This had to be my first review. SVR Sebiaclear Hydra is the product that I use the most throughout the year; and the only product on which I stock up in large quantities. Although SVR don’t seem to be very popular outside France, they are one of my favourite pharmacy brands, and this product proves it. Having a sensitive/dry U-zone and oily T-zone/acne-prone skin, it is difficult to find a product that will deliver enough moisture and, yet, won’t cause breakouts. Here comes SVR Sebiaclear Hydra a thick, creamy, rich, but light enough for the oiliest of skins, the cream that will bring comfort. It’s designed for oily and acne-prone skin compromised by harsh treatments, basically most of the acne treatments, but it can easily be used by all skin types regardless of age. It helps to minimise marks, soothe and repair the skin. SVR also claim that it can serve as a makeup base. If your skin is dry absolutely, with oily skin, it may not work too well. I like to use it as a base under concealer when I use one, so it doesn’t crease.

I think it’s one of few moisturisers that never fails me. I use it as a day and night cream, and I am never worried that it won’t work. It’s like a nourishing bandage for your skin. Whenever I feel dry, and especially during winter months, I slather a thick layer of it before the bed (I mean thick to a level that my face is white from the product) and I wake up with the most glowing and hydrated skin. Each time I use it my skin looks much healthier the next day. I have also noticed that it helps with hyperpigmentation after spots; it just disappears quicker. Most importantly it saved my skin during my retinoid treatment, as it helps tremendously with the redness and dryness that comes from retinoids. It must be the niacinamide (5%) and ceramides in the product that do all of the magic, but I am not a scientist, so I’m just assuming. It also contains shea butter which for some people may cause troubles, for me it depends on the product, to be honest. I was apprehensive at first about this one, but I have never had issues with this cream.

INGREDIENTS (INCI): AQUA (PURIFIED WATER), CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, NIACINAMIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, SACCHARIDE ISOMERATE, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER-3, GLYCOLIPIDS, GLYCOSPHINGOLIPIDS, SPENT GRAIN WAX, TOCOPHEROL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CETETH-20, CITRIC ACID, PEG-75 STEARATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE STARCH, STEARETH-20, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE). From SVR’s website.

One concern that some of you may have about this product is fragrance. It is at the bottom of the list a very subtle amount, I assume, since I cannot detect it. I am not a fan of overly fragranced skincare. It’s probably to mask something (?), I am not sure why it was added, but I don’t think the amount would irritate someone sensitive to fragrance. Though, you never know.

I would recommend this cream to everyone who seeks hydration and nourishment from a product, someone whose skin is dry because of the weather, lifestyle or treatments. I would completely disregard the claim that it’s for oily skin; anyone can use this cream. Niacinamide has been shown to improve hydration, discolouration, and signs of ageing, and there’s 5% of it in the cream. It is an excellent product and certainly worth trying for the price.