- How it works
- How to use
- Ingredients
- Pairs Well With
- Reviews
Somewhere along the way "oil" became a word people avoided in
skincare. Worth revisiting — because this is one of the simplest
formulas Dermophisiologique makes, and simple is the point.
Twelve ingredients. Three of them are the actives.
VITAMIN A — the gentle route
Retinyl palmitate. It's a cosmetic form of vitamin A, and it's
milder than retinol — which is exactly why it's here. If retinol
has left your skin red, tight or flaking, this is the version
worth trying instead.
To be clear about what it isn't: this won't do what a prescription
retinoid does. It's a gentler ingredient with a gentler effect,
and that's the trade.
VITAMIN E — the antioxidant
Tocopheryl acetate, the workhorse antioxidant, and the reason the
oil itself stays stable in the bottle.
VITAMIN F — not actually a vitamin
The old name for essential fatty acids, which are what your skin's
outer barrier is partly built from. Here they come from linseed.
Skin that's dry, tight or flaking is usually short on exactly
these, which is why an oil often works where another moisturizer
hasn't.
THE BASE
Sweet almond oil, which carries all three. Plus black pepper
essential oil — that's the warm, faintly spicy smell, and it's the
formula's only fragrance. The scent comes from the ingredients
themselves rather than anything added.
WHO IT'S FOR
Skin that's dry, tight, or flaking. Skin that reacts badly to
retinol. Skin that's had too much sun over the years.
And, honestly, oily skin too — the myth that facial oils cause
breakouts doesn't hold up. Two drops, applied last, on a face
that's otherwise well cleansed.
ABOUT THE FORMULA
Dermatologically tested. Silicone-free.
Made in Italy by Dermophisiologique, a certified B Corporation
since 2015.
Morning and night, 2–3 drops. That's the full dose — more won't
help and will just sit on your skin.
Apply to a cleansed face and neck. Massage in with light circular
movements until it's fully absorbed.
WHERE IT GOES IN YOUR ROUTINE
This one is flexible. The catalogue puts it first, before your
serum and cream. Many people prefer it last, as a seal over
everything else. Both work — try it first for a couple of weeks,
then last, and keep whichever your skin prefers.
A NOTE ON VITAMIN A
Wear sunscreen during the day. Good practice generally, and
especially with any vitamin A.
Contains sweet almond oil. If you have a tree nut allergy, patch
test first.
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LINSEED ACID, RETINYL PALMITATE, AROMA (FLAVOUR), PIPER NIGRUM (BLACK PEPPER) FRUIT OIL, LIMONENE, CITRAL, GERANIOL, EUGENOL, LINALOOL, CITRONELLOL
Chrono Age Repair Face Cream ($98) — the cushioning step after
the oil.
Vita C Serum ($112) — vitamin C in the morning, vitamin A at
night is the classic pairing.
Aqualife Multi-Active Face Cleanser ($57) — oil works best on
skin that's genuinely clean.
Customer Reviews
Great product
My gf got me hooked
Great product
I am approaching 70 fast and I don't mean the Speed limit😊 I rode horses everyday for years growing up in Sunny California so my skin now shows that. Your products have helped immensely already. They are so much better than other products. This oil though my thirsty skin loves. The scent is heavenly. I wonder if there is also a similar formula for the body?
Love everything! Best product on the market
Such a treat for the skin!