History of Pestle & Mortar
The Irish skincare brand was founded by husband and wife Sonia Deasy and Padraic Deasy back in 2014. Sonia grew up in an Indian family who’s family’s tradition was natural healing which she learned from a young age. It is truly a family affair at Pestle and Mortar with her sister working for the company as a biochemist who helped her develop her line of products. The skincare brand is all about simple and natural ingredients.
What is Pestle & Mortar’s Pure Hyaluronic Serum?
The first product Pestle & Mortar developed in their labs was their Pure Hyaluronic Serum. According to their website, this is the description they give, “Pestle & Mortar’s Pure Hyaluronic Serum is a lightweight fragrance-free serum which is super-hydrating & anti-aging. This Pure Hyaluronic Serum combines multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid with skin-softening panthenol in a formulation which diminishes fine lines & wrinkles, provides superior hydration and delivers an instant skin-plumping and firming effect.”
Why use Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a protein naturally found in our skin that can attract and hold water in the skin. Hyaluronic acid holds a thousand times its weight in water to retain all that moisture in our skin. It is a skin-care must have, and most importantly it usually doesn’t give any negative reactions on the skin like other skincare items can possibly give.
Ingredients in Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum:
On Pestle & Mortar’s website, they say that their ingredient listings are updated periodically. Which may be problematic if you use the product, and then one day they add an ingredient that doesn’t work well for your skin.
Furthermore, on their website they have a slightly different ingredient list for their 15ml bottle(which I bought), and their 30ml bottle. Their bigger bottle includes panthenol and citric acid. The ingredients for their 15ml are Aqua, *Sodium Hyaluronate, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, *Xanthan Gum, *Cucumis sativus fruit extract, *Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol(*Plant Derived).
When I emailed customer care they had told me that the 30ml currently on their website uses their newer formula.
What does each main ingredient do for your skin?
- Sodium Hyaluronate: It is a derivative of Hyaluronic Acid which penetrates more deeply into the skin to be effective in hydrating and healing the skin.
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: This is the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera is hydrating and is an anti-inflammatory. It has a vitamin B complex and vitamin c; all great for the skin. Furthermore, it protects your skin from the damage you get from free radicals.
- Butylene glycol: Is a humectant that takes moisture from the air and retains it in the skin. It boosts the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid.
- Glycerin: Another humect that attracts water to the skin.
- Tocopheryl Acetate: It is a form of vitamin E that has acetic acid added to the natural vitamin E. When they add acetic acid to vitamin E it allows the product to have a longer shelf life. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and protects the skin from free radicals.
- Xanthan Gum: Is used for thickening beauty product, and probably the reason it has that gel-like texture.
- Cucumis sativus fruit extract: This is cucumber fruit extract. Used in skincare as an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant. And, it is hydrating to the skin. Helps with the repairing of damaged and dry skin.
- Caprylyl Glycol: Another humectant ingredient. It adds moisture to the skin
Ingredient of Concern: Phenoxyethanol
- Phenoxyethanol: It is a preservative in cosmetic products, so there is no bacterial growth. In small amounts, it is not harmful to the skin, but there is a big amount of controversy surrounding the use of this product in skincare items. Some don’t consider it to be apart of “clean beauty”. From researching what all the ingredients do for the skin I found this is the one ingredient in the serum that doesn’t make me happy and caused concern. But, it is the very last item on the ingredient list which usually means there is a very low amount in the product. I would love one day if they find an alternative it the ingredient.
- I tried finding other popular hyaluronic acids to buy, but found them all to contain Phenoxyethanol too.
- Phenoxyethanol is an ingredient that is very common in skincare and makeup products.
The Texture and Smell
It has no fragrance to it. I don’t think skincare should have fragrance. It has a slightly thick and gloopy texture. But, it spreads over the face beautifully.
How Do You Use Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum?
After you cleanse and dry your face you are supposed to apply it all over the face and neck. Alternatively, I read that with hyaluronic serums that your face should be damp before you apply it so the hyaluronic serum clings to the moisture on your face so it better absorbs into your skin. I tend to only use this at night. But, it does work nicely underneath the tinted moisturizers I use in the daytime.
What do you think of it?
I love it. It glides on my face like water, and it absorbs fast into my skin. It does a great job at hydrating and plumping my skin. When I travel I like to apply it at home before I leave for the airport so my face is hydrated on the airplane. The air on an airplane is very drying for the skin.
Do I Recommend Pestle & Mortar Hyaluronic Serum?
Yes! It is very effective, and gentle on a variety of skin types. I would say if you never tried a hyaluronic serum before that it is a great one to start off within your skincare routine.