Emma Hardie is a British brand that is just a decade old. The morning cleansing balm has acquired cult like status and many Caucasian women absolutely love it. I bought this brightening collection in the sale at about 30% discount. Its a travel size collection that you would take on holiday for a week. Remember those things – beach holidays?
Today’s the perfect time to break the seal on this collection, as I have literally used no skincare for about 30 days. I used a cleanser about once a week and that’s it. No moisturiser, serums, sunscreen, toner, masks..
Outcome?
This experiment definitely falls into the top 20 dumbest things I have done, as I observe the following about my skin:
- A: there is a build of pigmentation, as I have not at all exfoliated
- B: Skin has started to sag
- It feels rough like sandpaper
- It is dry and flaky
- Pores have increased in size, although I am not sure you can see them in this photo.
What’s in the brightening collection?
The pack lists out each product and instructions on use:
- Moringa Cleansing balm – Moringa is essentially drumstick in India and is extremely rich in Vitamin C. Instructions are to use a hazelnut sized amount, which I guess is 2 peas
- Rosehip exfoliating seeds – this is a coarse grainy powder which you use by mixing with the cleansing balm
- Purifying pink clay detox mask
- Moisture Boost Vit+ C cream
The outcome
I only used the cleansing balm and the exfoliating seeds, as my skin felt too dry to take on the clay mask. Note that there is zero skin brightening. Neither product added any glow to my face. My skin does feel marginally softer.
The balm is extremely pleasant smelling – if you have used Decelor – then its basically that strong refreshing essential oil blend that is characteristic of that brand. Its very interesting for me that this does not appear to an entirely new product but an improvement of another brand’s product. It is supposed to be a balm, but in my climate its more a semi-solid/oil.
The rosehip seeds are extremely fine – in fact Forest Essentials walnut scrub has huge grains compared to this. I don’t like these exfoliating seeds – they are much too harsh for my skin and quite frankly, does anyone ever need such a strong exfoliator?
Would I buy these again?
It’s important to “listen” to your skin. If your skin feels tight and parched after cleansing and/or exfoliating, don’t slap on a drying mask. I restored some balance to my skin by using Forest Essentials’ Ojas Replenishing Balm. Even though this is a night balm, it certainly “calmed” my irritated skin.
The balm is pleasant smelling and my skin does feel reinvograted after using this. I wouldn’t use it more than once a week because I don’t really like oil cleansers. However, this would be perfect to remove every trace of make up. I’d buy this again.
I wouldn’t touch the rosehip exfoliating seeds with a barge pool.