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Sephora All Day Hydrator for sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Sephora All Day Hydrator

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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

  • Offers moderate hydration for your normal skin, with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin providing humectant benefits that support redness and irritation. Tocopherol adds antioxidant protection, contributing to overall skin health.
  • Bisabolol offers soothing properties that are beneficial for your sensitive skin, though the formula does not specifically target significant improvements for redness.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like Bisabolol.

How to apply

  • Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
  • Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
  • You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
  • Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, unscented moisturizer is highly praised by users with normal to oily skin for its hydrating, non-greasy feel and effectiveness as a makeup primer. Users with dry skin frequently find its thin consistency insufficient for their needs. A moderate number of users also report an unusual chemical or crayon-like scent.

Highlights

  • Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
    • “sinks into skin nicely”
    • “weightless moisturizer”
    • “not heavy at all”
    • “feels like nothing on”
  • Excellent makeup primer Often Mentioned
    • “perfect primer under makeup”
    • “makeup applied beautifully”
    • “keeps makeup looking fresh”
    • “smooth canvas”
  • Good for oily/combo skin Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't make me oily”
    • “great for combination skin”
    • “balanced my T-zone”
    • “perfect for summer”
  • Natural glow Sometimes Noted
    • “gives a natural glow”
    • “skin looks radiant”
    • “dewy finish”
    • “nice healthy shine”
  • Insufficient for dry skin Sometimes Noted
    • “not enough for dry skin”
    • “skin felt tight after”
    • “need to apply twice”
    • “too light for winter”
  • Too watery Sometimes Noted
    • “extremely watery”
    • “runs out of the tube”
    • “consistency of milk”
    • “too thin to moisturize”
  • Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like crayons”
    • “weird chemical scent”
    • “smells like plastic”
    • “scent is off-putting”
  • Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused small bumps”
    • “broke me out”
    • “worsened my acne”
    • “clogged my pores”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, kohls.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, sephora.ph, and more

Questions and answers

How well does SEPHORA All Day Hydrator work for sensitive skin?

This moisturizer works reasonably well for sensitive skin, offering moderate hydration and soothing benefits through ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and bisabolol. While it is generally safe and helps keep skin calm, a better fit for this skin type is a product that includes soothing ingredients like fermented centella asiatica, cica ceramide, and nourishing oils to strengthen the skin barrier and actively target redness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for sensitive skin?

Sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and bisabolol make this moisturizer a fit for sensitive skin by offering moderate hydration and soothing properties that support redness and irritation. A moisturizer for this skin needs barrier-enhancing ingredients like fermented centella asiatica, cica ceramide, and nourishing oils to better calm and protect it.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

What does Vitamin C do for sensitive skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out fine lines, and fade dark spots. Clinical studies show it is generally safe and well-tolerated when improving overall skin quality.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

Apply SEPHORA All Day Hydrator in the morning after a soothing toner and before a moisturizing sunscreen, and as the last step in your evening routine. This moisturizer helps keep your sensitive skin soft and calm with ingredients like glycerin and bisabolol, though products designed specifically to target significant redness may fit this skin even better.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this moisturizer with your treatment, applying your retinol first and following with the moisturizer. This product is safe for sensitive skin, but a moisturizer for this skin works best when it includes skin-repairing ceramides and barrier-supporting lipids to thoroughly protect against irritation.

How often should I use it?

You can use this moisturizer daily in your morning and evening routines to help keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable. This type of product works best for sensitive skin when it includes soothing ingredients and gentle hydration that support the skin barrier without harsh additives.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts, as it has a low risk for causing spots on sensitive skin. It features a gentle formula containing soothing ingredients like bisabolol to help keep skin calm.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

This moisturizer is safe to use around the eyes and on the body, though it lacks specialized ingredients to fully address the thin skin around the eyes. A product for this skin needs targeted hydrating and soothing agents like low molecular weight heparan sulfate and botanical extracts.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

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, 2017

  • Topical application of tocopherol succinate ethosomal gel decreased erythema, melanin, and sebum levels while improving moisture content and skin elasticity in 34 human women.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

  • Topical 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, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

Why other moisturizers fit sensitive skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2002

  • A dexpanthenol-containing cream accelerated skin barrier repair, increased stratum corneum hydration, reduced skin roughness, and decreased skin redness compared to vehicle and untreated controls in sodium lauryl sulphate-irritated skin.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2002

Ingredients

Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Heptyl Undecylenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Vitamin E, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Phytate, Physicochemical Formula Stabilizer, Arginine, Ascorbyl Glucoside

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play