1988 Moisturizer, Ranked Among Best Beauty Products of All Time, Remains a Top-Rated Classic 38 Years Later

Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, a skincare hero originally launched in 1988, remains a top-rated product 38 years later. The beloved item was ranked among the greatest beauty products of all time on a list of 100 of the best releases ever by Beauty Inc.’s Women’s Wear Daily.

Published in February 2026, the lineup comprises several heavy-hitters across skincare, makeup, hair styling tools, and more, with the most iconic picks “chosen by the people who know best — beauty industry insiders,” the outlet announced. “These products are all ‘original, and either reimagine or simply imagine something that doesn’t exist,’ said Linda Wells, editor of Air Mail Look and founding editor of Allure, who acknowledged the saturation of today’s market and likened the current rate of new product development to running a marathon at the pace of a sprint.”

Including Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator—which retails for about $17 (.5-ounces) to $89 (4.2-ounces) depending on size—is an understandable choice: the popular product is rated 4.7/5 stars with over 37K reviews, and it has undoubtedly made its mark on skincare routines over time. Officially, it’s described as “a lightweight gel moisturizer. Formulated with aloe bioferment and hyaluronic acid, it floods skin with instant and long-lasting hydration.”

The brand also states that it’s clinically proven, dermatologist tested, allergy tested, and 100% fragrance free.

“Clinique’s aloe bioferment, an early arriver to the skin microbiome craze, is concentrated over 500 times and works in tandem with two different weights of hyaluronic acid,” WWD noted, adding that the “results-oriented” buy has become an industry must-have: “One jar of moisturizer sells every seven seconds.”

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Made for all skin types and meant to specifically boost hydration and “keep it in,” it has become known for boosting skin’s glow and providing a healthy-looking, plumping effect. Users claim it helps skin feel soft and radiant, is not greasy, and remains a “10/10 product.”

One supposed longtime fan is a self-proclaimed loyalist of the staple: “About 5 years using it, wont change ever!”

As with most products, however, there are mixed reviews. Some claim it doesn’t live up to the hype, with one reporting that it’s a “fine hydrator but not special. The good: The gel texture glides on smoothly and is absorbed into my skin quickly. The not-so-good: The hydration is just okay when worn alone; it isn’t as superb as advertised.”

Providing more insight into what went into choosing which favorites made the final cut on the roundup, WWD added, “True hero products all share similar attributes. ‘Fundamentally, the product has to be extraordinary, and you need to know how to get the consumer to fall in love,’ said Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive vice president and chief brand officer at the Estée Lauder Cos. Pointing to formula performance, sensoriality, packaging and marketing, she continued, ‘All of that has to work together in a cogent way to make you love it — not just for the week, but for life. And that’s the difference.’”

Related: 1981 Skincare Essential Ranked Among ‘Greatest Beauty Products’ of All Time Became a Cult Favorite