With moisturizers, there always seems to be a new one to try that could become your new favorite. Hearing bits and pieces about Hope in a Jar from Philosophy, I was interested and excited when I got the chance to try it out. Especially considering this one is the Oil-Free SPF 30 version, I was all for the extra protection and that it wouldn’t tempt my skin to become oily when it just needs to be moisturized.

Described as an “oil-free, lightweight daytime moisturizer,” it’s also formulated with a “broad-spectrum sun protection and multiple antioxidants to hydrate and protect the skin” - sounds great! Now let’s see how it feels on the skin…

Application: Even though it’s suppose to be a moisturizer, you can definitely feel that the texture is pretty substantial and creamy. It almost reminds me of sunscreen, but a touch lighter - though even with that, it’s still pretty easy to apply onto your skin.

After it absorbs in a bit, you’re left with a matte finish that is pretty nice, especially since I would be following up with my foundation routine. I liked that my skin was left sufficiently hydrated and healthy-looking, but it wasn’t sticky or oily. My skin also didn’t seem to react in any weird way, since it feels pretty gentle.

Scent-wise, it’s not too bad after it absorbs into your skin, but there is a slight scent that the moisturizer has. It may be a bit strange if you’re like me, who has tended to use moisturizers that end up having some sort of perfume-y smell. This one…doesn’t at all. It’s sort of just a bare ingredients smell, that I would suspect other moisturizer smell like when it’s nothing but the cream ingredients and whatever else they throw in before a soft and pretty scent.

Overall: At $38, you get a pretty okay sized amount of product, though it is definitely a touch on the pricey side. But with how the formula is a bit thicker, you don’t need that much for your face, maybe a pea and a half at most. As a daily moisturizer, it definitely brings the moisture and leaves your skin in a nice, matte state for the rest of your day or beauty routine.

I’d only be thrown a bit by the scent, though considering how it’s able to bring SPF with its formula, I could live with it.

Score: 4.5/5

(Disclaimer: Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar Oil-Free SPF 30 sample was provided to me for review purposes. This review is purely my opinion.)