Prep & Hydrate: Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Moisturizer Review

In the world of minimalist beauty, prep is everything. Merit Beauty, known for its streamlined approach, emphasizes starting with a well-prepped canvas. Their Great Skin Instant Glow Moisturizer isn't just pitched as a daily hydrator; it's positioned as a crucial priming step before their makeup application, designed to work synergistically with products like The Minimalist stick. Promising lightweight hydration and a smooth base, does this moisturizer truly pave the way for 'great skin'?

Launched alongside the Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, this moisturizer aims to lock in hydration, plump the skin, and create an optimal surface for makeup, all while adhering to Merit's clean beauty standards.

What is Great Skin Moisturizer?

This is a lightweight daily moisturizer formulated to provide lasting hydration and prime the skin for makeup. It features a blend of skin-loving ingredients designed to absorb quickly without feeling heavy or greasy.

Key Ingredients & Benefits:

• Hyaluronic Acid (4 Types): Delivers multi-level hydration, drawing moisture into the skin for a plump appearance.
• Niacinamide: Helps to brighten, smooth skin texture, and minimize the look of pores.
• Cacao Seed Extract: Rich in antioxidants, helps protect the skin and potentially boosts microcirculation for radiance.
• Japanese Goldthread Root: Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Peptides: Signal cells to build collagen, potentially improving firmness and elasticity over time.
• Clean & Vegan: Formulated without harmful or irritating ingredients, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Texture and Application

The Great Skin Moisturizer has a refreshingly lightweight cream texture. It's not thick or dense, spreading easily across the skin and absorbing relatively quickly. It's designed to be used morning and night after cleansing and serum application (like Merit's own Great Skin Serum). Merit suggests it creates a smooth, slightly gripping base, ideal for makeup application.

Real User Experiences

What do users across different age groups think?

• Sarah (22), College Student: "I needed a simple moisturizer that wouldn't break me out, and this is it! It feels light but hydrating enough for my normal-to-combo skin. Makeup goes on really smoothly over it – no pilling! It doesn't feel greasy, just makes my skin look healthy. The simple bottle looks cute on my desk too."

• Emily (35), Working Mom: "I love that this acts like a primer and moisturizer in one. It definitely smooths things out and gives my skin a subtle plumpness. My Minimalist stick blends much better when I use this beforehand. It absorbs fast, so I don't have to wait ages before applying makeup. My skin feels comfortable all day. Is it the most intensely hydrating moisturizer ever? Maybe not for super dry skin, but for me, it's the perfect pre-makeup step."

• Linda (58), Retiree: "As my skin has gotten drier, finding a moisturizer that hydrates without being heavy under makeup is tricky. This one strikes a nice balance. It provides a good level of moisture and leaves a soft, smooth finish. I appreciate the niacinamide for helping with tone. It doesn't magically erase wrinkles, but it plumps up the skin nicely, making lines less noticeable, and my makeup sits better on top. It feels soothing, too."

My Personal Take

The texture is indeed lovely – a light, almost gel-cream consistency that feels instantly cooling and hydrating upon application. It sinks in within a minute or two, leaving behind a smooth, slightly velvety finish that isn't sticky or overly dewy. It definitely creates a receptive canvas for makeup.

I noticed my complexion products, particularly cream formulas like the Flush Balm and The Minimalist, applied more evenly and blended more seamlessly after using this moisturizer. It provides a good baseline hydration level for my combination skin throughout the day without contributing to excess oiliness in my T-zone.

While it claims "instant glow," I found the effect subtle – more of a healthy, hydrated look rather than a luminous shimmer. The long-term benefits of peptides require consistent use, but as a daily hydrator and primer, it performs exceptionally well. For very dry skin types, it might need layering or supplementing with a facial oil, but for normal, combo, and slightly dry skin, it's likely to be a hit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture.
• Provides effective daily hydration for most skin types.
• Creates a smooth, prepped base for makeup (excellent priming properties).
• Contains beneficial skincare ingredients (Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Peptides).
• Doesn't feel heavy, greasy, or sticky.
• Clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic formula.
• Minimalist, functional packaging.

Cons:

• May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin types on its own.
• The 'instant glow' effect is subtle rather than intensely luminous.
• Price point is mid-range for the size.

Who Is Great Skin Moisturizer For?

Merit's Great Skin Moisturizer is a great option for:

• Individuals looking for a lightweight daily moisturizer.
• Those who want a product that doubles as a makeup primer.
• People with normal, combination, or slightly dry/oily skin.
• Users of Merit's makeup who want synergistic skincare prep.
• Anyone seeking a clean, non-irritating formula with beneficial ingredients.
• Fans of minimalist skincare routines.

It might not be the ideal choice if you:

• Have very dry or dehydrated skin needing a rich, occlusive cream.
• Are looking for a moisturizer with strong anti-aging claims or active ingredients like retinol.
• Prefer a very dewy or intensely glowy finish from your moisturizer alone.

The Final Verdict

Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Moisturizer successfully bridges the gap between skincare and makeup prep. It's an effective lightweight hydrator that excels at creating a smooth, receptive canvas for makeup application. The clean formula packed with beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid adds genuine skincare value.

While those with very dry skin might need more, it's an excellent choice for a wide range of skin types seeking balanced hydration and improved makeup wear. It lives up to its name by contributing to overall 'great skin' health and appearance, making it a solid performer in the Merit lineup and a worthy addition to a minimalist routine.

Rating: 4.4/5