I'm Hooked on Darphin's Hydraskin Cooling Stick - Here's Why!
Hello there!
I'm super stoked to have discovered Darphin's cosmetics this year - their products are a perfect match for my skin type, and that's a rare find. So, when I was offered the chance to test their new Hydraskin Cooling Stick, I didn't hesitate for a second. Of course, I said yes!
DARPHIN introduces the new Hydraskin Cooling Stick!
I first spotted the stick at a Darphin presentation back in spring 2019, and I've been secretly dreaming of trying it out ever since. Guess what? Dreams do come true!
The new Hydraskin Cooling Stick from Darphin is a natural skincare essential for everyday use. This universal, compact stick not only cools the skin but also makes it look more supple and helps reduce puffiness. Thanks to its powerful cooling effect, your skin stays hydrated all day long.
And the delivery story?
The only snag was that the stick was already being shipped when I left for my trip. I'm in Bulgaria, and the stick was in Moscow - over 1,500 kilometers away! So, how was I supposed to get it?
I have to give a huge shoutout to the Darphin team for sending a courier with the package on the day before I left. Unfortunately, the courier messed up the address and didn't make it in time, leaving me on edge. I reached out to the brand's manager via WhatsApp, and she sent another courier to the right address. Crisis averted!
I was thrilled when I finally got my hands on this stick, I mean, it's a real showstopper! My husband's delivery drivers actually ran into each other at work and handed over the packages, so I got two identical sticks - one of which I kept sealed and will have the courier pick up later.
But I'm so glad I got to keep this one because it's just amazing!
The stick itself is a slender 300ml bottle, packaged in a beautiful turquoise box with the brand's signature colors.
HYDRASKIN formula is made up of 80% natural ingredients.And the stick itself is this gorgeous, calming blue color - just looking at it makes me think of cooling down! If it were red or pink, I wouldn't get those associations.
The unique plant complex in this moisturizing stick, which includes extracts of arctic algae and pomegranate, along with hyaluronic acid, helps skin retain moisture.
The cap twists off, and underneath there's a plastic stabilizer, kind of like those on deodorant sticks, to prevent breakage.
I was really impressed by how refreshing this product is - it's like a mini-massage for your eyes. It helps to boost elasticity and reduce puffiness in the area around your eyes.The snap-on attachment is super easy to remove, and the lid is incredibly secure - I even dropped it in the sand, and nothing got inside. It's a great design feature that keeps everything clean and dust-free.
Where to buy?
You can grab it on the official Darfam website for $25 (that's around 1600 rubles). If you don't want to wait for shipping, you can also pick it up at one of the popular perfume stores in the mall.
➡️ Il De Bote➡️ Riv Gosh➡️ SeoforaPrices in these brands are roughly the same - from 1878 rubles with the maximum discount to 2600 without it.
I've noticed that the price has slightly increased as of today, a month ago during the sales you could grab this product for just over 1500 rubles.
Volume: 15 grams.
Sensory properties?
Color: a light blue
Consistency: thick in the stick, turns into a gel-like state on the skin
I'm not a fan of strong fragrances, but this product has a light, floral scent that doesn't overpower. It lasts on my skin for up to 30 minutes, depending on the conditions.
I've got combination skin that gets oily in the summer, especially on my T-zone and cheeks. I have to be careful with my diet, too - sweet treats are a no-go, and chocolate's a total no-no since it makes my skin even oilier.
The manufacturer claims this product has several benefits, so I've listed them below along with my thoughts on each. I usually mention these at the end of my review, but it seems more logical to do it now for your convenience.Hydrates the face, suitable for skin around the eyes
I've found that in addition to applying it to my face, including the skin around my eyes, I also use it on my lip area. I don't apply it around my lips, but instead, I smear it right on top - and it works just as well as a moisturizing balm! My lips are instantly more hydrated and look healthier.
Leaves a refreshing sensation
It definitely does - and the pleasant, refreshing scent really adds to that feeling.Instantly cools the skin, lowering the temperature by 1° (Celsius)
I couldn't help but move on to the next test. Let's see what happens.
Here's the setup: a typical Slavic skin temperature of 31.7°C, measured with an infrared thermometer, and one stick stored at room temperature (not in the fridge!).
The experiment: I gently and smoothly glide the stick across my entire face, including the eye and lip areas.
The result: I measure the skin temperature, and it's 31.1°C, which means a 0.6°C drop in just one application. That's not the full degree promised by the manufacturer, but it's over half of it!
By the way, I was curious to try it out and compare the results. I've never checked cooling products in this way before, but now I might just become more interested in monitoring my skin temperature.One thing to note is that it's not suitable for all types of makeup. For instance, it works well with Double Wear foundation applied with my fingers - the foundation lies smoothly over the stick.
However, it doesn't work as well with highlighters, particularly MAC Strobe Cream, which is harder to blend. If you like a more intense glow, this might not be a bad thing, though!
Its compact size makes it easy to carry around.
I have to agree with that. That's why I put the rhyme 'On work and at the beach, or even on a plane!' in the title - I'm taking my St. Ives Fresh Skin Stick everywhere, and my skin will thank me!
I took it with me to the beach and on trips, and it takes up minimal space, replacing wet wipes, toner, and moisturizer all at once.
Wet wipes - because my oily skin becomes matte with it! Where does all the shine go? I have no idea, but it just works!Toner - because it refreshes and gives a cooling sensation.And moisturizer - because it gives the right amount of hydration without the stickiness or excess oil, drying quickly and becoming completely invisible on the skin!Even on a plane, I took it in my carry-on (strictly in a ziplock bag with liquids for extra caution), and during the flight, feeling dry skin, I applied it calmly, feeling both freshness and cooling, and as the feeling of tightness passed, my skin became softer!
The full composition of the product:
Water, butylene, glycol, bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, propenediol, sodium stearate, glycerin, sucrose, imperata cylindrica root extract, pomegranate fruit extract, trehalose, malachite extract, saccharomyces lysate extract, tocopheryl acetate, salicornia herbacea extract, sorbitol, laminaria saccharina extract, algae extract, sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sodium chloride, xanthan gum, fragrance (parfum), hexylene glycol, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, limonene, hydroxycitronellal, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, alpha-isomethyl ionone, citronellol, citral, blue 1 (CI 42090) >ILN44957>What's the application?
I've already mentioned that I fell in love with this product, so I slather it on wherever and whenever I can: hot days at the beach - I apply it over sunscreen to give my face a bit of a cooling break.
After a day at the beach, my skin feels parched - another swipe and I'm good to go, replenishing the lost moisture.
Planning a hike? I take this stick with me to blot away any excess oil that inevitably builds up after a few hours of walking.
I even took it to work with me for the same reasons: replacing my old blotting papers, toner, and moisturizer. After lunch, it's easy to get rid of excess oil, which used to require blotting papers or lavender toner.
Absorption happens super quickly, no greasiness or stickiness.
It never rolls off my skin, and no film forms.
Yes, it doesn't cause inflammation and doesn't clog my pores.
How much product do you get in the end?
If I could compare it to the original length, I would have done that. But I'm sticking to the first time I opened it, so the properties of the product wouldn't be lost – it's only good for 6 months after opening.
I didn't measure the original stick length, and I was a bit worried: when I pull out the stick all the way, the lipstick breaks off, and I didn't want that to happen to the stick too.
So, just believe me: the product lasts a really long time, even considering my regular skincare routine. I doubt I'll use it all up within the remaining 5 months.
I'd love to suggest to the manufacturer that they extend the shelf life to 12 months, and ideally to 18 months, so I could use it safely from spring to summer and the following year as well.
My verdict?
The Darphin Hydraskin Cooling Stick is, without a doubt, 5 out of 5 stars. It's a compact product that perfectly addresses my oily skin's needs and solves three problems at once: it mattifies, refreshes, and hydrates.
After applying this stick, my skin feels like it's breathing again – it's cool, like after a toner, and comfortable in terms of hydration levels.
Mattifying
Hydrating
Cooling my skin by 0.6°C
Pleasant scent
Compact bottle
Fast absorption
No greasiness
I'm thoroughly impressed with the value for money this product offers.
One minor drawback:
The battery life is a bit too short.
Considering how little I use it, it's hard to justify the cost if it's only going to last for a few months. I'll take the risk and use it longer, but I think it'll be especially useful during the colder months when my skin gets dry from the air conditioning.
I highly recommend it!
For more reviews on Darphin products, check out the links below:
Darphin Intral Soothing CreamDarphin Wrinkle Corrective Eye Contour CreamDarphin Ideal Resource PerfectingThanks in advance for taking the time to like my review! I really tried to be helpful.
Best, Gerastikez ❤️