Institut Esthederm review
I was sent some skin care to trial. I was thrilled as I had been using a product from the parent company NAOS for many years to remove my make up (Bioderma). The products are very luxurious and I was so happy to have been given this opportunity.
It set me off in a direction I didn’t know it would. I found myself deep diving into skin care. Did it have anything bad in it? Was it cruelty free? Did it over package and use plastic containers? These are all things that had been swirling around in my head for some time. As I choose skin care and make up in the future, I will make my purchase choices taking these things into account. I shouldn’t get too sidetracked here as this will be for another blog post with a different focus.
The skin care I was gifted is Institut Esthederm and the line is Excellage. Institut Esthederm is one of three skin care brands by the parent company NAOS. The other two are Bioderma and Etat Pur.
I was sent the serum, the cream and the eye cream and as a lovely bonus, their scented soy candle. I used the trio of products exclusively for over two months. The serum feels very hydrating and I need lots of hydration. I ask a lot from my skin care as I feel I don’t drink enough water so I’m usually hoping for miracles. The serum and the cream absorbed beautifully into the skin. Moving forward with these products I would add an oil or other rich moisturizer to the routine. I did find the eye cream to be a bit heavy for my thin skin however, once I discovered this I made sure to use just a tiny amount and to warm it between my fingers before patting it gently under my eyes. I think I might have been using a bit too much product. A little goes a very long way. What I have noticed and if there was one word I would use to describe the effect of the products, it would be FIRMING. I have noticed a need to exfoliate often as it is winter and perhaps that has been helpful in my skin fully absorbing the ingredients but my skin firmness is noticeable to me.
All of the skin care products I was gifted are made in France and are cruelty free. That being said, I needed to ask the necessary question.
NAOS was very transparent when I inquired as to whether their skin care was cruelty free and/or if they sold to China. Sadly, one of these things negates the other. When asked about where their products were made and specifically about animal testing, this was their quick and thorough response,
“Yes, all our products are made in France and abide by the strict regulations input by the EU regarding animal testing. We can safely say that from conception to formulations, our owned and operated labs do not test ingredients or final products on animals.
Our products are sold in China. Any testing administer within China is conducted by the Chinese government by their own set standards and laws. Mind you, we are very aware of this reality and work towards finding cruelty-free solutions for the Chinese market. We are mindful of the moral implications that come with animal testing and as North American representatives of the brand, we are always escalating clients’ concerns to our HQ.”
I appreciated their immediate response to my email on this subject. There was no smoke screen here. The reality of selling cosmetics in China is not good but hopefully with enough outcry, China will make the necessary changes. I believe there are going to be positive changes soon. Fingers are crossed.
To sum things up, I loved the product. In my investigation of skin care, I sadly discovered that there are many highly revered brands; brands with cult followings that I see repeatedly featured on bloggers and influencers accounts and indeed some of my favourites, are NOT cruelty free. I was very shocked. Sadly, many of them, such as Institut Esthederm, and in fact, all cosmetics manufactured in the EU, are 100% cruelty free in their production. Any products sold in China, may be subject to the testing required by the government in China.
xox
Is there anything more rewarding than growing your flowers from seed? Sweet Peas are easy to grow and give an abundance of flowers all season long, filling your home and garden with their intoxicating fragrance.