Deciem is one of those companies that both scares and excites me because of its focus on innovation. There are constantly new products coming out as well as new formulations of existing products. I also get scared that products I have come to love will be swapped out for newer ones, but so far my heart hasn't been broken yet. While I am fully aware of the social media situation that has been happening with Brandon and Deciem, that is not what this post is about. I think their products are unique and refreshing so I will continue to use and feature them for anyone who is interested!
Last month, Deciem introduced a new brand called "Abnomaly" and when I was watching their social media postings for Abnomaly, I couldn't tell if it was something for kids or adults because of the cartoony and colourful packaging. Honestly, I still don't know who it's for, but my guess is everyone!
Say hello to the Petrowhat? Lip and Skin Ointment! This is a petrolatum-free, non-waxy lip and skin balm that works to protect, hydrate and repair dry skin. Petroleum-based products work in the opposite way by forming a thick seal and preventing moisture from leaving the skin's surface. Though I am not opposed to petroleum, I try not to use petroleum-based products if I can help it so as someone who loves lip balm, I was completely game to see what Petrowhat? was all about!
Packaged in metal tubes and coming in four flavours: Milk (Coconut Milk) , Bali (Pineapple), Rio (Guava) and Baobab (Unscented), these retail for just $7 a pop for 15mL of product. The Petrowhat? formula starts with plant-based squalane as the first ingredient (which I love) and also contains baobob seed oil and the most number of amino acids I have seen in ANY product let alone a simple balm! The description of the product refers to these amino acids as "skin-identical" which usually means quicker absorption and efficacy as there are fewer barriers for these molecules to overcome before reaching target skin cells. Whether these amino acids can actually do this when being introduced topically is something I am unsure of.
Squalane is one of my favourite moisturizing ingredients because it is something we as humans already produce - in sebum. Yummy, right? This means that not only is it non-irritating, but when dry skin sees it, it takes it right in because it goes "Oooh, I know you! Get in my belly!" Well, not necessarily the belly, but you get the gist! This means that you will notice that this ointment sinks into the skin quite easily and has an almost gel-oil consistency.
You will also notice the use of sucrose laurate and sucrose stearate in this formula which are ingredients I tend to see more of in green beauty products as they are both naturally derived and have not been shown to be skin irritants. They both act as emulsifiers, meaning they hold the whole formula together, and give a pleasant "skin feel" upon application.
Ingredients: Squalane, Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate (sugar-based surfactant), Sucrose Stearate (sugar-basesd emollient), Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil (Baobob Oil), PCA, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Aspartic Acid, Isochrysis Galbana Extract, Tocopherol, Aroma (Natural Flavour)
Though there are four delicious sounding flavors, the reviews on the Deciem website mention a "metallic or salty" taste which some people really did not like. I for one, don't mind it because I only "taste it" if I lick my lips which I don't AND it seems to disappear as the balm sinks into my lips. However, Deciem did respond that the saltiness is due to the addition of the amino acids.
The first flavor I purchased was Milk which is by far my most favourite scent because it reminds me of Japanese milk candies! It's sweet and creamy and though none of the Petrowhat? scents are particularly strong, Milk is the one I gravitate toward the most! The graphic of the coconut udders on the tube is also quite cute even if I'm not too sure what the lightening bolt and diamond mean...
Bali was part of my second order after I realized I needed ALL THE FLAVORS. This is a pleasant tropical scent and though I may not have picked it out as "pineapple" right away, it is tangy and very summery!
Rio is supposed to smell like guava, but I honestly have not smelled a real guava so I'm only basing my judgment on artificial guava scents I have smelled in the past and smells pretty good. It's not as tangy as Bali, but still smells sweet.
Baobab has no discernible scent and is the flavor I use for my cuticles! It absorbs quickly and I prefer it to my cuticle oil as it does not muck up my keyboard! I also have VERY dry cuticles on my toes and when I put this stuff on before I go to bed, my toes still look fantastically human the next morning!
Another concern that I saw on the Deciem website was the fact that tons of product would just spill out whenever people tossed this into their bags. I have not had this issue because you sort of have to treat this like a fountain pen - store either opening side UP or just on a flat surface horizontally. The formula isn't as thick as a traditional balm so with enough time gravity will make it all flow out!
Final verdict: I think these lip and skin ointments are absolutely lovely and I have already stationed each of the 4 for certain areas of my life - one at my day job, one in the beauty office, one by my bed and of course one in my purse! I really didn't think someone could out a new spin on a lip balm, but leave it up to Deciem to do so! I barely have to reapply if I don't eat anything crazy greasy and the formula leaves my lips (and cuticles) feeling like actual skin instead of skin with a waxy coating. The only thing that may make me reach for a typical stick balm over Petrowhat? is if my hands are dirty or I'm outside on transit and have no hand sanitizer on me, but other than that, Petrowhat? is a go from me!
You can find Abnomaly Petrowhat? at Deciem stores or www.deciem.com
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