Customer Reviews

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Daily Moisturizer, All Skin Types, 2 Ounce

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(66)

 

 

*****
This has been my daily moisturizer for several years. It makes my skin very soft, very healthy looking, and glowing. It makes me look radiant. I have given it as a gift to my sister and to other women, and they have all liked it as much as I have. No one has had any adverse reactions. You can notice a difference after just one use. When I've run out and used something else temporarily, I always can see the difference again once I start back up. It is as close as it gets to a miracle cream.

I do not wear makeup, so Hope In A Jar is it. I am 49 years old and I think my skin looks incredible. The friends I have given it to also like to keep a natural look and prefer their skin without heavy creams, thick moisturizers and sunscreens, or makeup.

The women I know who are fans of Hope In A Jar are like me. We're kind of lazy no-fuss "one cream that does it all" people; instead of one jar of something for one thing, and another for something else---eye creams, night time moisturizers, daytime moisturizers, etc.---we're the type that wants just one that can do the job and then be done with it. In other words, we don't have the patience to fuss with our looks a lot, or to spend money buying bunches of different creams to keep track of and remember to use.

Unlike other reviewers, I love the smell, which is not perfumey, but definitely pleasantly distinctive. I use it around my eyes also, and have not had an allergic reaction. It seems, though, that these are the two biggest problems with Hope---the distinctive odor and allergic reactions among some people. I would suggest buying it the first time from somewhere you could return it if you don't care for it; although in my opinion, this would be unlikely, apparently it is possible. Philosophy now makes another version of Hope In A Jar for sensitive skin; if you know that your skin in tempermental, perhaps it would be better to also try this version. I have stuck with Hope In A Jar because it works so well for me.

It seems expensive, but it is not because it lasts a long, long time. The two-ounce jar lasts me about six months. I use a toner and then Hope In A Jar and that's it. I'm done with my face in 30 seconds. Plus, it gives me a look that most women use makeup to get, so I think it's a bargain.
****

As a former "makeup junkie" I feel it imperative to write this review. Now in my 60's and with progressive RA, I feel time is of the essence. In my youth was a face model and had used everything from La Prarie, Stendal, Erno Laszlo through Estee Lauder, Lancome, etc, and have never, ever seen such a difference in my skin as with Philosophy product. Has taken off at least 10 years off my face. My body may be going, but my face looks younger again.

I bought Hope in a Jar because of all the great reviews. I was duped. If I could, I would give this cream a negative 5 stars. Like many reviews stated, it smells awful. I would compare the smell to rancid citrus fruit. I put up with the smell and used the cream on my face and neck for several weeks. After all, I spent a bunch of money on this product. I found no benefits whatsoever from using it. Instead, my skin was getting rather dry. So, in spite of all the great reviews and all the money I spent, I stopped using it. I kept using the Purity cleanser even though that seemed kind of drying to my face as well. Now, I am taking steroids because of an allergic reaction on my neck and face. I cannot say for certain that one or both of those Philosophy products caused my allergic reaction, but it does seem an odd coincidence that many others also suffered allergic reactions.

I am only writing this review for one reason, and that is to add my 2 cents to the rest of the folks who gave this product a 1 star rating. I wished I would have listened to them!

Update on Jan 5, 2009 -- Interesting: There was 1 comment to my review, which I replied to sometime later. Both that comment and my response have been deleted. If you are considering buying this "Hope in a Jar" product look up the ingredients on the Wikipedia website. There's nothing special about this cream and there may be some ingredients that should not be used on your skin, particularly on your face.

I am very surprised by many of the one star one line reviews here claiming serious allergic reactions. First off, this product has been around for years and is always in the top 10 selling products in Sephora and is in countless magazines as their top picks as well. I can understand how some cleansers, mosturizers etc.. can make certain people break out, rash whatever but most of these one star reviews are quick one liners, by people who only leave this one review (check the "see my other reviews") and do not have a real name verification. Oh and most were within the same 2wks. Seems to me it is either the same person or moles from competing companies.

Anyway, I have been using this cream for 2wks now and I really like it. I have horrible sensitive combination skin. Dry in many areas but large porses and blackheads in other areas. This is the only heavy moisturizer I have ever used that seems to actually even my skin without weighing it down. Since I do have some oily skin and tend to breakout, I do not use this 2 times a day. I use it at night only. In the am, I use the hope in a bottle. I use only Purity to clean my face with and also use the micropeel system and my face has never looked better. I personally do not think it smells bad, I can't smell anything to it which I like. What DOES smell bad is the When Hope is Not Enough serum - ugh, that makes me want to gag but if it works - it is totally worth it.

I had used other Philosophy things before, and liked them, so figured I'd give this a shot. I've been using it for about a month now, and really like it. I was having issues with combination skin vs. dry windy winter weather, and this is really helping quite a bit.

I'm lazy about using moisturizers so I don't use it every day, or twice a day, but when I use it my skin feels better. That has motivated me to be better about using it then any product in the past has. It helps the dry without adding any trouble in the oily areas. The smell isn't the nicest in the world, but it's not bad, and once it's on your face and absorbed it fades completely.

Everyone has different skin, but this is worth a try.

I'm allergic to everything, so I was thrilled to find "Hope in a Jar." Not only did I NOT break out, my skin is improving. Well worth a try.

I am a fan of most philosophy products but this face lotion made me break out with a huge rash and dry spots on my face after just two uses!

Very expensive, with a strong scent for a face lotion.

I am not allergic to anything, and have never had allergic reactions to any kind of product before... but this was awful! At first it made my skin tingle, then i went to bed - the next morning i looked sunburned and puffy and my skin was itchy... I was like this for at least 3-4 days, after which my skin started to breakout in tiny weepy bubbles. It cleared eventually but I would never buy this product. Philosophy have always made wonderful products but there is something really wrong in this one.

I hated the smell. It didn't improve my skin at all but just gave me breakouts and red dry patches.

This is an amazing product. I have somewhat dry skin that can turn completely oily at the touch of moisturizer, and Philosophy Hope in a Jar completely got rid of any dryness and leaves my skin perfectly balanced - not oily. I love it. It's not heavy and I adore how light it goes on. Unlike others I have tried, it soaks right into my skin, leaving it glowing. It really does leave make-up optional.
My one dislike is the smell. It's not nice in the least, and I'm sad they couldn't have this product be fragrance-free or have a lighter, more pleasing scent.