The Philosophy
Rebalancing skin. Because skin loses ability to self regulate as you age, Cosmetics 27 focuses on regenerating the skin using natural ingredients. Founder and pharmacist, Michele Evrad has made it her mission to create products that help the skin heal and bounce back. Having endured through breast cancer, her philosophy centres around ingredients that are proven to work with little side effects to your body. Of course, I was intrigued by this Western brand including Centella Asiatica as a hero product, so naturally I needed to try it!
The Product
A rich, balmy moisturiser made of botanical oils, emollients and hero-ing centella asiatica. Said to help with renewal of the skin and repair of scar tissue, this ingredient was important to founder Evrad during her studies of reparative ingredients.
The Application
It's a super thick moisturiser with a solid, balmy texture. Once melted into the skin, the formula adheres to the skin so beautifully and feels like a medium weight mosituriser. It's definitely on the heavier side, with less water content than what I'm used to, but it was a great addition to my winter skin routine. After applying this on my skin, I felt it immediately seal in all the moisture from my serums and toners.
The Rundown
Aqua(Water), Glycerin, SesamumIndicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, OctyldodecylMyristate, PropylheptylCaprylate, Sucrose Polystearate, Betaine, ButyrospermumParkii (Shea) Butter, RhusVerniciflua Peel Wax, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Cetyl Alcohol, SesanumIndicum (Sesame) Oil Unsaponifiables, Shorea Robusta Seed Butter, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Olus Oil, Silica, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Boron Nitride, MontanCera, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Dextrin, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrolysed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Betula Alba Bark Extract, ScrophulariaNodosa Extract, CoperniciaCerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Parfum (Fragrance), Sclerotium Gum, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Helianthus Annuus(Sunflower)seed Oil, Tristearin, CandelillaCera, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Asiatic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Limonene, Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
As you notice, my hero ingredient is not so high on the list. In fact, it's quite low but that doesn't mean it may not be effectively working. I notice with pharmaceutical backed brands, they stick to safe, well researched ingredients that don't irritate the skin. You can see this from all the butters, fatty esters and oils in the product, hence making it a beautiful barrier cream. I wasn't amazed with the ingredient list as I have seen other products with higher doses. Then again, you can't ask too much from a moisturiser.
The Result
I personally really enjoyed the texture even though it is on the heavier side of moisturisers. I don't think it's suitable by itself in my honest opinion. My philosophy is always water and oil on the skin and this is too oil heavy to be hydrating alone. I had to pair it with my essences and toners to ensure long hydration. A little goes a long way due to it's solid oil base. As you warm it into the skin and apply, you realise that spreads like butter and creates a beautiful barrier. In the morning my skin keeps it's satin/dewing finish as I layer less oily products underneath. It's a great barrier cream for those who need protection from environmental sensitivities.
As for it's healing properties, my skin has never looked to even and smooth. The 3 months of using this, I can see a dramatic difference in how my blemishes heal faster and how my skin remained plump during winter weather. It's definitely a winner in my books.