Who produces the best all-purpose balm/creams? The Americans or the French?

Recently the skin on my legs seemed to be parched and itchy with some bumps - look a lot like eczema, except that it is not. Pretty annoying as I couldn't find any body lotion that can sooth it without giving me another bout of sensitivity. On the other hand, my face has clogged pores & a few pimples, due to PMS and with the Singapore heat (34degrees, can you imagine?).

These skin problems bugged me a bit. And I was hoping if there is a one-cream-solves-all miracle solution, that will be wonderful!

When I was first introduced to Crème Simon Crème Universelle, I was pretty thrilled. The consultant advised me that this is their star product and has the following benefits:

Relieve Chapped Lips

Regenerate Dry Elbows and Cracked Heels

Soothe Sun-Burnt Skin

Relieve Common Skin Irritations

Moisturise Dry Cuticles

- See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/collections/creme-universelle_1/#sthash.YqA8jCh3.dpuf

• Moisturize & deeply hydrate on any part of the skin
• Relieve skin irritations
• Regenerate dry elbows and cracked heels
• Relieve chapped lips
• May be used on pimples (what?!) due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Moisturize cuticles

Moisturise Dry Cuticles

Basically, this is a multi-purpose product that is portable for daily use! I was thinking if it does what it claims, then it is every girl's LIFE SAVER! Hence, without second thoughts, I bought one for my own use, alongside with other products.

On the same day, my hubby returned home from San Franciso with a surprise - a tube of The Honest Co. Organic Healing Balm for me to try it on my bumpy skin on my legs. (le hubs is a health-conscious individual who aims to try all the organic stuff in the market)

If you haven't heard of The Honest Company yet, it is co-founded by Jessica Alba in 2011 and its products are retailed in the U.S. As the name of the company suggests, The Honest Co. focuses on ethical consumerism, offering eco-friendly, non-toxic and organic comsumer goods. It is not exactly a beauty/makeup company, but it is a place where you can safely buy household stuff for your family and your baby.

Jessica Alba and her products. Look gorgeous here!

When I first held these two products in my hands, all I could think of is : Which is better? Which one should I use first? Seriously, BOTH offer similar benefits and both are meant for the same purposes! Furthermore, both also claimed to be free of the bad stuff. Eg. Crème Universelle is oil free, paraben-free and silicon-free; while Organic Healing Balm is " honestly free of petroleum, mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, fragrances, dyes & most common allergens" quoting the official website.

Both confused me for a while, and at the same time, 

piqued my curiosity.

Oil-free. Paraben free. Silicone free.
Over 90% natural ingredients
- See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/collections/creme-universelle_1/#sthash.YqA8jCh3.dpuf

That's when I told myself, I am gonna review BOTH and see which one is the ultimate winner! Therefore...I came up with this.

Let's do a comparison review side by side!

I took about 10 days to test out these two for myself and here I am, presenting to you the thoughts I have for each one.

Front and Back of both products

Crème Simon Crème Universelle with its box.

 

I applied two products on the same back of the hand, to show you guys the texture and consistency of the products. Here are the swatches...

Applying more than I should...

After smoothing products into my skin... Can you see a significant difference? I can! One side is brighter than the other!

MY THOUGHTS ON Organic Healing Balm

Photo credits: honest.com (offical website of The Honest Co.)

Ingredients: 
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Calophyllum Tacamahaca (Tamanu) Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Oil*, Tocopherol (Non-GMO)
*Certified Organic Ingredient

Read more about its uses & benefits on  https://www.honest.com/bath-and-body/healing-balm 

PROS:

1. All organic ingredients - safe, healthy and non-irritating even for sensitive skin
2. Relatively inexpensive at USD 12.95
3. So gentle, you can use it anywhere on the body, even on babies! (For diaper rashes)
4. Good amount of product -85g
5. Intense balmy texture - a bit is enough, so this will last for quite a while
6. HIGHLY effective in easing the itch and "healing" dry skin and rashes caused by dryness.

CONS:

1. A little greasy, takes a while to absorb
2. Unscented. Has a slight waxy oil smell but it is not that noticeable.
3. NOT a facial beauty care product - just a plain balm that does its job.
4. Not available in Singapore retail stores, need to order online & thereby incur shipping costs.

 OVERALL PRODUCT RATING:

To me, this product delivers its job really well. It heals and soothes my rashes and/or dry skin in a matter of minutes after application! Despite not being a beauty product with added beauty benefits, in my opinion, people with skin health issues should try this. PLEASE DO NOT USE IT ON YOUR FACE unless you have a case of bad eczema or peeling patches. Better to limit to body use! Read the reviews on the official website, you will see this is also recommended by the doctors.

 MY THOUGHTS ON Crème Universelle

The French brand that was founded way back in 1860! What took it SO long to reach Singapore?

Aqua (water), glycerin, propanediol, squalane, pentylene glycol, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, triticum vulgare (wheat) starch, zinc oxide, corn starch modified, hydrolyzed wheat flour, citric acid, ethyl lauroyl arginate hcl, parfum (fragrance)*, tocopheryl acetate, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, disodium edta, sodium hyaluronate, iris pallida leaf cell extract, jasminum sambac (jasmine) leaf cell extract, rosa damascena leaf cell extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, linalool, benzyl salicylate, coumarin, limonene, geraniol, cinnamyl alcohol. - See more at: https://www.creme-simon.com/collections/creme-universelle_1/#sthash.YqA8jCh3.dpuf

Ingredients:
Aqua (water), glycerin, propanediol, squalane, pentylene glycol, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, triticum vulgare (wheat) starch, zinc oxide, corn starch modified, hydrolyzed wheat flour, citric acid, ethyl lauroyl arginate hcl, parfum (fragrance)*, tocopheryl acetate, aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, disodium edta, sodium hyaluronate, iris pallida leaf cell extract, jasminum sambac (jasmine) leaf cell extract, rosa damascena leaf cell extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, linalool, benzyl salicylate, coumarin, limonene, geraniol, cinnamyl alcohol.

Read more information on Crème Simon offical website.


PROS:

1. Superb hydration & moisturising properties
2. Delivers its claims, yes even on pimples! ( Was really surprised by this as I was so skeptical at first.)
3. Lightweight texture, absorbs into skin in an instant. You literally feel your thirsty skin gets quenched in no time!
4. As shown above, it has a mild brightening effect because of the hydration factor. (Or perhaps it's the zinc oxide?)
5. Dainty, feminine & handy packaging is a plus point for women to carry anywhere in their handbags.
6. Pleasant, powdery fresh scent that smells like a flower garden.  
7. Trusty brand since it has been in France for such a looooong time. And we all know the French makes excellent beauty products! 
8. Adapted formula localised to our Singapore climate, so no worries about being too greasy or heavy! 

CONS:

1. Small quantity for its price of SGD68. Not cost-effective if you have extremely parched skin and tends to slather a lot of product at one go.
2.  May not be moisturising enough for people who travels to colder climates

 
 OVERALL PRODUCT RATING:

  


One kiss off due to its price. Other than that, this is my recent staple in my makeup pouch. I find it unbelievable that a body moisturizer/cream can also double up as a pimple cream! My angry pimples really look less angry after an application + a night's rest. Incredible. Really live up to its name of being a universal, multi-functional cream. Best part is, this cream doesn't clog my pores so it can be used (sparingly) on the face for dry flaky patches or the occasional inflamed pimple.
If you really want to try the product, you can test them out at their pop up counters first before making use of my blog's 10% discount to order online!

FINAL CONCLUSION

So, which is the ULTIMATE WINNER in this battle? Both are "creams of the crop" (pun intended), so it is really a tough one on me!

My conclusion is: The Honest Co. Organic Healing Balm is a must-get ointment balm for extremely dry skin with skin conditions as such rashes, eczema, etc. Every household should have one, especially if there are infants around. Every woman should try the Crème Simon Crème Universelle at least once and see if she's willing to pamper herself with a well-deserved treat one day!

Hope you enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed myself creating it! :)
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