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I’m always game to try new skin care products and test out different ingredients. If you’ve been a reader for a while, you know this! I have a love for non-American skin care if that’s even a real thing. I love learning about different cultures and how they take care of themselves…there is a lot to learn, let me tell you!! Learning about the different products and ingredients always amazes me. Western skin care is very different from other parts off the world, and it’s crazy to me how much more is out there!
I stumbled upon Alina Cosmetics and was instantly intrigued. They are from Poland and use some ingredients I’m not too familiar with including birch bark extract. They make products for every skin type including sensitive and allergy prone skin. I love that they use traditional European herbs in their products and that they are cruelty free. All of their ingredients are all natural and I absolutely love what I’ve seen in their ingredient lists. You can read more about the benefits of Birch Trees on their site…tons of great information!
The company sent me three products to try out and I’ve been using them all for a few weeks now. The Birch Light Moisturizer, Exfoliating Peppermint Lip Balm and Linden Blossom Micellar Water were all pretty easy to add into my routine. I’m going to give you a spoiler…the Exfoliating Peppermint Lip Balm is my absolute favorite! I’ve been using it every day and love it!
Birch Light Moisturizer
This moisturizer is super lightweight and smells very natural. The reason I describe the scent as “natural”, is because I can’t place the exact scent and it doesn’t smell as if any fragrances have been added, which is a huge plus for me. I’ll be honest, I don’t use moisturizer often, but I’m trying. I’m more of an oil girl because I’ve found a lot of moisturizers tend to ball up and don’t layer well. I’ve been using this at night in my routine and it hasn’t given me any problems at all. I’ll even add a few drops of Squalene oil to it!
Description from Alina Cosmetics – Sylveco series Birch Light Moisturizer is hypoallergenic and fast-absorbing face cream for the daily care of skin in need of gentle healing and nourishment. Especially recommended for skin that is dry, fatigued or exhibiting signs of exposure to too much sun or polluted air. Birch bark extract stimulates the skin’s natural synthesis of collagen and elastin to rebuild damaged tissue and delay the onset of aging. With hydrating and softening aloe veraand xylitol, protective vitamin E, soothing Allantoin and Shea Butter to strengthen the lipid barrier. Natural saponins present insoapwort extract help the active ingredients penetrate deeply into the skin.
Ingredients – Aqua, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Xylitol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Betulin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Allantoin, Xanth
Exfoliating Peppermint Lip Balm
I already spoiled it and told y’all how much I love this product! I have to be honest though, most lip balms end us in the trash with me. They just don’t work for my lips and I don’t use them. This one is different though! It exfoliates without the mess and leaves me lips super soft and moisturized! I need to buy a few backups! I’ve also been using it as a lip primer. It’s been working really well for me before I put my liquid lipstick on. It seems like it helps my lipstick last and my lips don’t get dried out at all!
Description from Alina Cosmetics– Minty-fresh exfoliating lip moisturizer. Contains particles of the natural sugar xylitol from birch trees to slough off chapped skin and leave lips soft, smooth and well-hydrated. With regenerating olive and sunflower oils and a nourishing complex of shea butter, castor oil, and beeswax to prevent chipping and cracking. Features a jolt of pure peppermint oil to soothe, revives and awaken the senses.
Ingredients – Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cera Alba, Xylitol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carnauba Wax, Mentha Piperita Oil
Linden Blossom Micellar Water
Most of the Micellar Waters I’ve tried in the past have burned my skin, and I didn’t want to touch them again. This one though, didn’t do that. It’s very gentle and perfect for taking off stubborn eye makeup. I was really surprised by how much I liked it! Another reason why I never reached for Micellar Water is because my skin always felt tight and dry after using. This one doesn’t make my skin feel that way at all. My skin actually feels hydrated after use, which is amazing. That goes to show all micellar waters aren’t made equally!
Description from Alina Cosmetics– Gentle and effective hypoallergenic formula for the daily care of sensitive and normal skin. With mild cleansing agents effective at removing even long-wearing, water-resistant or heavy make-up, as well as waterproof mascara. Contains protective and moisture-balancing linden flower extract to increase the skin’s elasticity and resistance to dehydration. Known for its beneficial effects on the eyes, Linden Blossom also helps condition the sensitive skin of the eye area, reducing redness and alleviating irritation. Leaves the skin clean, smooth and refreshed.
Ingredients – Includes Aqua, Tilia Platyphyllos Flower Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Oats, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid.
My Final Thoughts
All in all, my opinion of Alina Cosmetics is a positive one. I think their prices are extremely fair ($4 – about $40) for what they offer. I love that they use botanical ingredients and are cruelty free. I’m thankful for the chance to try their products because I would have never found Polish skincare! I think Alina Cosmetics is unique because of the ingredients they use, and their products really seem to work for me. I can honestly recommend this brand, especially to those suffering from eczema and acne. I can guarantee that I will be purchasing the Exfoliating Peppermint Lip Balm again and again because it really is amazing! Alina Cosmetics gets two well deserved thumbs up from me!
Disclaimer - This post is sponsored on behalf of Alina Cosmetics. All opinions/thoughts are 100% my own.
I want to try the lib balm. But at the same time it has xylitol in it, and I’m afraid of damaging my lips by putting alcohol on them
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, and is found in most plant material including lots of fruits and vegetables. It’s actually extracted from birch wood, so it’s completely safe! There are good and bad alcohols out there, always best to research the type before using! I always check it out before I put anything near my face.
Thank you! I’m so glad that it’s in the plant and not added in!
You’re welcome! That was the first thing I looked up after receiving! It’s tricky figuring out which ones are good and bad, but I try to stick with the natural occurring alcohols if at all possible!
Yes, natural is definitely the way to go!
Also love that you check the ingredients!
I never use to…but after learning about some horrible ingredients in products I thought were amazing, I do now! So important and my skin loves me for it!
Yes, some stuff can just wreck your skin. For instance once I was looking at a sulfur mask ,back in my amateur acne fighting days, in ULTA and my mom accidentally got it on her hands and let’s just say that it did not look pretty.
Oh I can only imagine! I’m not too sensitive but I used one product that literally burnt my skin! It was the alcohol in it or a mixture of alcohol and something else!
Yes, it is horrible when a reaction with a product occurs. Then I’m not sure why, but it’s like where are the government agencies that are meant to regulate these companies.
Totally agree!