When I wrote about my first online beauty shopping venture earlier this autumn, I mentioned that I had finally bitten the bullet and ordered some organic skincare, inluding this Pai moisturizer. Pai is a British natural skin care brand, created by Sarah Brown after years of allergic reactions to lab-created skin care. 100 % certified organic by the UK Soil Association, this brand only uses naturally derived ingredients, and makes a very strong case for never including any of the following in their products: alcohol, parabens, artificial fragrances, beeswax, formaldehyde, any kind of petrochemicals, phenoxyethanol, sodium lauryl sulfate or phthalates. Any of these ingredients can cause irritations, allergic reactions or worse, leaving one with great discomfort, itchiness or rashes.

The Pai Macadamia and Rose Rejuvenate Cream is their cream for the very dry, dry-sensitive or mature skin (and though my skin may not yet be very mature, it is extremely dry and sensitive, so I figured this one to be my safest bet).  Promising to intensely hydrate and nourish my skin, whilst soothing it and keeping it plump and soft. Besides to star-ingredients such as Macadamia oil to keep skin soft & supple plus prevent fine lines and wrinkles, Rose to retain and boost moisture levels and Gamma Linolenic Acid (Omega 6) in Borage oil as a protective agent, this cream also contains Palmitoleic Acid (to be found in the Macadamia oil), an oil produced by the skin but that depletes over time. 

The packaging is serene yet beautiful, no frills, artistic prints or gimmicks to distract from the actual pump. A sturdy glass bottle with the print of the two main ingredients that comes with the product’s first big plus, a pump system. No product in contact with the air and it’s pollutants, no dipping fingers in a rount pot, just a clean pump system that does not release an excessive amount of product.

I use this cream as part of my morning routine and apply 2 or 3 pumps after my serum or oil, depending on what my skin needs.  Having just finished my bottle yesterday, I used it every single day for the last few months and can now honestly say that I absolutely adore this cream (back up is on it’s way!)! Whereas it might be too much for normal to dry skins, my Sahara temperamented skin welcomes it’s richness like a seldom downpour. It sinks in really quickly, leaving no oiliness or residue, after which my skin just feels rejuvenated. Since using this cream, I’ve felt my skin soften, be less sensitive, I’ve noticed far less redness, whether due to fatigue or reactions to other products, and my skin just glows. I can’t put my finger to it what it exactly it does, but my skin just looks and feels so much better.

The only downside I can come up with regarding this cream is that it is not available in the Benelux, and so has to be ordered online. But then again, that’s just nitpicking… You can always plan a little trip to London… 

Pai Macademia & Rose Cream – £26 / €31
Available via the Pai webshop, Content Beauty and Beauty Bay