Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15 Review
Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15
Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15 ($35.00 for 1.7 oz.) is designed for daily use to “protect against UV rays and environmental aggressors.” It’s supposed to moisture and yield “healthy, radiant results” without leaving any residue behind. The brand says the formula is suitable for normal, combination, and sensitive skin.
I have normal-to-dry skin, though I’m rather normal right now, which is typical for me during the summer months. I’ve been using this as my day cream for the past month, and I’ve got about one or two uses left. It comes in a plastic jar, and the cream itself has a thick, creamy consistency that feels on the richer side. What I’ve noticed is that while it feels fantastic on, it can take awhile to absorb into the skin. It consistently would take at least a half hour to sink into my skin, and until then, there was a slightly greasy feel to my skin; I could just touch it and know it wasn’t absorbed yet.
Now, I know the first thing that comes to mind is to use less product, and you totally could; it would sink in faster, and you don’t necessarily need a whole lot, but if you’re using this as a sunscreen, you absolutely do need a certain amount. Most recommendations say 1/2 teaspoon for face and neck. If you’ve never measured out what a 1/2 teaspoon looks like of your favorite sunscreen, I highly suggest you do so. You’d be surprised! So if you want to get the SPF 15 protection, you can’t skimp on the product.
It has an herbal and citrus-scent that some might love, others can hate. I like more herbal-scented products (and loathe more generically perfume-y ones, e.g. Lancome) myself, and I didn’t get strong whiffs of the scent while I wore the cream during the day. I mostly smelled it while I was applying the product to my face.
Overall, I liked the cream, and it’s something I’d consider using it again, if it had a slightly higher SPF rating. The texture is really appealing, because it has that luxurious, rich feel and hydrates my skin excellently. That hydration lasts all day long–my skin isn’t parched at bed time–and that’s what a good moisturizer should do. If it didn’t have SPF, it could be a really nice night cream. Based on my experience, I think this is more suitable for normal to dry skin, because it did feel a bit heavy for my skin in its more normal state.
Ingredients
Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 2.0%, Meridamate 3.0%. Water (Aqua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oilm, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citral, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Eugenol, Annatto (CI 75120).
As I think you know, I’m a bit of an Ole Henriksen junkie (okay, fanatic, really- lol), so I have tried this. I’ll be honest and say it’s not my favorite thing from their line. It’s not bad, but it’s not my favorite. It didn’t take me half an hour (I don’t think) to absorb but my experience was similar enough to yours.
Personally, I much, much prefer the Truth Revealed (orange bottle) Super Cream. I was actually hoping that that was what they would send to you as I think it would be perfect for your skin type. Like all of O/H line, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, etc. etc. It has peptides but also a ton of antioxidants and natural ingredients like micro-algae, Vitamin C, aloe, hazelnut, carrots. It has a slight orange-y smell that I love and has SPF (but only SPF 15). It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin incredibly soft and hydrated. It may be a too heavy for oily skin in summer but I have had no problems using it with my combo skin. That said, as the Texas heat and humidity gets more brutal, I do opt for using it at night to switch up from another O/H cream and not so much during the day. But that’s only because of how terrible the weather is here! (108 the other day!)
I think, for summer day use, most skin types would really do best with their Sheer Transformation cream which is also excellent and much lighter. Regardless of product though, I truly believe that O/H has the best skin care stuff for the price, quality, and effectiveness, and can’t recommend them enough.
@Kafka I have combo to oily skin–more normal these days, although my forehead and my chin tend to be oilier. Also sensitive, and I tend to break out if I’m not careful. What cleanser/moisturizer would you recommend for someone like me? I’d love to try their products but I’m not sure where to start.
@blueraccoon As a moisturizer, definitely the Sheer Transformation!! The Herbal Day Cream is absolutely too rich and, I suspect, the Truth Revealed too, given what you’re describing. The Sheer Transformation is oil-free and these are some of the ingredients that make it great, imo:
“Actiwhite™ and licorice- Prevents and corrects discoloration and evens skin tone with an effective combination of pea extract and sugar
Vitamin C – Stimulates collagen production
Fruit acids – Retexturizes and soothes lines
Sandalwood, geranium, licorice and chamomile – Soothes, replenishes, balances and purifies the skin
Vitamin E Heals, restores and nourishes the skin.”
As far cleansers go, I have the African Red Tea foaming cleanser but I haven’t made up my mind about it yet. It may be one of the few things where I prefer my old Dr. Brandt stuff because I sometimes feel as though the O/H one dries me out a bit. Other times, though, it’s great and non-drying, so I haven’t quite figured it out. However, I have very little oiliness these days, except when I’m out for too long in the 100% humidity and 100+ degree temps, so that may be one reason for the up and down aspect. It may work out for you. I do wonder though if you wouldn’t do better with his Aloe Vera cleanser which is formulated for combo-to-oily skin or acne/breakout prone skin. That is one which a number of people with break-out prone skin seem to really like. I would definitely ask for samples of both. But, without a doubt, try the Sheer Transformation cream. It’s really fantastic! http://www.olehenriksen.com/p-26-sheer-transformation.aspx
@Kafka Thanks so much! I will see if I can get samples the next time I’m at my local Sephora. I also have a sample of their ‘Protect the Truth’ sunscreen that came in the sun safety kit, so I will also give that a try and see if I like it.
@Kafka it isn’t safe for acne prone skin, actually…sunflower and tocopherol are comedogenic and it even says it contains Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil. not oil-free :/ orange and lemon extracts are irritant. there are other extracts that might do bad. i think it will be actually greasy on 🙁
@blueraccoon about the aloe cleanser….
the comfrey extract is irritant, it seems. eucalyptus oil causes allergic reactions..so…idk if it’s a good idea
@artemis Artemis, which one isn’t safe? The Herbal Cream? I completely agree. Far too heavy. That’s why I suggested @blueraccoon not try it and opt instead for the Sheer Transformation. Is that one not oil free? It’s listed as being so. It’s supposed to be oil-free. I’m so confused now. LOL.
Well, I went and Googled the issue, as well as the Fusanus Spicatus Wood Oil and got an answer from Sephora about this Sheer Transformation cream in specific: http://community.sephora.com/t5/All-Other-Skincare-Concerns/Why-do-some-products-say-they-are-oil-free-but-when-you-check/qaq-p/6957 Short answer: it’s an essential oil in a small amount that has some antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory qualities. Essential oils have tiny molecules which don’t sit on skin and cause problems but enter deep within the skin, unless things like jojoba oils, etc., whose molecules are too big to enter and can thus clog the skin. Huh. Interesting. Thanks to you, I now know something totally new. 🙂
With regard to the Aloe Cleanser, it’s supposed to be for oily or acne-prone skin. The reviews on Sephora and elsewhere from people with such skin type (or with sensitive skin) have said it has really helped them, particularly with oil production or redness, and that it has done so without being too drying. Many seem to use it with their Clarisonic too. I know my skincare lady at Sephora told me that it wouldn’t be good for me as it was really for people with combo-to-oily sensitive skin.
As for the ingredients you mentioned below being an irritant, I really don’t know. Judging by what I’ve read on a variety of sites (I always research stuff before deciding if I should buy it or not), people with sensitive skin seem to be okay with it. The eucalyptus is just mentioned as something that a few people don’t like as a smell. I always think it’s best though — with ALL skin care products — to get samples to see how one’s skin reacts. Hopefully, one of those 2 cleansers I mentioned will help BlueRacoon but it’s really the Sheer Transformation cream that I think she’ll like. 🙂 Anyway, thanks for the thoughts and the discussion.
@artemis @Kafka Also as a note, it’s a myth that acne-prone skin is supposed to use oil-free products. Some oils can be beneficial to skin and using an oil-based cleanser isn’t necessarily bad for oily skin. My own skin is more normal than oily these days, and some creams are too heavy for me, but just because something has an oil in it doesn’t mean it’s something I have to avoid.
@blueraccoon
I totally agree, oil is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact there are some oils that can have a positive effect on acne such as olive oil or jojoba oil which can ‘trick’ the skin in to thinking it is well nourished. Stripping the skin of oil can actually create more problems for the skin.
My skin has always been very dry and constantly itches and even becomes red. I will speak with my healthcare professional and start applying Beta – Val Cream at the earliest. I am certain that this medicated cream will make a big difference.
I must prefer this same brand’s Truth Revealed cream with spf 15. It’s lighter weight – goes right in – has a physical spf vs. chemical – and a lot of Vit C to brighten the skin almost instantly.
I got a sample of this, but I passed it on to my sister because I was afraid it would break me out since it isn’t oil-free. Looked nice though
Got this (full sized) for 100 points at Sephora today! Yet to try it.