When I moved from the Northeast to a much drier climate, my skin felt so dry all the time, no matter what I used or how often I moisturized. I prided myself on taking really good care of my skin, but my usual products just weren’t cutting it anymore. I knew that if I wanted to get back to my happy, hydrated self, I would need to invest in some higher end products.
I was willing to splurge on skincare because I like wearing minimal makeup and want my skin to be the focal point of my beauty look. So I decided to start with a celeb favorite, The Rich Cream from Augustinus Bader. It’s described as a “thick, and textured luxury moisturizer” and noted that it’s specifically good for cold or dry climates. And I liked it. My skin definitely felt more hydrated. I didn’t feel the need to reapply it every few hours - which was good for my skin and great for my wallet because wow is it expensive.
I know I said I was willing to invest in new products, but this one took it to the next level. At $300 a bottle, it felt like “The Rich Cream” was describing who the product was for, not what the product actually was. While I was happy that my skin was looking and feeling better, spending that much every month wasn’t really that sustainable. So I decided to continue with my search and see if I could find something that offered similar results at a better price.
When I came across Novara, a new brand of Korean-made skincare that blends beauty traditions and ingredients from all over the world, I was a bit skeptical. It looked great on the website - clean, powerful ingredients that help to hydrate the skin, enhance collagen production, and restore skin elasticity. But I wasn’t sure what to expect because there weren’t many reviews yet. But at $95 for a jar, it was less than a third of The Rich Cream, so I figured it was worth an experiment.
Novara’s Ultra Hydrating Cream promised to hydrate, condition, and nourish skin with clean ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Prickly Pear plant extract that enhance collagen production, lock in moisture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I placed an order crossed my fingers that my skin wouldn’t revert to a dry, uncomfortable mess.
When the Ultra Hydrating Cream arrived, I was immediately impressed with the beautiful packaging. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that each box comes with unique positive affirmations. I learned that the founder of the brand had struggled with mental health issues and started the brand as a way to help other women going through the same thing. In fact, the brand donates 20% of each purchase to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which automatically made me like Novara even more.
When it comes to the product itself, the Ultra Hydrating Cream is much more lightweight than the Rich Cream, but still incredibly moisturizing. I actually preferred the lighter texture but I wasn’t sure it would keep my skin hydrated in the dry climate. Luckily I noticed that after just a few uses that my skin felt moisturized and supple throughout the day. After using the product for a few weeks, I noticed bigger changes as well. My skin was brighter, redness was reduced, and the lines on my forehead and around my eyes looked less pronounced. I was shocked (in the best possible way) that I had found something so effective at a price that was so much lower than comparable products.
Using Novara felt like the perfect blend of self-care and social responsibility. I loved treating myself to something that made me look and feel good, and fixed my dry skin. And I was really happy to be able to support a brand with such a great message. If you’re looking for high performing skincare that actually does good in the world and doesn’t drain your bank account like the competition, definitely give Novara a try.
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