Mintd box – Hydration Heros Edit – November 2020

Where I got it

Mintd Box usually sends out sneak peak emails on the 1st of the month and gradually on their IG as well, and then they will charge your account for the box that month. Due to currency exchange (they charge in pounds), the exact amount is a little different each month. At £70 and £7.50 shipping, this month the total charge was NZD$152.43. This month’s box is worth over £330!

So, we had a little mishap here with the NZPost Courier. About 3 weeks in after the item was shipped, the item was passed onto CourierPost for sorting at the depot. About 2 weeks had passed and it was still shown to be “in depot”. So I emailed them to enquire and unfortunately they have lost my parcel. To my frustration they couldn’t get me any compensation for the items unless it is chased up by the sender. So I contacts Mintd Box for help, they were super busy at this time of the year, but Ana responded to me with no questions asked, offered to send me a replacement box. Eventually I got this box on 21st December and the same box on 29th December! I’m guessing the first one was the missing one, and the latter is the replacement. I’ve emailed Mintd about what I can do with the box, maybe I can do a giveaway?

What I got

This month’s theme is Hydration Heros edit and the products curated for this box is packed full of hydrating ingredients. It contains 5 full-sizes products: Oskia Liquid Mask, Amly Botanicals Radiance Boost Face Mist, Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Revitalise & Contour Serum, Malin & Goetz Revitalizing Eye Cream, and Prismologie Rose Quartz & Rose Hand Cream.

“Winter is coming! And so with the drop in temperature comes the need to increase the hydration and moisture we grace upon ourselves. Cold weather, low humidity and central heating collaborate to wage an unruly attack on moisture, so it’s down to us to modify our skincare routines and upgrade our products for superior hydration.” – Mintd box.

Oskia Liquid Mask (£65 for 30ml). A cocktail of hard-working hero ingredients such as 10% lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, red snow and black carrot extracts, pro-vitamin B5, cactus steam extract and MSM to help visibly illuminate and improve skin condition and texture. Gently yet effectively exfoliating, this potent potion also boosts moisture levels to rejuvenate, revitalise and brighten while your skin sleeps.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Lactic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Maltodextrin, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Arginine, Camelia Japonica Flower Extract, Subtilisin, Lipase, Daucus Carota Sativa (Black Carrot) Juice, Propanediol, Citric Acid.

Amly Botanicals Radiance Boost Face Mist (£54 for 100ml). A revitalising face mist containing silver-rich spring water blended with organic flowers, hedgerow fruit, native British herbs and exquisite essential oils. The deeply hydrating mist is strengthened with moisture-boosting Hyaluronic Acid, skin-perfecting Copper Peptides and nourishing plant Probiotics. The uplifting scent will leave your senses fully awakened and your skin enlivened.

Ingredients: Aqua, ***Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Flower Water, Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto) Flower Distillate, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Extract, ***Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin (Vegetable), Lactobacillus Ferment, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide, Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Hibiscus Berry) Flower Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn Berry) Fruit Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elderflower) Flower Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Hypericum Perforatum (St John’s Wort) Leaf Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Flower Extract, Selaginella Lepidophylla (Rose of Jericho) Extract, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid, Bis (Tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, *Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Flower Oil, *Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto) Flower Oil, *Boswellia Carterii (Olibanum) Gum Oil, *Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine Absolute) Flower Oil, *Tilia Cordata (Linden) Flower Oil, *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil, Silver Citrate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Rapeseed Acid, Glucose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dehydroacetic Acid, ****Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, **Limonene, **Linalool, **Geraniol, **Citronellol, **Benzyl Benzoate, **Farnesol.

Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Revitalise & Contour Serum (£185 for 30ml). This lifting and firming treatment features a combination of powerful ingredients designed to rejuvenate the complexion and improve the appearance of facial contours. 

Phytoceramides work to reverse signs of ageing, repairing skin’s protective barrier and improving hydration. A potent blend of vitamins and antioxidants stimulates the skin’s natural defence system against environmental aggressors. High-performance firming and lifting ingredients work in synergy to stimulate the production of collagen‚ elastin and glycosaminoglycans (the key constituents of extra-cellular matrix, ECM), targeting the deeper structural layers of the skin.

Ingredients: Rubus Idaeus Fruit Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel OilCP, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilCP, Aqua, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol (Vit. B5), Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed OilCP, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tocopherol (Vit. E), Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilCP, Rosa Canina Seed OilCP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carthamus Tinctorius Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Panicum Miliaceum Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate (Vit. A), Perilla Ocymoides Seed OilCP, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Glyceryl Caprate, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vit C), Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tannic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol (<0.05%), Limonene, Linalol, Citral 

Malin & Goetz Revitalizing Eye Cream (NZD$127 for 15ml). A concoction of skin-loving goodness comes together in the hard-working eye cream to deliver powerful, next level results. Firming peptides act to soften the look of lines, marine algae extract promote cellular renewal, antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil strengthens skins barrier, sunflower oil combats free radical damage and sodium hyaluronate and panthenol work harmoniously to boost hydration levels.

Ingredients: Water/aqua/eau, ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate, squalane, coco-caprylate/caprate, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, pentylene glycol, dimethicone, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, octyldodecanol, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, xylitylglucoside, betaine, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, polysorbate 60, trehalose, anhydroxylitol, phenoxyethanol, sorbitol, panthenol, xylitol, caprylyl glycol, echium plantagineum seed oil, hydrogenated palm glycerides, carbomer, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, xanthan gum, steareth-20, asparagopsis armata extract, helianthus annuus seed oil unsaponifiables, disodium edta, dunaliella salina extract, glucose, ascophyllum nodosum extract, sodium hydroxide, cardiospermum halicacabum flower/leaf/vine extract, citric acid, ethylhexylglycerin, palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonine, palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminohydroxybutyrate, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, sodium benzoate, sodium hyaluronate, n-hydroxysuccinimide, pantolactone, potassium sorbate, chrysin, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7.

Prismologie Rose Quartz & Rose Hand Cream (£14.95 for 40ml). A sensuous hand cream enriched with botanical extracts, Rose Quartz micro-crystals and Arctic Rose fragrance to soothe and comfort dry, stressed hands. The uplifting fragrance, sensual texture and hand massage ritual will help you to re-centre and come back to your senses.

Ingredients: AQUA (WATER), COCONUT ALKANES, GLYCERIN, CETYL ALCOHOL, ADANSONIA DIGITATA OIL, C10-30 CHOLESTEROL / LANOSTEROL ESTERS, CETEARYL OLIVATE, SORBITAN OLIVATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACT, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), CETYL ESTERS, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, COCO-CAPRYLATE / CAPRATE, CETYL PALMITATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SORBITOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, SORBITAN PALMITATE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM PCA, TOCOPHEROL, XANTHAN GUM, SUCROSE COCOATE, SODIUM LACTATE, ALLANTOIN, QUARTZ, RHODIOLA ROSEA ROOT EXTRACT, ALCOHOL, ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM EXTRACT, ALCHEMILLA VULGARIS EXTRACT, MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) EXTRACT, MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT, MENTHA PIPERITA (PEPPERMINT) LEAF EXTRACT, PRIMULA VERIS EXTRACT, VERONICA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRAL, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, ISOEUGENOL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE.

How I find it

I already have the Oskia Liquid Mask and have nearly finished a bottle during the lockdown. I eventually stopped using it because my skin was going through a crazy time due to stress and was breaking out like mental. I have taken all my acid treatments for a good 2 months to get my skin barrier back into good shape. Before my skin went berserk, I was using this every night and it has a watery consistency and does not sting my skin because lactic acid is quite gentle on the skin compared to glycolic acid.

Amly is a brand that is new to me, but I have been seeing this in a lot of IG accounts I follow. Their Botanicals Radiance Boost Face Mist was one of the products in this box I was most intrigued about. The bottle is beautiful and mysterious, and the ingredients are also quite intriguing – it is my first time seeing the ingredient “silver-rich water” and I have no idea what it does for my skin. But this mist contains a bucket-load of flower waters and root extracts along with copper peptides and probiotics to feed the skin. It does have a strong smell of the neroli flower water, it lingers quite a bit. It doesn’t give me a headache, but it is a little overpowering.

I have tried the Albiva Eye Contour Serum from a previous Mintd Box and I was actually not very drawn to it. It is sitting in my drawer at the moment, but it’s of no fault to the product at all. I’m just not a big fan of eye creams. The Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Revitalise & Contour Serum is for the face and this has a medium weight texture. It feels moisturising and non-sticky to the touch. I really do need to use it on a regular basis to give a proper review.

The Malin & Goetz Revitalizing Eye Cream is a mini size and I’m not particularly thrilled by it. First of all, like I said above, I’m not really into eye creams so I might just end up using it on my face instead. I’ve never really hear much talk about this brand or this particular product so I’m not really familiar with what the offer. I tried it on my eye area and honestly it feels lightweight, but that’s about it. I don’t feel my eye area is revitalised, but eye creams do need a lot longer to see results so I won’t be able to see anything rather than hydration with this small amount of product. It doesn’t really make me more interested in the brand either.

The first this I noticed about the Prismologie Rose Quartz & Rose Hand Cream is the scent. It is really strong and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, because the sensorial experience and aromatherapy is one of the brand’s focus to promote wellbeing and relaxation, etc. The scent is kind of an old-fashioned perfume, which I’m not a fan of, so I only use a small amount because it is really quite strong for my preference. It hardly dissipate, so I prefer to use it maybe as a body cream on my elbows or knees, somewhere that is not as close to my face as possible. Not something I would purchase again, but I am very picky with fragrance around my body so you really need to try it for yourself.

Overall

I think this box is a little underwhelming to be honest. Besides the Oskia Liquid Mask and AMLY mist, I’m not particular wowed by the other products. I already have the Liquid Mask so I might finish my existing one first and see if someone will take this new one off me. The AMLY mist seems interesting but I’m not a huge fan of the scent, hopefully I grow to like it.

I might pass on the Prismologie hand cream to be honest, because I simply can’t use something I don’t like the smell of. The Albiva serum, I really want to give it a good go because I think it deserves a chance so I will try my best to finish it and put it on one of my empties post. As for the Malin + Goetz eye cream, I really don’t have much to say about it because I don’t usually review sample-sized products and I wasn’t expecting this sized product in a Mintd box.

Nonetheless, the value of the box is over and above its price, but it is just unfortunate that I’m not interested some of the brands and the scent of the hand cream is not up my alley. Also, don’t you think this box is more Revitalizing than hydration?