Late last year, I was introduced to a 100% vegan skincare line made with USDA Certified Organic Seaweed called OSEA created by Jenefer Palmer that made a conscious effort to ensure that every ingredient in their products was certified organic, cruelty-free and biodegradable.
After reviewing OSEA’s Ocean Lotion, I was curious to try some of their other products. I was given the opportunity to review OSEA Blemish Balm which is an “ultra-light antiseptic moisturizer for all ages and skin types. Blemishes disappear with OSEA’s proprietary base of three seaweeds combined with a unique blend of Cypress, Juniper, and Rosemary essential oils. This natural alternative to harsh retinols and synthetic chemicals hydrates instead of drying, reduces inflammation and prevents breakouts. Has a firming effect on the skin, so it’s effective for adult acne.”
Price: 2oz/$42.00 USD
Packaging: I received sample sizes, but all OSEA products are packaged in recyclable glass bottles (which partially accounts for their higher price point)
Scent: Smells like rosemary essential oil although there is also cypress and juniper oil.
Formula: You can see in the ingredient list that right after water is SEAWEED! It’s not at the end, but right at the beginning which I thought was great. I know some people can have reactions to essential oils like rosemary so if you have extremely sensitive skin and have reacted to certain oils in the past, this might not be the best product for you. The actual texture of the product is like a gel and is not overly hydrating so for someone like me with drier skin, I only used this in the morning on my face and needed something heavier at night.
100% NATURAL DERIVED INGREDIENTS:
Aqua, *Gigartina Skottsbergii Extract (RED ALGAE), *Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, (GIANT KELP) *Undaria Pinnatifida Extract (BROWN SEAWEED), *Vinis Vinefera (Grape) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut derived), Glycerin, Propanediol (corn derived), Cetearyl Olivate, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, *Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Saccharomyces/Maganese Ferment, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, *Juniferus Cummunis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Oil, Stearic Acid, *Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Citric Acid, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japanica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Results/Discussion: Initially, I didn’t have any blemishes to test this balm on, but I did use it as moisturizer/primer prior to applying foundation which I enjoyed as it wasn’t too heavy on my skin and was quick-absorbing. The first time I used it, I applied the balm too close to my eyes and the essential oils made my eyes water like crazy! The subsequent applications, I took better care to not go too close to my eyes and I had much better luck!
I don’t really get too many breakouts so even a few weeks in I didn’t really have any spots on my face to test the “blemish-fighting” aspect so the rep suggested that I try it on any in-grown hairs and use it directly after shaving to prevent future in-growns. What I noticed right away was that any in-growns that I had on my legs that red and inflamed bumps quickly became flesh-coloured again so if you’ve got something angry on your face, this Blemish Balm will for sure calm it down! After a few more applications, the bumps became soft enough that exfoliating was enough to open up my clogged pores. A couple of weeks later, the little area that I tested the Blemish Balm on is nice and smooth so now to tackle the rest of my legs! There is also tea tree oil in this balm so there is your antiseptic component to make sure that the affected area remains clean.
Conclusion: Like I said in my last review, this isn’t the most inexpensive product and I wouldn’t expect anyone on a student budget to run out and buy this, but all I can say is that it worked on my legs, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on blemishes and congested skin on the face! The biggest draw for me is the product content and that I feel safe applying this on my skin without fear of toxicity levels rising in my body!
OSEA ships worldwide with shipping starting at $7.95 for orders to Canada. I wish it was a flat rate, but I think the weight of glass bottles can probably get quite heavy! If you live in the U.S. though, all orders over $50 are entitled to free shipping!
PR sample sent to me for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are of course my own! My legs are thanking me!
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