Pretty packaging is nice, but if you care about skincare (or you’re over the age of 30), the back label is the first place you look when trying out a new product. At first glance, the ingredients list - with its 16-syllable, impossible-to-pronounce words, is a daunting place. It may as well be written in Dutch. Luckily the internet has blessed us with skincare experts who have decoded and demystified it all, so that we can go to bed cleansed, toned, and moisturized to perfection. The cliff notes version of all of this dermatological expertise is simple - if you want glowy, healthy skin: INGREDIENTS MATTER.
Which brings us to our real topic of today - our amazing Color Drops Serum Blush.
For a bit of background, EM Cosmetics is a makeup company with a focus on high-quality, thoughtful ingredients. This blush specifically, has a liquid silk texture that basically melts into skin, giving you a radiant, lit-from-within glow. And unlike creams, this super lightweight serum doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything at all - so there’s no risk of your makeup using your face as a slip-n-slide during the warmer months.
So what exactly is in our magical serum?
SACHA INCHI OIL
Category: Antioxidant
What it is: This fast-absorbing oil hailing from a plant in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, is one of the richest natural sources of omega fatty acids in the world. Traditionally, it was used to treat things like insect bites, small cuts, and even burns, which are at increased risk of infection in tropical climates - due to its naturally occurring antibacterial properties.
What is does: Sacha Inchi’s high omega 3 content help moisturize, smooth, and protect the skin. And for those who consider ‘oil’ a 3-letter word, here’s a 14-letter word to put you at ease: non-comedogenic.
SQUALANE
Category: Emollient
What it is: A hydrogenated version of squalene, which is a compound produced naturally by our sebaceous glands (mostly in our teens, sadly). Emollients are occlusive agents that coat your skin with a thin film, sealing in water and retaining moisture. Unlike some other emollients though, squalane has a super small molecule structure which makes it easier for the skin to absorb, without any thick residue feeling.
What is does: This ingredient creates a protective coating on the skin, which helps improve moisture balance and elasticity, so you can take back your teen years, minus all the awkward stuff.
HYALURONIC ACID
Category: Humectant
What it is: A water-attracting molecule that retains 1,000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid was originally sourced for medical purposes from rooster combs (yep, those little squiggly red things firmly attached the rooster heads), but of course we use a cruelty-free alternative created through a vegan fermentation process (thanks science!)
What it does: The gold standard in hydration - this miracle worker rehydrates skin, reduces fine lines, and makes your skin feel crazy soft. If you haven’t heard of hyaluronic acid before, just wait a week and google “Baader-Meinhof phenomenon” - it’s literally everywhere.
VITAMIN E
Category: Antioxidant
What it is: A fat-soluble antioxidant that is naturally extracted from plants. If you remember your mother using this - you’re lucky - your mother is a smart woman.
What it does: Vitamin E is the go-to antioxidant moisturizer used to protect against free-radical damage. While we love it for it’s anti-aging benefits, Vitamin E is also used as a safe treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and myriad other skin conditions.
The sheer, dewy shine (courtesy of the ingredients above) + youthful pop of color, create the perfect combination of makeup and skincare in a bottle. Speaking of which, have you ever seen anything so deliciously luxurious as these? The gold pump-top dropper! The velvety glass bottles that strangely give you the urge to buy a vintage vanity just so you can line them all up on display! Ok maybe we’re getting carried away, but it’s easy to see why people everywhere are falling hard for this blush crush.
