Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief: ($34/$46.50 for 1.7 oz/2.5 oz)
Positives: This contains high amounts of the humectant glycerin, which will serve to attract water to the epidermis. This also contains high amounts of the antioxidants birch extract, silymarin-rich lady’s thistle, and polyphenol-rich green tea. There are moderate amounts of several water-binding agents such as urea, sorbitol, lecithin, sodium hyaluronate, aloe vera, and caffeine, the latter two of which also act as anti-inflammatories. Finally, there are low amounts of vitamin E and palmitoyl oligopeptide, which in vitro, have been shown to stimulate collagen in human fibroblasts. Topically however, its effects are unknown. Even if they do penetrate all way to the base of the dermis, physical changes will only manifest after long periods of consistent use. This probably isn’t worth mentioning but there is a dusting of vitamin C present. Also note that a form of yeast is present. For a more detailed discussion of yeasts, click here.
Neutrals: None.
Negatives: None.
Packaging: The jar packaging makes me so sad!
Overall: I would so recommend this if it wasn’t packaged in a jar! Not only does it contain great ingredients, but it also has the most divine texture that I’ve ever experienced in a skin care product! I’ve tried many, and nothing seems to top its gel-like, elegantly silky texture that’s out of this world. This product can be used for all skin types except for those at the ends (very dry or oily) of the spectrum.
Score:
If packaged in a JAR: PS = [[[PIS – 0] x WIC] + [TPS x WPC]] x 100%
PS = [[9/10 x 2/3] + [1/3 x 1/3]] x 100%
PS = [18/30 + 1/9] x 100%
PS = [54/90 + 10/90] x 100%
PS = 64/90 x 100%
PS = .711 x 100%
PS = 71.1%
AS = C-
If packaged in a PUMP BOTTLE or TUBE: PS = [[[PIS – 0] x WIC] + [TPS x WPC]] x 100%
PS = [[9/10 x 2/3] + [3/3 x 1/3]] x 100%
PS = [18/30 + 3/9] x 100%
PS = [54/90 + 30/90] x 100%
PS = 84/90 x 100%
PS = .933 x 100%
PS = 93.3%
AS = A
Check the Product Review Rubric for a full explanation on how I rate products.
Ingredients:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract, Silybum Marianum (Lady’s Thistle) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Sucrose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Trehalose, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Sorbitol, Oleth-10, Tromethamine, Caffeine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Peg-8, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4 , Yellow 5.
The Triple Helixian 
😦 For whatever reason, Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief burns and irritates the hell out of my skin! It’s the strangest thing. Nothing in the ingredients list suggests hellfire and brimstone, but when I’ve used it, holy sheesh! Admittedly, I tend to get dryness issues around my eyes from winter weather and products used on the rest of my face…but I don’t know if excessive-dryness-meets-moisturizer can be blamed for the reactions I’ve had. Usually I used it around the eye area – and I’ve used the eye formulation, too, with the same results – and it creates the most wonderful combination of redness, puffiness, and misery to which I’ve ever had to unfortunately bear witness. You’d think something specifically formulated to do the opposite of these things wouldn’t do so, but. 😐
…wait. It has green tea, doesn’t it.
…this suddenly makes more sense to me.
(I’m so American, green tea incapacitates me for days, but McDonald’s cheeseburgers are probably replacing my blood cells. /fail)
(… I don’t actually eat McDonald’s.)
Thank you for the review! ❤ I'm in particular awe of your points system. I love the texture, and if it weren't for my bizarre eye-area reactions to the product's line, I'd definitely use it more often. I have fairly oily skin, but I get dry patches living on the tundra, and it actually does a nice job of clearing them up with minimal I-packed-on-excessive-moisturizer residue!
Posted by Tara | November 26, 2011, 11:25 pmHaha you are way too funny, Tara! Haha!! Yeah, this product contains several plant extracts that you may be allergic too, and that’s too bad! Green Tea is typically an considered an anti-inflammatory, so it could be the birch or Lady’s Thistle, but then again, maybe you’re allergic to green tea!
I admit that I eat Mickey D’s all the time! Well like once every few months. Lol. Thanks for commenting and I hope you like my rating system, I just kind of made it up. xD I hope it makes sense. I explain my points system in my Rubric, which is linked below every single review. There are several other reviews on this site just so you know.
And if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks for commenting!
Posted by John | November 27, 2011, 2:24 amI wanted to love this but it’s a no-go for my extremely oily skin 😦
Posted by Karen Stauss | November 26, 2011, 6:17 pmYeah this definitely isn’t very mattifying, as in it doesn’t have any film-forming agents, so I can see this happening. That’s too bad, because the texture is something to be experienced! Haha. Although, as you can tell from my rating, it isn’t the best product around.
Thanks for commenting!
Posted by John | November 26, 2011, 6:30 pmI love this product! I have been using this for almost a year now. A little really goes a long way. I have dry skin, just for added info. I would recommend this everyone as well. Many moisturizers I dislike because of the consistency, but this is a love for me!
Posted by Ashley Sarah | November 26, 2011, 9:43 amI know right? The texture is just fantastic. :]
Posted by John | November 26, 2011, 9:59 am