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Keep Cool,  serum

Keep Cool Soothe Serum

the claim

The Keep Cool Soothe Serum claims to aid sensitive skin recovery from environmental stressors, helping to repair and strengthen the skin barrier.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum
 

the science

As with all products in the Keep Cool Soothe line, this serum comprises a huge concentration of 66% Bamboo Water. Bamboo contains 70% natural silica, an organic compound that helps to keep skin looking healthy, supple and radiant. Packed with amino acids and flavonoids, it also provides antioxidant protection against UV radiation. By reinforcing the moisture barrier, it reduces bacteria penetrating to additionally improve acne and recover damaged skin.

Centella Asiatica Extract is traditionally used in Asian medicine for its healing ability. A diverse ingredient, it offers anti-inflammatory benefits to ease irritation and acne while restorative behaviour stimulates new cell growth, builds collagen and improves circulation. Madecassoside and Asiaticoside are actually found in Centella Asiatica and are in fact two of four primary compounds. They have proven useful for rebuilding the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and easing sensitized and acne prone skin.

There are some excellent hydrators in the formulation. Polyglutamic Acid is a humectant that draws water from the atmosphere into the skin but also forms a film on the surface to stop water from evaporating. Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, used to boost moisture content. It assists to hydrate the skin through an ability to bind to water and fill the spaces between connective skin fibres, achieving a plumping effect. Allantoin is found in the root of the Comfrey herb. It is able to promote healing while also increasing the water content of the skin. This in turn encourages sensitive skin to become more resilient and promotes moisture barrier repair. Vitamin B5, Panthenol is able to reach into the lower layers for deep cell absorption and hence effective moisturisation.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum
 
Known for potent antioxidant effects, skin lightening and anti-inflammatory behaviour are Honeysuckle, Skullcap and Forsythia Extracts. There are a few other less prominent botanicals that boost antioxidant strength in the serum too.

Well represented in the ingredient list is Butylene Glycol which is commonly used to increase penetration of other ingredients and hence boost their effectiveness. It can help to thin product consistency and can draw moisture from the air back into the skin cells, adding support to prominent humectant Glycerin and Dipropylene Glycol.
 

the ingredients

Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Water (66%), Water, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract (4.5%) , Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Cellulose Gum, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Allantoin, Polyglutamic Acid, Madecassoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis (Skullcap) Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora (Pine) Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylicacid Copolymer, PVM/MA Copolymer, Disodium EDTA
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Ingredients
 

the analysis

Consisting of 26 ingredients free of harmful chemicals, the CosDNA and EWG assessments return a low hazard rating.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum CosDNA Analysis
 

the packaging

The serum comes in a clear plastic bottle with a pump action dispenser and protective cap. When new, the outer box has a tamper detection seal.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Outer Box Seal
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Packaging
 

the application

Add 1-2 pumps of serum to a cotton puff or hands and apply to irritated parts of the face or to calm skin after intense treatments such as hair removal or exfoliation. Alternatively mix serum with foundation to increase makeup adhesion.
 

the scent

The Keep Cool Soothe Serum has a very slight botanical scent.
 

the cost

A 50ml bottle of the Keep Cool Soothe Serum costs approximately USD$27.00.
 

the availability

Keep Cool is widely available online for Australian consumers. You can buy their products from a great range of stockists such as Style Korean and Yes Style.
 

the expiry

This serum has a shelf life of 3 years and must be used within 12 months of opening.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Shelf Life
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Expiry
 

the performance

This serum along with a mini of the line’s toner and a cute branded panda pen were provided to me as an attractive gift directly from the brand. I have already reviewed the toner favourably, so this was a handy travel item I was happy to accept. Like the toner, the serum comprises an overwhelming concentration of Bamboo Water, the line’s star ingredient. Unlike the toner however, the serum is more viscous in texture, (as expected). It’s also slightly yellow in colour, thanks to the inclusion of Centella Asiatica Extract, although this is very pale and the serum itself remains fully transparent. The scent associated is extremely slight, barely detectable and an outcome of the formula, nothing artificial added for enhancement. The serum is gentle, rating well with CosDNA and EWG resources, indicating compatability with all skin types, even sensitive.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Gift Pack
 
To apply, I use 1-2 pumps as directed with my hands (preferring this over a cotton pad). The serum retains plenty of slip and glides over the face easily and swiftly. It is instantly cooling on the face, a characteristic that would help those suffering redness and inflammation. The sensation is short lived however, dissipating as the serum absorbs. The dry down is fast and there is pleasantly no resultant residue. No tackiness, stickiness, oiliness or drag is left behind. The skin is ready for the next layer in only a minute or two. It plays well with other products. I had no issue layering it with a variety of toners, serums, oils and creams and it didn’t effect makeup application either. Although the brand indicates it would assist foundation adherence if applied at this step, I chose to use it only in the traditional sense, prior to cream in my skincare routine.

As the name suggests, this product is primarily designed to help repair problem skin with one suggested use being as a spot treatment. It additionally encourages healthy skin barrier function, helping to strengthen sensitive skin. Personally, I don’t suffer redness or inflamed acne, nor is my skin sensitive. As such, my skin type and condition made it difficult to assess this product’s full efficacy. I didn’t use it to soothe rather to strengthen, applying it over my entire face without targeting specific problem areas. After all, barrier strengthening is a universal requirement to maintain skin health and we can all benefit from antioxidant protection.

I did however use it after physical exfoliation and hair removal to accelerate skin soothing and it appeared to do just that. As such, I imagine it would have a positive impact on compromised skin.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum Texture
 
In terms of its composition, this serum appears well rounded, offering very good hydration with notable inclusions of Panthenol, Glycerin, Polyglutamic Acid and low molecular weight Sodium Hyaluronate complementing 66% Bamboo Water. These individually penetrate at different levels to give a solid result which helps to retain/attract moisture and return barrier health. Together with free radical neutralising antioxidants, they help to slow the signs of ageing and blur existing lines by keeping skin plump and full, minimising creasing.

Now to my AM and PM test results… I applied this in my evening routine as my sole serum and covered it only with a moisturising cream. I found I woke with soft and plump skin, even now in the depths of winter. I wasn’t expecting to wake dry, but I didn’t anticipate retaining quite so much moisture in my skin either. As such, I tried it with a different moisturiser and then without cream at all, stopping at serum. I was pretty impressed with similar results observed, regardless of my cream choice. Without moisturiser however, my skin didn’t feel dry but it wasn’t bouncy or plump in the morning. The lack of seal took its toll overnight. (Keeping it real, this was only done for test purposes and not indicative of a normal routine. In regular conditions, the serum would not be required to perform without a cream seal or night mask.)

Similarly, in the day time, I coupled it with Vitamin C serum (which delivers different benefits so shouldn’t effect my observation of hydration levels) and a moisturising sunscreen (the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence) which I applied every 2-3 hours. (No dedicated moisturiser was applied). I found this combination maintained my levels of skin moisture throughout the day, although I needed the added moisture from regular sun cream applications to keep hydration levels consistent.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum
 
After using this for a few weeks, day and night, I am confident it does fulfil claims to strengthen the skin barrier. My skin is definitely better for including it in my routine, well hydrated and fresh. As mentioned above, I can’t confidently comment as to how well it soothes inflamed skin since this is not something I generally suffer. Ingredients certainly support this possibility, as to the fact that post exfoliation/waxing use showed accelerated skin relief.
 

the conclusion

The Keep Cool Soothe Serum is a safe, economical serum that would benefit compromised and sensitive skin, while also reinforcing the moisture barrier. It’s gentle formula, ease of use and universal benefits make it suitable for all skin types.
 
Keep Cool Soothe Serum
 

the summary

Pros Cons
CosDNA and EWG confirmed safe Only available online for Australians
Gentle, layers well (Could not test its soothing capability)
Good hydrator
Quick absorption without residue
Well priced, affordable quality

 

the references

Style Korean website
Butylene Glycol The Dermatology Review
Sodium Hyaluronate Truth In Aging
Centella asiatica: The miracle ingredient your skin needs Oh Lolly
Panthenol Truth In Aging
Allantoin, the wonder ingredient for the skin Samantha Miller
Honeysuckle Flower Extract Paula’s Choice Skincare Ingredient Dictionary
Skullcap Extract in Skin Care Craig Kraffert
This New Skincare Ingredient Is 10 Times More Hydrating Than Hyaluronic Acid Amerley Ollennu
 


the disclaimer

Please read in context with my disclaimer.
 
This product was provided to me free of charge by Keep Cool for review. This post only includes my honest opinion and experience of this product and is in no way influenced by Keep Cool, product suppliers, representatives or any other third party.
 


 

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