REVIEW┊ Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream

Even though it doesn't feel like it here in sunny California (it's currently 76℉/ 24.44℃), autumn is coming in a couple of days and so I'm starting to pull out my heavy hitting creams, like this one from Holika Holika. The Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream came in a Meme Box and I've been using it for the past couple of weeks. 

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

This ultra-hydrating cream not only hydrates the skin but also enhances the water-holding capacity of the skin, thanks to the powerful hydrating ingredient, ceramide.

⇥ THE BREAKDOWN ⇤

The Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream contains ceramide, a necessary part of your skin's outer structure, which helps skin retain moisture for up to 72 hours. Formulated for all skin types, this cream does not contain parabens, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, triethanolamine, steroid, BHT, petrolatum, polyacrylamide, benzophenone, or ruminant originated ingredients. To top it all off, it is also cruelty free and mild enough for even sensitive skin types.

Using the most affordable price online (since I don't have a physical store near me T_T), this cream retails for $16.52 USD for 60ml/2.03 oz ($8.14 USD per oz).

⇥ PACKAGING ⇤

It comes in a jar packaging, which isn't the best way to store skincare items. Most beneficial ingredients are sensitive to light and air so opening the jar and exposing it to the elements may degrade the beneficial ingredients over time. I couldn't find a full ingredients list online other than these three ingredients: ceramide, shea butter, and rucola extract, also known as arugula. If this cream is composed of only these three items, the jar packaging is fine but otherwise, a con.

Either way, jar packaging can be unhygienic if you don't take proper precautions, like using a sanitized spatula to scoop out product each time or at the very least, sanitizing your paws before dipping into the jar.  

⇥ FORMULA & FEEL ⇤

The cream is definitely on the thick side, which is what I expect when I hear, "cream". I've come across several formulations that claim to be a cream but can only be described as a whipped cream at best. It is quite thick and since I have combination skin, I like to use just a teeny bit for my entire face. When it was winter, dry and cold, I layered a facial oil underneath the cream--not because the cream didn't do a good job of hydrating my skin because it did--so that I wouldn't have to use as much of the cream to avoid a heavy feeling on my face. I applied the cream just to my driest parts, like my cheeks and forehead and that hydrated my skin well without the heaviness. 

I think this cream would be perfect for those with super dry skin but it may feel too thick and heavy if applied all over for combination skin types. I have applied it all over my face when I was first starting out and woke up with a super greasy and heavy face. Luckily, I didn't break out after about a week of grease face but my skin doesn't react in a negative way to most products. 

⇥ SCENT ⇤

Now that I have sat down to write this review, I've just noticed the smell. It's a scent that I find typical with some Korean skincare products I've tried but I can't quite pin down the notes. All I know is, the scent doesn't bother me and I don't notice it when I apply the cream nor does it linger on my face, even when I apply it right under my nose. I do have a weak sense of smell though but this is definitely on the lighter side since I have to put my nose right in the jar to detect a scent (gross picture, I know but bear with me here). 

⇥ APPLICATION ⇤

I apply it like any cream--with my fingers. I am definitely guilty of not properly sanitizing my hands before digging in nor do I use a spatula. Putting my horrible application method of choice aside, it is quite easy to rub in and it surprisingly absorbs quickly--but that may be due to the small amount I apply. I use about the size of my thumbnail. To be precise, it's about 1.5cm by 1.5cm, give or take. 

⇥ WEAR TIME ⇤

I have not worn this for the full 72 hours (because a girl has to wash her face twice daily!) but on really lazy days when I apply this before bed at midnight and waking up around noon the next day (I'm a sloth sometimes, I know), my skin still feels moisturized and soft without the tightness that I associate with dry skin. I do not doubt that this could last the full 72 hours.

⇥ OTHER THOUGHTS ⇤

As it is quite hot and humid right now, I don't use this cream as much, preferring my lightweight oils instead. There are some days when I neglect to take care of my skin which causes it to get dry and flakey and all signs of neglect. I pull this cream out, slather it all over the place, and wake up with plump, glowing, and most importantly, hydrated skin the next morning! I do not recommend neglecting your skin, as it should be a daily/nightly commitment but if you ever need some serious hydration, the Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream will definitely get the job done and then some!

This is part of a 12-piece line, Skin & Good Cera from Holika Holika. If this sounds like something you'd like to try but the texture doesn't seem appealing, they also have foaming washes, emulsions, facial oil, and a mist for a lighter texture and moisture bomb and facial butter for a heavier texture. 

⇥ THE BOTTOM LINE ⇤

I would recommend this to my dry skin people--if you can get past the heavy feeling. Even my combination skin loves it as a once-in-a-while treatment of sorts. I have tried facial masks and nothing gives me an instant hydration boost like the Holika Holika Super Cream. It does remind me of the Skincare  LdeL Cosmetics Retinol Creams in terms of texture and hydration levels without the weird scent. The Holika Holika does not contain retinol but the retinol in the LdeL didn't seem to have much of an effect on my skin (darn that jar packaging!) so it's more cost effective to get the Holika Holika. 

⇥ WHERE TO BUY ⇤

➢Beautynetkorea |  Buy **I'd buy from here because they offer free shipping!**

➢Holika Holika |  Buy **super expensive compared to other retailers--I'd only buy from here if the other two retailers do not ship to where you live**

➢Koreadeapart |  Buy  **cheapest option but you do have to pay for shipping**

What are some of your favorite nighttime moisturizers?

XOXO,

MWAH ♥

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Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.