Hi girls! I have posted a bunch of lists so far and was really heartened by how helpful others found it, so I thought I’d share it here too. However this time I’ll keep the reviews short and sweet, but feel free to ask if you want me to elaborate on anything!

* Check out the last part!

About My Skin

I’m with combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. My skin does not get along with fragrance, citrus oils, or floral essential oils, so I’ve become a bit of an ingredients nerd by necessity. I still have plenty to learn, but hopefully this list helps others with similarly reactive skin or anyone looking to simplify their routine based on honest experiences.

1. Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer – 2/10

Pros : I really wanted to love this. Tata Harper's brand story, organic skincare made on her Vermont farm, was something that really appealed to me. The packaging feels luxurious, and the lightweight gel-cream texture initially felt nice on the skin.

Cons: Unfortunately, the ingredients list is a red flag if you have sensitive skin like mine. It’s heavily fragranced and contains potential irritants like alcohol, limonene, linalool, citral, citronellol, and orange peel extract. Within a couple of uses, my skin started reacting, redness, tingling, and increased sensitivity. To top it off, there’s a sunburn warning on the box due to the inclusion of AHAs, which I found a bit alarming in a daily moisturizer.

Bottom Line : Skip it if your skin is reactive or prone to irritation. It might work for someone who isn’t sensitive and enjoys fragranced skincare, but it was a big miss for me.

2. Saturday Skin Carrot + Niacinamide Moisturizing Cream – 6/10

Pros : This cream has a dense, cushiony texture that feels super hydrating, especially in cooler months. It layered nicely over serums and under sunscreen, and my skin felt smooth and nourished after use. The niacinamide is a nice addition for brightening and strengthening the skin barrier.

Cons : The biggest issue for me was the scent when I bought this in Europe, it was fine. But when I repurchased in the U.S., it smelled overwhelmingly of silicone, almost plasticky. It was off-putting enough that I stopped using it altogether. I’m guessing the formula might differ slightly depending on the region, which is frustrating.

Bottom Line : This could be a great moisturizer if you can get a version that doesn’t smell weird. I’d recommend smelling it in-store first if possible or patch testing before committing.

3. Glossier Futuredew – 0/10

Pros : The packaging is sleek and aesthetic, like most Glossier products. The idea of a skincare-makeup hybrid with a dewy finish was appealing at first, especially for minimal makeup days.

Cons : The execution didn’t work for me at all. The texture felt oily, and instead of giving me a glow, it left me looking like a full-on greaseball. It also clogged my pores and triggered breakouts on my cheeks and jawline after just a few uses. The smell was also a bit odd like synthetic oils nothing I wanted lingering on my face all day.

Bottom Line : This might work for very dry skin types who love that ultra-glossy look, but for acne-prone or combo skin, I’d steer clear. It just didn’t give my skin the breathable, radiant finish I was hoping for.

Hope this helps my fellow sensitive skin friends navigate the skincare jungle and I'm always happy to share more if it's helpful! Stay tuned for the next chapter:)