Review ★ The Face Shop Chia Seed Sebum Control Moisture Cream

Hello everyone!

I finally have a break since classes are over, and exams are starting soon! I will hopefully have more reviews during the holiday, along with some food posts :D.

Today I will be reviewing the Face Shop's chia seed sebum control moisture cream (also a cream advertised by Suzy from Miss A) from their chia seed line. I haven't bought anything else from the line, so I can't speak for the other products~ The Face Shop also has another moisturizer, but I picked up this one since I have combination skin ^^

As you may or may not know, chia seeds are great for consumption, and have a lot of health benefits (rich in omega-3 fatty acids, manganese, phosphorus, fibre, protein, etc.)! So I assume that they're also beneficial in skincare products since they help retain moisture too!

Description
(taken from the description on the box)

• A moisture cream that replenishes skin with moisture, while preventing excess sebum. Chia seeds that hold moisture 10 times their own weight fill the skin with moisture, while native cotton seeds control unnecessary sebum to moisturize the skin without any sheen all day long. 
• Mild oil-free translucent cream made with environmentally-friendly technique. This 100% pure, mild and translucent moisturizing cream protects the environment as well through the oil-free formula that uses low-carbon, environmentally-friendly techniques.
• 100% organic chia seed extracts' sap are used in lieu of water (73.64% extract). This moisturizing cream delivers freshness and efficacy by using 100% organic chia seed extracts' sap instead of water. 
• 7-free (free of parabens, benzophenone, artificial colouring, sulfate, mineral oil, animal sourced ingredients, and thiethanolamine)
• It is dermatologist tested

The cream comes in a nice box that has all the information you need (in Korean, English, and French since y'know, we require it in Canada). It's very simple, but the overall design is nice ^^ It has a little die-cut circle that says it's GMO-free (genetically modified ingredients), so you know it's safe to use if you have sensitive skin since the ingredients are natural! It's $33 in the Face Shops in Ontario, but I got it during a promotion~

It comes with the container of cream and a spatula (which I lost, but I have the Laneige ones LOL). The container is kind of bulky, and the walls of the container are really thick. The hard plastic enhances the quality of the packaging or feel of the product, since we often associate good packaging with a good product as well. The walls of the container are really thick, so it seems like you're getting more product when you look at it from the outside. 

I will give kudos for the spatula though, because it prevents us from contaminating the product with our fingers. If only more companies included spatulas with their creams D:...

When you remove the lid, there is a cover with a little heart shaped tab to prevent the cream from getting on the lid. 

The cream is supposed to be applied after essence, or as the final step of your skin care routine so you seal everything in. The cream itself is translucent and lightweight, with a gel-like consistency. It has a light fragrance, but I don't know how to describe it OTL. It doesn't have a specific scent, but it has a 'clean' and 'fresh' scent @__@. It feels thick upon contact, but it thins out after as you spread it out. My skin drinks up the cream really quickly, and there isn't any greasy/sticky residue or sheen left behind after the cream is absorbed since there isn't any oil in it (well there's like 0.001% mineral oil). It leaves my face looking shine-free for awhile, so I think it also works well before applying a make-up base on top~

It's colder in Toronto now, so my skin is drier >__<, I don't think this is enough on its own, so it probably would not suffice as a standalone moisturizer for those with dry skin. The cream is good, but it isn't holy grail material for me. I would recommend it those with combination, oily, or sensitive skin since it helps control oil while moisturizing your skin. It's also good for those who live in warmer climates, rather than people who live in cold areas or are in winter right now since the air won't be as dry. However, I've read some reviews, and it's either a hit or a miss for them :<. Also, I don't feel as if there are any long term effects. 

Pros

+ Hydrates skin

+ Hygienic (lid separator, spatula)

+ Oil-free

+ Lightweight

+ GMO-free

+ Good for those with sensitive/oily/combination skin

Cons

- Bulky packaging

- Price (I think it's worth it when it's under $20, but anything above $30 is pushing it)

Rating: ★★★★

Where to buy? I purchased mine from The Face Shop in Fairview mall, while they were having their grand opening promotion ($15 off for a $35 purchase). But it retails for $33 before tax here~ You can also purchase it at the following places: f2plus1 ($24.50), ehappyidea ($19), amazon ($24), sasa ($32), testerkorea ($22.90), w2beauty ($32.23).

That's all for today! Please stay tuned for my next giveaway, which will be posted within a day or two ^^.