My Winter Skincare Savior: Mirra's Frost Shield Cream

Hello everyone, it's me, Orion, aka Chokopaevas. I'm excited to share my thoughts on the Mirra cryoprotector cream!

I've been using Mirra products for years, and I'm a big fan of their commitment to quality and effectiveness. This cryoprotector cream is a private Russian company founded in 1996, and I've been relying on it to protect my sensitive skin from harsh winter conditions in Moscow for the past 4 years.

Last December, I took the cream with me to Yekaterinburg, where the cold is no joke. But even in those extreme conditions, the cream performed amazingly well. I'm excited to share my experience with you, so let's dive into the details!

▉▉▉ GENERAL INFORMATION

Application area: facePurpose: Protecting skin from wind and low temperaturesSkin type: not specifiedVolume: 50 mlShelf life: 1.5 years. No expiration date is indicated after openingCountry of origin: Russia

▉▉▉ PRICE

I bought it in autumn 2019 on the official website for 599 rubles. The price has remained the same over the past 4 years.

Other stores may have slightly different prices, ranging from 599 to 614 rubles.

▉▉▉ WHERE TO BUY

I've seen this product in many major stores like Wildberries, Ozon, and Beru. Since it's a seasonal product, it may disappear from online shelves during the summer months.

▉▉▉ PACKAGING

The minimalist design is a breath of fresh air – it's simple and stylish.

The tightly fitting lid doesn't budge even when you're tossing your cream around in a bag or suitcase.

The pump is a game-changer – it's sturdy, easy to use, and prevents over-dispensing. Plus, it's airtight, so you don't have to worry about dust, dirt, or bacteria getting in when you're scooping out a new dose. That means no pesky microbial growth inside the bottle.

I found that one 50g pack lasts me through two seasons. The manufacturer recommends storing the product between 0 and 25°C. Since my bathroom can get pretty hot in the summer, I keep it in the fridge during those months.

▉▉▉ INGREDIENTS

The ingredients listed on the official website and the bottle itself don't match – which isn't exactly reassuring. Maybe the formula's changed too? It's like a whole different product. If the ingredients have changed over the past year, you'd think the website would be updated, but it's not. I used a skin analyzer to break down the ingredients listed on the packaging.

I was a bit surprised to see so many natural ingredients, but as an eco-warrior, I have some reservations. Three ingredients in particular caught my attention:

☠ Fenipon. It's a synthetic preservative, and I'm not a fan. It's toxic, causes hormonal imbalances, and allergic reactions, and it's bad for the environment.

☠ Dimethicone. It's a silicone polymer that gives skin a smooth feel, prevents irritation, and creates a protective barrier. But it clogs pores and doesn't break down in nature.

☠ Polivinylpyrrolidone. It's a synthetic thickener, moisturizer, and gelling agent. And if you inhale it, it can be toxic to your lungs.

On the other hand, here are the ingredients that have a positive impact:

☘ Cocoa butter. It's a natural solvent that nourishes the skin, improves elasticity, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

☘ Glycerin. This humectant component has a moisturizing, protective, and soothing effect on the skin. It's a solvent and viscosity regulator.

☘ Bee's wax. This natural emulsion stabilizer has an anti-aging, soothing, anti-inflammatory, and strengthening effect on the skin.

☘ Cedarwood oil. This natural ingredient is suitable for oily skin.

☘ Glucose. This natural solubilizer improves skin elasticity, moisturizes, and nourishes.

☘ Tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E). Originating from various sources, it's an antioxidant that soothes, moisturizes, and protects the skin from UV rays.

☘ Urea (carbamide). From different sources, it moisturizes, calms, regenerates, and aromatizes the skin.

☘ Dandelion. This natural preservative, dye, and antiseptic tones and normalizes skin secretion.

☘ Jasmine. This natural fragrance moisturizes, soothes, tones, and calms the skin.

☘ Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). This natural antioxidant stabilizes skin pH, provides UV protection, brightens, improves elasticity, and reduces irritation.

☘ Lactic acid. This natural preservative moisturizes, heals, and lightens the skin.

☘ Soybean oil. This natural moisturizer has a protective function, slows down the aging process, nourishes, and restores the skin.

I was really impressed with the natural ingredients in this product. The first one that caught my eye was the rotorush oil, which acts as a natural UV filter and antioxidant. It's got anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and healing properties.

Next up was the stearic acid, a natural thickener that's also super soothing and moisturizing for the skin.

Then there's the castor oil, which not only brightens and nourishes the skin but also has an anti-aging effect.

The retinol (vitamin A) is a synthetic conditioner that protects the skin from UV rays, regenerates, and smooths it out.

I also noticed the vitamin F, a natural ingredient that's got restoring, healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

The green tea is another natural antioxidant that slows down aging, tones, and acts as an antiseptic.

The ginseng is amazing for soothing, toning, and moisturizing the skin, and it's even got a bactericidal effect.

The citric acid is a natural preservative that's also an antioxidant, stabilizes pH levels, and has a whitening effect on the skin.

And let's not forget the amber acid, a natural antiseptic that's got healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It even helps reduce swelling and prevents cupping.

The calcium hydroxide is a natural alkaline that regulates pH levels and acts as an exfoliating agent.

Two ingredients that flew under the radar for me were:

◽ Rona Care AP, a cascading antioxidant that's a game-changer for skin health.

On the official website, I found this information:

This antioxidant complex is a powerful cascade of protection for the skin, adapting to the natural antioxidant systems of each individual's skin. The unique feature of Rona Care AP is that this component not only has potent anti-radical action but is also active throughout the day, shielding against oxidation and the components of sebum (mainly squalene and cholesterol) that give skin its suppleness, elasticity, and barrier functions. Even though it's not a sunscreen filter, Rona Care AP allows for twice the safe time spent in the sun, thanks to its photostabilizing ability.

And the second component:

◽ Monoglycerides of palm oil.

I've looked into it, and it seems they're used pretty widely in cosmetics. As far as I understand, it's a neutral and harmless ingredient.

Also, I reached out to the brand's representative through their official website to ask about the composition of the fragrance and the origin of the emulsifying wax. By the way, if it's natural, there's no need to worry, but if it's synthetic, that's a product of petroleum processing that can have a negative impact on the skin (including clogging pores and polluting the environment). I got this response:

The fragrance composition includes a blend of hypoallergenic fragrance ingredients.

No specifics, but I'm glad to see the word 'hypoallergenic' is used.

And about the wax:

Natural beeswax is used in the production process.

So, while the composition of the cream isn't entirely natural, it's still a significant improvement over mass-market alternatives.

□□□ MANUFACTURER'S CLAIMS

This cream reliably restores the protective and barrier functions of the skin. Polyphenols from green tea and ginseng boost microcirculation, while polyunsaturated fatty acids from valuable plant oils retain moisture and prevent excessive loss, and bioactive substances from propolis normalize the skin's immune status. The result of the cream's action is an increase in adaptability and resistance to aggressive external influences. The cream doesn't leave a greasy residue on the skin and is very easy to apply under makeup.

Effects:

Protects the skin from wind and low temperatures;

Boosts capillary blood flow;

Nourishes, moisturizes, and improves skin elasticity.

For me, all of these points are relevant.

□□□ PRODUCT DETAILS

My skin falls into the problematic and sensitive category. It's a combination type with very oily T-zone and dry cheeks, periodic breakouts, enlarged pores, blackheads, and rosacea. I spent a long time running around to doctors who couldn't help me deal with my acne, and eventually, I realized that only a balanced diet (the right foods for me), moderate physical activity, and proper skincare can slightly improve the situation.

□□□ APPLICATION AND RESULTS

The cream has a nice pearl-like color.

The consistency is pretty dense, but it spreads easily on my skin.

The scent is pretty mild - it's like a mix of flowers and grass. I'm not blown away by the smell, but it doesn't bother me either. It reminds me of my mom, childhood, and swimming.

Application

Apply it to exposed skin areas 10-15 minutes before heading outside.

I apply it before going outside when the temperature drops to around 0°C. That means I use it for about 6-7 months out of the year (November to April). At home, I don't use it.

After applying it to my face, the scent disappears quickly, and I don't notice it anymore. However, my husband says he can still smell it if he kisses me.

I really like the tactile sensations. My skin feels tighter and softer.

The product absorbs into my skin in just a few seconds, so I try to apply it quickly to all areas.

I also use it on my hands sometimes - it does a great job of protecting my skin from windburn, chapping, and dryness.

I also experimented with applying my favorite serum under my moisturizer. You can read more about it in this review. The products work well together, and my skin gets extra hydration.

Now, the most interesting part.

The Result

Here's how my skin looks in its natural state without makeup and at room temperature, if you will.

But as soon as I step out into the cold, my epidermis seems to dry out, dehydrate, and turn red.

On the first photo, I'm using my usual daytime moisturizer after a 2-hour walk (-11°C).

On the second photo, my skin is using the Mirra product. So, before going outside and after almost 4 hours of walking in the open air at -17°C. It froze solid. My face did get a bit dry, but I didn't feel any tightness or redness. I'm also confident that the dry skin on my cheeks won't turn into sandpaper.

When I'm outside in the cold, my face sometimes tingles and feels tight. With the protector, these unpleasant sensations almost completely disappear. I haven't tried using the cream at temperatures below -23°C, but I think it's the perfect protection for the average Russian climate during the cold season.

The Verdict:

Airtight packaging. I'm not a fan of creams and masks in regular jars with awkward scoops. This dispenser is a game-changer – no bacteria can sneak in, and I don't have to worry about any leftovers.Decent formula. Despite some questionable ingredients, the cream contains a generous amount of beneficial oils, vitamins, and plant extracts.Protects skin from wind and cold. And, what's just as important, it shields against temperature fluctuations. I have sensitive blood vessels, so I tend to blush easily when going from cold to warm or vice versa. This cream somehow smooths out the effect, and my cheeks are the only ones that react. I feel like a classic Russian beauty, always blushing like a cherry tomato.Non-comedogenic. My skin can't handle harsh products, but this one is gentle. It's like my face is breathing a sigh of relief. I haven't experienced any new breakouts since using this cream.Evenly distributes on the skin and doesn't leave a residue after drying. No streaks, no patches, no discoloration. I was surprised to find that it even seems to minimize my pores, although I might be exaggerating.Quick absorption. It takes only 40 seconds for the cream to fully absorb into the skin.Slightly moisturizes and smooths. I love that it doesn't leave a greasy residue, like applying a layer of lard on my face.Economical usage.Cons:

Tone-on-tone products don't sit well on top of this cream. Even the lightest CC cream starts to slide off. During winter, I barely use powder. The drawbacks on my skin are still visible, and I wish I could cover them up, but this cream just doesn't allow it. The incompatibility is a major minus, almost as big as the moon.

▉▉▉ VERDICT

I've been using this cream for a while now, and it's been a game-changer for my sensitive skin.

That being said, I'm taking off a star because you can't use a foundation with this product, and I'm also super annoyed that the ingredients listed on the packaging don't match the ones on the website. I think that's just irresponsible.

Wishing you all glowing skin and good vibes!

Check out my other reviews for facial skincare:

Marina Kazarina's Acne-Fighting Cream Reconstructor Review

Marina Kazarina's Post-Acne Mask Review

My Experience with Effaclar's Exfoliating Treatment - A Sensitive Skin Review

Thanks for reading!