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Transforming yourself, be it body, mind or soul seems to be a necessity these days. And while I am all about personal development and life long learning, I think we have to remember every once in a while that not everything we are is a constant work in progress. That would take a lot of pressure out of our daily lifes and sometimes even help things to stay good instead of being transformed into something else simply for transformations sake.
You see, the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer I am reviewing today is not only all about transformation, but it recently was subject to transformation itself. A transformation that left many fans disappointed, judging by the statements on the website here.
So please keep in mind when reading that I am still reviewing the old formula of Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation and that I have no means to judge how big of a difference to the new one now sold there will be. Comparing ingredient lists I don´t see major changes, so maybe the fear of transformation is what made people mad, not the actual transformation itself? And no, I was under no pressure to use the word “transformation” as often as I did, just in case you are wondering…
What Ole Henriksen claims
Hydrates, evens skin tone, smoothes skin texture and helps improve the look of dark spots and discoloration.
Transform the way you think about your moisturizer, transform your skin. Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer delivers weightless hydration and luminous perfection. With its whipped, silky texture, this best-selling oil free moisturizer imparts essential moisture to the skin, even as it delivers radiance and helps improve the appearance of dark spots and discoloration.
Facts
Prize and size
There are three different sizes available on the website here, I had the 15 ml, which retails for 12 $ and lasted me for 3 months. The jar packaging is, as always, not my favorite.
Texture and smell
The first thing you will notice is that this actually looks like whipped cream and feels like a sorbet rather than a cream. Can you tell I was hungry writing this?
Application and effects
It feels lightweight, spreads easily and sinks into my skin within minutes.
Favorable ingredients
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Moisturizing
- Dimethicone: Humectant (draws moisture to skin), forms protective barrier
- Stearyl Alcohol: Emollient (prevents moisture loss)
- Tribehenin: Humectant
- Hydrogenated Cocoglycerides: Emollient
- Caprylyl Glycol: Emollient
- Tocopheryl Acetate: More stable form of Vitamin E, antioxidant
- Sunflower Seed Oil:Rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: Brightening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing
- Dimethiconol: Emollient
- Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
- Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Wood extract: Moisturizing, brightening
- Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract: Soothing
- Sorbitol: Moisturizing
- Berberis Vulgaris Bark Extract: Anti-inflammatory
- P-Anisic Acid: Antiseptic
- Ascorbyl palmitate: Vitamin C ester
- Sorbitol: Humectant
- Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract: Antioxidant
- Citric Acid: Fruit Acid (AHA)
- Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Extract: Source of Vitamin C
- Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract: Source of Vitamin C
- Superoxide Dismutase: Potent antioxidant
- Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract: Source of Glycolic Acid
- Calcium Ascorbate: Salt of Vitamin C
- Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract: Source of AHA
Other ingredients
- Steareth 20: Emulsifier
- Steareth 2: Emulsifier
- Phenoxyethanol: Preservative (1% mark)
- Octyldodecanol: Prevents separation
- Xanthan Gum: Improves viscosity
- Cyclopentasiloxane: Silicone, smoothing
- Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative
- Polysorbate 20: Surfactant
- Sucrose Dilaurate: Preservative
- Hexylene Glycol: Solvent
- Sodium Benzoate: Preservative, should not be mixed with Vitamin C as it could form benzene, a carcinogen. Highly unlikely in the amounts used in skincare, but some people may prefer to avoid it.
- Potassium Sorbate: Preservative
- Sorbic Acid: Preservative
Unfavorable Ingredients
This product contains Sodium Benzoate, which some online sources deem dangerous when combined with Vitamin C as well as Vitamin C and tops that off with acids. This combination is often frowned upon and recommended not to be used in conjunction. I have stated numerous times before that I have yet to find scientific evidence for not combining/layering Vitamin C and acids, but as I have been part of heated arguments regarding this topic, I wanted to point it out to people concerned. The only thing I am worried in this cream regarding this issue is the packaging.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
Well, it did not transform the way I think about moisturizers, long gone are the times where I thought of them as heavy, occlusive creams, but it did hydrate and smooth and has the means to combat discoloration.
Would I repurchase?
No.
It is a nice, lightweight moisturizer, but I have found similar ones that I much prefer the packaging of. Plus, I can´t. It has been transformed…
Who do I recommend it to?
People looking for a nice, lightweight moisturizer. I can imagine that being great for acne prone or oily skins, as it helps with scarring and will not feel too heavy on your face. Plus it did not break me out.
