Long Haul: I’m a Beauty Editor and This is the Face Cream I've Used for the Last 8 Years

We love trying new beauty products as much as the next person, but there is something to be said for a product that withstands the test of time—especially in a world where we are constantly inundated with new launches. Meet Long Haul: A place for us to share the products that are more than a flash in the pan and have earned a permanent spot in our lives because they’re just that good.

When debating the inaugural product to kick off this series, Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin Cream rose to the top of my mind. Now, I know that a face cream isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s a crucial part of any skincare regimen, so it’s nothing to brush off either.

This cream, in particular, has been a part of my routine since it launched back in 2014 when I was a budding beauty editor with far less worries (and sunspots!)

A lot has changed since then, but my devotion to this cream has not. Sure, I've taken occasional breaks from it to test other moisturizers, but I inevitably go back to Dr. Jart because it's rich without feeling too heavy on your skin and it hydrates dry patches like no other. I’ve found it to be especially helpful whenever my skin is acclimating to retinol, is dried out from testing new products or is acting up due to seasonal changes (so approximately 360 days of the year, save for the rare unicorn moments when my skin is unbothered).

The cream features a “5-Cera complex,” which is made up of a nourishing blend of ceramides to support your skin’s natural barrier. Ceramides, in case you’re wondering, are naturally occurring fatty acids found in our cell membranes. We need them to retain moisture in our skin and to keep that all-important barrier healthy and happy.

Unfortunately, they're another one of those things that starts to decline as we age (right along with short-term memory and the ability to bounce back after a night out). Luckily, we can supplement nature’s reserve with ceramide-laden products—like this cream.

Loaded with the good stuff and other hydrating boosters (think hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts) it feels appropriately rich on your skin, without pilling under makeup or feeling like it’s smothering your pores. (A fear that never goes away for those of us who break out easily.)

Instead, it sinks right into your skin the moment your fingertips touch your face, leaving behind the faintest herbal scent and a pillowy soft veil of moisture that lasts throughout the night.

I’d recommend the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream to anyone who is experiencing dryness, itchiness, roughness or discomfort. But where it really shines are those moments when your skin needs some extra TLC—say, after upping your retinol usage, or when the temperatures start to shift.

Though it’s pricier than a drugstore cream, it’s also much more affordable than some of the buzzy triple-digit moisturizers out there. And you know how people always say things like, “A little goes a long way?” Well, it’s actually true for this cream.

I find that a pebble-sized amount is more than enough to cover my entire face on most days (and if I’m feeling extra indulgent, I’ll occasionally bump it up to a Cocoa Puff sized dollop). In short, a tube will last you a fairly long time.

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PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director (and resident skincare expert). Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine over eight years ago, she has become a human encyclopedia of products, trends and ingredients. Equally comfortable in front of the camera as she is behind a computer screen, she always aims to deliver information that's educational, entertaining and accessible to all. You can find her on Instagram (where she will happily reply to any DMs regarding nail polish, sunscreen and BTS).