My skin's gone from smooth to sizzling - what happened to this moisturizer?

I've been using Eucerin products for a while now, and I have to say, I was really impressed with their Atopic series last year. I wrote a review about it here.

Eucerin UreaRepair Moisturizer with 5% Urea ReviewWho would have thought that this cream would cause so many problems?

I ordered this product through Yandex Market.

The price is relatively low, around 500 rubles.

The volume is good, 75 ml.

The manufacturer is Germany.

The cream is packaged in a pharmacy-style box, which is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism. The white design with blue inserts looks quite sleek.

Eucerin UreaRepair Moisturizer with 5% Urea ReviewThe packaging has a lot of information on it, including the ingredient list, which is written in Latin. I think it's a good idea to translate it for non-medical people like us.

Water

Glycerin

Cetearyl alcohol

Urea

Shi

Caprylic/Capric triglyceride

Octyldodecanol

Hydrogenated coco-glycerides

Sodium lactate

Dimethicone

Arginine hydrochloride

Glycerol stearate SE

Carnitine

Lactic acid

Triglycerides C18-36 acids

Curly hair

Cetearyl sodium sulfate

Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Ethylhexylglycerin

Phenoxyethanol

After analyzing the ingredients, I think they're not the most gentle, especially for sensitive skin. It's also very chemical-heavy, with few natural, plant-based ingredients. If you value that aspect, you'll understand.

There are a lot of stabilizers and thickeners in here to maintain the texture and shelf life of the cream.

Some of them are even at the top of the list, like cetearyl alcohol.

Cetearyl alcohol is supposed to be safe and non-drying, since it's derived from plants, but it doesn't really do anything for the skin.

Dimethicone is just silicone, and I don't think I need to explain that.

Acrylate is a film-forming polymer, self-explanatory, really...

The expiration date is clearly marked on the packaging.

The jar and lid are made of plastic.

There's a protective foil covering the first layer. I'm old-fashioned, so I leave it on to prevent the lid from getting dirty when it's dropped or transported.

Eucerin UreaRepair Moisturizer with 5% Urea ReviewApplication

I've used this cream for a while now, and the application process is pretty standard. You apply it to clean skin, avoiding the eye and lip areas - I use a separate cream for those spots. You can layer it over a toner, as long as the ingredients don't clash and cause any irritation.

Smell and Texture

The cream has a very subtle scent, almost like a medicinal smell, but it's not overpowering. It's quickly absorbed into the skin and doesn't leave any residue. The texture is nice and smooth, not too runny or thick - it's just right.

Eucerin UreaRepair Moisturizer with 5% Urea ReviewResults

I've got pretty problematic skin, to be honest - it's a combination of acquired and age-related issues. Let me break it down for you: atopic, dry, sensitive, prone to pigmentation, hormonal inflammation, and fine lines from aging.

This cream is supposed to tackle most of those issues with its moisturizing properties. Unfortunately, the first time I used it, I got a weird, burning sensation on my cheeks and nose area. It was like the cream was fighting dryness in a pretty harsh way.

I'm hoping the screen is doing it justice - it looks a lot clearer on my phone, but not so much on my computer monitor.

I always give skincare products a second chance, since situations can vary - you can't judge by just one use.

After giving my skin some time to adjust, I tried the cream again, and this time, it seemed to work better. I'd say it's a decent option for dry skin, but it's not a miracle worker - it's just a good moisturizer.

The redness on my cheeks is a bit blurred due to the shine.I've been using it for a week, applying it morning and night, but I didn't see the results I was hoping for. The cream would absorb into my skin in seconds, and I'd be craving to reapply it just a few hours later. The effect was lacking, and the dryness and irritation came back. After that, I stopped experimenting with this cream and lost trust in it for my skin.

It's not easy to restore my skin to its normal state, so I've been working hard to get there, fighting for every cell. But then, in an instant, everything gets ruined.

I haven't gotten rid of the cream, but I'm using it as a hand and foot moisturizer instead. I won't be buying it again, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I think maybe I got a fake product or that my skin just reacted badly to it, but the formula isn't great, and the results are honestly terrible.