Earlier this month I reviewed the June edition of Mintd Box, a beauty box which consists of 4/5 products curated from luxury beauty brands and when I say luxury, I mean luxury! One of the standouts for me from that box has been the Citylife I-Zone Balm from Oskia. Oskia only launched back in 2009 and has already been a winner of over 110 international product and brand awards including which includes Best British Brand and Best Natural Brand. I came to know the brand via their Renaissance Mask, which I happen to also adore.
The Citylife I-Zone Balm is described as being a soothing lip and eye balm, it is formulated to defend your delicate features from the harmful effects of indoor and outdoor pollutants, such as airborne metals, smog and smoke. So living in London, I am sure all of these things live on my skin, I travel around on public transport and I walk down some of the most polluted streets in the capital. I also know that having spent an entire day in the City Centre, I get home, double cleanse my face and the sheer amount of 'stuff' that washes off is absolutely grim. To that end, I am all for using products that can and will protect my skin.
Enriched with avocado oil, vitamins A and E you will also find some ingredients which are referred to as being 'Key Actives' and they include:
- RETINOL - improves the appearance of sun damaged, dry and mature skin to reveal soft, supple texture.
- ASTAXANTHIN - a really powerful antioxidant that is 6,000 times more potent than Vitamin C. It protects throughout the dermal layers from free radical damage, responsible for the ageing process, and sun’s damaging UV rays while also improving elasticity.
- WHITE LUPIN SEED - (Collangeneer) is a patented active that boosts Collagen I synthesis and the formation and quality of the collagen matrix to firm and improve elasticity for improved facial contour.
- MSM - reduces inflammation, boosts the power of Glutathione and increases the production of pheomelanin, the type of melanin that is found in fair-skinned people, relative to eumelanin, the darker type of melanin, to reduce pigmentation. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and calms breakouts.
- MICA - reflects light to enliven skin.
What I like about this balm is that it is clever, its ingredients actually do something useful and it is easy to apply. All of those ingredients mentioned above come together to work to deflect pollution from the delicate eye and lip area. I don't think I have ever come across or used a product that has been designed to be used on both of those areas and given how delicate both areas are, I am happy to put it to use.
As a reminder of what this balm does, it:
- Protects the delicate eye & lip areas from the effects of day-to-day pollution and free radical exposure.
- Plumps, firms, contours and lifts.
- Nourishes and hydrates.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage.
- Can also be used under makeup or highlights the eyes & lips on its own.
On the skin, it is light and non-greasy and it absorbs really quickly which is also a thumbs up from me. I am intrigued as to what difference this will make to my skin and it is a product I will keep using. You can find the Oskia Citylife I-Zone Balm for £55 here via Cult Beauty.
*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here