This $129 Moisturizer Is a One-Way Ticket to Dewy Town

If you clicked on my byline, you’d find hundreds of reviews on my favorite makeup and hair products, but it’s pretty rare that I write about a skin-care product that I love. This isn’t because there aren’t great ones out there — it’s just that because of the sheer volume of skin care I sample as a beauty editor, it takes a lot more for me to adore a skin-care product enough to write about it. This hasn’t happened in quite a while, until recently, when I tried the Caudalie Premier Cru The Rich Cream.

You may have heard of the Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream, a 2022 Best of Beauty winner and the first member of the Premier Cru family. While we loved that formula enough to give it our highest accolade, Caudalie wanted to keep innovating and offer an even richer version for those who need an extra dose of moisture. 

Instead of playing spot the difference ourselves, we tapped cosmetic chemist Ginger King to break it down for us. When comparing both moisturizers’ ingredient lists, she noted that the oils are listed much higher in the newer version — therefore making them more potent. For example, grapeseed oil (a Caudalie staple that’s listed as the fourth ingredient) is mixed with shea butter to deeply moisturize the skin, while hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates. According to King, because this formula is mainly oil-phased, it should absorb into the skin with no white, soapy residue. 

The rich formula also includes the brand’s TET8 technology, a combination of ingredients like honokiol (extracted from the magnolia flower) and resveratrol (found in grapes) which will rejuvenate and lessen the appearance of fine lines. Because TET8 is mixed with barrier-strengthening ceramides the formula reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while repairing damage and moisturizing the skin. Plus, there’s sesame oil for deeper moisture, honey locust sugars to tighten, and viniferine (an extract from the grapevine) to help diminish dark spots. Basically, it’s a one-way ticket to a smooth and plump complexion.

As soon as I got my hands on Premier Cru The Rich Cream, it was love at first application. Let’s start with the packaging: the deep purple jar looks stunning on any shelf and feels heavy in the luxurious sense. Not to mention, with this new formula, you can repurchase refill pods that slip seamlessly into the jar for $109 each. 

Caudalie Premier Cru Skin Barrier Rich Moisturizer

Now, a little about my skin. I have combination skin, meaning dryness takes over in the winter months (a.k.a. right now), but my T-zone becomes a shine zone in the summer. That said, I’m currently applying the moisturizer morning and night because I like to think of it as a blanket for my skin during these colder months. In the summer, I’ll probably switch to once a day because I don’t think my skin will need more dewiness.