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Truth time: I've always been (more than) a little petrified of retinol. Every time I use the stuff, my skin completely freaks out. Redness, irritation, flare-ups, shedding, dryness, scaly patches all over my face ... you name it, my skin has done it. I’m now 45 years old, and any beauty product with "retinol" on the ingredient list has pretty much stayed out of my evening skincare routine. Until now, that is.
I discovered the Osea Dream Night Cream about six months ago. Without using *too* many platitudes, I'll just say this. This moisturizer has completely changed not only my opinion of retinol ... it's changed my skin. For the better. Yes, it's true. This overnight cream uses a unique form of retinol that is not only gentle enough for my skin, but also makes it somehow glow from within. Keep reading for my honest review of the moisturizer I've been calling my "facial in a jar" to anyone who will listen.
Pros:
- Super-rich and creamy formula
- Formulated with bio-retinol, a safe and stable alternative to regular retinol
- Includes extracts like organic wild lavender and pink rock rose extract to soothe and improve dullness
- Sinks into skin immediately
Cons:
- Haven't noticed significant firming of skin
- A bit pricey
- Slightly strong scent
About my skin
In case it wasn't already apparent, I have incredibly sensitive skin. I tend to break out if I change up my skincare routine too often, or if I use products that are too harsh (like retinol, for example). I also steer clear of ingredients and products that encourage too much cell turnover, like AHAs, BHAs, salicylic acid, and exfoliators—except for this Sunday Riley lactic acid serum, which is part of the reason my skin is super fresh and glowy lately. (In case it wasn't obvious already, the other reason is because of Osea Dream Night Cream.)
About Osea Dream Night Cream
Osea is one of those brands that could be classified as having cult favorite status. Chances are, you know at least one person using the brand's body butter or body oil, since all of its products really are *that* good.
This night cream gets its skin-enhancing properties from bio retinol, which is derived from blue-green microalgae to act as a safe and stable alternative to traditional retinol. As someone who keeps experiencing every single one of retinol's unsightly side effects, yet also can't seem to stop reaching for products with the Vitamin A derivative in the hopes that the next one is *the one*, I'm certainly in love with this updated alternative. The bio-retinol works in much the same way as more traditional retinols and retinoids—think diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, resurfacing dullness, and banishing acne.
In addition to the algae-derived retinol alternative, Osea Dream Night Cream is liberally packed with tons of nourishing, good-for-the-skin ingredients. It has King of Bitters, a plant known for its healing properties, to help treat wrinkles and skin fatigue; pink rock rose extract to improve dullness and dehydration; organic wild lavender extract to calm and soothe skin; and a mixture of hydrators like shea butter, glycerin, and squalane. Talk about a super-enriching moisturizer for your nighttime skincare routine.
My honest review
You may be wondering by now, "Okay, Jamie, Osea Dream Night Cream's got all these ingredients that won't harm sensitive skin. Does it really work?" I'm here to give you a resounding YES. Far from negatively impacting my skin, it's done exactly the opposite—in fact, it's one of the best moisturizers I've ever used.
My love for this night cream starts with the packaging itself. The jar is weighty and crafted in matte glass, which just looks so lovely sitting on my vanity. Once I unscrew the cap, I'm treated to the product itself, which is light lavender in hue and looks so inviting, it's hard not to dive right in. The formula is rich and creamy, yet still feels lightweight once applied. It sinks right into my skin without leaving behind any greasy residue or tackiness, so I don't worry about it staining my pillowcases when I drift off to dreamland. In fact, the formula is so non-greasy, I've even taken to using it as a hand cream and then going right back to typing on my laptop (which I may or may not have done right before starting to write this article).
Even though Osea Dream Night Cream uses a retinol alternative, I was still nervous my skin would become red, flaky, and irritated—but, my skin has been baby soft and radiant since the very first time I used it. I'm especially thrilled that my skin never dried out, which is something I've experienced almost instantaneously with other retinol products in the past.
I've been applying this night cream as the final step in my nighttime routine, and my skin is plump, hydrated, and glowing. A dime-sized amount is enough to cover my entire face, neck, and décolletage. My skin also feels super hydrated, thanks to those moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and squalane. I began cautiously, incorporating it into my evening skincare routine twice a week, but quickly learned that I could use it every night without any adverse side effects. It's been about six months of consistent use, and the results have only improved with time.
The results in question? Even though I've been blessed with fairly wrinkle-free skin, I do still have forehead lines and crow's feet these days. I've also eschewed getting Botox in favor of trying different "Botox in a bottle" products up to now. After using this night cream consistently, I've absolutely noticed a decrease in the pronunciation of both. And this started after only about a week and a half of use! Looks like I can stave off needles in my forehead for a little while longer.
My slight critiques
Even though I love this night cream, I do have a couple of small bones to pick. It has a fairly strong lavender scent when you first open the jar, which tends to be my least favorite scent outside of spas. It does dissipate once the product is applied, but it's a bit off-putting at first.
Osea also says the night cream should help firm the skin, but I haven't noticed any significant firming since adding it to my daily routine. Granted, my skin feels fairly plump and firm to begin with, but it hasn't changed in that regard.
Final thoughts
Even though I experienced a fair amount of trepidation before using the Osea Dream Night Cream, I was quickly put at ease. My skin has become so glowy, and the fine lines I noticed on my forehead and around my eyes have definitely decreased. I assumed I'd never actually find a retinol product that worked for my sensitive skin, so I'm beyond thrilled that this night cream is now one of my skincare staples. Dreamy, indeed.
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