Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème for dry skin

High
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent suitability for your dry skin is provided by humectants like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, complemented by emollient jojoba seed oil and squalane which deeply hydrate and moisturize. Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate further enhances skin brightness and offers antioxidant protection.
- The formula includes soothing aloe barbadensis leaf juice and panthenol to calm and support your skin barrier.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of beneficial, gentle components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsIt is widely loved for its ability to lock in moisture overnight and its signature citrus scent, though some find the fragrance too strong or the formula too heavy for oily skin.
Highlights
Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “quenches thirsty skin”
- “locks in moisture”
- “great for dry skin”
Citrus scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like oranges”
- “fresh citrus aroma”
- “uplifting smell”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “smoother complexion”
- “leaves skin glowing”
Soothes sensitivity Sometimes Noted
- “calms redness”
- “soothes irritation”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “costly per ounce”
Counterfeit concerns Rarely Noted
- “fake product”
- “knock-off”
- “different color/consistency”
Heavy feel Rarely Noted
- “too heavy”
- “feels greasy”
- “clogs pores”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “scent too strong”
- “fragrance lingers”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, imageskincare.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème a great fit for dry skin?
IMAGE Skincare Vital C Hydrating Repair Crème is a great fit for dry skin because it uses glycerin and sodium hyaluronate alongside jojoba seed oil and squalane to deeply hydrate and moisturize. Soothing aloe vera and panthenol help calm and support your skin barrier.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring moisture into dry skin, while jojoba seed oil and squalane keep it soft and smooth. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and aloe help calm the skin and support its natural barrier.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Ascorbic Acid do for dry skin?
Ascorbic Acid helps dry skin by improving moisture levels and hydration in the outer layer of the skin. It also helps support the skin barrier function to keep moisture locked in.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Skin Research and Technology, 2008
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing, and can also be used as a daytime moisturizer before sunscreen. Regular use of a hydrating cream helps significantly improve visual dryness and keep skin comfortable.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, and applying it after your retinol treatment helps calm and moisturize your dry skin while supporting your skin barrier. Barrier-improving moisturizers like this one are well-suited to support skin during active routines.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream is a great fit for your dry skin and is suitable for daily use in your evening routine. Regular application helps deeply hydrate and moisturize while supporting your skin barrier without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts or purging for dry skin. Its gentle ingredients deeply hydrate and soothe while supporting your skin barrier without irritation.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is well-suited for the thin skin around the eyes and dry areas on the body, thanks to gentle hydrators and soothing ingredients that help prevent irritation. Regular application in these areas may improve fine lines and keep the skin feeling soft and smooth.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene). Cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Peg-100 Stearate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Limonene, Brassica Campestris Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Tocopherol, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Panthenol, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosamine Hcl, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Peg-8, Butylene Glycol, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pisum Sativum Extract, Allantoin, Retinyl Palmitate, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Yeast Polysaccharides, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzoic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Pyruvic Acid, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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