiencing active irritation

• Those with dehydrated or oily skin

• Those looking for a lightweight moisturizer or supplemental way to add ceramides to their routine

Who Is It Not For?

• Those with highly sensitive or hypersensitive skin that is actively irritated or inflamed should skip this one

• If you have issues with botanical ingredients in the daisy family like feverfew, chamomile, or sunflower

• Those sensitive to glycols or fatty acids may experience stinging or burning from this moisturizer

• Dry skin types looking for a one and done solution

What I Like About It

• Ceramides, humectants and moisturizing factors are excellent

• It’s hydrating, moisturizing and leaves my skin feeling soft and comfortable

What I Don’t Like About It

• This product has 19 ingredients. A formulation edit removing some of the unnecessary ingredients that have the potential to cause irritation would be ideal.

• There are better emulsifiers than stearyl alcohol, which is a known irritant and has been linked to contact dermatitis, acne, and allergic reactions.

Overall, this moisturizer is great for those who have mild to moderately sensitive skin. Its combination of skin-nourishing ceramides along with the hydrating benefits of squalane and hyaluronic acid make it a lightweight moisturizer that is excellent for combination or oily skin. It’s also fantastic as a “treatment” step if you’re looking to add ceramides and humectants to your routine. 

I’d like to hear your Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer review. Have you tried it? Are there other sensitive skin friendly ceramide creams that you’ve tried and liked? Let me know in the comments below.