More Style Than Substance: A Bright Tobacco-Vanilla Scent and Lightweight Texture - Does This Moisturizer Really Deliver for Dry Skin?
I've been meaning to try out the Pusy hand cream for ages, and since I've already had a go at their famous brow gel and serum (which, to be honest, still haunts me with its initially pleasant yet later on utterly infuriating scent), I was excited to dive into something new from this brand. So, without further ado, let's get into my thoughts on the Moisturizing Hand Cream.
I ordered this product from ZYA, where the price for the hand cream without a loyalty card comes out to 397 rubles (293 rubles with a loyalty card). That's a pretty standard price point for a hand cream of this size and quality.
The packaging for this hand cream is a compact tube made of soft, matte plastic in a lovely grey-beige hue. I'm a big fan of minimalism, and this design doesn't disappoint. On the front of the packaging, you'll find the brand's logo and the product's name. The tube itself is pretty small, but it's the perfect size for tossing into a bag or purse.
One thing I don't like is that the packaging is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, as you can see from my own example - it's been sitting in my makeup bag with other products for a bit.
The back of the tube has all the product information in both Russian and English, along with some general details about the manufacturer. It's always nice to see brands include multiple languages on their packaging.
The twist-off cap is a game-changer. It's tiny, but it gets the job done, and I've tested it by taking this cream with me on multiple occasions. The only downside is that it can be a bit fiddly at first, but you get the hang of it after a while.
The compact size and lightweight design make it perfect for tossing into a bag or purse. It's a real value for money, if you ask me.
From what I've learned from the manufacturer:
This convenient format lets you slip the cream into your bag and keep your hands looking great all day.
The dosage control is a nice touch, and it comes with a protective foil layer that's easy to remove – just pull the tab and you're good to go. The nozzle itself - a circular hole in a small convex tip - is where the texture is dispensed.
I've gotta say, I'm pretty happy with the doser itself, but maybe the hole could've been a bit smaller considering the cream's pretty light and not too thick.
About the product:
Volume: 30 mlManufacturer: RussiaThis cream is marketed as a gentle, lightweight moisturizer that effectively hydrates and nourishes the skin. Plus, the brand notes its compact packaging, making it a great travel option.
From the manufacturer:
Púsy Hand Cream has a light texture, but it acts intensely.
It nourishes, hydrates, softens the skin, and actively restores it.
It's easy to apply and quickly absorbs.
The Moisturizing Hand Cream has a very light texture, kind of like a creamy gel. It's really light, almost like they've mixed it with some kind of thinner emulsion. But, at the same time, the texture holds up pretty well when you take it out of the packaging.
I've gotta say, fans of strong fragrances are going to love this hand cream. I'm not opposed to a nice scent, but moderation is key. The fragrance in this Moisturizing Hand Cream is really overpowering and long-lasting.
The manufacturer describes the scent as a mixture of tobacco, pepper, and vanilla. To me, the tobacco note really stands out, with vanilla and rose playing a supporting role, which gives me a weird association with 'drunken cherries'. The rose note in the fragrance is due to the inclusion of damask rose in the formula. As you wear the hand cream, the tobacco notes become even more pronounced.
All in all, the fragrance is interesting, complex, and even pretty, but for a hand cream, it's just too overpowering – you can't help but notice it all the time.
The ingredients for Moisturizing Hand Cream are listed on the back of the tube and also available online. I've included both versions of the ingredient list below for your convenience.
Aqua, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Octyldodecano, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Leaf/Stalk Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Eugenol, Linalool.
I'm not going to dive into the ingredients too deeply, as I'm no expert in that area. However, if I take a quick glance, I can spot shea butter and panthenol, which are known to help soothe and protect my skin.
I don't have a strict routine for applying hand cream, so I usually just go with the flow and apply it when I need it. Most of the time, I use it before bed, but occasionally I'll apply it during the day if I have it with me.
Interestingly, Moisturizing Hand Cream has become more of a go-to for me when I'm on-the-go, even though I started using it as part of my nighttime routine. There are a few reasons for this:
Impressive compact packaging that slides into my small purse with ease;Lightweight formula, which I think is more suited for express moisturizing of my hands rather than a nourishing treatment - I'll get into that later.The texture of Moisturizing Hand Cream is incredibly light and gel-like, making it a breeze to apply and absorb into my skin. It glides on smoothly, and the cream gets absorbed way faster than some of the more nourishing alternatives I've tried.
Right after applying the cream, I feel a gentle moisture and slight stickiness that fades away as the texture gets absorbed into my skin. Once the cream is fully absorbed - which happens pretty quickly, considering its lightness - my hands are left with a silky finish. No stickiness or tightness whatsoever.
In terms of the effect, I'd say that Moisturizing Hand Cream:
Gives skin a light, velvety moisturization - that's the finish you get after the texture absorbs into your skin;Does it nourish the skin? Nope. It can't even smooth out the slightest dry patches on your fingers. So if your skin's prone to dryness, Moisturizing Hand Cream sadly won't be a game-changer.Does it have a cumulative effect? No way. It just gives your skin a bit of moisture, but it only lasts as long as the cream's on your skin. Wash your hands, and all that softness goes away. No point in using it regularly, since the effect is super fleeting and pretty weak.No nasty reactions from using Moisturizing Hand Cream - it doesn't trigger any allergic reactions, redness, or the like.
As for the scent, it's pretty long-lasting - I can smell it on my skin for ages until I wash my hands. So if you're super sensitive to perfumes, this cream might not be for you.
Personally, I think this cream is great for people with well-maintained hand skin that doesn't need intense moisturizing. You know, those who just like to slap on a light, moisturizing texture throughout the day for the sake of it - and the scent, of course.
For people with dry skin that really needs some TLC, this formula might not cut it.
It's used at a moderate pace - and, as usual, it's all about individual preferences, depending on how often you apply it and how much you use each time. From my experience, with regular daily use (1-2 times a day) the cream lasts for around 3-4 weeks.
Talking about my positive impressions of using the Moisturizing Hand Cream, I've got to say the following:
I really liked that the cream absorbs quickly, so you don't have to wait around and can get on with things that require your hands.The compact packaging is a bonus, as it's small enough to fit even in a small purse, making it easy to take with you.The gentle moisturizing effect is perfect for when your hands are already in a decent condition and just need a bit of support.Adequate value for money - considering the cream has a noticeable scent, I'm not sure I'd be thrilled if it lasted much longer. So, it's a plus that it didn't get too repetitive during this period.Speaking of the downsides, I've got to say that:
The scent of the cream is pleasant, complex, but pretty strong and lingering, so there's a good chance it might get old or even start to irritate over time.The moisturizing effect is pretty weak - no nourishment, just a light moisturizing that's okay if your hands are already in decent shape. But we usually turn to creams for a reason, right? We need some TLC. Unfortunately, Moisturizing Hand Cream just won't cut it.My curiosity was satisfied after trying Moisturizing Hand Cream. Honestly, it was a decent experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again. It's a pretty average cream, and there are plenty of others out there that'll do the job just as well, if not better, at a lower price point.
So, if you like the scent and don't mind it getting old, and your hands are already in good shape, then I guess this cream might be worth a shot. But if you're looking for something that'll really deliver, you might be better off looking elsewhere.
I'd only recommend this product as a fun little 'aroma treat' that doesn't require much maintenance. If you're looking for a genuinely effective moisturizer, though, you might want to check out some other options.