Different Skin Types Try The Upgraded Laneige Water Bank Hyaluronic Cream Trio
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Laneige is best known for two things: their cult-favourite lip sleeping mask, of course, and really hydrating skincare products.
While I currently have three different flavours of the lip mask on rotation, my dry skin and I are almost embarrassed to admit that we’ve only recently experienced the latter.
I know. Trust me, I wanna kick me too.
But I feel comfortable sharing this with you, dear Beauty IQ readers, because I’ve since got my hands on the recently renovated Laneige Water Bank Cream and I finally get it.
I’ve seen the light and now understand what all the fuss is about. So does my face.
I’m getting ahead of myself though.
First, let me catch you up on everything you need to know about Laneige's re-release of their holy grail hyaluronic cream.
What Is The Laneige Water Bank Hyaluronic Cream?
The Laneige Water Bank Hyaluronic Cream is a trio of barrier-boosting moisturisers that promise deep, long-lasting hydration for plumper, supple skin.
A cornerstone of the cult Water Bank collection (which we’ve previously reviewed here!), it’s recently undergone upgrades to its packaging and ingredients, and now includes a new Intensive version for extra-thirsty skin (enter, my piqued interest).
According to the K-beauty brand, it targets three key indicators of a strong skin barrier (density, elasticity and firmness), delivering a surge of hydration that lasts anywhere from 48 to 120 hours, depending on your cream of choice.
But before we dive into the deets, let’s get a little sciency for a sec:
Despite slight variations in the ingredients used across the Laneige Water Bank trio, the central ingredient in all the formulas remains Blue Hyaluronic Acid, or Blue HA for short.
What is Blue HA and how does it differ from regular HA?
I’m so glad you asked.
Think of Blue HA as the refined, amplified version of regular HA.
Exclusive to Laneige, Blue HA has been double fermented with deep sea algae – known for its hydrating and revitalising properties – and a 10-step microfiltration process to create micro-sized molecules that can absorb into the skin faster and more effectively.
Translation: it's really, really, really hydrating.
Now that the chemistry is behind us, let’s dig into the different moisturisers on offer.
- Best for: normal to dry skin types.
- Has a dewy and lush cream texture.
- Clinically proven to deliver deep, long-lasting hydration for up to 100 hours*.
- Enhanced with twice the amount of ceramides than the original formula and a Pepta-panthenol Complex to soothe, firm and hydrate the skin.
- *Tested on forearm. Based on a 4-week clinical study on 32 women ages 20 to 45.
- Best for: combination to oily skin types.
- Has a lightweight, cooling texture with tiny “cream beads” that melt on contact.
- Clinically proven 48-hour* barrier-boosting hydration plus skin-firming and softening benefits.
- Infused with mint leaf extract to soothe skin and help control sebum production for breakout-prone skin.
- *Based on a 48-hour clinical study on 32 women ages 21 to 35.
- Best for: very dry and sensitive skin types.
- Has a richer, balm-like formula that melts into the skin.
- Clinically proven to provide deep, long-lasting hydration for up to 120 hours*.
- Made with omega peptides, cica and squalane to deeply replenish and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
- *Tested on forearm. Based on a 4-week clinical study on 32 women ages 20-49.
To get a real feel of the Water Bank trio, I assembled a couple of my colleagues to road-test them on our different skin types.
Below, you’ll find our honest thoughts.
Jas, Beauty Editor.
Skin type: dry.
If it wasn’t already obvious from the outset, my skin and I are obsessed with this Laneige moisturiser.
Having dry, dehydration-prone skin, I love a lush, emollient face cream.
If it doesn’t make my skin look baby butt-soft with a shine that borders on sweat, it’s not necessarily a no, but it’ll likely get handed onto my partner and his less discerning oily skin.
With the Laneige Water Bank Cream, It truly was love at first dip.
Its ultra-thick, ultra-creamy texture looked too good to be true. Thankfully, it wasn’t!
I’ve been slathering it on my face day and night for about two months, each application like a big, melty hug of hydrating deliciousness.
Hit play below to watch me unbox the Laneige Water Bank Hyaluronic Intensive Cream.
I love how it sinks into every nook and cranny to relieve even the driest of skin (including my perpetually parched palms!), leaving it soft, soothed and bouncy, while somehow still feeling completely weightless on the skin.
I’ve noticed an improvement in my skin’s overall texture and hydration too.
Formula aside, I’m obsessed with its packaging.
A Rubix cube-sized tub that’s cute, fun and, most importantly, practical!
Designed to be refillable, I’ve since swapped out my first pod for the second and found it easy enough to do – ideal for reducing packaging space while travelling and avoiding in-transit spillage (the worst!).
You best believe I’ve got another three Laneige products in my cart awaiting payday.
Chloe, Content Coordinator.
Road-tested: Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream 50ml
Skin type: combo to oily.
“This cream was an absolute lifesaver during my venture to Vanuatu! Despite trying to dodge the sun, our skin still got a bit crispy from all the swimming and outdoor fun.
But this stuff? It smelled divine, felt super light, and just melted into our skin like magic.
Even my fiancé, who's got tricky, dehydrated, acne-prone skin, was totally on board.
This whole tub lasted two months for two people, so, bonus points for the refill pod – we're definitely grabbing more for our next AB order.”
Sadaf, Senior Beauty Editor.
Skin type: normal to combo.
"Water bank is known for being a fan fave amongst dry skin havers (for obvious reasons).
However if you lean more oily or have combo skin like me and want something a tiny bit more lightweight then you will love the Waterbank Gel Moisturiser.
I actually don't love using gel moisturisers too much as I find they can often absorb too quickly, or their texture doesn't feel right or nourishing enough on my skin.
My cheeks still get dry (especially in winter) so I still seek that nourishment and that’s exactly what I got from this gel version that feels so nice to apply.
It absorbed beautifully and left my skin feeling just nourished enough.
It left a nice film and after a few weeks of use my complexion is looking a little more bouncy and happy.
Big yes from me. I can totally see why it’s a cult product."
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