Dawn Siler

What are the best Murad skincare products?

Skincare is healthcare. That’s Dr Murad’s philosophy. His brand is all about bringing you actives that really work, so you can slow down premature aging, fight acne, and achieve all your skin goals.

Does it deliver? For the most part, yes. But, like every skincare brand, Murad has its duds. Just because it’s made by a doctor, doesn’t mean it’ll help your skin. *sighs*

So, what’s worth the splurge? I’ve rounded up the best Murad skincare products below:

Best Cleanser: Murad Prebiotic 4-In-1 MultiCleanser ($36.00)

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of double cleansing. I want a cleanser that takes everything off in one go – without drying out my skin. Murad Prebiotic 4-In-1 MultiCleanser fits the bill. Murad says it has a gel-to-oil texture. Well, it doesn’t feel like an oil to me… but it certainly performs like a cleansing oil. It removes dirt, impurities and stubborn makeup while leaving skin softer and smoother. The best part? It’s suitable for all skin types.

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Nordstrom, and Ulta

Related: Do You Really Need To Double Cleanse?

Best Exfoliant: Murad Resurgence Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel ($65.00)

Confused by all the exfoliating acids out there? As a rule, AHAs, like glycolic and lactic, are for dry skin. They have hydrating properties that exfoliate skin without drying it out (unless you use them too often!). Salicylic and Malic acids are for oiler skin. They exfoliate both the surface of your skin and the pores, getting rid of blackheads, pimples, and dullness.

But what if you have combination skin or dry skin that gets the occasional pimple every now and then? Grab a bottle of Murad Resurgence Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel. It has all of these acids to exfoliate your skin – plus a lot of other goodies: tranexamic acid to lighten discolorations, hyaluronic acid to plump up skin, and antioxidants to fight premature wrinkles. Just keep the bottle away from sunlight (it degrades antioxidants!)

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, and Ulta

Related: How To Choose The Right Exfoliator For Your Skin Type

Best Sunscreen: Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen ($68.00)

Are you avoiding mineral sunscreens like the plague cos they always turn your skin into a greasy, white mess? Murad City Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen will make you change your mind. It spreads easily on the skin without clogging pores or feeling too heavy on. Plus, it has a peachy tint that counteracts the white cast – and prevents the matte finish from making your skin look dull. The icing on the cake? It has its fair share of antioxidants to protect you from premature wrinkles, pollution, and blue light. It’s best suitable for combination or dry skin, but anyone can use it.

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Sephora and Ulta

Related: 5 Myths About Mineral Sunscreen You Need To Stop Believing Right Now

Best For AntiAging: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum ($89.00)

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is gentle enough for sensitive skin. How is that possible? It uses micro encapsulation, a technology that delivers retinol into your skin over a period of several hours, instead than all at once. That minimises the dryness and irritation you can experience with other retinol products. But why should you use retinol in the first place? It boosts collagen, fights wrinkles, improves the texture of you skin and even helps you fight acne. Plus, it has ceramides, urea, and Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin and antioxidants to slow down premature aging. I could do without the fragrance (THAT could irritate sensitive skin), but hey, you can’t always have everything.

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Sephora, and Ulta

Related: 8 Proven Tricks To Make The Most Of Retinol (Even If You Have Sensitive Skin)

Best For Dry Skin: Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum ($60.00)

Murad Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum is literally a waterfall of moisture from your skin. Urea and Hyaluronic Acid act like magnets that attract extra moisture into your skin and bind it there. Your skin then uses the extra moisture to become plumper, softer and brighter. Glycolipids patch up the skin’s protective barrier, so this moisture stays in instead than evaporating into thin air. Plus, the serum is packed with antioxidants and soothing ingredients to fight premature wrinkles and soothe irritations. And nope, there’s no fragrance this time. Phew!

Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique and Sephora

Related: Why Urea Is A Must For Dry, Sensitive Skin

What do you think are Murad best skincare products? Share your fave picks below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every moisturiser came in multiple versions, one for each skin type?

Case in point: Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser. It comes in three versions: normal/combination, oily/combination and dry/sensitive.

The dry/sensitive would be too rich and pore-clogging for my skin type. The oily/combo too thin and unable to provide me with all the moisture I need. The normal/combination version is just right. Here’s how it fares:

What’s In Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer Normal/Combination?

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE

Don’t let the name scare you! Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is derived from coconut and glycerin.

Coconut oil is very moisturising – and very comedogenic. So scientists turn it into Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, an ingredient that retains all its moisturising powers in a lighter texture that doesn’t clog pores and gives you acne.

These moisturizing powers come from fatty acids: they strengthen the skin’s protective barrier so that moisture stays in and germs, pollutants and other enemies of your skin stay out.

Related: The Complete Guide To Coconut Oil In Skincare

AVOCADO OIL

Millennials’ fave food is a moisturizing powerhouse for your skin.

Avocado oil is rich in fatty acids that moisturise skin. They work by creating a barrier on the skin that traps moisture in, leaving it soft and supple for hours.

It’s also loaded with antioxidants, like carotenoids and vitamin E that fight free radicals damage and protects skin from UV damage.

In other words, an avocado a day keeps both dryness and wrinkles away.

Related: Can Vitamin E Heal Scars?

GLYCERIN

Glycerin is in every skincare product, isn’t it? It found its way into Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination, too, obvs.

Its job is to provide extra moisture to the skin, so avocado oil can lock it in. It usually takes it from the environment, like the air you breathe or the deeper layers of your skin.

Once your skin has that extra moisture, it plumps up, softens up and glows.

Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Glycerin In Skincare

Texture

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer Normal/Combination is a pale yellow in color and has a consistency that’s not light but not too thick either. It absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue behind.

Fragrance

Herbal and fresh.

Let’s Put It To The Test: Personal Use & Opinion

I find the cream to be very moisturizing, leaving my skin soft, smooth and hydrated for the entire day. It does what any good moisturizer should: it hydrates skin, preventing it from drying out, and keeps it soft and looking good.

All that without clogging my pores, giving me acne and irritating my skin. Phew!

I just have one gripe with this moisturizer: it doesn’t control oil production at all. After a couple of hours, shiny patches in my t-zone start to appear and I have to use oil-blotting sheets several times throughout the day to remove excess oil.

Like all Liz Earle products, this moisturizer also comes in different sizes and packaging types. If you don’t like your skincare products to come in jars, you can opt for tube, which is more hygienic. And if you wanna try a smaller version to see how it works for you before buying the full size, you can do that, too!

Available at: £8.50-£22.00 at Feel Unique and John Lewis

Ingredients: Aqua (water), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Sorbitan stearate, Borago officinalis seed oil, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl esters, Triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil, Echinacea purpurea extract, Humulus lupulus (hops) extract, Beta-carotene, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium lactate, Panthenol, Parfum (fragrance), Benzoic acid, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Tocopheryl acetate, Dehydroacetic acid, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Limonene, Lactic acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Citral, Ascorbyl palmitate. 

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

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Have you heard of Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14?

It’s probably the less known member of the peptide family. While we’re all fawning over Matrixyl or Argireline, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 has sneaked it away into a few serums and moisturizers without anyone noticing.

 There’s a reason for that….

What Is Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14?

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 is a relatively new – and still very unknown – peptide developed by Helix BioMedix Inc. The company has made and patented 50+ peptides!

Like all its siblings, this peptide is made up of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). It has the same chemical structure as proteins but shorter in length.

Before I tell you more about it, let’s take a look at what peptides can do for your skin (and why Helix BioMedix has made so many!).

Do Peptides In Skincare Work?

Peptides are the anomaly in the skincare matrix.

As a rule, anything that’s too big than 500 Daltons can’t penetrate skin. If it can’t penetrate, it can’t work. Got it?

Peptides are bigger than that, yet they do work. Studies show they can boost collagen, hydrate skin, and improve its texture. How is that possible?!

One theory is that peptides are cell-communicating ingredients that work through signalling.

In plain English, when you apply peptides on your skin, these little molecules send signals to your skin cells to produce more collagen, hyaluronic acid and whatever else they need (every peptide has a slightly different job).

These cells do their job and voilá, your skin improves.

Related: The Truth About Peptides In Skincare

What Does Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 Do For Your Skin?

Now you know a bit more about peptides, let’s take a look at what Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 does for skin. Studies show it has three main jobs:

• It stimulates the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm.
• It boosts the proliferation of fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen (you can’t make collagen without them!).
• It inhibits MMPs, a group of enzymes that destroys your natural collagen and does other bad things to your skin.

In other words, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 helps your skin retain its natural collagen and pump out some more.

The more collagen your skin has, the younger it looks. Your fine lines and wrinkles look smaller and the whole complexion is more hydrated.

Who does’t want that?

Related: 8 Science-Backed Ways To Rebuild Lost Collagen

Does Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 Work Better Than Tretinoin?

Tretinoin is, so far, the only thing that’s proven to reduce wrinkles. That’s right. It doesn’t make wrinkles look smaller. It makes them smaller.

The catch? It’s so harsh and drying on the skin, it’s available by prescription only in most countries.

The manufacturer claims Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 can do the same thing without irritation. In a 12-weeks in-vivo (on real people) study, they compared the peptide to Renova (0.05% tretinoin).

The results? Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as Renova – but without irritating skin.

Should you make the switch?

Not so fast… For starters, the study was done by the manufacturer, so take it with a pinch of salt. Plus, I couldn’t find any details whatsoever of the study (that’s why I can’t link to it.)

If Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 is really a gentler alternative to prescription retinoids, why isn’t Helix Biomedix Inc. shouting it from the rooftops? Mmm…

P.S. I do believe this is a promising antiaging peptide. But don’t throw your retinoids away just yet!

Related: Are Copper Peptides Better Than Retinoids?

Does Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 Have Any Side Effects?

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 is gentle and non-irritating. Unless you’re allergic to it, it won’t do your skin any harm.

What Are The Best Skincare Products With Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14?

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 isn’t so popular every brand wants to use it – yet. But you can find it in:

The Bottom Line

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 is a promising ingredient to watch. Initial research shows it helps boosts collagen and firm skin. But there’s no proof it works better than retinoids yet!

Have you tried Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

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Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum is a “Vitamin Bomb” for your skin.

That’s what the brand says, anyway. They packed it to the brim with lots of natural oils and extracts to give dry skin all the vitamins and TLC it needs.

The result is a bomb indeed. One that could trigger a rash or something in sensitive skin. Here’s why:

What’s In Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum?

GLYCERIN

Glycerin is a moisture magnet for your skin. Like a magnet, it attracts moisture from the air into the skin and binds it there.

Moisture is the foundation of good skin. When you have enough, you see it. Your skin plumps up (a visual trick that makes your fine lines look smaller).

Its texture become softer to the touch. And the whole complexion takes on a subtle glow.

Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare

SUNFLOWER & SAFFLOWER SEED OILS

Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum is packed to the brim with oils. But only two are listed higher than preservatives. In other words, only these two do the bulk of the moisturizing work.

Sunflower and safflower seed oil are rich in fatty acids, the little bricks your skin need to create a healthy skin barrier.

It works like this: fatty acids create a barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and germs, bacteria, and other skin enemies out.

Now moisture can’t evaporate through your broken skin’s barrier, it stays in – just where you need it to moisturize skin.

A stronger skin barrier also means your skin is better able to withstand attacks from harsh weather, irritating skincare products, bacteria and anything else that tries to harm it. Phew!

Related: The Complete Guide To Sunflower Oil In Skincare

ESSENTIAL OILS

My problem with Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum? It has too many essential oils.

As a rule, the better an oil smells, the higher its irritating potential. The reason is simple: what makes these plants smell good to humans is what repels insects and predators. In other words, plants smell good so they won’t get eaten.

For most people, these fragrances are harmless. But if you have sensitive skin, beware. They could trigger a rash or allergy.

The main culprits in this serum are eucalyptus, orange, lavender and peppermint oils. They’re all present in small amounts, but still, if your skin reacts bad to anything, I wouldn’t take the risk.

Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Skin

Texture

Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum doesn’t feel like a serum at all. It’s more like a lightweight lotion. Non-greasy, it spreads easily on the skin and sinks in quickly.

Fragrance

Refreshing and medicinal, it’s a mix of eucalyptus and mint.

How To Use It

Every morning and night, after serums. If you have very dry skin, you can follow up with moisturiser.

Performance & Personal Opinion

I have mixed feelings about Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum. It sure has a lot going for it.

For starters, I love the lightweight texture. I use it after my retinol serum at night and follow it up with moisturizer. It sinks in quickly and plays well with the other products in my skincare routine. No pilling or anything like that.

It definitely helps to protect my skin during these cold winter months. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is softer to the touch and a little plumper.

The best part, harsh winds don’t break it down so easily. Oh, they’re trying, but my skin stays soft and supple even when I venture outside for a few hours.

The only thing I don’t like is the sheer amount of essential oils they’ve used. Salcura claims Bioskin Dermaserum can be used by everyone, no matter how sensitive their skin is.

Yet, orange, lavender & co are common sensitisers that do trigger irritations and allergic reactions in lots of people. If you formulate for sensitive skin, you MUST leave them out.

What if you don’t have sensitive skin? I don’t, so the fragrance doesn’t bother me. If you don’t get a bad reaction from it, no need to avoid it. But I still wish it weren’t there.

Related: What To Do When Your Skin Products Start To Pill Or Ball Up

Who Is This For?

Combination to dry skin that needs an extra dose of moisture.

Who Is This Not For?

• Acne-prone skin: Too many oils that may aggravate breakouts
• Sensitive skin: The essential oils may irritate your skin

Packaging

Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum comes in a sleek white and blue tube that releases just the right amount of product you need for each application.

Does Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum Live Up To Its Claims?

Price & Availability

£13.99 at Feel Unique

Do You Need It?

It’s definitely not a must-have. But if your skin doesn’t react badly to essential oils, this serum/lotion can help strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.

Dupes & Alternatives

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

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Chemical VS physical sunscreen: which team are you on?

Yep, not all sunscreens are created equal. Some go on like a dream while others are as thick as toothpaste and leave a white mask on your face to boot.

I used to think someone at the lab had screwed up if I got a gooey mess. Now I know they were just trying to do their best with what they’ve got.

Truth bomb: some of the best UV filters are a pain to work with. Typical, isn’t it? But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them.

Sure, you want a sunscreen that’s aesthetically pleasant. But that’s not the whole story. Here’s everything you need to know about chemical and physical sunscreen and how to choose the best one for you:

Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: Which UV Filters Do They Use?

A sunscreen is physical (a.k.a. mineral) if it uses only minerals zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, as UV filters.

If it only uses the UV filters in the first column, it’s a chemical sunscreen. And if it uses both, it’s a hybrid.

Related: What Are The Best Sunscreen Ingredients?

SHOP CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS

Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: How Do They Work?

You probably heard that chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays while physical sunscreens create a shield on the skin that reflects UV rays away from it.

That’s not entirely true. Let me explain.

ALL sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and transforming them into a less damaging form of energy (heat).

The difference? Chemical sunscreens ONLY work in this way. Physical sunscreens absorb and transform MOST UV rays. The rest (long UVA rays above 360nm), they reflect away from your skin.

Related: 5 Myths About Mineral Sunscreens You Need To Stop Believing Right Now

Chemical VS Physical Sunscreen: What Are Their Benefits?

If texture is important to you, get yourself a chemical sunscreen. Cos no matter how awesome a sunscreen is, if it feels too greasy or makes you look like a ghost, you ain’t gonna use it.

Chemical sunscreens feel so lightweight on the skin, absorb immediately and leave no tell-tale white sign behind. That’s why they’re so popular even in our chemophobic age.

Sensitive skin? You’re better off with a physical sunscreen. For starters, they’re gentler on the skin. They rarely cause allergies and irritations. In fact, they’re so safe, even babies can use them!

I recommend zinc oxide. It protects, on its own, from the entire UV range. Compare that with chemical UV filters. Each of them protects either against UVA or UVB rays. Usually, you need 4 or 5 to keep you safe from all UV rays. The more you use, the higher the chance of an irritation!

There’s another reason why physical sunscreens are better. They’re more stable, so they take longer to degrade in the sun.

Here’s the deal: as UV filters do their duty and absorb/transform/reflect UV rays to make them harmless, they lose a bit of their effectiveness. After 2 hours in the bright sun, most sunscreens are useless. That’s why you need to reapply them often.

Mineral UV filters degrade a little slower than their “chemical” counterparts, so they keep you protected for that little bit longer (but you still need to reapply them often).

Related: How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?

SHOP PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS

Chemical Vs Physical Sunscreen: What Are Their Disadvantages?

Let’s examine all the disadvantages of chemical sunscreens one by one, shall we?

1. More likely to irritate sensitive skin: I’m not sure why this happens but UV filters like avobenzone and oxybenzone are known allergens. If you react badly to a sunscreen, one of these filters is usually the culprit.
2. More unstable: They degrade quickly under sunlight. For example, avobenzone lasts less than 2 hours on its own. To make it effective for longer, you need to add other UV filters that can help stabilise it. Problem is, more UV filters, more risk of irritation.
3. Some UV filters generate free radicals: Free radicals are the nasty molecules that give you wrinkles and dark spots. Octocrylene can generate them. But hey, at least you can fix this by adding an antioxidant serum to your routine (antioxidants neutralise free radicals).
4. Usually protect only from UVA or UVB rays: UV filters are one tricky ponies. You have to use a bunch of them to get broad spectrum protection. Again, the more filters you use, the higher the chance of irritation.

Physical sunscreens have only one downside (and it’s a big one): their texture.

Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are thick white minerals so they don’t spread as easily and can give your face a white tint. That makes it hard to apply the generous amount you need to keep your skin safe.

It’s true formulas are getting better. You can find lightweight physical sunscreens that don’t turn you into Caspar The Ghost after he accidentally bumped his head into a frying pan.

But these are still the minority. If texture’s that important to you, go chemical instead.

Chemical Vs Physical Sunscreen: Which One Is better?

I’m team physical all the way. I love how gentle, yet effective they are. Plus, my skin is so pale, the white cast ain’t a problem for me. But I know lots of experts who favour chemical sunscreens. Again, it’s all because of the texture. If you don’t dig that, you won’t use it.

Do you prefer chemical or physical sunscreens? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas cracker?

I think they make the perfect stocking stuffers. They decorate your Christmas tables, add some fun to your family meal, and are full of delightful little presents.

But… which one to choose? If you know someone with dry skin, I recommend Polaar Lapland’s Secret Cracker. Here’s why:

What’s In Polaar Lapland’s Secret Cracker?

Here’s what you’ll find inside Polaar Lapland’s Secret Cracker:

• The Genuine Lapland Cream Hand Cream (25 ml)
• Face Cream (25 ml)
• Lip Balm (10 ml)

What do they have in common? They all contain Arctic raspberries, cranberries and blackberries, all natural goodies loaded with antioxidants (think Vitamins A, C and E) to fight off free radicals before they give you wrinkles.

They’re all super moisturising, too. If you have dry skin, you’re in for a treat:

Face Cream

The Genuine Lapland Face Cream is on the thicker side. It has to be to give dry skin the TLC it deserves. But don’t worry, it sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue behind. Phew!

How does it work? Simple: the cream pairs glycerin, a magnet that attracts moisture into the skin, with shea butter, macadamia oil and fatty acids from coconut oil to seal it in.

These natural fats don’t just keep moisture in. They also protect skin from environmental assaults. Think pollution, harsh winds, and all the evils of winter weather.

You can use it morning and night. I prefer to use it at night, as the last step in my skincare routine. When I wake up the next morning, my skin is softer, looks plumper, and is better able to withstand the low temperatures.

My first year in London took a huge toll on my skin. It sucked all the moisture out of it and shrivelled it like an old prune.

Not this time. The cream strengthens my natural defences so that my skin stays in top shape, no matter how bad the weather gets.

Plus, the small size makes it easier to travel with. Just in case you’re going on a skiing holiday or a trip to Lapland. 🙂

Lip Balm

Polaar The Genuine Lapland Lip Balm is super moisturizing, no doubt about it.

It’s made with a blend of shea butter and natural oils (think castor, sunflower, and apricot to name a few) that create a barrier on the lips, protecting them from the cold winds in winter and excessive sun exposure in summer.

FYI, this barrier means you’ll feel the lip balm on your lips. It never quite seem to sink in completely. At first, it bothered me a little. But after using it religiously for a week, I’m a convert.

Sure, I wish it felt lighter on the lips, but the lip balm does a wonderful job at keeping them soft and moisturised for hours.

I put it on in the morning, just before leaving the house and venturing into the cold London weather. Five hours on, I feel no need to touch-up. My lips are still soft and kissable.

Shiny, too. The lip balm gives them a lovely shiny finish, so you don’t need gloss on top (unless you want to, of course).

I have a feeling I may find it a tad too rich in the summer, but for the cold weather it’s perfect.

The Genuine Lapland Hand Cream

You’d never guess Polaar The Genuine Lapland Hand Cream has shea butter. Shea is one of the most moisturizing things on the planet (and very greasy when used alone!).

Yet, the texture of this cream is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and not a tiny bit greasy. But is it moisturizing enough?

Depends on your needs. The hand cream uses a mix of glycerin to attract moisture from the air into the skin and shea butter to lock it in.

Its works. For a while Straight after application, my hands feels softer and smoother. If they’re already in good condition, that’s all they need.

Dry, cracking hands? This isn’t moisturizing enough for you. But hey, if you use the hand cream regularly, your skin will never get that damaged. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?

FYI, I love the small size. Makes it easy to carry the cream with me everywhere I go.

Price & Availability

€15,94 at Polaar

What do you think of Polaar Lapland’s Secret Cracker? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.