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Moisturizer is deeply personal—sort of like coffee orders or signature scents. I’ve never been loyal to just one because my skin’s too moody for that; between weather shifts, stress, and hormones (thanks, postpartum life), what works one month suddenly doesn’t the next. In the warmer months, I stick to lightweight formulas that won’t make my face feel slick, but when the air turns cold and dry, I reach for something rich and creamy. Then I met Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer, a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner—and for the first time, I thought, “Maybe I could actually commit.” It’s the skin-care equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack, as it truly doubles as both moisturizer and primer. And after a few weeks of using it, I’m starting to believe “the one” might actually exist. Here’s what happened when I put it to the test.
Bobbi Brown
Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Macy's
My Skin Goals: Hydration without Heaviness
I have dry, sensitive skin that tends to freak out the second the temperature dips below 60 degrees. Tightness and dullness set in, followed by those flaky patches on my cheeks that no amount of foundation can disguise. In fact, makeup only makes them more obvious.
What I need out of a moisturizer isn’t just hydration—it’s balance. I want something replenishing enough to heal and smooth, but not so occlusive that it clogs pores or leaves a greasy film. A product that feels indulgent, yes, but also performs and keeps my skin comfortable and makeup-ready from morning drop-off to afternoon meetings.
First Impressions: From Rich to Weightless
At first glance, Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer looks buttery and thick in the jar—the kind of texture that usually spells too rich. But the moment I scoop some out, it immediately melts into my skin. The texture is plush and nourishing but somehow still light enough to disappear without a trace.
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Christa Joanna Lee
Then there’s the scent: a bright, natural blend of grapefruit and geranium oils that’s fruity and fresh. It’s free of synthetic fragrance (the kind that can trigger irritation for sensitive types like me), which makes it all the more enjoyable. It’s one of those products that instantly lifts your mood the moment you open the lid, yet it never feels overpowering.
The Formula: Classics That Deliver
What makes this moisturizer-primer hybrid so effective is its thoughtful blend of skin-strengthening ingredients designed to hydrate, protect, and prep.
You’ve probably seen squalane everywhere lately. It’s ultra-light yet nourishing, making it one of the most universally loved ingredients in moisturizers. “Squalane is a lightweight, saturated lipid that helps replenish the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. It occurs naturally in the skin’s sebum, making it highly biocompatible and well tolerated across all skin types,” says Shannon Humphrey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in British Columbia, Canada. In other words, it hydrates without clogging pores—the perfect base for any skin type, but especially for extra-dry skin like mine.
Lee holding the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Christa Joanna Lee
Shea butter brings that cushiony, rich texture. “It contains fatty acids and vitamins A and E that deeply nourish and soften the skin. Shea butter also soothes irritation, reduces redness, and provides lasting hydration for dry or inflamed skin,” says Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. This is the ingredient that makes this product feel so comforting—it locks in moisture and keeps skin supple long after application.
Speaking of hydrators, hyaluronic acid also plays a starring role. “Hyaluronic acid attracts and holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most effective hydrating ingredients," says Dr. Reszko. “It keeps skin plump, smooth, and elastic while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and dryness.” That instant plumping effect is exactly what makes my skin look fresher and my foundation apply more evenly.
And then there’s the vitamin trio that makes this formula truly multitasking. “Vitamins C, E, and B work beautifully together. Vitamin C protects and brightens, vitamin E enhances and stabilizes it, and vitamin B calms and supports barrier health for a resilient, luminous complexion,” says Dr. Humphrey.
It’s also packed with emollients like dimethicone and glycerin, which give it that priming power—creating a soft, even canvas that makes makeup glide on and stay put. You don’t often find a formula that nails hydration, nourishment, and makeup performance all at once, but this one somehow pulls it off effortlessly.
How It Fits Into My Routine
In the mornings, it’s the last step in my skin-care regimen (right before SPF). It doesn’t pill under foundation—a huge win for dry skin—and since adding it to my routine, I’ve completely ditched using a separate primer. My makeup goes on smoother, stays fresh longer, and leaves my skin looking naturally glowy.
At night, I sometimes use it as my moisturizer, too. Even though it’s marketed as a primer, it’s rich and hydrating enough to double as a night cream without clogging pores. On nights when I’m too tired for my full skin-care lineup (which, as a busy mom, is most nights), I just cleanse, pat dry, and slather on a generous layer of Face Base. By morning, my skin feels soft, balanced, and happy.
Lee before applying the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Christa Joanna Lee
The Results: My Skin, But Better
After a few weeks of using it once or twice daily, the change was undeniable. The flaky patches on my cheeks are gone. Makeup glides on with ease, and even on no-makeup days, my complexion looks naturally luminous instead of dull.
I still believe moisturizer is personal; it has to work with your skin, your routine, your life. But somehow, this one manages to do it all. It’s the kind of formula that adapts to dry skin, tired skin, and everything in between—and that’s what makes it so good. If you love products that multitask (or just don’t have time for a lot of steps), Face Base more than earns its spot on your vanity.
Bobbi Brown
Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Macy's
Meet the experts
- Shannon Humphrey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology, based in British Columbia, Canada
- Anetta Reszko, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
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