Product Review: Skincando Eye Balm
We’ve been talking lately about how changing seasons and different climates can affect our skin (and our sleep—wah!). And even though it’s revolting balmy in New York right now, I’ve noticed that the areas where I’m prone to dryness—my cheeks and around my eyes—are pretty parched. That’s because as the air gets drier, there’s less moisture for your skin to draw in and retain. Remember, our skin is hydrated in two ways: externally from moisture the air, and internally. Cut out one of those two and you’re looking at dryer skin, right? Right.
Now, I’ve said before I am of two minds about eye cream. I think most of them are a total crock, but I have found some active-ingredient-packed eye serums that I love—especially Kahina Giving Beauty’s and Tata Harper’s and most recently La Bella Figura’s, which I am still using.
I’ve been feeling like I need an occlusive on top of it, though, so I did what anyone would do and I went to my fridge, where I have a side shelf piled with cosmetics I have yet to try. There, I found Skincando’s Eye Balm, which had been on my to-do list for some time.
A few words about the line: It was founded, as many natural lines are, by a woman desperate for a solution to her own problem skin.
Sara Damelio had tried everything to no avail and finally decided to take matters into her own hands. (Aside: There is a theme here, and for good reason: Mainstream beauty products are SO FREAKING DISAPPOINTING. They are loaded with fillers, then wrapped in shiny bottles, and sold to us like we’re too dumb to understand how our skin actually works. Grrr! But back to Sara.) Her first product was Combat-Ready Balm. Remember when my friend was having her skin emergency, and you all weighed in to help her, sweethearts that you are? Well, she took a lot of your advice. She also took a bottle of this stuff from me and guess what? It completely healed her cracked, peely skin.
Apparently it works on soldiers, too. Sara donates her balm to U.S. Troops to help protect their skin when they’re in the field.
Cough.
Someone has clearly already earned her angel wings in this lifetime.
Anyway, the eye balm. I love it. As you can see from the ingredients below, it’s loaded with skin-soothing ingredients (chamomile and calendula), oils (apricol kernel and coconut), antioxidants and antiinflammatories (white tea and GSE) and some wax to seal it all in. It also leaves a slight sheen on the skin which looks glowy and hydrated, not greasy and gross. It doesn’t wear the best under makeup for day (because it’s very rich) but that doesn’t bother me much—and it feels lovely at night.
I’m sold! I love this stuff.
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Apricot Kernel Oil*, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil*, Beeswax, White Tea*, Chamomile E.O*, Calendula E.O.*, Grapefruit Seed Extract*, Sodium Borate, Vegetable Glycerine, Mica, Viamerine (*USDA certified organic ingredient)
Have you ever tried the Skincando line? Found another eye balm you love?
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Hey, could you do a review on a product for removing hair from the whole body? Like products(wax, razor and so on) for upper lip, face, arms, legs, belly, breast, and so on?
Sorry if this is a silly question, but can you please explain what the difference is between an eye balm and an eye moisturizer/cream? Thank you!!
@maira: Amen! I was just going to make a similar request. I’ve had a really hard time finding a good natural/organic solution for hair removal. I’m willing to wax, shave, etc, but an effective, clean beauty product is hard to find in that department. Also, has anyone else had the experience of switching to a recycled razor and practically scrapping their skin off? I hate the chem-filled strips attached to most disposable razor blades, but the alternative routinely takes of the first layer of my skin. NMDL, help!
Alex–the difference between a balm and a cream is water, the difference between a cream and a lotion is more water. Balms are traditionally oil+wax, and don’t need preservatives bc there is no water.
Technically, the “balm” reviewed would be a cream.
@maira @Letutua try an epilator! It is a hair removing tool that has a lot of rotating tweezers on it to plug out the hair. It can be painful in the beginning, but it gets better, just like with eye brow plugging. Try one from Braun, they are famous. Just search on amazon!
do i pay once and i will be getting free gifts? but for how long will i get free products?
sorry about that wrong comment girls :)
I love Skincando products and especially the eye balm. Not surprised you loved it too. :)
@zimt-peppermint thanks for the advice but how long will it last for, i mean will i have to throw it away after a month because won’t the hair be getting caught or does become bad enough to throw after a year or so?
If you live in Houston, you can find Skincando products at One Green Street! It’s a fabulous store, and no, I don’t own it or work there. I’m just a big fan!