7 Days Reviews on Skinceuticals Daily Moisture & Afa Cleansing Cream
Hello, I’m Xinyi Li. I’m 27 years old and I have combination skin, some parts of my face get very dry, while others (like my T-zone) can get oily. On top of that, I deal with eczema, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and pesky dark circles. It feels like my skin has a mind of its own.
I’m usually forgetful about skincare (I tend to skip steps or forget to use products on time), so I’ve been on a never-ending trial-and-error quest to find the right routine. I only wear sunscreen in the summer (I know, I really should wear it year-round), and I haven’t tried any in-office skin treatments like mesotherapy, microneedling, or laser. My approach to new skincare is pretty simple: if it doesn’t irritate me or cause breakouts, I’ll keep using it indefinitely.
Over the past 7 days, I tested Skinceuticals Daily Moisture (for five days) and Afa Cleansing Cream (for 3 days). Below, I’ll share my personal day-by-day notes, reactions, and how these products worked for me.
Days 1–5: Skinceuticals Daily Moisture
Day 1 (Night)
I washed my face but totally forgot to apply the moisturizer until just before bed. The texture is surprisingly light, non-sticky, and it absorbs quickly—exactly what I like in a moisturizer. The skin around my mouth was flaky and tight after cleansing (a normal issue for me). So I applied a thicker layer around my lips. There was a slight stinging, but it subsided after a bit.
Day 2 (Night)
This time, I applied it right after washing my face. I woke up to zero dryness around my mouth—usually, I’d see some peeling or dryness by morning. The redness I sometimes get on my cheeks from dryness had calmed down noticeably.
Day 3 (Night)
I noticed two small pimples appearing on my forehead. It could be random, or maybe the moisturizer triggered those spots that were already lurking under the skin. The thicker application around my mouth is working well; the flakiness is going away, leaving the area soft and hydrated. Dry parts are doing great—no peeling, stable, smooth. However, the oily areas seem a little more prone to breakouts. I decide to apply a lighter layer on my T-zone from now on.
Day 4 (Night)
I feel like my skin is “getting used” to the product now. No more stinging. It feels as if there’s a light moisturizing barrier on my face (I noticed it when I realized I forgot to brush my teeth and had to rewash and reapply—the product felt slippery washing off). My cheeks can be quite sensitive (rosacea flare-ups), but there’s no discomfort or irritation so far.
Day 5 (Night)
I started using the Afa Cleansing Cream (more on that later), and combined, they seem to work wonders. My forehead pimples from Day 3 are already calming down, and my overall skin texture feels more even. I continue thick applications around my lips, preventing dryness.
Overall Thoughts (Days 1–5)
Skinceuticals Daily Moisture hydrates well without feeling heavy or sticky. It sinks in quickly, which is my favorite thing in a moisturizer. If you’re like me—dry in some parts, oily in others—you may need to adjust where you apply more or less. Despite my eczema and rosacea, I didn’t get any flare-ups—only a tiny bit of forehead pimples, which soon disappeared.
Days 5–7: Afa Cleansing Cream
Starting on Day 5, I shifted my focus to Afa Cleansing Cream but still continued the Daily Moisture as needed. Here’s how that went:
Day 5 (Night)
The cleanser is more watery than my usual (slightly solid) cleansers. It creates only a small amount of foam with repeated rubbing—so don’t expect big, frothy bubbles. It does sting if it gets in my eyes, causing them to tear up, so I’m careful around that area. After rinsing, my skin doesn’t feel stripped or tight—much appreciated, since dryness is a big issue for me.
Day 6 (Morning & Night)
Eyes still sting if I’m not careful, but my face feels nicely hydrated and smooth afterward. No dryness. The little bumps along the sides of my cheeks are starting to vanish. My complexion looks clearer, more radiant. I specifically avoid rubbing near my eyes to prevent irritation.
Day 7 (Morning)
My skin texture keeps improving. Those pesky cheek bumps are almost gone, and my forehead pimples have shrunk by at least half. Following up with Skinceuticals Daily Moisture really keeps my skin hydrated—no dryness or redness.
Day 7 (Night)
Because my skin is smoother, I keep rinsing longer, thinking the product hasn’t fully washed off. It’s just that my face is really soft! I can see why this cleanser is labeled as gentle yet effective. It removes impurities but leaves enough moisture that my face feels comfortable afterward. By Day 7, my face looks a bit more even-toned. I’m seeing fewer blemishes and less redness.
Overall Thoughts (Days 5–7)
It won’t foam up like crazy, but it’s still thorough enough to remove daily grime. If you’re sensitive like me, keep it away from your eyes. Even on days I forgot to apply moisturizer immediately, my skin never felt uncomfortably tight. After just a few uses, I noticed smoother cheeks and calmer breakouts.
7 Days, Two Products
Skinceuticals Daily Moisture helped tackle my dryness and flakiness, especially around my lips and cheeks, without causing any major breakouts. It’s a lightweight, non-sticky moisturizer that’s great for combo skin if you apply more on dry spots and less on oily ones.
Afa Cleansing Cream gave me a gentler cleansing experience. It doesn’t foam a lot, but it cleans without over-stripping. I have to be mindful around my eyes, but overall, it left my skin feeling noticeably softer and clearer.
Pros & Cons
Skinceuticals Daily Moisture
Pros: Lightweight, quick absorption, no sticky residue, noticeably improves dryness and mild redness.
Cons: May trigger small pimples if over-applied to oily areas.
Afa Cleansing Cream
Pros: Gentle, non-drying, leaves skin smooth, helps reduce small bumps, works well for combination skin.
Cons: Irritating if it gets in your eyes, lower foam (if you love lots of suds).
Would I Recommend Them?
Given my combination, easily-irritated skin (and my various concerns like eczema, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation), both products performed quite well within these 7 days. There were no major flare-ups.
If you’re like me—sometimes forgetful, sometimes dealing with random surprise breakouts and dryness—these might be worth a try. Just remember to adjust usage based on your own skin’s needs: a bit lighter in oily areas, heavier in dry areas, and be cautious around sensitive spots (eyes, eczema patches).
Some Other Luxury Skincare Products I Want to Try
Next, I plan to try the following skincare products:
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Anti-Wrinkle Creams: Chanel Le Lift Anti Wrinkle Lip and Contour Cream
This cream has garnered praise for its ability to diminish wrinkles and fine lines. I am curious to see how it can refine my facial contours.
2. La Prairie Skin Caviar Eye Creams
With persistent dark circles and puffiness, I hope this eye cream can revitalize and brighten my eye area.
3. Creme de La Mer Hydrating Infused Emulsion
I’m looking forward to the deep moisture and nourishment this emulsion promises, aiming for lasting hydration and a supple complexion.
4. Kiehl's Night Cream
I want to incorporate Kiehl's Night Cream into my routine to provide overnight hydration and support my skin's natural repair processes while I sleep.
5. Various other moisturizers and face creams
My Skincare Journey Continues
For me, skincare is definitely a journey of trial and error. I’m still learning what works best, and that often changes with the season or stress levels. Right now, though, I’m impressed by how stable and hydrated my face feels after 7 days using Skinceuticals Daily Moisture and Afa Cleansing Cream. I’ll likely keep them in rotation, especially during the colder months when dryness is my biggest enemy.
If you share similar skin struggles—eczema, rosacea, or combination dryness—this duo might be a game-changer. I’ll keep exploring (and trying not to forget my routine!) and hopefully find even more products that keep my skin balanced and healthy.
Thanks for reading, and I hope my day-by-day notes help you on your own skincare adventures.