Calendula is one of those flower extracts I really enjoy because it's really soothing and my skin loves it. It helps calm it down and reduce redness.

 

Calendula extracts have been proven to possess anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antioxidants effects on the skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLAIMS

Inspired by Kiehls' beloved Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, this efficacious, weightless water cream is infused with Calendula Serum that contains concentrated Calendula Flower Extract and hundreds of micronized Calendula petals. Upon application, this unique, lightweight moisturizer provides a burst of soothing hydration for fresh, radiant skin.

 

Suitable For: Normal, Oily and Combination Skin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW IT LOOKS, FEELS, SMELLS
This is a lightweight, gel-like water cream that has some silicone slip to it. It's not as watery I thought it would be when I heard the name of it, it's richer than a watery gel cream.

It's very easy to spread on the skin (even if you layer it with other products). I've noticed it take a couple of minutes to be fully absorbed.

It dries down to a velvety finish that feels really smooth and is absolutely non sticky. I guess the velvety and smooth finish comes from the silicone present in it. If you don't like sticky products, you'll love it as this is the less sticky cream I've ever come across. The skin is left really soft! I really like this feeling.

 

The gel cream feels hydrating upon application and feels like a burst of water.  It layers well with my skincare and under my sunscreen and makeup.

 

It has a citrus and calendula scent that is similar to the toner and hydrating mask of the same line. I personally really this scent as I find it comforting and pleasant. To my nose it has a touch of a fresh white tea scent, too. The scent is definitely present but not overpowering.

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

Aqua/Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Panthenol, Dimethicone/ PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol,  Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Limon Peel Oil/Lemon Peel Oil, Sodium Citrate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Limonene, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Citric Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Oil/Matricaria Flower Oil, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Linalool, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract

 

This gel creams contains some functional ingredients, like water as a base, some silicones to give some slip (dimethicone, dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer), glycerin as a humectant, texture enhancers and emollients (Propylene Glycol, Diisopropyl Sebacate), and some interesting ingredients, such as panthenol, which has anti-inflammtory and soothing properties. This  makes the main part of the gel cream as then you hit Phenoxyethanol, which is a preservative present at a maximum concentration of 1%. After it, you can find Calendula flower extract and calendula flowers. This means Calendula extract is present at a concentration lower than 1%. This seems low but I've found an article that showed the a cream with 0.9% of Calendula extract provided  significant  antioxidant  effects, contrarily to a cream formulated with 0.3% calendula extract. Here I don't know how much calendula there is in it, let's hope it's closer to 1% than 0.3% :p Although a higher concentration of calendula would have been great, you still get the soothing and anti-inflammatory effects you would expect it from it but you get it mainly from the panthenol here. Finally towards the end of the ingredient list are present some fragrant ingredients, such as gernium oïl, citral, citronellol, etc. They give its distinct scent to the gel cream but can be sensitizing so patch test the cream if your skin is very sensitive. My skin reacts easily and is sensitive but I didn't get any issue with it.

 

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Finally this is a nice gel cream that has a very nice and fresh scent. It particuarly love how it feels on the skin and the velvelty finish it leaves. The skin is left very smooth and fresh. It layers also very well and can be used underneath makeup witout any problem. That's why I like using it in my morning routine.

It also give a nice amount of hydration, but not so much of moisture. Typically this would not be enough for dry skin but can be a great option for oily to normal skin. I also noticed that is does provide some soothing benefits and help reduce redness. This is probably due to the panthenol present in it. I wish there would be more calendula in it though.

Overall this is an interesting lightweight hydrating gel cream perfectly suited for oily to normal skin. Again, I think it works really well as a day cream due to the velvelty finish it leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase Info

In Switzerland, it can be found at Manor or online from Kiehls.ch. Internationally it can be found at Sephora.

 

*PR Samples*