Worth It: RéVive’s Moisturizing Renewal Day Cream

The day cream that will erase the winter duldrums from your face.

woman applying moisturizer
(Image credit: Future)

Welcome back to Worth It, a bi-weekly breakdown of the new beauty products we’ve tested and adored: We're talking that drain-it-to-the-bottom-and-tell-my-friends-I’ve-found-The-One kind of love. If it's featured here, consider this our permission to splurge on it. Read on for the product you don’t want to live without.

The Promise 

If RéVive has yet to land on your radar, it’s about time it did. Allow me to give a crash course: The brand was founded in 1997 by Dr. Gregory Brown, aka the genius who patented the use of Epidermal Growth Factor in skincare. Originally, the regenerative molecule, known colloquially as EGF, was used to treat burn victims. However, Dr. Brown discovered it could double as a super-charged anti-aging ingredient when used in topical cosmetics. 

Fast-forward through the launch of dozens of cult-favorite lotions, potions, and serums, and the brand dropped the Moisturizing Renewal Day Cream earlier this year as a daytime counterpart to its OG product: the Moisturizing Renewal Cream. The new launch, which retails for $195, is suitable for all skin types, formulated with SPF 30, and contains the brand's proprietary Bio-Renewal Technology. Dr. Brown explains that the latter is responsible for "visibly transforming and renewing" skin, while simultaneously "restoring it to a younger, healthier, and more supple version of itself." 

But it goes above and beyond the basic necessities of a moisturizer. With antioxidants galore and good-for-you vitamins like C, E, and B5, the lotion promises brighter skin, a youthful glow and a sped up cell turnover process. It sounds great, but does this moisturizer *actually* deliver? 

Why I’m Obsessed 

I’ve been a RéVive die-hard since I stumbled upon the brand’s Foaming Cleanser. Since then, I’ve taken just about every single product the line has to offer for a test run. Most of the EGF-powered products are good—but there’s a select few that make my skin look stop-me-on-the-street, I’m-glowing-like-a-disco-ball good. I’m happy to report that the Moisturizing Renewal Day Cream, falls into the latter category. 

Long story short: it’s magic in a bottle. I cracked open a sample of the gorgeous, green tub with the hope that it would bring back my coveted radiance, which, like clockwork, disappears over the winter months. I was feeling all types of dull and looking all kinds of dry at the start of this journey, so this cream had its work cut out. 

Upon my first application, I was thrilled with the product’s texture. It was silky smooth and sunk into my skin like a dream, but still had enough weight and density to feel like a true moisturizer as opposed to a water cream that simply doesn’t cut it for my dry skin. It seemed great, sure. But, the jury was still out. Would it be a cure all for my dry patches? Would it replace my very “meh” complexion with an award-worthy glow? And, most importantly, would it land a “holy grail” title? 

After using the cream every morning for the past six weeks, I can say with complete confidence, that it delivered on everything it promised. Not only has my skin felt hydrated, healthy, and soft as a baby’s bottom since incorporating it into my routine, but the soothing formula has also kept my reactive, rosacea-prone skin in a happy, hydrated state—which is no small feat.  

As for the glow? Mission accomplished. The product’s Rapid Renewal Complex, which mimics the benefits of retinoic acid, and antioxidant-packed formula left my complexion bright, plump, and bouncy. While I’m not all too concerned with reducing wrinkles just yet, I definitely noticed my skin looked firmer and tighter with consistent use. 

If my giant love letter to RéVive’s Moisturizing Renewal Day Cream didn’t already convince you to add this godsend to your cart, allow me to drive the point home: Buy this product—it’s worth every damn penny. 

Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.