little white truths

I was using this cream for over two months and I was almost ready to review it, but then had to put it aside because I was sent another day cream to review and I had a deadline to meet. 

But I've now reintroduced it and I've been using it for the last few weeks, and I'm pleased to say that I do think it's decent - and while it's not the right day cream for me because I need something more hydrating, it's had a positive impact on my skin and I can see why it's had good reviews. More on that below.

Manuka Doctor claims/product details:

• Helps skin look visibly younger in just four weeks
• A light, non greasy day cream with royal jelly and manuka honey
• Helping to reveal a more radiant and smooth complexion, this age-defying formula helps to reduce the look of wrinkles and renew damaged skin cells
• A deeply nourishing and replenishing cream for skin
• Contains Purified Bee Venom (PBV™) to nurture natural collagen formation and increase skin’s elasticity
• Royal jelly is renowned for stimulating collagen and elastin production
• None of our products contain SLS, parabens or phthalates
• RRP $39.95 AUD for 50ml, but do shop around (it's often available at around half-price)

Verdict

I think this is a good cream, and while it's not the right product for my dry skin, I still think it's decent and I can see why a lot of people love it (see eg the reviews on Manuka Doctor's website).

It's a lightweight gel/cream that smells like a mix between honey and chemicals. It's not an unpleasant smell, but it's not a nice one either so I'm pleased that it's not too strong. If you have sensitive skin, though, please note that the product contains parfum - an ingredient that I personally try to avoid because it can be irritating - so that's something to be aware of.

I use this in the morning and I like that it spreads and absorbs reasonably well. I also like that it has a slight toning and firming effect, so my face always looks a little more youthful after I've applied it.

Do note however that it leaves a tacky finish and also a coating on the skin, so I'm not surprised to see that it contains both glycerin and dimethicone (in other words, silicone). This is likely why it can sometimes ball up when I go to add my tinted moisturiser, but only if I've applied too much - so less is more with this product.

The good news is that this cream has a resurfacing effect and it's done something for my skin texture and also the evenness of my complexion over time. While I wouldn't say that it's done anything amazing for my fine lines, it does help remove that top layer of dead skin and reveal the newer, fresher skin underneath. I suspect this is why it's had good reviews: it does even things out and make my face look a little younger.

The main thing it doesn't do for me, however, is hydrate and nourish my skin. Now I have dry skin so I need hydration more than anything else, and this cream falls short - especially in the cooler months. For this reason I prefer to whack down a hydrating serum underneath, otherwise my face feels dry and uncomfortable throughout the day because this cream doesn't do enough for me on its own.

On the claims: yes I do think it helps skin to look visibly younger; yes I agree that it's light and non greasy; yes it does help reveal a more radiant and smooth complexion, although I don't think it's done anything for my fine lines; no I don't think it's nourishing or replenishing; but yes I do think it has a renewing/resurfacing effect.

Overall there are definitely things to like about this product and I do think it has helped my face to look a little more youthful and even, but it's not the right cream for me because it's not hydrating or nourishing enough, and I'm not thrilled that it contains both silicone and parfum.

Good but not my favourite.