Codex Labs Bia Superfood 2.0 - Hydrating Cream with BiaComplex®, 3.38 Ounce (Pack of 1)

I have a pretty sensitive sniffer, and the cedarwood scent in this lotion is strong to me. It takes a while to dissipate, so it's a bit much for me to use anywhere near my nose since it's borderline too strong on my hands. It's too bad since I love the scent of hiking through an evergreen forest, but trees are only near me, not on me, during a hike. On my hands, it absorbed quickly and left my hands feeling soft and moisturized.This has some really nice ingredients, one of which I wasn't familiar with but sounds really promising, Haberlea rhodopensis, which in a small study, helped with collagen synthesis and skin elasticity.This also has a somewhat controversial ingredient: comfrey extract (not culture). There are strains of comfrey that have no or extremely low levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which is the main concern from comfrey. This product is in the EWG database (albeit with a prior formulation but one that still contains comfrey extract), so presumably Codex use one of those strains for its products. Without the undesirable components, comfrey is packed with beneficial components.This is seems like a really nice product for those who can handle the strong scent of cedar.While there is a picture image of the ingredients in the product listing, I am including them as part of my review to make it easier to explore them.Ingredients: Aqua, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactobacillus, Calendula Officinalis Meristem Cell Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Haberlea Rhodopensis (Orpheus Flower) Leaf Extract, Cedrus Deodara (Cedarwood) Wood Oil, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ceramide NP, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid

I get really dry hands and this prevents them cracking and bleeding. My wife uses it on her face.

This product has a heavy scent, reminds me of Irish Spring soap, for something that is supposed to be for sensitive skin. I have also experienced some irritation with this moisturizer on my most sensitive spots, the top of my cheeks.The moisturizer feels very nice on my skin (when its not irritating it). It is creamy and feels like its moisturizing my skin really deeply.

I’m in a stage of life where my major skincare goal is to help restore and nourish my skin barrier. As such, was really interested in this moisturizer given the skin barrier strengthening ingredients it has. This is definitely a nice lightweight moisturizer, it does feel nice on the skin. It’s not tacking and it absorbed well. I will say that it’s a bit drying on my skin, so it isn’t the best for my particular skin type. I definitely was disappointed in that, and it’s Not that I’m able to use every single day because it just isn’t quite hydrating enough for me.

This cream is definitely heavy and greasy - but for dry skin sometimes that’s needed! It has a strong herbal or woodsy scent which I found relaxing but could be overpowering if you don’t like cedar. The cream itself works well as a night cream and is very hydrating. If you have really dry skin it’s worth a try, but more normal skin types might find it too heavy.

If a hydrating cream doesn't make my skin FEEL hydrated, and the subtle yet not pleasing scent lingers on my face and fingertips to the point that I find it distracting, and end up washing my hands, and then my face as well because my skin feels too taut, it only takes one application for me to set it aside and never use it again. Moisturizing my skin must also be a sensually pleasurable experience, and this cream does not provide that.

This is obviously a subjective judgement, but I am not a fan of the way this moisturizer smells. I prefer scent free ones anyways. But aside from that, it feels good on my skin and it has natural ingredients which is always a plus.

The jury seems hung on this one, but I think it has more to do with expectations and value in natural ingredients. This isn’t greasy or oily and it’s made with very good ingredients. It keeps a good balance of hydration and moisturizing. I find that it’s quite nourishing for my skin, and I do get dry skin. The faint scent is pretty mild and doesn’t bother me. I have sensitive skin and a fairly sensitive scene of smell, and I think this product is just great for its purpose.