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This review contains PR samples° and affiliate links* The Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream I’m reviewing today sure does look familiar, doesn’t it…? Listen, we cannot deny the obvious similarities between this Korean moisturiser and the famous Clinique Moisture Surge Gel – basically, they are product twinsies. But, Heimish manages to put its very own K-beauty spin on this Moisture Surge version!
The moment I saw the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream appear on my social media post, I knew I needed it in my life: a lightly pink gel with watermelon extract, and at a really affordable price? Holy Glow Recipe, you guys may just have some fierce competition on your hands! So, I was obviously thrilled when Skinsider UK* sent me the Moisture Surge Gel Cream in a recent PR package (which also contained the amazing Sioris My First Essener!). I basically insta-used it and haven’t stopped using it pretty much ever since.
Because it turns out – this is just the perfect summer moisturiser for my dehydrated combo skin: light, with a dreamy-melty texture, but still packs a punch thanks to nourishing ingredients. And it’s got some extra antioxidant power for your best aging needs!
So, let’s just dive into this summery-cheery review of the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream by first addressing the obvious elephant in the room…
Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream – Does This…Look Familiar to Anyone Else?
The Clinique Moisture Surge gel cream was one of my favourite moisturisers during my 20s and very early 30s – it’s such a simple, but reliable hydrator and feels wonderfully light on my combo skin, which was a lot oilier back then compared to now in my 40s. When I first spotted the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream, I was… well, slightly amused. Because they really aren’t hiding the obvious similarities between the Clinique classic and this newer K-beauty product. One could even go so far as to say that this Heimish version is a pretty obvious copycat.
Here is the thing about people accusing brands, especially Asian brands, of “copying” Western products: the reverse is done all the time, but somehow no one ever cries “STOLEN!!!” when Western brands present their Missha essence dupes, their IOPE cushion foundation dupes, etc. The truth is that very often, the reason for these supposedly “stolen” or “copied” products is that the brands share a manufacturer, or the products aren’t patented or copyrighted in a way to prevent this. I just recently read about Oatly, our friendly, woke oat milk brand, who is suing a tiny UK-based oat milk brand for daring to call themselves “Oaty” and using – gasp! – a picture of a milk-filled cup on their packaging. So what I am saying is: if Clinique was seriously bothered by Heimish bringing out their Moisture Surge Gel Cream, believe you me – they would act on it, because as part of the Estée Lauder group, they definitely have the means to chase up any trademark or copyright strikes.
And the two products are actually quite a bit different, once you get into the ingredients used and compare the textures and performances on the skin. Now, I don’t have a Clinique Moisture Surge cream here at the moment, but Jude from Fifty Shades of Snails did a very helpful comparison post on her IG! As I said, I did use the Clinique version for many years and loved it, but personally would say that the Heimish Gel Cream scores all sorts of bonus points.
But first things first: let’s have a look at the key ingredients in this moisturiser, with watermelon extract being the main marketing focus here (the Heimish Gel Cream contains 10% watermelon extract). As a lover of all things watermelon – my favourite fruit after blueberries! – I definitely get sucked in by any product containing its antioxidant goodness.
Watermelon is rich in lycopene, the red carotineoid that is also commonly found in tomatoes, said to help combat free radicals, those little buggers responsible for premature aging. Watermelons also contain a whole host of beneficial vitamins and minerals, though to be fair I am still unsure as to how much that actually benefits the skin when applied topically vs. eating a chunk of watermelon. Vitamin C in these types of fruit and vegetable extracts, for instance, probably won’t exactly brighten your skin the way a pure vitamin C serum with ascorbic acid does.
Here is the full list of ingredients of the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream:
“Water, watermelon extract, glycerin, dimethicone, butylene glycol, phenyltrimethicone, Sorbitol, Moringa seed oil, Hamamelis leaf extract, hydrangea leaf extract, aloe vera flower extract, Ceramide 3, aloe vera leaf extract, sodium hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica extract, melia azadirachta flower extract, coccinia Indica fruit extract, melia azadirachta leaf extract, eggplant fruit extract, shea butter, turmeric root extract, coralline extract, holy basil extract, Phytosphingosine, Candida Bombicola/ Glucose/ Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, tocopherol, hydrogenated lecithin, 1,2 -hexanediol, trehalose, hydroxyacetophenone, acrylate / C 10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, tromethamine, ammonium acryloyl dimethyl taurate / vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, glyceryl acrylate/ acrylic acid copolymer, caprylyl glycol, octyldinoltanol, oleyl alcohol, glycine soja steroids, disodium EDTA.”
Phew, getting this ingredient list typed out correctly was a mission, since all the sources online had it wrong for some reason. So, I went through the actual INCI list printed on the product itself and corrected the mistakes. While the Clinique Moisture Surge cream(s) mainly feature green tea extract as additional antioxidant plant powerhouse, the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream has a whole range of plant-based, antioxidant ingredients, among them eggplant, coptis japonica (which also soothes and hydrates skin – Pyunkang Yul uses it in most of their products), turmeric and holy basil.
Eggplant and holy basil are also beneficial for sebum regulation and are often added to products targeting oily skin, as is witch hazel extract, which unfortunately some people find irritating, so watch out for that. Hydration is provided through glycerin, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera gel – all trusty humectants that help retain water in our skin and thus make it look plump and juicy. Ceramides, shea butter and moringa seed oil offer emollient benefits, keeping the skin well-nourished. The Heimish gel cream is free from any alcohol/ethanol or added fragrance including essential oils!
Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream – the Perfect “Hot Girl Summer” Companion?
Ok, actually – I most definitely am not preparing for a hot girl summer and will 100% have a “42-year-old spinster reading, baking and chasing cats on my walks while also wistfully and slightly creepily watching young couples holding hands” kinda summer instead. So, not sure what I am trying to achieve with that “how d’you do, fellow kids” kind of headline…
But – back to the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream: the reason it’s perfect for any kind of summer, whether hot or, ya know “TikTok hot”, is that it provides your overheated skin with this super pleasant cooling sensation upon application. I really noticed this when taking product pictures outside in the hot sun, putting some of the gel cream on the back of my hand to see if I can get a good swatch – it felt noticeably cool on my skin!
Ah, and the texture… I could dreamily stare at that peachy-pink, smooth custard gel for hours on end! I wrote about my love for the Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream a while ago, and I still love this moisturiser very much, but what I prefer when it comes to the Heimish Gel Cream is how much more “dense” it feels. The Klairs gel is a lot runnier and sometimes a tad awkward to scoop out of its container, so I enjoy this thicker consistency. Now, compared to the Clinique Moisture Surge Gel, I find the Heimish gel cream more moisturising – even though it is a similarly water-based gel, there is a noticeable richness to the Heimish gel which the Clinique one doesn’t have. No wonder, given the added shea butter, plant oils and ceramides!
The Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream melts into skin upon application, leaving no sticky feelings or tacky sensations. I don’t really use foundation much these days but tried this under BB Cream and of course a selection of sunscreens, and this worked very well overall, no pilling or similar issues. This leaves a semi-matte sort of finish when applied, and I think it is probably best suited for oily to normal skin, perfect for combo skin thanks to its balance of humectants and moisturising agents.
I feel this just gives me everything I need for summer, with that added benefit of slightly cooling down and soothing my overheated skin. My skin feels relaxed and well-hydrated for hours after using this, and it works especially well in the morning due to sinking into skin so fast. The texture is a sensory pleasure, it feels refreshing in this sticky, humid summer weather.
Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream – the Bottom Line
When it comes to the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream and its better-known Western twin, I personally feel the Heimish gel scores higher due to some added extracts such as eggplant or turmeric, which my combo skin is rather fond of, plus that neat cooling sensation I get when I apply it to my skin. I also find this to be richer, yet with that same light, creamy gel texture. And, well, the Heimish Gel Cream also happens to be cheaper overall thanks to coming in a massive 110ml jar at a lower price point than the regular 50ml Clinique moisturiser(s)! Both are great products, and more minimalist skincare lovers may prefer the Clinique version (or versions, as there are two on offer from the line), but I personally will stick to the Heimish moisturiser for my maturing combo skin. This is going to stay a favourite throughout this summer, for sure!
So, where can you buy the Heimish Moisture Surge Gel Cream? Well, if you are situated in the UK or the EU, SKINSIDER* is a great K-beauty shop, and the 110ml (!!!) jar currently retails at only 18.40£ there, which is a really great bargain (around 22€ and roughly 27$)! Use my affiliate code “Ulrike15” for an extra 15% on your first order – it may not work with already discounted products though. Internationally, you can find this Heimish product at YESSTYLE* for currently around 28$. Here is an interesting observation: the product is called “Watermelon Soothing Gel Cream” on the Yesstyle page, hmmmm.
Let me know in the comments: How do you feel about dupes/product “twins”? Have you tried either the Heimish or the Clinique Moisture Surge Gel Cream?
Take care guys, and stay safe – don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest K-Beauty and skincare news, and check out my other work, e.g. my review of the amazing Sioris My First Essener!
°PR Sample, kindly provided by a brand or shop – I am not obligated to write this blog article, was not paid for the article, and my opinions are entirely my own.
*Affiliate Links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to use the link to purchase an item. This does not raise the purchase price for you, and it helps me and my blog to grow – so, thank you for supporting me in this way!!!
Wow, this really does look like the Clinique Moisture Surge Gel as well as the Glow Recipe Pink Juice Moisturizer, both of which were major staples in my skincare routine. I guess I have a thing for millennial pink gel creams. Might have to check this one out! I’m a little scared of the Moringa seed oil because sometimes that does trigger me, even though it’s marketed as a non-comedogenic oil; hopefully they will have a mini size to try out at some point.
Thanks for writing this awesome review and sharing this new product.
Yes, yes, soft pink gel creams are my weakness too, I so loved the Clinique Moisture Surge in my 20s – whenever my student budget would allow it, I’d get one of those smaller jars and stretch its contents out as long as I could! Ah, the memories! I really want to try the Glow Recipe watermelon mask and moisturiser, but it’s a bit out of my price rage right now, but one day!