Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
Clinique
Product
Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Claims check
You get a credible humectant-rich gel with brand-reported long-duration hydration, but its 100-hour result comes from a small product-specific panel.
Shopper fit
- Dry
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
- Sensitive
- Acne-Prone
Formula flags
- Silicones
- Added color
Shopper preferences
- Dermatologist-Tested
Key ingredients
| Glycerin | Provides dependable humectant hydration and is one of the clearest drivers of the moisturizer's core function. |
|---|---|
| Hydroxyethyl Urea | Adds another humectant pathway within the water-binding system. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | Adds water-binding support within the gel matrix. |
| Dimethicone | Adds smoothness, slip, and light surface protection while helping create the polished gel-cream feel. |
| Trehalose | Adds further humectant support to the hydration-focused formula. |
Price tier
$$ Mid-Range
Value check
At the Mid-Range tier, you get an oil-free, lightweight formula with hydration testing, although richer moisturizers can provide more occlusion.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If you dislike thick creams, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H offers practical, lightweight hydration in an oil-free gel. Its Mid-Range value rests on texture and comfort rather than a universal 100-hour promise.
If your skin feels dehydrated but you dislike heavy creams, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator uses glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea, sodium hyaluronate and other humectants in an oil-free gel. The brand reports up to 100 hours of hydration from a product-specific 19-woman test; that number is not a guarantee for your skin.
What it claims
Clinique says the moisturizer delivers instant and long-lasting hydration, provides 100 hours of stabilizing hydration, boosts glow, and absorbs in about three seconds.[1] The brand reports clinical hydration testing on 19 women, glow testing on 27 women, and one-week consumer testing on 110 women.[1]
Claims vs. formula
The hydration claim is well aligned with the formula. Glycerin, trehalose, sodium hyaluronate, sorbitol, sucrose, saccharide isomerate, and hydroxyethyl urea all contribute water-binding support, while dimethicone and trisiloxane provide slip and light surface protection.[1]
Moisturizers commonly combine humectants such as glycerin with occlusive or film-forming ingredients such as dimethicone to improve and maintain skin hydration.[2] Hydroxyethyl urea is also recognized as a cosmetic humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient.[3]
The product-specific testing strengthens the hydration story, but the 100-hour figure is based on 19 women and does not establish that every shopper will experience the same duration under every routine or climate condition.
Ingredients that matter
Glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea, butylene glycol, trehalose and sodium hyaluronate supply a layered water-binding system. Dimethicone and other silicones provide a smooth lightweight feel. Aloe and ferment extracts add conditioning support, but the core benefit is hydration rather than demonstrated deep skin-barrier repair.
Glycerin
If your skin feels dry or tight, glycerin helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need a high percentage or a separate serum when your moisturizer already works well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Hyaluronic Acid
If your skin feels dry or tight, hyaluronic acid helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need several HA forms or a separate serum when your moisturizer already hydrates well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a well-supported silicone emollient and skin-protecting ingredient that improves slip, smoothness, and surface comfort. Its real moisture benefit depends on the complete moisturizer or skin-protectant formula.
Read the IngredientBriefWhat to expect in the short term
Expect a lightweight gel-cream that absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling smoother and more hydrated without a heavy or greasy finish. The current exact-product page identifies it as oil-free, non-acnegenic, dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and suitable for sensitive skin.[1]
What to expect over time
Regular use should mainly maintain hydration and comfort. The formula also contains antioxidant and peptide ingredients, but its strongest supported role remains moisturization rather than wrinkle correction or barrier repair at the level of a dedicated treatment cream.
Who it fits
If you have oily, combination, normal or acne-prone skin and want hydration without a dense cream, this oil-free format suits that preference. Very dry skin may need another moisturizer over it, regardless of the brand-reported 100-hour result.
Compare before you buy
At the Mid-Range tier, the strongest value is the refined gel texture, broad skin-type fit, and product-specific hydration testing. Simpler humectant moisturizers can provide the same basic function for less, so the upgrade is most relevant for shoppers who specifically value the texture and finish.
Final Assessment
If you want a light gel moisturizer, Clinique Moisture Surge 100H provides a broad humectant system with brand-reported product testing. The 100-hour result is not a universal guarantee. Its Mid-Range value is strongest when you prefer this texture to a richer cream.
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Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Clinique. Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. Current official U.S. product page. Accessed October 15, 2026.
Draelos ZD. Active agents in common skin care products. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;125(2):719-724.
This review describes moisturizers as combinations of humectant and occlusive ingredients, including glycerin and dimethicone. It does not test this Clinique finished moisturizer.
Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety. Safety Assessment of Hydroxyethyl Urea as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2024.
The assessment identifies hydroxyethyl urea as a humectant and skin-conditioning ingredient used in cosmetics. It does not establish finished-product efficacy for Moisture Surge 100H.
