Moisturizer belif review 2023 blog gel

When Korean beauty brands started becoming more mainstream in Canada, I became both excited, and a little skeptical. One of the first to hit the shelves at Sephora was Laneige. Although I like their lip sleeping mask and creamy serum, I don't love their product selection overall. It doesn't do much for me and has a lot of fragrance. So when belif started becoming more talked about, I knew I had to get in on the Moisture Bomb craze. Avon is also selling these three products I am featuring today, which is great! they often run more sales than Sephora. Read on to see my thoughts.

belif Aqua Bomb Jelly Cleanser $34

Cleanse with a burst of hydration! This jelly-to-foam cleanser creates the same explosive burst of hydration as belif's cult favorite The True Cream Aqua Bomb. Formulated with amino acids and glycerin-based cleansing agents, it gently removes makeup and impurities without stripping skin of moisture. Great for all skin types.

I classify this as a standard gel cleanser that works well as a second cleanse at night, or in the morning if you need a thorough wash. Much to my surprise, I found it to leave my combination skin feeling a bit stripped! Contrary to its claims, any foam cleanser can run the risk of irritating naturally dry or combo skin. Overall this would be suitable for those who have oily skin. For me, I'm sticking to FROOSH go deep, Cerave hydrating cleanser and Benzagel cleanser.

belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb $50

Dive into hydration with the belif Aqua Bomb, formulated with a soothing blue gel cream that provides instant moisture while making your skin look healthy and even. Lightweight and refreshing, this cream is ideal for both oily and combination skin along with normal skin.

Aqua bomb definitely feels like a glass of water for the skin. This oil-free formula has a natural citrus scent, so steer clear if smells bother you. It feels like a more refined version of Neutrogena's hydro boost, claiming to plump and refine pores. It's going to stand second to my beloved Clinique Moisture Surge and also considering the $50 price, I'll stick with the fragrance-free formula of Clinique.

belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb $50

Belif Moisturizing bomb will smooth and nourish your skin, keeping it hydrated for 26 hours. Indulge in this comforting cream blend, featuring apothecary herbs like oat husk and plantin.

This is one of those moisturizers that will absolutely leave your skin feeling supersaturated in the morning. I actually believe the 26hr claim, but haven't tested it myself. I should whack a layer onto Joe's skin before his next call shift though, because that would be a true 26hr test! Regardless of the claims, I think the True Cream is a must-have for all skin types. Similar to Clinique's Moisture Surge Intense, this is going to be like a warm cozy duvet to apply after a thorough cleanse, before bed. If your skin is more on the dry side, you could also opt for this in the morning. Love the whipped texture, I just wish it came in a tube format so there's less of the contamination factor.

We put the Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 22, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.

I am particularly finicky about my face creams. My non-negotiable priorities are luminosity, gloss without grease, hydration, minimal scent, a nourishing but simple ingredients list, and a happy-medium price point (I don’t ask for much, I swear).

Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a product I’ve heard good things about, but never properly tested until recently. And funnily enough, its claim to fame is a list of features much similar to the above. It's actually winter where I am right now (Sydney, Australia), so I’m craving a moisturizer that will really plump up my skin without irritation or congestion. Thus, I jumped at the opportunity to work the Aqua Bomb into my routine.

I’ve now been sampling it for a couple of weeks, and can confidently say it’s a good one. But knowing how important it is to fully understand how a product works, I’ve mapped out some more specific details so you can decide if it’s right for your skin goals. Keep scrolling for the review.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Best for: Normal, combination, and oily skin types, or anyone who loves a moisturizer that is lightweight and quick-absorbing.

Uses: As a deeply hydrating moisturizer, morning and night.

Potential irritants: Alcohol denat

Hero ingredients: Lady's mantle, ceramides, and glycerin.

Price: $38

About the brand: Belif is a beauty brand that was built on the studies of herbalist Duncan Napier. His work on herbal extracts, paired with traditional Korean skincare practice, informed the now hugely popular skincare line.

About My Skin: Normal to oily, but dehydrated in winter

My skin is mostly pretty normal, but I am prone to dehydration, especially in winter. I do occasionally suffer from breakouts and congestion as well, but nothing too severe.

When it comes to skincare, I like products that feel luxurious and dewy—luminous is my skin finish of choice. But because of the aforementioned breakouts, it’s important I don’t get too carried away. Otherwise I’ll just end up oily and congested.

The Ingredients: Herbs and hydrating agents

Emily Algar

Because Belif is founded on the principles of herbal medicine, it won’t come as a surprise to learn The True Cream Aqua Bomb is full of calming and soothing plant extracts. There’s chickweed, nettle, calendula, lady’s mantle, catnip, horsetail, and raspberry in there, alongside glycerin and squalane to hydrate the skin and protect it from environmental damage. All in all, the goal is to use the powers of nature to foster calm, deeply moisturized skin.

How to Apply: Wet your face first for deeper nourishment

Belif's The True Cream Aqua Bomb is simple and nourishing, so you can use it morning and night to cap off your skincare routine. I love the fresh, bouncy texture, so I prefer to use it during the day underneath my sunscreen (it gives excellent glow).

Because it’s hydrating, I’ve also been applying it to a damp face (I use a little thermal spring water after cleansing). This seems to help lock in moisture and prevent further dehydration.

And with this product, a little goes a long way. Just take a pea-sized amount and work it into your face, neck, and chest, et voila: You’re glowing.

The Results: Fresh hydration

Emily Algar/Design by Cristina Cianci

Belif's The True Cream Aqua Bomb definitely delivers on the promise of a hydration burst. It glides onto the skin, melts in quickly, and has a cool, gel-cream finish. It’s bouncy but not sticky, and works really well under makeup. It’s winter here in Sydney and the air has been cold and dry (by Australian standards, anyway), so this moisturizer has really helped to hydrate my skin and restore a bit of luminosity. It does have a bit of a scent, which isn’t my favorite thing with skincare, but overall it hasn’t seemed to cause me any irritation.

The Value: Reasonable and high-quality

$38 for a 1.7-oz. tub seems to sit somewhere between drugstore and luxury pricing, but overall I think it’s a fair price. You could definitely achieve similar hydration through a cheaper product, but considering all the quality plant extracts and the lush texture, Belif's The True Cream Aqua Bomb does feel slightly elevated (and thus, worth the extra money if you want to try it).

Similar Products: You've got options

Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream: Cloud is an apt word to describe this fluffy but lightweight moisturizer ($42) from Summer Fridays. It’s full of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, as well as enzymes to gently improve tone and texture.

Laneige Waterbank Moisture Cream: Another K-beauty favorite, this Laneige moisturizer ($38) is like a tall glass of water for dehydrated skin. It’s got a slightly thicker consistency than Belif, so it works well if you’re feeling extra dry.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Daily Face Moisturizer: This wallet-friendly option ($15) has an airy texture, a cooling finish, and plenty of hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft, plump, and properly hydrated.

Final Verdict

I highly rate Belif's The True Cream Aqua Bomb. It’s really lovely to wear, feels good, provides the hydration it promises, and creates a dewy, bouncy texture that seems to last all day. I’d definitely use up the entire tub.

Is belif good moisturizer?

It's very moisturizing and both I and my daughter can use it. My skin is very dry and sensitive due to retinol use and my daughter has eczema and very sensitive skin and it's very hard to find a moisturizer that doesn't burn when applied. This stuff is extremely moisturizing and does not burn at all.

Is belif moisturizer pore clogging?

Gel-based and lightweight, the Aqua Bomb doesn't clog pores, cause breakouts, or provoke excess oil production, but is actually super moisturizing and gentle enough that it won't irritate my skin.

Is belif a Korean brand?

Belif, a cult favorite Korean skincare brand, dates back 150 years to medical herbalist Duncan Napier. Napier researched herbal remedies and processing methods.

Is belif owned by Avon?

Belif and Avon – The History It won't be long until the glass skin phenomenon makes its way to the United States. The trend is already showing up on runways. And Belif is the go-to moisturizer to achieve the look. LG H&H acquired Avon in October 2019.