Did you know that Astral Original All Over Moisturiser has been around since 1950?
That’s a huge achievement – especially in a beauty world where most products don’t make it to 5 years old…
What’s so special about Astral Original cream to make it last the test of time? Let’s find out.
What’s In Astral Original All Over Moisturiser?
GLYCERIN
Glycerin is a moisture magnet. Literally.
Like a magnet, it attracts moisture from the environment into your skin and binds it there. Like Korean skincare taught us, moisture is just what skin needs to thrive.
When skin has all the moisture it needs, it become softer to the touch. Fine lines plump up, so they look smaller. And the whole complexion takes on a dewy glow.
Related: Why Is Glycerin In All Your Skincare Products?
LANOLIN
Lanolin is the thick, greasy, yellow substance sheep naturally produce to protect themselves from harsh weather.
It’s super moisturizing. It literally waterproofs skin, so that the extra moisture glycerin brings into your skin stays there. It can’t evaporate out and dry your skin again. Phew!
You may have heard that lanolin is a common allergen. That’s not true. Not anymore, anyway. Let me explain.
Lanolin is a problem only when you put it in skincare products as is. That’s when the pesticides farmers used on their crops (and sheep) make their way onto your skin and irritate it.
These days, lanolin undergoes a purification process to remove all kinds of pesticides and other impurities before being added to moisturizers, like Astral Original. The end result is very safe and gentle.
P.S. No sheep are harmed during the collection of lanolin.
Related: Is Lanolin Bad For Skin?
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MINERAL OIL (& CO)
Astral Original cream contains Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum. Yep, all ingredients derived from oil. Aren’t they the devil incarnate?
Not so fast…
Like lanolin, these ingredients undergo a strict purifying process that removes all traces of toxins and other impurities from them. The end results don’t resemble oil at all. So, no, they won’t give you cancer. Phew!
They won’t give you pimples, either. True, if you use a serum with comedogenic ingredients before slathering on Mineral Oil, that’ll get trapped into the skin and make you breakout. But on their own, they’re not comedogenic. Just be careful what you use them with.
But why are they here, anyway? They’re very moisturizing. They create a protective barrier on the skin that keeps moisture in and germs, pollutants, and other skin enemies out.
Related: 5 Myths About Mineral Oil You Need To Stop Believing Right Now
ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE
Mineral oil may not give you pimples, but Isopropyl Myrisytate will. It’s true there’s no scientific evidence it’s comedogenic… But there’s plenty of anecdotal one.
Just ask my face about it! Every time I use a cream or lotion high in Isopropyl Myristate, my face breaks out like crazy. Unfortunately, Astral Original cream was no exception (when I use it on my face, that is).
Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem to have the same effect on my body. But then, my skin there is a lot drier.
Truth bomb: just because an ingredient can cause pimples, doesn’t mean it will. It really depends on how much you use and your skin type.
If you have very dry skin, you can bathe in this stuff and not develop a pimple. Oily skin? A tiny amount may be enough to trigger a breakout. Be careful!
Related: What Ingredients Are Comedogenic?
Texture
Astral Original Cream is THICK. It glides smoothly on the skin, but takes a while to absorb. Yes, even on very dry skin.
Fragrance
Fresh, clean, and forgettable. Doesn’t hang around long.
How To Use It
You can use Astral Original moisturizer in three ways:
- Face moisturiser: It’s the last step of your skincare routine at night.
- Body moisturiser: Slather it on as soon as you get out of the shower.
- Makeup remover: It’s the first step of your skincare routine at night (cos you didn’t go to sleep with your makeup on, right?)
Performance & Personal Opinion
I personally can’t use Astral Original moisturiser on my face. It’s too thick for my combination skin – yes, even in winter where everything gets a little drier…
Oh, I tried. It makes my skin super soft and smooth, but it also made a couple of pimples pop up on my chin. Bummer!
Instead, it makes a wonderful body moisturiser. The skin there is so dry and dehydrated, it’s hard for me to find a moisturiser that keeps it happy for more than a couple of hours. *sighs*
Astral Original moisturiser comes to the rescue. It glides smoothly on my skin, getting rid of all my dry patches. Sure, it takes few minutes to absorb, but once it does, my skin feels soft, smooth and hydrated for the entire day. And nope, there’s no greasy residue.
I also like to use it to remove my makeup. In just a couple of minutes, it removes even the most stubborn of long-lasting foundations without leaving skin a tight, irritated mess.
Who Is This For?
Dry skin – especially if you’re looking for a multitasking product on a strict budget.
Who Is This Not For?
Oily, combination and acne-prone skin. It’s too rich for you.
Packaging
Astral Original moisturiser comes in 3 sizes:
- 50ml pot to keep in your handbag
- 200ml pot for everyday use
- 500ml pot for your body
I’m usually not a fan of jar packaging because it allows light and air to come in contact with the antioxidants in the product, spoiling them. But this cream doesn’t have any, so that’s not an issue here.
Just make sure to wash your hands before you use it. Hygiene first!
Does Astral Original Moisturiser Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| It’s hydrating after a shower, nourishing after a day in the sun and cleansing after an evening in makeup. | Yes, yes, yes. |
| Our intensely rich formula protects your skin from head to toe and keeps essential moisture locked in – so you can still feel it working hours later. | Again, true. It’s incredibly moisturising and locks in hydration for hours. |
Price & Availability
From £1.49 to £8.99 at Superdrug
Do You Need It?
If you have very dry skin and are on a strict budget, Astral Original moisturiser is worth a try.
Dupes & Alternatives
Have you tried Astral Original moisturiser? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Paraffin, Lanolin, Ozokerite, Lanolin Alcohol, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Myristate, Magnesium Sulfate, Parfum (Fragrance), Propylparaben, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Amyl Cinnamon, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool.
Like you, I use lanolin items on my body over my face. It makes things pricier as far as body lotion go. But I love how they work!
Carleen, they work very well indeed, and are so moisturizing!
This will be the perfect body moisturizer for me! 😀 I’m still going to stick to The Body Shop’s because I like their scents and I don’t buy much makeup so I can justify nice skincare. 😀
Janessa, I’m sure you would like this. It is so moisturizing, even though the scent isn’t as delicious as that of The Body Shop.
I use astral cream & love it.
I find my skin has gotten dryer as l age…🙄 so l find this so moisturizing. 😍
Thank you for explaining the main ingredients in the product and what they actually do, also clearing up the rumors. 😀 Is there any way to reply to your newsletters?
I thought the Lancome cream was ridiculous!
Janessa, you’re welcome. I think it’s important to know what we put on our skin and be able to make the right choices based on science, not fear.
Unfortunately I don’t think so. I’ve been looking for a way to do that but I haven’t really found anything yet. 🙁 You can always leave a comment here, or on twitter or email me in the meantime if you want to. I’d love that. 🙂 And I agree, that cream was ridiculous indeed!
I love this cream, I even wrote a review about it too! Check it out! https://beautybyenglishrose.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/astral-face-and-body-moisturiser-review/
Englishrose, great review. Glad it’s working so well for you.
I love this cream for my body the rich creamy texture is like velvet and I love the smell. However I too have used it on my face and now I’ve broken out in spots on my chin and hair line…do u think I should persevere and hope my face grows used to it or should I avoid it on my face? I grudge paying silly money when I know cheaper products can work just as good. xcx
Dawn, definitely stop using it on the face. If it makes you breakout, it means it’s too rich for your skin type. There’s no point in keep using it.
You gave changed the composition of the New Look Astral Cream,DIFFERENT SMELL NOW.