In a world where beauty products go viral through social media as fast as they come, it’s harder than ever to cut through all the noise and find out what really works. You have to take reviews and testimonials with a grain of salt. But you also don’t want to miss out on a product that might be exactly what you’re looking for. That was the case when I first heard about the excitement surrounding Dieux Skin’s Instant Angel moisturizer.
If there’s one person who can make a product sell out just by mentioning it, it’s Hailey Bieber. When she mentioned Instant Angel being her moisturizer of choice in a 2022 skincare video, it went viral on social media. After researching the brand and digging into what makes Instant Angel so special, I was finally won over by its super fair price. I decided to find out what the hype was about.
Dieux Skin’s mission is to provide clinically proven skincare products at a transparent price. They don’t rely on customers to throw caution to the wind when purchasing skincare products. Instead, they want consumers to understand exactly what they’re buying and how it works. With three co-founders with varying expertise – a beauty editor, a clinical cosmetic chemist, and a working brand developer – they want to create more honesty in the beauty industry.
My Skin
Although I no longer suffer from acne, I define my skin by its two main issues: extreme dryness and extreme sensitivity. My skin is so dry that I don’t think it has produced a drop of oil since middle school. Ultimately, it doesn’t look oily, just drier and duller. I’ve also had a long period of suffering with perioral dermatitis, which flares up from time to time. (It definitely gets worse when I use products my skin doesn’t like.)
About Instant Angel
Instant Angel is a moisturizer and skin barrier protector. It’s rich and has no fragrance. Plus, it doesn’t leave the residue that many thick moisturizers leave on the skin.
With a blend of ingredients like phytosterols, free fatty acids, and squalane, Instant Angel provides long-lasting hydration while strengthening the skin barrier so it feels strong, smooth, and firm. Ultimately, the brand wants this product to do everything for you so you can “die less.”
The Ingredients
3% Moisture Complex: A blend of humectants and hydrating ingredients provides instant and long-lasting hydration.
0.5% Dipalmitoyl Hydroxylproline: An amino acid proven to help fight the appearance of deeper wrinkles.
2% Barrier Repair Complex: A blend of Hexapeptide-12, Ceramide NG, and emollients that help repair age-related damage.
2% Meadowstolide: A lipid that reduces transepidermal water loss, helping to repair dry and dehydrated skin.
4% Phytosterol and Free Fatty Acid Complex: A plant-based lipid complex (phospholipids, triglycerides, linoleic acid and phytosterols) that mimics and strengthens the skin’s natural lipid layer to regenerate weakened and sensitive skin.
Instant Angel
A nourishing face cream that hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier. It’s rich, doesn’t have an overpowering scent, and doesn’t leave behind residue like many other rich creams.
The Price
Instant Angel retails for $45. The website offers price transparency, breaking down the $45 as follows:
Formula, packaging, and testing: $8.50
Payment processing: $2.68
Shipping and handling: $6.50
Total cost: $17.68
Markup: 2.55x
Instant Angel price: $45
The Results
I started using Instant Angel three months ago and finished my second tube a few weeks ago. (Spoiler alert: I thought it was worth repurchasing.)
Because of my extremely dry skin, I’m used to thick, heavy-duty moisturizers, but I don’t always like the way they feel on my face. Many leave me feeling like there’s a film left. It makes me feel like my face is sweating, even when it’s not. The texture of Instant Angel is similar to other thick moisturizers I’ve used. However, when you apply it to the skin, it doesn’t feel thick. When I work it into my skin, it feels hydrated and dewy, but not greasy or covered in oil.
I tested Instant Angel by using it as part of my morning and evening routine. This is a rare thing for me. I usually only use my heavy-duty moisturizers at night. However, my skin feels and looks so healthy in the morning that I continue to use it then.
Before Instant Angel, I had a point where I was really struggling with my skin. Even though it was summer, I felt like there was nothing I could do to look vibrant. My skin was drier than ever and looked dull and unhealthy. I’ve had incredible success with this moisturizer and I attribute that to its skin barrier support. My skin has changed so much that I actually see a glow from within. Because my skin feels healthier, it also responds better to the other products I use, like my vitamin C. It feels like Instant Angel is working on healing and repairing my skin, not just covering up the damage.
I’m not the only one on the team who loves this product either: “I have very dry skin in the winter and the only thing that has saved my skin over the past few years is Dieux Instant Angel moisturizer. This is the thickest, most hydrating moisturizer I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried A LOT of moisturizers. When I apply it at night, I wake up in the morning and my skin looks (and feels) radiant and soft. Any time I feel a chill in the air and feel my skin starting to flake and tighten, I know it’s time to pull this product out. I highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they’ve tried everything for their dry skin!” — Emma Ginsberg, podcast and editorial assistant
The Verdict
Of all the moisturizers I’ve ever used that promised me hydrated, healthy skin, this one has delivered the most noticeable results. My skin has noticeably changed since I started using it. It looks more hydrated, healthier, and plumper.
For $45, I don’t think I’ll ever find a better product. While there are definitely cheaper ones on the market, there are also plenty of more expensive ones—many of which I’ve tried and they don’t work. Especially now that we’re moving into the cooler, drier months, I highly recommend Instant Angel to keep your skin hydrated and happy.
More Dieux Skin Products We Love
I have to confess something: I don’t really believe in eye creams. I’ve tried many over the years and have been disappointed with the results almost every time. However, I believe in Dieux’s Forever Eye Mask. After adding this product to my routine, my eye creams actually started showing results. My eye area is usually pretty dry and dull, but when I combine a moisturizer with these eye creams, my eyes are visibly brighter and more hydrated after just a few minutes.
Ever since moving from Los Angeles to a much colder climate, my skin and I have been in a constant battle. My skin is dry, constantly gets breakouts, and my barrier is completely compromised. Dieux’s moisturizers have been my saving grace. I use Instant Angel in the evenings, but in the mornings when I want something lighter, the Air Angel Gel Cream is a godsend. It has a slightly matte finish (perfect for me as my skin can get not only dry but also oily throughout the day), is super hydrating and makes my skin feel great. It’s also acne friendly and wears beautifully under makeup. It really is a hero of my skincare routine.