From cult pharmacy favourites to Salon Professional French brands: Embryolisse, Caudalie, Darphin, Nuxe, Payot and more, these gel-creams make summer skincare effortlessly dewy.
Gel Creams in 2026: The Modern Summer Essential
Cooling, cushioning and glowy. Gel creams are no longer a seasonal swap. In 2026, they’ve become the must-have summer moisturiser because they combine everything Australians want in hot, humid weather.
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Unlike traditional creams, a gel cream moisturiser for summer delivers hydration without heaviness, making it ideal for oily, combination, and humidity-prone skin.
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Cooling hydration for overheated skin
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Lightweight textures that absorb instantly
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Humidity-friendly formulas that don’t feel greasy
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Support for makeup and SPF
And that last point may be the most compelling.
The Makeup Test: Why Gel Creams Are Winning
Won’t Melt. Won’t Slide.
Summer makeup struggles are real: foundation separates, mascara smudges, skin feels heavy. Gel creams solve this elegantly.
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Why makeup artists and beauty editors love them:
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Absorb quickly to create a smooth, hydrated base
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Keep foundation and skin tint in place
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Allow SPF to layer smoothly without pilling
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Reduce excess shine without stripping moisture
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Minimise mascara and concealer transfer
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Deliver plump, healthy glow — not grease
Simply put: skin looks better, makeup lasts longer, and everything feels weightless.
Chill, Apply, Glow: The Fridge Hack
For an instant refresh, store your gel cream in the fridge. This is a simple summer skincare hack that feels indulgent and works wonders.
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For an instant refresh, store your gel cream in the fridge. A chilled gel:
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Cools and revives overheated skin
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Reduces puffiness and fatigue
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Soothes irritation and sensitivity
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Leaves skin feel plump, fresh and radiant
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Provides a luxurious, spa-like, refreshing sensation at your own home
It’s the effortless way to elevate your summer skincare routine.
The French Gel Cream Edit
Each French gel cream brings a unique touch to hydration and additional benefits for the skin. Discover our favourites and choose your gel-cream companion based on your skin’s needs:
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EMBRYOLISSE | Radiant Complexion Cream - Apricot Glow: A light gel cream moisturiser that seamlessly blends with the skin. Specially formulated for dull, fatigued complexions, this gel-cream hydrates, detoxifies and preps the skin for a flawless makeup look.
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CAUDALIE | VinoHydra Gel Moisturiser: A silicone-free, ultra-fresh gel powered by natural-origin hyaluronic acid, soothing organic grape water, and calming aloe vera extract, it provides long-lasting hydration while maintaining a balanced, shine-free finish.
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THALGO | Source Marine Hydrating Cooling Gel Cream: Cooling & hydrating. This next generation gel-cream floods skin with marine minerals and nutrients for smooth and dewy skin.
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SVR | [PEPTI] BIOTIC Regenerating Smoothing Matte Gel Moisturiser: This unique formula provides 24 hours of hydration while reinforcing the skin's barrier function, brightening and firming skin, blurring blemishes and refining skin texture.
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NUXE | Prodigieuse Boost Glow-Boosting Cream-Gel: This versatile correction gel cream brightens and refines the skin, effectively diminishing the appearance of early signs of aging and enhancing the complexion's radiance.
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PAYOT | Source Adaptogen Moisturising Gel: Ideal for dry to combination skin, this lightweight gel cream intensely hydrates while helping the skin resist daily environmental stressors. Its fresh, non-sticky gel texture absorbs quickly and provides anti-shine properties, leaving the skin feeling softer, plumper, and protected.
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DARPHIN | Hydraskin Eye Refresh Gel Cream: Your eyes will thank you for a cooling and reinvigorating eye treatment with this hydrating eye gel-cream, designed to depuff tired eyes while instantly smoothing and brightening the undereye.
How Should I Layer My Gel Cream For Maximum Glow
Morning: Summer Glow Routine
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Hydrating mist or essence
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Lightweight serum
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Gel cream moisturiser
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SPF 50
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Optional: skin tint or light foundation
Evening: Cooling Reset
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Gentle cleanse
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Hydrating serum
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Chilled gel cream for overnight recovery
Who Should Switch to a Gel Cream Moisturiser?
Gel-creams are perfect for anyone who:
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For dehydrated combination to oily skin
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Wants makeup to last under the summer heat
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Wears SPF daily
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Dislikes heavy creams in summer
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Wants a dewiness and glow without congestion
Even dry skin types will benefit from gel creams, especially during Australia’s warmer months.
The French Summer Skin Philosophy
Gel creams are more than moisturisers, they’re summer skin essentials. Pop it in the fridge, smooth it over skin, and enjoy a plump, luminous complexion that lasts from sunrise to sunset, even on the hottest days.
