Now I’m slightly dubious of any moisturiser which takes its therapeutic cue from an ornamental stone, and the first word that comes to mind is ‘gimmick’. 'What on earth does a pot of jade have that good, old-fashioned Nivea doesn’t?' I thought. That being said, given the UK facial skincare market is worth around £1bn a year, is it any wonder that cosmetics companies have to keep on coming up with new and ingenious ways of getting us wrinkly, crater-pored creatures to buy into 'the secret of youthful skin'.
Benjamin Buttons we ain’t – in fact, we’re all ageing at the rate of knots, and it’s because this anti-ageing malarkey is getting far too bloody stressful.
Still, hit me with some pure Nephria Mineral Water from the reservoir 400m under a Jade Mine in South Korea that promises to strengthen the spongy cells in between my collagen and elastin fibres and I’m thinking, hmmmm, tell me more. Precious essence of Madagascan snail shell, black Arctic orchid extract, multi-patented Life Re-Newing Molecules™– be gone! It’s all about the Jade.
I’m not mad keen on the packaging, to be honest. It comes in a green netted sack – which is more the sort of thing swarthy men at Victoria station try and sell you when you’re late for your train, then chase you halfway up the platform when you refuse the miracle of the Dead Sea. The pot itself is better; made of glass and premium-looking enough.
Ingredients-wise, I’ll be serious now. The mineral water has a high silica content which the leaflet explains is good for ‘rejuvenation, revitalisation and revigoration’, making you wonder what silica has that a good night’s sleep doesn’t. Well, it is credited with plumping the skin and slowing the formation of wrinkles. Of course, you'll have to check in with me in a year or two to check the state of my wrinkles, but the plumping effect is visible enough. However, natural silica is not to be confused with unnatural silicones, of which this cream is also packed full. Silicones give creams that silky, slippery feel, and are best avoided if you’ve got acne-prone skin as they can clog your pores.
For this reason, I wasn’t mad about it as a night cream as it made my skin feel greasy rather than moisturised. I applied it as a day cream, though I reckon any anti-ageing cream worth its mineral water should chuck in an SPF to protect you from sun damage in this day and age. I found it better as a make up base than a moisturiser. My mineral powder blended in nicely. But at £45, that’s one expensive primer.
All in all, it’s left me feeling just a little bit Jaded...
Fragrance ***
Texture ****
Absorbability ***
Visible improvement to skin ***
Price: £45
