Whenever someone asks me: ''What's your favorite moisturizer?'' I can rarely come to a definitive answer. I always mumble, stutter, and bore people about seasonal preferences, skin concerns, and how singular my skincare tastes are...It is just so hard for me to come to the one, ultimate favorite. Usually, I concentrate my love on a particular ingredient. However, there's one moisturiser I would recommend almost to anyone: from a seasonal skincare enthusiast with dry, flaky skin to a beginner with a so-called "strawberry" skin – it is Aqua Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream by Elizavecca.
And why is it so? Well, it has a bunch of deliciously beneficial ingredients, a lovely texture, and a pleasant aroma. And, from now on, when anyone asks me for a recommendation, my answer will be very clear and plain. Intrigued? Let's take a closer look!
About the Product
Elizavecca Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream* is a popular K-beauty moisturizer known for its unique and thick texture. The name "gelato" literally refers to its whipped peaks! The brand promises a profound nourishment thanks to this gelato formula that locks in and traps ingredients for lasting results.
The formula is the hook, the catch, the net for all of us dry skin owners! It's formulated with Argan Oil (at a significant concentration of 80,000 ppm) and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid. These ingredients work synergistically to deeply moisturize the skin and help it retain moisture, leaving it feeling soft.
The cream is a part of the beloved and highly cherished Milky Piggy line, which brought to life such iconic products as Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask and Elastic Retinol Cream. These are also known for their thick texture, keeping up with the tradition.
- Where to buy?
You can buy Milky Piggy Aqua Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream on the official Elizavecca website, iHerb, or Amazon.
Packaging:
Let's begin by looking at the packaging: it is a little bit unconventional as to the Elizavecca. It has a dark cardboard box with a Piggy mascot wearing a lizard-like costume. The darkness of the background contrasts with the flame texture. The jar is a sturdy, slightly rounded plastic with a seal and a spatula inside. This helps to further protect the product and carefully apply it onto the skin.
Texture and Scent:
Of course, the texture is the most important, distinctive part of the cream. As I've mentioned above, the Elizavecca Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream has a thick and rich formulation. It is milky-white with a slightly translucent texture. This cream reminds me so much of another popular Elizavecca moisturizer I reviewed in the past, Gold Cf-Nest B-Jo Eye Want Cream – the resemblance is obvious!
Once applied, it melts and spreads pleasantly on the skin's surface, leaving a noticeable (or slightly greasy) residue. It takes up to five minutes, or possibly even more, to fully absorb into the skin. Once fully absorbed, the cream leaves the skin feeling hydrated and smooth, providing an instant wrinkle-plumping effect.
The scent is simply my favorite. Mild and slightly sweet, it reminds me of freshly-cut grass or some herbs like chamomile. It is hard to identify, but I love it! This might be the best-smelling Elizavecca product I've tried yet!
Ingredients:
Now it is time to dive into each of these fascinating skincare ingredients, exploring their unique benefits and how they contribute to healthy, radiant skin.
- Glycerin: One of the very first ingredients in the formula is glycerin. Think of glycerin as a moisture magnet. It's a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains water from the surrounding environment and the deeper layers of your skin. This helps to keep your skin hydrated, supple, and less prone to dryness and flakiness.
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil): This precious oil, often called "liquid gold," is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, native to Morocco. Packed with beneficial fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, as well as vitamin E (tocopherols), it's a fantastic moisturizer and emollient. Argan oil helps to nourish the skin barrier, reduce water loss, and impart a smooth, dewy complexion. It also helps protect against environmental stressors thanks to its antioxidant properties. The concentration of 80,000 ppm (parts per million) indicates a significant amount of this oil in the formulation.
- Hydroxyethyl Urea: Another excellent humectant, hydroxyethyl urea goes beyond simple hydration. It is a must-have for anyone with dry skin. Urea can penetrate the skin effectively and increase its water-binding capacity, leading to long-lasting moisturization and a noticeable improvement in skin texture. It's known for providing a non-sticky, comfortable feel.
- Oil complex: Can you imagine that the cream is enriched with at least seven different oils? Argain Oil, mentioned above, is the most abundant in the formula, but moreover, you'll get a Grape Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Soybean Oil, and Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil. All of these precious seed juices are going to moisturize and soften the skin, and their antioxidants can offer protection against free radical damage.
- Squalane: Squalane is a saturated hydrocarbon that is very similar in structure to the skin's natural sebum. This makes it an exceptional emollient that is easily absorbed without feeling heavy or greasy. It helps to lock in moisture, improve skin elasticity, and soothe dry or irritated skin. Squalane is known for its compatibility with most skin types.
How to Use Milky Piggy Aqua Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream
For daily skincare, the Elizavecca Milky Piggy Aqua Rising Argan Gelato Steam Cream is most often used as the concluding step in your routine. Begin by ensuring your face is thoroughly cleansed using your regular face wash to eliminate any makeup, dirt, and impurities. If you utilize a toner, apply it after cleansing to help rebalance your skin's pH levels. Following the toner, any serums or essences you typically use should be applied and allowed sufficient time to absorb into the skin before proceeding with the cream.
Next, using the provided spatula to maintain hygiene, scoop out a moderate amount of the Gelato Steam Cream from its jar. Given its rich and concentrated texture, remember that a little product can go a long way. Gently warm the cream between your fingertips for a few seconds; this slight warming action will help the thick formula melt slightly, making it easier to spread evenly across your skin.
Finally, using gentle upward and outward motions, massage the warmed cream onto your face and neck, being careful to avoid the immediate eye area unless the product's instructions indicate otherwise. To encourage optimal absorption, lightly pat the cream into your skin. Due to its rich formulation, allow a few minutes for the cream to fully absorb and work its hydrating magic, leaving your skin feeling nourished and smooth.
- Use it on your body:
Beyond facial application, this versatile cream can also be used as a deeply moisturizing night cream following the same steps in your evening routine or applied to target dry areas on other parts of your body, like elbows and knees, for focused hydration. Urea and natural oils are known to benefit keratosis, aka the strawberry skin, on shaved areas.
My Experience:
I loved, loved, loved the cream! The presence of urea and a variety of oils only reinforced my love for its formula. Of course, the mild botanically sweet fragrance also gave +50 to my sympathy. Although I must admit that this cream won't be for everyone. And for those who don't mind greasiness, you may also want to reserve it for colder, wintery months of the year. I personally use it moderately on my face and neck, plus apply it under the seran wrap on my knees and feet.
Final Verdict…
Hydration: 👍👍👍👎(10/10)
Texture: 👍👍👍👎(7/10)
Overall: 👍👍👍👎 (9/10)
This is one of those creams that delivers instant results! There is no need to wait, mix it up with a serum or pray upon skincare gods for visible results. You applied – you received a quick result. My skin is mostly dry to combination with some serious flakiness going on after the retinol and vitamin C treatment, therefore I love the heaviness!
Who would love using Gelato Steam Cream? Anyone with thirsty, dehydrated skin, a compromised barrier, and strawberry skin. Thirsty skin will definitely feel more revitalized after a round of this cream; it will also help you to heal a damaged barrier and work on those bumpy and red strawberry-like keratosis, we get after shaving and waxing.
While cream's thickness is beneficial for dry skin, it can feel heavy for those with oily or combination skin, especially during warmer months of the year. Emollients in the formulation may clog the pores, leading to more breakouts, so it is always best to think about this con ahead of purchasing this cream.
