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Happy new year! My first post in 2021! One of my goals this year to pay more attention to companies who are socially responsible and look closer at their sustainability initiatives. I’m excited to share with you my experience on One Ocean Beauty products but before I start, let’s get to know the brand a bit first.
What’s One Ocean Beauty story?
One Ocean Beauty was founded in 2018 by Marcella Cacci, it’s a sustainable, scientifically-proven beauty and wellness company. Sustainability is on top of the brand’s agenda, in particular, their efforts to protect and conserve our oceans and marine life through their partnership with Oceana. Oceana is the largest global, science-based, organisation working with governments to change policies and protect the oceans.
While the idea behind the brand was inspired by the sense of well-being Marcella often feels when she’s by the sea, the products are produced using marine active ingredients which are being sourced responsibly through ‘blue biotechnology’, i.e. a lab-controlled process that bioferments marine microorganisms to generate actives that mimic their capacity to thrive in inhospitable environments, rather than harvesting from the oceans and disturb the ocean biodiversity. What’s more? All their inner and outer packaging are 100% recyclable.
One Ocean Beauty is a cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified brand. Products are formulated without synthetic fragrances, nanoparticles, phthalates, parabens, EDTAs, PEGs, GMOs, mineral oils and sulfates.
Replenishing Deep Sea Moisturiser
This nutrient-rich Replenishing Deep Sea moisturiser is designed to lock in moisture, promote elasticity and reduce wrinkles, while helping to protect against irritation and inflammation. Key ingredients include:
- Marine active 1 – glycoprotein1: Its natural cryoprotective properties help to protect against cold and dryness; promotes elasticity and reduces the look of lines and wrinkles through stimulation of protein production.
- Marine active 2 – wakame extract2: Soothes irritation and reduces inflammation and helps with brightening and evening the complexion
- Peptides: Boosts collagen I, III and IV to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and encourages the skin’s natural resilience.
1derived from biofermented Antarctic Psuedoalteromonas
2brown algae native to the Sea of Japan (also sourced from The Mediterranean, The Pacific and the Coasts of Argentina and Australia)
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Propanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Betaine, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dimethiconol Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Lecithin, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Verdict
My skin is oily prone to sensitivity and dehydration, so it’s quite finicky to deal with. I use about 1 1/2 pea-sized amount, morning and evening. This lightweight moisturiser is a dream to use, it’s super creamy, feels almost whipped and cushiony. It’s not a heavy or dense one, nor it feels too rich or greasy. And yet, it’s so moisturising. The texture and feel both remind me of Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture cream or Belif Moisturising Bomb. This sinks into the skin very quickly, it layers well with products. I have no troubles putting on sunscreen and foundation after this moisturiser in the morning. At night, this doesn’t interfere with any facial oil.
I think it lives up to its claim about locking in the hydration, my dry patches would take longer to reappear. Now, while I can’t speak about the wrinkles reduction claim as I use other products including prescription-strength retinol for that purpose, however, I do feel my skin looking a bit more plumped and ‘alive’ after application. This scent-free cream feels very well-balanced and comfortable on the skin without causing any irritations to my sensitivity. The best way to describe this is, my skin feels nourished. Overall, I think this is a good solid formulation and I can see most skin types can enjoy this.
Overall, I really enjoy this toner/essence. The ingredients deck looks good, it layers well with other products (at times I do a couple of layers sandwich between other steps) and my skin feels very supple and hydrated.
Available: £65/50ml
Blue Algae Exfoliating Detox Mask
This Blue Algae Exfoliating detox mask is designed to help purify and exfoliate the skin naturally to create a brighter, healthier-looking complexion. It’s enriched with:
- Blue Algae Spirulina: A nourishing ingredient full of proteins, vitamins A & E, calcium, iron and phosphorous, decreases inflammation and tones the skin as well as encourages cell turnover and metabolism for a healthy glow
- Glycoprotein1: With its national cryoprotective qualities like I mentioned above, it promotes elasticity and plumpness while locking in hydration.
- Marine Salt: Provides a deep detox cleanse and helps to control excess oil whilst retaining moisture
- Coconut Shell particles: Exfoliating dull surface skin for a glowing complexion.
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Kaolin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Shell Powder, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Sea Silt (Maris Limus Extract), Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Spirulina Maxima Powder, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Caprylyl Glycol
The mask is unique in my opinions. I really like that it functions almost like a 2-in-1 product. You get the detoxifying and purifying benefits from kaolin but other oils to provide the moisture while you have the mask on. The recommendation is to leave on for 10-15 mins, at times I’ve left it on up to 30mins and while it’s dry on the skin, it’s not tight or cracked. It just feels nice on the skin. Usually, when clay mask is dry tight on the skin, it’ll get uncomfortable and at that point, it can irritate any sensitivity. Since this doesn’t do that, I’ve never experienced any irritations from this mask either. This mask is synthetic fragrance-free, but there’s no obvious scent that’s naturally coming from the ingredients either. Just a very pleasant mask to use.
I like using this mask in the bath or right before I jump into the shower, so it can be removed easily. With the coconut shell particles, they are very fine and non-abrasive but it’s still best to wet the face again and remove it that way so you can polish at the same time. It’s super easy to remove, there’s no need for heavy scrubbing. It’s closer to a few splashes and the mask is off. With other clay masks, I prefer to remove with a warm washcloth but I think the combination of the coconut particles and the washcloth might be too harsh for the face.
I can’t tell you how much enjoy using this mask. My skin always feels so clean and soft afterwards. Even at times when my skin has patches of sensitivity, this doesn’t irritate. And who doesn’t like a product that serves more than one purpose?
Available: £63/50ml
Final thoughts
I really enjoy both products, they are not full of bells and whistles. They are well formulated with effective and clinically proven ingredients. I also like the fact that they are fragrance-free, it takes the guesswork out if they are going to irritate my skin. While I’m not one who’s too honed into ‘clean beauty’ bandwagon, the brand does a good job in explaining their stand on this and how they achieve it on their website very well which I appreciate. What’s impressive is its sustainability initiative and partnership with Oceana making them a truly responsible company with being associated with. I’d love to try out their other products in the range!