You got me at "Soufflé"
Foreword
Deliciousness has arrived! Not sure what took me so long, but I am finally indulging my appetite for some of the most coveted Glow Recipe skincare products. And in today's post we are going to kick things off with the brand's [newish] Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream.
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling.
My Skin: dry, sensitive
About the Product
Glow Recipe is a female-owned, K-Beauty inspired brand that is cruelty-free 🐇 vegan 🍃 and clean ✔️
Most (if not all) of their products are based on fruits' natural skincare superpowers. They are also free of synthetic dyes, fragrances, parabens, sulfates, silicones and many other well-known nasties.
Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream (39 USD; 50ml/ 1.7 fl.oz; Made in USA) - is described as a lightweight moisturizer that is supposed to calm, hydrate and heal sensitized skin.
Packaging: there’s no denying that Glow Recipe have some of the cutest and most memorable designs. But what’s even better is that the brand is committed to a 100% recyclable packaging with an aim to become completely carbon neutral by 2022.
Most of the Glow Recipe products come in glass jars/bottles with plastic caps and lids (occasionally spatulas). Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream looks quite adorable and fun. The jar has a nice weight to it, which might not be ideal for travels and, yet it is so aesthetically pleasant (especially if you want to display it in your bathroom). I think it is one of those rare cases, where I would not mind repurposing the container once I run out of the moisturizer (could it be a cute pot for a baby succulent?).
The only complaint I have is that I wish Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream came with a spatula. The mouth of the jar is so tiny; it will be hard to scoop out the product once you use up the top layer.
Formula: some of the key ingredients here are Banana (helps with water depletion and healing), Magnesium (calms irritated skin and improves its natural barriers), Cica (heals dry and sensitized skin) and antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory superhero Turmeric (as well as Jojoba, Marshmallow, Coconut, Basil, Aloe and Chia).
Scent: Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream is a scented product, however, the “fragrance” is listed at the very end of the ingredients list (less than 0.5%) and it is of a natural origin (made with edible components). The scent is quite noticeable and it is on subtle, sweet side (the closest thing that comes to mind is either a banana marshmallow or Tonymoly Magic Food Banana Hand Milk). It does go away right after the product is applied, which is something I do not mind. But if you don’t like the smell of banana as a fruit itself, chances are you’re not going to like this one either.
Texture: is borderline gel-ish and quite lightweight; it reminds me of creme brûlée in a sense that it is whipped, smooth, silky and creamy. I feel like it almost melts into a slightly more watery consistency when it gets in contact with the skin.
Application: although Glow Recipe suggest that you can use this moisturizer twice a day, to me it is still more of a morning moisturizer. I find it to be a touch too light and not nourishing enough to be used at night; whereas it works perfectly underneath makeup/sunscreen or on its own as part of the AM routine.
As I have mentioned, having a spatula would be so convenient. I currently use one I have from a different brand and pea/dime-sized amount is more than you need. Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream glides on like a dream, feeling instantly hydrating and soothing. It leaves your skin with a soft "kwang" (aka dewy glow) and usually gets absorbed in seconds.
Wear: I have dry skin, which can feel that extra bit irritated thanks to all of the time I spend with my face dunked in chlorine (I am a swimmer). Once my toner and eye cream are applied, I usually go straight ahead with Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream and it gives me the right amount of hydration and "zen" (skin feels less tight/sensitized). This formula plays well with other skincare/makeup products (no pilling or moving) and gets a touch dewier as time goes by. It did not cause any irritation.
Who is going to like it?
If your skin is on a dry side (normal-dry, combination, dry) - Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream might become your new favorite AM moisturizer. It is super weightless, yet you do reap the benefits of this product’s green ingredients. Skin feels calmer, is less irritable and it actually glows.
If your skin is at one of the contrasting ends of the spectrum (either very dry or very oily), you might want to consider other options (rich cream or light gel, respectively). Alternatively you can create your own little concoction by layering a serum underneath or even adding a couple of drops of your favorite face oil that might give your skin more hydration. I often do the latter during colder, winter months.
This is a nice formula for a hot, humid climate. But if you live somewhere where there are slightly more dry, harsh weather conditions you might want to save Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream for warmer, summer months.
Verdict
Overall, I do think Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream is a beautifully formulated product that I will gladly continue to use. While it is not the most hydrating moisturizer I have ever tried, it does work really well for my skin type at the moment and I have also noticed that I get less redness since I have started using it. I do wish Glow Recipe would create a slightly richer, winter-appropriate cream that would suit very dry skin types (I will purchase it in a heartbeat). If you think this is something that might work for your skin (and you are looking for a vegan, clean beauty product) by all means give it a shot. I do not think you will be disappointed! I give this baby B+ and will share more product updates on my Instagram in the future.
What do you guys think about this product? Let's chat some more in the comments!
Available online: sephora.com / cultbeauty.com
Purchased products; full disclaimer here
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