(images from www.elemis.com)– Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
This is the first product in the Pro-Collagen range and it is among Elemis’ most popular products. It has a cream consistency that is on the light side, and it absorbs well without leaving any greasy residue.
Some of the main moisturizing ingredients include glycerine, propylene glycol, wheat germ oil, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil. The “marine” ingredients are chlorella vulgaris extract, padina pavonica extract and porphyridium cruentum extract, all of which are algae extracts that act as emollients. (The anti-aging properties of algae can sometimes be exaggerated.)
The product contains ginkgo biloba extract, which is a potent antioxidant.
Even though this product is mainly marketed as a daytime moisturizer (that complements the night cream reviewed below), it does not contain any anti-UVA/UVB ingredient and should be paired with an adequate sunscreen product for daytime.
– Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream
The Night Cream has a richer consistency but it still absorbs relatively well. The main moisturizing ingredients include glycerine, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, and wheat germ oil. It also contains three algae extracts: laminaria digitata extract, padina pavonica extract and corallina officinalis extract.
One ingredient I am concerned about is rosa damascena flower oil, which is a fragrant plant oil that may cause skin irritation. It is high enough in the ingredient list (among the various emollients) to warrant some concerns. (I would worry less if it were among the preservatives towards the end of the list.)
It is worth mentioning that this product contains no silicone derivatives. I am not opposed to a moderate amount of silicone in skincare products (as it can preserve the efficacy of some skin-benefiting ingredients better than water), but I am aware of the fact that some consumers look for skincare products that are silicone-free.
For me, I prefer the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, as it is lighter in consistency and leaves the skin feeling more quenched. (Even though the Oxygenating Night Cream is richer, it can actually leave my skin slightly tight.) Overall, I would recommend the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (as a nighttime moisturizer) to those with slightly oily, normal, and slightly dry skin.
(Some of the ingredient information above is based on Paula Begoun’s Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Very fair and balanced reviews. I found the pro collagen cream to be a reasonable moisturiser, but too fragranced for me.
Hi Grace London,
Thank you very much! :) I do think that both moisturizers are certainly quite fragrant, and the fragrance almost lasts a little bit too long. I would prefer something that is less scented too.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts again! :)
This is a really great review! I was an Elemis trainee consultant for a while and I think you've just summed up all the customer reviews on the Marine and Night cream that I've ever heard.
Hi Abena,
Thank you very much for stopping by my blog and for your very kind words about this review! :)