In my Birchbox for January, I got the derma e Hydrating Night Creme with Hyaluronic Acid. Normally I’m so “ugh” about getting skincare products in my subscription boxes- because let’s be real, they are waaaay less exciting than getting a new lipstick or a fun eyeshadow- but I sucked it up and gave this a try and fell. in. love. Seriously, I have never really been attached to any skincare products until now. I mean, I’ve had products that I liked or even loved, but not products that I was like “OMG HOLY GRAIL SKINCARE,” you know? But seriously, I’ve already repurchased this product and I am noooot a repurchaser of skincare.
SO anyways, that was my intro to derma e. Conveniently enough, I was so kindly offered a couple other derma e products for review around the same time I got my Birchbox, so I figured, why not? I was sent the Soothing Moisturizing Creme, the Soothing Redness Reducing Serum and the Soothing Cleanser, both of which are made for sensitive skin, are fragrance-free, and contain anti-aging Pycnogenol (which derma e claims is a “potent yet gentle antioxidant that is 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals”). These products are also 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free gluten-free, lanolin-free, mineral oil-free and GMO-free. Can you seriously get any better than that? The products in the Soothing line range from $15 – $30.
I guess I’ll start with the serum and cleanser, and then save my favorites for last. The serum is meant to reduce redness and calm irritation. I don’t really have any extreme redness issues but I do get easily irritated skin. Since using this serum, I haven’t had any irritation issues, but I don’t know if that’s due to the actual serum itself or due to the fact that my skin loves this line in general and therefore hasn’t been irritated. Either way, it seems to be working out well. It basically just feels like an extra layer of moisture for me; it’s pretty liquidy and I just put a thin layer all over my face (it absorbs quickly) and then apply my moisturizer over top. I’ve been using this morning and night and my skin has been feeling super soft (again, I don’t know how much of this I can attribute to the serum itself as the moisturizers have been great too). I don’t think I’ll repurchase this, however I would really like to try the Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid next time instead.
I like the cleanser quite a lot. It doesn’t foam up, which is great because if a cleanser gets foamy, then the chances of it drying my already always-on-the-verge-of-dry skin out are pretty much 100%. I’ve been using this with my Michael Todd Soniclear and I come out with the softest, smoothest skin that doesn’t feel like the life has been sucked out of it. I can’t really comment on how well it removes makeup, because I’ve been using my Julep Bare Cleansing Oil beforehand (this stuff is AMAZING. You NEED this for makeup removal, it just melts everything off your face! And now that I’ve thought about, I basically lied about not already having an HG skincare product, because this is the best ever- no exaggeration whatsoever. It’s worth every penny and lasts for quite a while) so it doesn’t have much to remove after that. I will probably repurchase this.
Onto my loves. Now, if you haven’t already gathered, I have fairly dry skin. If it’s not actually dry, it’s on the verge of becoming dry at the drop of any product that it doesn’t like (haha, seriously though, stupid sensitive skin) or one small gust of wind. Because of this, a good moisturizer is the absolute most important part of my skincare routine. The daytime moisturizing creme has been great for my skin, especially over winter. It’s quite a heavy moisturizer, so my skin isn’t left feeling parched as soon as it’s absorbed. It stays feeling nice and moisturized all day long, right up until I apply the night creme. I would repurchase this if I wasn’t so intent on trying out the Hydrating line, so instead I’ll be purchasing the Hydrating Day Creme with Hyaluronic Acid.
The night creme is 100% hands down my favorite out of all of these products, and is the reason why I want to try the rest of the Hydrating line so badly. It’s not super heavy but not too light either and it smells AMAZING. I can’t pinpoint the smell, but I legitimately think it’s probably my most favorite scent in the whole world. I honestly like it more than coffee and vanilla and grapefruit, and I LOVE those smells. It’s fresh and a little bit sweet but not like candy sweet and oh my gosh, putting this on at night just makes me happy because of the smell alone. I’m not even joking. I know I sound like a weirdo obsessing over a scent that I can’t even identify, but I absolutely love it. And if the rest of the line smells like this then, in the words of Janice from Friends, “well, I gotta buy a vowel because OH. MY. GAAAWD.” I will be the happiest girl. I’m just sitting here smelling this right now trying to figure out what it is, and I can’t, so sorry, haha. My skin feels awesome in the morning and, dare I say it, the fine lines on my forehead are looking the slightest bit less liney (you’re probably thinking “omg you’re 23, you don’t have wrinkles”) but I do have lines from raising my eyebrows when I can’t see properly without glasses. Woe is me and my young, wrinkled forehead, hahahaha. I’ve already bought the full size of this since I ran out of my sample. I love love love it.
The derma e products have obviously made an excellent impression on me. Once I’m through these current products, I’ll be purchasing the Hydrating Essentials set, which includes the cleanser, day creme, night creme and eye creme, and then the serum as well. I am honestly pretty excited about feeling so dedicated to specific skincare products, because it means I’m actually going to stick with the same routine for a while and hopefully I’ll see some improvements in my skin (particularly those stupid fine lines, fingers crossed). I’ll definitely do an update in a few months when I’ve been using the new line for a while and let you know how it’s going!
Is there a single skincare line that is your go-to, or do you tend to mix and match products?
Kath TheFabZilla says
I’ve read/heard nice things about this brand. I should look into it. Btw, great use of coaster box for this post (if I’m not mistaken)
Chelsea says
Haha, you aren’t mistaken ;) I’ve held onto this box for like, a good two years at least and finally it’s come to good use! Haha
Eugenia says
I am always mixing up my skincare to see which ones work the best for me! I’ve never heard of this brand before though!
Chelsea says
That’s my usual tactic, so I’m pretty excited to find a whole line of products that work well!
Neversaydiebeauty says
You’re right, Chelsea, this product line for sensitive skin would be right for me. I will try it some day after I finish all my skincare reviews, lol. I’ve looked at the products many times at Ulta and they are on my to try list.
Chelsea says
Haha I feel ya- so many products to try and so little time :)
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
Your enthusiasm totally makes me want to check these out lol I need to do some poking around on their site!
Chelsea says
Haha I’m glad my enthusiasm shined (shone? haha I don’t know) through, because I REALLY like these products a ton.
Destany says
I’ve never heard of this brand before, but it sounds nice!
Chelsea says
Glad I could introduce you to a new brand! It’s great :)
Justina says
I’ve never heard of this brand, but that’s why I love Birchbox. I can try lots of new things!
Chelsea says
Exactly!
Jess scull says
Definitely looking into this brand – I need to switch up my skincare soon!
Nidia - Lit From Within says
Sounds like some of these might be too rich for my oily skin, but the cleanser sounds great, and I really want to smell that cream!! I have a Jasmine cream I’m using now that makes me excited to put it on, it smells so good – and I never thought I even liked jasmine. lol.
MarciaF says
I’ve used a lot of Derma E products and enjoyed them all. I’m currently using an eye cream from them.
Laura MyNewestAddiction says
I had some stuff from them to try but it all got shipped to WA! WAHHHHH
Renu says
What a great find from a beauty box! You certainly don’t have wrinkles, but it is never too early to begin a good skincare regimen.
KENDRA says
I have never heard of this line before! Glad it’s working out for you so well!
Lisa Heath says
Definitely looking into this brand! These sound fantastic!
Julie says
Ooh, this products sound heavenly! I have skin like yours, though mine is dry/combo in my t-zone. Right now the only stuff that keeps my dry patches at bay are First Aid Beauty products, but wow these sound so good!! Savor those 23 year old forehead lines, because at 30 mine somehow got the memo that they need to become much more noticeable. How I wish I could have my 23 year old forehead again! haha
Leelo R says
Derma E makes some seriously good products! Everything I´ve tried from them so far has been either good or very good!
Tatiana says
Great review! I haven’t heard about this brand before, but it seems to worth the try!
-Tatiana
We Shop in Heels
Savvy in San Franciso says
I have received a couple of these samples in my Birchbox and you are making me want to give them a try! I’m obsessed with skincare products!
Chelsea says
I NEVER have been skincare obsessed, but I’ve tried three different brands over the last few months and I think skincare has become a new thing for me. I am amazed that I actually ENJOY washing my face now, haha. Who am I?!?!
paula schuck says
I also have extremely dry skin. This might be the answer for me. I hydrate like mad and use a variety of products, sometimes reviewing them on my family, travel and tech blog.