Glossier's New Moisturizer Is Magic for My Incredibly Dry, Flaky Skin
Glossier
I've had seborrheic dermatitis for the last 14 years, and it's been an odyssey — especially as it's emerged from remission over the past month. Think unrelenting dryness, face dandruff (wah), tender red patches, scattered pustules (double wah), and scales so severe that I've been asked by a date if they're contagious (rude). So when Glossier offered to send over its new After Baume moisturizer specifically for very dry and sensitive skin, there was no better time to see if the formula could make a difference.
The stakes are high: My case is seemingly untouchable by over-the-counter moisturizers, and even my dermatologist-prescribed regimen isn't doing much (ketoconazole shampoo, tacrolimus ointment, and ruxolitinib cream, for inquiring minds). But out of the dozen or so hydrators I've tried, Glossier's soothing, National Eczema Association-approved cream has been the best so far. After using it day and night for over a week, my skin is considerably softer and less inflamed.
Despite the brand's cult appeal, I wasn't a huge fan of its previous skincare. The Priming Moisturizer Rich was too scented for my preferences, and the serums broke me out. (Its Futuredew and Solution are editor-loved, though, and Milky Jelly is solid). So I was surprised by the difference I saw from After Baume, and I was equally delighted the cream was as soothing as its seaglass green tub looked.
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Shop now: $28; glossier.com
The brand went fully plant-based for the moisturizer, which I appreciate, especially because many similarly occlusive favorites rely on fossil fuel derivatives. In 2022, we have more regenerative options. Here, cupua?u butter seals in the moisture that glycerin draws into skin, and vitamin E-rich babassu oil and ??linoleic acid reinforce skin's own defenses. Post-biotic ferment adds a microbiome-friendly component, according to Glossier, and green microalgae extract lends vitamins and minerals.
Texture-wise, the cruelty-free cream is a dead ringer for Nivea Creme, down to the color. Glossier's smells like unscented cold cream, and a little goes a long way: One finger-swipe's worth is enough to coat my whole face in a wash of delicious hydration. Thanks to my seb derm, almost everything stings, even CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. And yet, Glossier's doesn't disturb my skin — the National Eczema Association knew what they were talking about.
Is it a long-term fix for my seborrheic dermatitis? No — damn this poorly understood fungus-immune system ailment to hell — but After Baume is profoundly calming. And other shoppers note that it comes with added benefits: One commenter on Glossier's website said it diminished their forehead wrinkles, another wrote that it got rid of their flaky skin, and a third said they use it to slug without greasy ointments.
"My skin felt hydrated and supple," wrote another fan after they "woke up feeling dewy and luminous." I can confirm: If you're looking for a gentle moisturizer to smooth dry skin, plump wrinkles, and minimize flakes, After Baume is your girl. Get it for $28 on Glossier's website.
