Hada Labo Moisturizer Review

Hada Labo Moisturizer is a simple, no-frills, everyday moisturizer that’s formulated with 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid that hydrate and condition skin.

(Curious about Hada Labo products? Check out this list of the best Hada Labo products for your skincare routine!)

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare company known for its straightforward, no-fuss approach to skincare. They prioritize the science over the aesthetic, like packaging and fragrance. This makes them affordable too.

Similar to my favourite Hada Labo Foaming Cleanser and other Hada Labo products, Hada Labo Moisturizer is called many different names like:

• Hada Labo Gokujyun Moisture Milk
• Hada Labo Hydrating Milk
• Hada Labo Goku-jyun Milk
• Hada Labo Rohto Goku-jun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion
• Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk
• Rohto Mentholatum – Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Milk

Don’t worry, they all refer to the same moisturizer and this review covers them all.

Difference between Hada Labo Milk vs Hada Labo Lotion

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If you’re new to Japanese skincare and Hada Labo  specifically, you might be a wee bit confused about the distinction between lotion and milk. 

Personally, when someone says lotion I immediately think body lotion and if someone says milk, well, I think cereal to be honest lol.

In Japanese skincare though, while both products are meant to deliver moisture and hydration, “lotion” refers to a product similar to a toner while “milk” refers to a product more closely resembling a moisturizer.

So if you see Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, that’s a toner. 

And btw, while Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Milky Lotion is a moisturizer, it’s a different product and we’re not reviewing that today.

For easy reference, since I can’t read Japanese, I go by the coloured stripe on the bottle:

• Pink = milk
• Green or red = lotion
• Gold bottle = premium milk

Hada Labo Moisturizer ingredients

Hada Labo Gokujyun Moisture Milk contains 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant, which is an ingredient that sits on the top layer of your skin, draws in moisture, slowing it from evaporating, and therefore keeping skin hydrated.

Full ingredient list below (source):

Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-12 Olefin), Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Methylparaben, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Propylparaben, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine

How I Use Hada Labo Hydrating Milk 

Hada Labo is my go-to moisturizer in the cooler months (more on that below). It’s the last step in my skincare routine at night, and before sunscreen in the morning.

I apply a small amount on my palm and spread it all over my face and neck. It’s very spreadable and a little goes a long way so better to start small (pea-sized) and just add more product if you need it.

What I like about Hada Labo Moisturizer

There’s a lot of things I like about Hada Labo Rohto Goku-jun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion.

• Fragrance-free. First, I like that it’s fragrance-free. I really believe skincare products don’t need scent to be effective.

• Gentle and hydrating. Second, I love how hydrating it is. We get pretty cold winters here and this product keeps my skin hydrated and moisturized (I’m combination-dry in the winter). Of course, if I go out and it’s -30C/-22F, my face dries out immediately. I have yet to find a product to protect my skin against that. But for “normal” winter days, this works great for me.

• Hypoallergenic. I’m a big fan of Hada Labo because their products are simple and to the point. They only contain ingredients that are absolutely essential. I’ve been using Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Milk for a long time and my sensitive skin hasn’t had any bad reactions to it at all. It also works nicely with the rest of my skincare products.  

• The product lasts a long time. This product is so spreadable and you really don’t need a thick layer of it on your face. I’ve had a bottle for close to a year and I still have about 1/3 left.

What I don’t like about it

I do have a few minor bones to pick though.

• Not All-Season. I don’t use this product in the summer, when my skin switches to combination-oily. It gets a little sticky so I switch to an even lighter moisturizer like COSRX Oil-Free Moisturizing Lotion. I also recently tried Rovectin Lotus Water Cream and I’m really loving it.

• Availability. It’s also not as widely available here as other k-beauty or even Japanese skincare products. So if you need to re-purchase, you need to order online a bit in advance to make sure your order arrives in time.

Do I recommend Hada Labo Goku-jyun Milk?

In a rating scale of 1 to 5 — 5 being awesome — this product is a high 4 for me. It’s not a 5 because I can’t use it all year and availability is an issue. Other than that, this is a really good product to add to your regimen.

So if you’re looking for an uncomplicated, effortless moisturizer that won’t irritate your skin but provide you with much needed hydration, Hada Labo Moisturizer is a very good product to try. 

You can buy it from Amazon by clicking this affiliate link > Hada Labo Moisturizer.

If you’re looking for a really hydrating cream for winter, Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream is also worth looking into.

And Rovectin Cica Care Sleeping Pack is a multi-tasking, hard working moisturizer that’s great too.

Here are more options if you’re looking for lightweight moisturizers.

As always, remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa.

So before trying a new product, it pays to do a little bit of research first. Pay special attention to ingredients that you might have a reaction to.

And doing a patch-test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.

Happy skin experimenting! Remember to practice good skincare habits always.

Have you tried Hada Labo Moisturizer? Did it work for you? Will you recommend it? Would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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