Hello fellow parents!
I'm a mom of a little one with super sensitive skin, and I've tried a ton of products to protect her from the harsh winter elements.
Winter can be brutal on our little ones' skin, and I've had my fair share of disappointing experiences with cold creams that were either too greasy or just didn't work.
The cold cream formula in Mustela's stick creates a special barrier on the skin that shields it from harsh environmental factors.
Cold creams are a type of skincare product that protects the skin from the cold and wind, making them a popular choice for children's skincare.
But, let me tell you, not all cold creams are created equal. I've had some pretty rough experiences in the past, especially when it comes to greasiness and effectiveness.
Last winter, I tried a cold cream on my daughter, and it was a total disaster. The stuff was super greasy, dripped everywhere, and didn't even protect her skin from the cold.
But, this autumn, a friend recommended I try the Mustela stick, and I'm so glad I did! It's been a total game-changer for my daughter's skin.
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. The Mustela stick is made in France, and it comes in a 10.1 ml / 9.2 g volume. The price is around 1700 rubles, which is a bit steep, but trust me, it's worth it.
I had a hard time finding the Mustela stick in Russia, as it's not widely available in most pharmacies and children's stores. I managed to find it on online marketplaces, and I had to purchase it here.
The price is definitely too high, especially considering the small amount of stick you get. I'd say that's the main drawback of the Mustela cold cream.
It's a universal product in a convenient stick form that's suitable for open skin areas (cheeks, lips).
The formula contains a nourishing complex of cold cream + ceramides that moisturizes, soothes, and helps maintain the skin's natural barrier.
• HYPOALLERGENIC
• CLINICALLY TESTED
• NO WATER CONTENT (can be used outdoors)
The packaging for Mustela's nourishing pencil looks like this. It's a tiny sticker, and there's a sticky plug to prevent it from being opened, but even without it, the sticker is pretty hard to pull out due to the tightly fitting lid.
I love how the sticker can be pulled out as you use it - there's a little slider on the back of the packaging that makes it easy to access.
You can see the length of the nourishing pencil in the photo.
The Mustela pencil has a light beige color and a thick, creamy texture - but it's not greasy at all, which makes it feel really light. The pencil itself is pretty firm, and it won't break easily. Plus, it doesn't melt.
The scent of the Mustela pencil is really nice and subtle, kind of like shea butter. It's not overpowering, and it won't irritate your skin.
Here's the ingredient list for Mustela's nourishing pencil:
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL, OLUS IL/VEGETABLE OIL/ HUILE VEGETALE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 BEESWAX, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CERA ALBA/ BEESWAX/ CIRED'ABEILLE, C10-18 TRIGLYCERIDES, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX/ CIRE DE
CARNAUBA, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), PROPYLENE CARBONATE, BISABOLOL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) FRUIT EXTRACT,
CERAMIDE NP, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, CITRIC ACID.
0% ПАРАБЕНОВ, 0% ФТАЛАТОВ, 0% ФЕНОКСИЭТАНОЛА
Mainly what sets Mustela's nourishing stick apart from other similar products is the absence of water. That's what gives the stick a solid pencil-like feel.
In terms of the rest of the cold cream's composition, it's great: lots of fatty acids (coconut, shea, avocado), and towards the end of the composition, there are ceramides.
Our precious nourishing wax combined with cold cream nourishes the baby's skin, preserving the skin barrier.
Ceramides and cold cream help restore and protect the skin's hydrolipidic film.
Shea butter softens and nourishes the skin.
Compact, easy to take with you - the stick can be used on the go!
Step 1: Open the stick and turn the wheel at the bottom of the packaging.
Step 2: Apply the nourishing composition to dry skin areas (lips, cheeks)
Step 3: Close the stick. Reapply as needed.
When using cold creams, there are some nuances to consider. For instance, cold creams only protect the skin from external environmental factors, they don't heal it! And Mustela's no exception.
I used a thick layer of E45 or any other baby moisturizer on my daughter's cheeks before bed, and in the morning, I'd apply the Mustela stick for protection.
One thing I really like about Mustela's moisturizing stick is that it's water-free, which makes it perfect for using on the go.
Since it doesn't contain water, I can easily reapply it outside, which is a huge plus for long winter walks. The moisturizing stick's layer can get wiped off by friction against clothing or my hands, just like a sunscreen. But with Mustela, I don't have to worry about that.
In that sense, it's super convenient and gentle on my kid's skin.
before
I apply the Mustela stick all over my kid's face, including their lips, right before we head out the door. It glides on smoothly, without irritating their skin at all.
By the time I've put on my kid's coat and closed the door, the moisturizing layer has already started to absorb into their skin, leaving no greasy residue on their face or clothes.
What's more, the moisturizing stick doesn't create a greenhouse effect on the skin, doesn't irritate it, and doesn't cause any allergic reactions or inflammation. My kid doesn't even notice it's there, and the application process is actually kind of fun for them.
✅✅✅ After using it, I can confidently say that Mustela's moisturizing stick with cold cream really works and protects my kid's skin from the wind, snow, and cold
After
At the beginning, I mentioned that my daughter's skin was already dry before applying the stick. Check out her skin condition after using it - it's smooth, soft, and natural-looking with no irritation.
For me, the nourishing stick from Mustela turned out to be an excellent option for a protective moisturizer, and it's definitely staying in my daughter's makeup bag for a long time.
Before/After (3 minutes)
One downside is the high price for a small amount, and the one-year shelf life after opening, which means the stick that was opened and not used up by the end of winter won't last for another year.
But, gritting my teeth, I have to say that the nourishing stick from Mustela justifies its cost.
I highly recommend it!
Thanks for reading.