Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum is a “Vitamin Bomb” for your skin.
That’s what the brand says, anyway. They packed it to the brim with lots of natural oils and extracts to give dry skin all the vitamins and TLC it needs.
The result is a bomb indeed. One that could trigger a rash or something in sensitive skin. Here’s why:
What’s In Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum?
GLYCERIN
Glycerin is a moisture magnet for your skin. Like a magnet, it attracts moisture from the air into the skin and binds it there.
Moisture is the foundation of good skin. When you have enough, you see it. Your skin plumps up (a visual trick that makes your fine lines look smaller).
Its texture become softer to the touch. And the whole complexion takes on a subtle glow.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycerin In Skincare
SUNFLOWER & SAFFLOWER SEED OILS
Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum is packed to the brim with oils. But only two are listed higher than preservatives. In other words, only these two do the bulk of the moisturizing work.
Sunflower and safflower seed oil are rich in fatty acids, the little bricks your skin need to create a healthy skin barrier.
It works like this: fatty acids create a barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and germs, bacteria, and other skin enemies out.
Now moisture can’t evaporate through your broken skin’s barrier, it stays in – just where you need it to moisturize skin.
A stronger skin barrier also means your skin is better able to withstand attacks from harsh weather, irritating skincare products, bacteria and anything else that tries to harm it. Phew!
Related: The Complete Guide To Sunflower Oil In Skincare
ESSENTIAL OILS
My problem with Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum? It has too many essential oils.
As a rule, the better an oil smells, the higher its irritating potential. The reason is simple: what makes these plants smell good to humans is what repels insects and predators. In other words, plants smell good so they won’t get eaten.
For most people, these fragrances are harmless. But if you have sensitive skin, beware. They could trigger a rash or allergy.
The main culprits in this serum are eucalyptus, orange, lavender and peppermint oils. They’re all present in small amounts, but still, if your skin reacts bad to anything, I wouldn’t take the risk.
Related: 7 Natural Ingredients That Can Irritate Skin
Texture
Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum doesn’t feel like a serum at all. It’s more like a lightweight lotion. Non-greasy, it spreads easily on the skin and sinks in quickly.
Fragrance
Refreshing and medicinal, it’s a mix of eucalyptus and mint.
How To Use It
Every morning and night, after serums. If you have very dry skin, you can follow up with moisturiser.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I have mixed feelings about Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum. It sure has a lot going for it.
For starters, I love the lightweight texture. I use it after my retinol serum at night and follow it up with moisturizer. It sinks in quickly and plays well with the other products in my skincare routine. No pilling or anything like that.
It definitely helps to protect my skin during these cold winter months. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is softer to the touch and a little plumper.
The best part, harsh winds don’t break it down so easily. Oh, they’re trying, but my skin stays soft and supple even when I venture outside for a few hours.
The only thing I don’t like is the sheer amount of essential oils they’ve used. Salcura claims Bioskin Dermaserum can be used by everyone, no matter how sensitive their skin is.
Yet, orange, lavender & co are common sensitisers that do trigger irritations and allergic reactions in lots of people. If you formulate for sensitive skin, you MUST leave them out.
What if you don’t have sensitive skin? I don’t, so the fragrance doesn’t bother me. If you don’t get a bad reaction from it, no need to avoid it. But I still wish it weren’t there.
Related: What To Do When Your Skin Products Start To Pill Or Ball Up
Who Is This For?
Combination to dry skin that needs an extra dose of moisture.
Who Is This Not For?
- Acne-prone skin: Too many oils that may aggravate breakouts
- Sensitive skin: The essential oils may irritate your skin
Packaging
Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum comes in a sleek white and blue tube that releases just the right amount of product you need for each application.
Does Salcura Bioskin Dermaserum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Light face serum, which can be used on a daily basis to ensure a deeply hydrated and nourished skin. | True. |
| Will feed your skin the healthy nutrients it needs to become stronger and show less symptoms like dryness, redness and itchiness. | True again. But then any moisturizer can do this. |
| May also be suitable for people who may be prone to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea. | I personally wouldn’t risk it. It has too many essential oils that are common allergens and irritants. |
Price & Availability
£13.99 at Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
It’s definitely not a must-have. But if your skin doesn’t react badly to essential oils, this serum/lotion can help strengthen your skin’s protective barrier.
[penci_review]
Dupes & Alternatives
- Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Serum ($37.00)
- Ren Vita Mineral Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil (£28.00)
Ingredients
Aqua, Glycerin, Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil), Safflower Seed Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius Seed oil), Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Grape Seed Oil (Vitis Vinifera Seed oil), Isononyl Isononanoate, Potassium Hydroxide, Sea Buckthorn Kernel Extract (Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract), Eucalyptus Leaf Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil), Tea Tree Leaf Oil(Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil), Urea, Sweet Orange Peel Oil (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil), Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Lavender Extract (Lavandula Angustifolia Extract), Olive Oil(Olea Europaea Fruit oil), Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil), Rosemary Leaf Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract), Lavandin Oil (Lavandula Hybrida Oil), Camphor Tree Leaf Oil (Cinnamomum Camphora Formosana Leaf Oil), Linalyl Acetate, Pine Leaf Twig Extract (Pinus Species Twig Extract), Rosemary Leaf Oil (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil), Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita Oil), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Powder (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder), Camphor, Beta-Carotene
