Grown Alchemist: Hydra-Restore Day Cream
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Good-to-Know
Brand: Grown Alchemist: Biological Beauty
Product: Hydra-Restore Day Cream
Founded: Melbourne, Australia (2008)
Key Ingredients: Camellia + Rosehip oils, Vitamin E, and Glycerin
Key Benefits: Hydrating, nourishing, gentle, non-greasy.
Where in the skincare routine? MOISTURIZER
First things first…THANK YOU for supporting me by reading my very FIRST skincare review! As a licensed esthetician, I aim to be helpful to those of you who may need a little bit of help determining what product to buy or how a product performs before you make purchase as important as skincare.
To give a bit of a preface, my skin is overall more on the dry side. I have some bigger pores in my T-zone that I tend to focus more on. I have never experienced severe acne, even as a teen, thank goodness. My skincare goals are to focus on hydration, texture, elasticity, and anti-aging. You may not see a whole lot of acne-focused reviews here, considering I didn’t experience it to the extent of being able to suggest products that would work great. However, if I happen to review a product that would also be a potential acne-buster, I will definitely point it out.
A little goes a long way with this slightly thicker face moisturizer and definitely felt light enough to lay on after my serum without feeling like caked on foundation. The smooth and creamy texture allowed for easy application, and after letting it set for about 30 seconds, my face felt soft and hydrated. No grey, filmy residue here!
It’s best to apply this moisturizer after the skin has been cleansed, toned, and layered with your favorite serum. I will say that I have also used this on my hands just to see what it does, and it also feels smooth and non-greasy. I recommend using it 1-2 times daily, but if it happens to make your skin too oily, try using it at night since it is a tad bit on the thicker side and holds up well overnight.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the active ingredients:
- Camellia Oil: Packed with antioxidants and intensely hydrating. Gives off a light, herbal scent and has been used for generations as a Japanese beauty secret. Used for dry, combination, oily, mature, and sensitive skin.
- Rosehip Oil: Also packed with antioxidants and is intensely hydrating. Though this oil has been used in Europe for centuries, its dermatological properties were discovered in Chile. It’s good for dry, combination, oily, mature, and sensitive skin.
- Vitamin E: A fat-soluble vitamin that also acts as an antioxidant. It is used for the skin to help protect cells from being damaged. Also found in our sebum or “skin oil”. Vitamin E naturally declines as we age, so it’s good to find it in our skin products as we get older.
- Glycerin: Is a great humectant which means it attracts and retains moisture very well. With consistent use, it improves skin texture, resulting in smoother skin, and acts a good skin protectant.
How to Apply
After cleansing, toning, and applying your favorite serum:
- Squeeze a literal pea-size amount of the cream onto your finger
- Without rubbing too much, spread it lightly across your fingers
- Gently tap some cream on the forehead, cheeks, and chin
- Start to rub into the skin in circular motions until evenly distributed
*Just a Tip*
Apply your skincare products in an upward motion so that it goes into the pores better and incorporate a little massage to add a relaxing feel.
Conclusion
Overall, I rate the Hydra-Restore Daily Cream a 9/10 only because I feel like if it is overused, it could become too oily for the skin, though it does live up to its claim of being hydrating and nourishing. I’ve used it over the course of one week and can attest to its gentleness. I have had zero breakouts. If you’re looking for a moisturizer that is a little more on the higher end side of skincare, but doesn’t break the budget, I would definitely recommend this one. I am actually excited to try some of their other products considering how much this one impressed me.
Resources
Acemelia. “Camellia Oil vs Rosehip Oil.” Acemelia, 6 May 2020, www.acemelia.com/en/camellia-oil-vs-rosehip-oil/.
Glycerin for Skin: Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a60803474/glycerin-skin/. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
“What Vitamin E Does for Your Skin’s Health.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, 27 June 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/vitamin-e-for-skin-health.
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