Astral Moisturiser Cream Review: A Classic for a Reason
Moisturisers come and go, but some stand the test of time and Astral is one of them (in fact I originally reviewed them back in 2013!). With its iconic blue tub, Astrol has been a skincare staple for decades, with its roots back in 1912 and a Victorian lady in her kitchen. While the formula we know today has been the same since 1953.
While Astral easily lives up to its promise of deep hydration and has a simple, no-nonsense formula, how does it hold up in today’s world of high-tech skincare? I’ve put it to the test to find out.
What Is Astral Moisturiser Cream?
Astral is a rich, all-over moisturiser designed for the face, body and hands. It had its beginnings over 100 years ago, and while the formula has been tweaked and expanded on looks to embrace its small roots. It is most loved for its intensely hydrating formula, which can be used across the face and body.
The key ingredients include:
- Lanolin – A natural natural emollient derived from sheep’s wool.
- Glycerin – Helps the skin to retain moisture, keeping it soft and supple.
- Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil) – Helps to create a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Astral has come up with a simple face and body moisturiser which simply does the job and does it well at a good price, while being suitable for all skin types.
My Experience with Astral
I was kindly sent the range of Astral creams to try out. Including their Original Intensive Cream, as well as the Astral with Shea Butter and Astral with Cocoa Butter, so I hope this Astral moisturiser review helps you decide if you would like to try them out or not!
Texture and Application
One of the first things you will notice about any of the creams is its thick, creamy texture. This is not a lightweight cream, but if you require a hydration boost it is an absolute dream.
This is most definitely a cream where a little goes a long way and I found that using it after a shower, onto slightly damp skin helped it absorb better. Although it is fine on dry skin too, I just felt it took slightly longer to be absorbed.
It is worth noting that the added Cocoa and Shea Butter range does offer up a slightly thinner, lighter cream than the Intense and of course is complemented by a lovely soft scent as well.
Hydration Power
Astral is all about being moisturising, thanks to the fact it includes ingredients which are known for helping to make the skin soft and supple. As such it is particularly good for dry areas like elbows, knees, and hands.
While it leaves all areas of your body feeling hydrated all day long. I have to admit I didn’t use Astral for my face, but if it this something you did fancy I would suggest it makes a better night cream that day.
Is It Good for Oily or Sensitive Skin?
The simple answer is yes! It is made for all skin types and can be used for oily and sensitive skin as well as dry. I would say that perhaps if you don’t want such a rich day cream, it would be better suited for night or winter use for those with oily skin.
For those with sensitive skin, it’s a simple formula with no added fragrances, however, it does contain lanolin, which some people may be sensitive to, as with the use of any new cream you should patch test.
Does It Work as an Anti-Ageing Moisturiser?
Astal has never been marked as an anti-ageing cream and never will be. It doesn’t include any active anti-ageing ingredients like retinol or peptides. However hydrated skin always looks more youthful and some people do say it makes their skin look better/younger.
Final Thoughts: Is Astral Worth Trying?
If you love classic, no-fuss skincare, Astral is a good choice. It’s affordable, multi-purpose, and seriously hydrating. While it may not suit everyone especially those who prefer lightweight creams if you have dry or mature skin, it’s worth having in your beauty stash.
Personally, I think my favourite is the Astral with Shea Butter, which I use as a body lotion. This mixes the original Astral cream, with an extra kick of Shea Butter making for an intensive moisturiser that leaves the skin feeling soothed while also helping to nourish and protect.
Pros:
✔ Affordable
✔ Deeply hydrating for the skin
✔ Works on the face, and body and as a make-up remover
✔ Simple, no added-fragrance formula
Cons:
✖ Can feel heavy for oily skin
✖ Contains lanolin, which some may be sensitive to
Would I repurchase? Absolutely especially as a dry skin saviour! I’ve found over the past few years that my skin has become more sensitive and having a product on hand that I know I can use and my skin loves is a must.
Where to Buy Astral Cream
If you would like to try Astral Cream for yourself then head then you can buy it from Amazon, Superdrug. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and many more! Where is comes in at around £5.49 for a 200ml tub. (Superdrug also sell an exclusive 500ml tub of the Astral Original for £9.99!)
Does Astral sound like a moisturiser that could help you?
Competition
Would you like to be in with a chance to win a bundle of Astral moisturisers to give this range a try for yourself? Well now is your chance – all you need to do is enter on the gleam widget below.
Win a Bundle of Astral Goodies!After entering via the mandatory entry option in this competition, all other entries are optional; however, entering via more gives you more entries into the final draw.
Good Luck!
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I ditched my night cream, hand cream and body lotion for Astral original because it’s the only cream that gives my skin proper moisture with no irritation and I like the light refreshing scent. I can’t fault it. It works and I love it. I would like to try out shea butter lotion as I can’t find it in any where.
Seen this but never bought it as I didn’t know anything about it. Useful review. Thank you.
It’s well worth giving it a try – it really is a nice cream.
my skin has been quite dry and I have been looking for a decent moisturiser, I will definitely check this out
astral cocoa butter because it would be especially moisturising for dry skin
I would happily try any of these. I didn’t realise astral was still around. I remember my mum used to swear it was the best moisturiser around. I will need to try to purchase some
I would most like to try the ASTRAL Cocoa Butter as I think it would be ideal for my skin type. Thank you.
Would love to try the Astral with Cocoa Butter, love Astral products but didn’t realise they also do scented ones too
They’re all scented that I’m aware of and strongly too.
They are scented by the ingredents – not by additions.
I would try the Astral with Shea butter because I have dry skin and sounds great to intensively moisturise
Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser as my skin is always dry so want to see if this really helps.
Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser because I need all the help I can get
I’d like to try the Cocoa Butter one because it sounds like it would be extra moisturising and would smell divine.
I would like to try Cocoa Butter because it would smell lovely while moisturising my skin.
I would like to try the Cocoa Butter one for it’s moisturising properties.
Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser because I do have dry skin and that sounds like it will improve my skin.
I think I would choose the cocoa butter because it smells so gorgeous!
the cocoa butter smells amazing.
The OG intensive as its a classic for a reason! My mums always used it – I tried it when younger but it was too much… now I’m meno, I think it may be time to try again!!
I would like to try the shea butter moisturiser
Cocoa butter because I love the smell and it really helps my dry skin 😀
My Mum always uses Astral and swears by it! I would choose the Cocoa Butter because I can imagine the smell is amazing!
Would love to try the cocoa butter one as it’s so smoothing and smells great
Cocoa Butter sounds amazing! I love the smell of cocoa butter!
ive used this for a while now, and its the best cream ive ever used
cocoa butter
I would like to try the original to see if it suits my skin
I’d love to try the Astral original, simple and proven is best with skin care for me!
the shea butter sounds lovely and perfect for keeping skin looking nourished
The Astral with shea butter, because that is just a magic ingredient (thinking of Body Shop shea body butter).
I would love to try the the Astral with Shea Butter because it sounds the perfect moisturising for my skin
I’d most like to try the Astral with Shea Butter because I like the idea of it being a slightly lighter texture, and the added benefits of the shea butter and the scent
Cocoa butter, I like the smell and believe it will help a lot with my dry skin.
Lovely competition been using it for years same as my mum and nanna 🥰🥰
id try the original first just to see how well it works
Have used the Original before and I love it. Would like to try the Shea Butter for the scent and, of course, deep hydration.
they all sound great. id try them all
id like to try the shea butter moisturiser
id like to try the original intensive moisturiser
i think the cocoa butter would work best for me
Astral Cocoa Butter because I think it would work well and smell gorgeous.
I’d like to try all of them but do like the smell of cocoa butter so might be that one first
I think they’ll all be good but I would choose the Intensive moisturiser with cocoa butter first. It makes my skin feel great.
Cocoa butter Moisturiser – much needed for my skins and sounds like it would smell and be amazing
Cocoa Butter, I love Butter and I love Cocoa, plus my skin needs nourishing.
I love cocoa butter so I’d love to try the moisturiser. My skin always needs nourishing.
I’d love to try the moisturiser with cocoa butter – it sounds divine!
I love the original Astral so I’d love to try the cocoa butter version.
The intensive moisturiser with cocoa butter sounds great. With this fluctuating weather the extra moisturisation is needed at the moment.
the Astral Intensive Moisturiser looks amazing – i need help!
A nice set for my nurse wife who has dry skin from using Hibiscrub.
I would love to try the cocoa butter because I use the original but haven’t tried this
I would like to try the cocoa butter one
The Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser has been a favourite of mine for years, brings back lovely childhood memories of my mum using it.
I would like to try the Astral Cocoa Butter, as it sounds great and will leave a lovely aroma.
the cocoa butter because I think it would smell and feel great
I remember using the Astral Intensive Moisturiser as a teenager over 30 years ago, I didn’t know it still existed, so I’d love to have more of it
The cocoa butter would smell divine and make me feel like I was young again
Astral Cocoa Butter because I think it would work well and smell nice.
Astral Cocoa Butter because its from a trusted brand so I know my dry skin would feel better for it.
Astral with cocoa butter sounds like the cream I need
I would love to try the one with cocoa butter as i really like this ingredient!
I think that the Astral Cocoa Butter sounds great. I love the fact that it con be used as a moisturiser and a make-up remover, really useful when travelling and space is limited.
I would love to try the Astral Cocoa Butter because it sounds like a great allrounder
I would love to try the original moisturiser as I’ve heard great things about it and that it was the idea behind the Charlotte Tilbury magic cream!
original shea butter and cocoa butter
Great for keeping my skin moistured
Astral with Cocoa Butter sounds lush to me!
The Astral Cocoa butter because I bet it smells absolutely lovely.
Astral really great moisturiser – I have extra dry shin. Amazing prize, thank you. If I don’t win somebody else will be very lucky. XX
The Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser. This is a great product and can be used all over the body forcso many reasons, I love it.
Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser 500ml – I suffer with really dry skin and I would hope this would help sooth this.
I am a huge fan of Astral original and have used for years on my hands, might try the body cream too
I don’t mind which one I get, I just want a gift for my mum.
Love Astral – just right for my skin!
The cocoa butter as I love the smell.
Shea Butter would be my choice to sooth my skin.
I’d most like to try Astral with Cocoa Butter because I bet it smells very good!
The Original Intensive Moisturiser would suit my dry kin x
Astral Intensive Moisturiser, Joanna Lumley uses this, and she looks fantastic!
I’d like to try cocoa butter cream as cocoa butter products seem to agree with my skin needs; also the smell should be nice
I would like to use the Astral with shea butter as I would prefer that fragrance
the original Astral because heard alot about it and original is best!
This would be a lovely gift for my partner, especially the intensive moisturiser for her my hands.
This would be a lovely gift for my partner
The intensive moisturiser with coco butter would be good for my dry hands.
The Astral intensive cream with Cocoa Butter sounds ideal for my dry and cracked hands.
I’d like to try the cocoa butter variety. I am a big fan of cocoa butter on my skin, also I’d like to retry the original Astral. I used to use it years ago and have forgotten how good it was. I think my skin would love them all.
Would love to try the original one as i remember the little blue pot on my Nans dressing table.
I’d love to try the cocoa butter one! It sounds like it would be perfect!
I would love to try the Intensive cream because it would last a long time as a little goes a long way when intensive.
1 would love the pampering cocoa butter
I would love to try the pampering treat of the cocoa butter
I would like to try Astral Cocoa Butter. I bet it smells lovely!
I’d be happy with any of them. Luckily I don’t have dry skin on my face but I bet they’d be good for my rough hands from gardening.
This looks just what my skin needs right now
I would like to try out the Astral cocoa butter as I have never used it
I would most like to try the Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser. I have very dry sensitive skin.
My Mum lived to 104 and still had beautiful skin and she put it down to her life long use of Astral moisturiser, so the original would be my choice
The Astral with cocoa butter as it sounds nice and rich and would smell nice.
Intensive moisturiser with Shea butter sounds so nourishing for the skin
COCOA BUTTER THINK IT WILL SMELL LOVELY
The Astral Original Intensive would be my choice because of the lovely fragrance
I remember my mum using this product. I don’t like cocoa butter so would try the original.
I have always loved the smell of cocoa butter so would love to try that one!
Thanks for this post and for reminding me how lovely Astral is
Astral Original Intensive Moisturiser – I remember using this years ago and I loved it. I dont know why ive never bought it again.
I’d like to try the Astral original as that with shea butter I find rather somewhat hard for my skin.
My favourite brand 🙂
My wife would like to try the Astral with Cocoa Butter because it is great at moisturizing skin.
the original, i remember it used to be very effective and moisturizing
the cocoa butter, a great scent
l love cocoa butter products, so I would like to try that one
the cocoa butter range sounds nice
cool
Would love to try the Astral Cocoa Butter because it would help to moisturise my dry skin
Love to try the Cocoa butter sounds fantastic as it softens and moisturises