Autumn and Winter are ideal seasons for body care. The weather gets cold, and your skin needs more attention. I saw that women usually prefer professional facial treatments than body treatments. My skin is extremally sensitive, and there's no option for me to exist without body balms. D'Alchemy is a Polish skincare brand which I want to introduce to you as one of few local brands I enjoy. I fell in love with D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm, and I hope you'll too.
About D'Alchemy
D'Alchemy is a young polish skincare brand. I tried to track the brand's history, but I couldn't find reviews and articles before 2018. D'Alchemy concept is easy - they mix natural ingredients with technology. It sounds simple, but it's more complicated than we can imagine. Selected components have to be certified, and they can't lose their properties in the process of making a product. You won't find here ingredients such as milk, honey, caviar, collagen and other animal-derived substances. The brand doesn't test product on the animals, which makes it suitable for vegetarians and vegans. What can you expect from D'Alchemy? Lots of natural extracts, oils, hydrosols and essential oils. I'm aware that not everyone is a fan of aromatherapy, but I'll focus on this in a 'texture & scent' part. D'Alchemy products are free from 11 substances: formaldehyde, synthetic preservatives (unless they are identical to natural ones), parabens, lanolin, paraffin, silicones, SLS/SLES, PEG/PPG, synthetic fragrance, synthetic colourants and nano-particles.
Why is organic skincare so famous in Poland?
Organic skincare grew a lot in Poland. In general, skincare is growing in Poland and Ukraine, and there are few reasons for that. It's not only about consumers and their wallets. Some brands started to sell their products overseas. The awareness of skin diseases like skin cancer is higher than ten years ago. These are only a few of the reasons. Organic skincare usually goes along with healthy and slow living. People started to focus more on animal cruelty, and they prefer to choose local brands using local components.
D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm - the packaging
The brand uses biophotonic glass packaging. The reason is simple - to make products safer since regular glass packaging does not protect the product from oxidation. It's a common problem for Vitamin C serums - wrong packaging can make the unstable forms of Vitamin C survive a shorter amount of time. I'm not a specialist of biophotonic glass, but according to the internet, it blocks visible light, but it won't block the product from UV and Infra-Red (IR). The wavelengths that go through the packaging have positive meaning for the product. It might be hard to believe, but Biophotonics is nothing new. I didn't use this name, but Biophotonics is a part of what I'm doing - LED therapy, Photodynamic Therapy, lasers. They all are a part of beauty treatments.
D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm - texture and scent
Aromatherapy is a controversial topic. Even during my studies, the opinions about it are different. I like to believe that everything is good for humans as long as we keep the balance. I'm sensitive to scents, and my biggest nightmare as an esthetician is a client who uses heavy perfumes. Not everyone can use essential oils. For me, the aroma of this balm was one of the reasons why I wanted to try it. I tested many different products for sleep like lavender roll-ons, pillow sprays. D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm smells has a citrus scent, something like lemon, vervain or similar component. It's fresh, bit sweet and calming scent. It helps me with my sleep.
The texture isn't worse. It's not butter, but a lightweight yoghurt. It sinks into the skin quickly.
D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm - ingredients
The brand has its own glossary of the components found in products. You can check them on D'Alchemy's website. In this post, I'll share with you what does the brand write about ingredients used to produce D'Alchemy products. Don't worry. I'm still going to share my knowledge based on researches and traditions.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water, Lippia Citriodora (Verbena) Leaf Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Flower Water, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Propanediol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric, Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Aqua, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Paullinia Cupana (Guarana) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Myrciaria Dubia (Camucamu) Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hop) Cone Extract, Tocopherol, Beta-Sitosterol, Squalene, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Pinus Sylvestris (Pine) Bud Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfume, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Powder, Sodium Phytate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water
According to D'Alchemy, it's a witch hazel hydrosol. It's a remedy for rosacea. It's also an astringent with soothing and antibacterial properties.
Lippia Citriodora (Verbena) Leaf Water
It's a Verbena hydrosol. It's also a herb used in traditional medicine. I love the scent of verbena because it's fresh and it doesn't remind me herbs at all. I would say it's more like lemon, and even if it's a hydrosol - I mostly feel the scent of verbena in this body balm. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This ingredient is ideal for acne-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Flower Water
It's fragrant water and a source of flavonoids. Neroli water is famous due to its aroma and soothing properties.
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Water
According to D'Alchemy, it's a hydrosol and a source of Vitamin C. This antioxidant has a refreshing scent and anti-inflammatory power.
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil
Probably, my least favourite ingredient since my scalp and under-eye area aren't fans of it. Sweet almond oil is high in fatty acids, mostly oleic acid, which makes it ideal for dry skin.
Propanediol
It's an Ecocert approved preservative and solvent used instead of Propylene Glycol. It's derived from corn grain, and it works as a humectant.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
A small fact for you - Jojoba oil is not an oil but a wax. It's a source of phytosterols and vitamins such as Vitamin E. This emollient is very similar to human sebum. It's a great moisturizer, and it should go along with all skin types.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
It's a non-greasy emollient, derived from coconut.
Glyceryl Stearate
Another plant-derived emollient. According to D'Alchemy, it prevents the skin from transepidermal water loss.
Squalane
It's an emollient, which naturally occurs in the human body. It's a moisturizer that prevents skin from TEWL and makes your skin smooth. The source of squalane in D'Alchemy products comes from nature. In this case, it might be a plant like olive or amaranth.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil
Essential oil with perfuming properties. According to D'Alchemy, it's a source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It has antiseptic properties, and it stimulates collagen. Personally, I'm not sure if it stimulates collagen since that's the main task of Vitamin C.
Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Another essential oil on the list. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It's one of the ingredients recommended to treat cellulite and stimulate circulation. We have to remember that essential oils like Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil are phototoxic - if you plan to sunbathe then use a sunscreen while using it.
Trehalose
It's a humectant.
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
D'Alchemy mix vegetable oil and citric acid to get an emollient with emulsifying and moisturizing properties. Its name is Glyceryl Stearate Citrate.
Aqua
I feel like I don't need to introduce you to the most popular ingredient which usually you can meet at the beginning of the formulas.
Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil
Mandarines are ingredients which we usually connect to Asia. D'Alchemy used Tangerine Essential Oil not only as a perfuming ingredient but as a solution for blemishes and pigmentation.
Shorea Stenoptera Seed Butter
An emollient which you might know as illipe butter. It's an emollient, great for sensitive, dehydrated and mature skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
An emollient and a source of Vitamins A and E. Great moisturizer with photoprotective properties.
Glycerin
It's one of the most known moisturizers.
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil
Argan Oil is a well-known ingredient from Morocco. It's a source of fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid, but also Vitamin E. It's recommended for mature skin.
Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract
Acerola is told to be a source of Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron and other minerals. According to D'Alchemy, it stimulates circulation, collagen production and strengths blood vessels.
Paullinia Cupana (Guarana) Fruit Extract
Guarana is an antioxidant with anti-wrinkle properties. Similar to Acerola, it improves blood circulation and helps with dark circles.
Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract
Cranberry is an ingredient which you'll find a lot in Poland. I still wonder why cosmetic brands don't make Christmas-themed products with cranberry, because there are three reasons why anyone would eat cranberry. When you visit Poland and go to the Tatra Mountains, you'll probably find people selling smoked cheese made out of sheep milk. It's Oscypek. In Poland, one of the ways of eating Oscypek is to eat it with cranberry jam. I'm not sure if anyone else does that, but in my area, people eat cranberry sauce and drink cranberry Kompot during the Christmas Eve. The last reason is related to traditional medicine - cranberry helps urinary problems. Cranberry is a source of Vitamin C and flavonoids. It strengths the blood vessels.
Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract
When I hear about Sea Buckthorn, my first thought is Russia. In Poland, you can find people calling it "a gold of Syberia". Sea Buckthorn fruits have an orange colour that might remind of gold. It's a source of Vitamin A, C and E. The benefits of this ingredient is a reduction of hyperpigmentation.
Myrciaria Dubia (Camu Camu) Fruit Extract
Camu Camu fruit is a tiny berry rich in Vitamin C, minerals, beta-carotene and amino acids. According to D'Alchemy, it reduces the inflammation, pigmentation and improves wrinkles.
Humulus Lupulus (Hop) Cone Extract
A couple of years ago, I used to drink hop tea to help myself with sleep problems. If you like beer, then you probably know hop. This plant can help with dandruff and oily scalp. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It's ideal for inflamed skin, but also acne-prone skin.
Tocopherol
It's a Vitamin E - excellent antioxidant and moisturizer.
Beta-Sitosterol
It's a soothing ingredient with a structure similar to cholesterol. It works as an emulsifier.
Squalene
It's antioxidant and emollient. If you feel like it's deja vu - it's not. It's a less stable sister of Squalane.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Rosemary is a source of flavonoids. It's an antioxidant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Benzyl Alcohol
It's a perfuming preservative.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract
We met Witch Hazel before. It's a soothing astringent and a rosacea remedy.
Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract
Sage is an antiseptic ingredient.
Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract
If I see horsetail, then my first thought is haircare. I see lots of supplements for women based on this ingredient. It's a soothing antioxidant. D'Alchemy uses it in the product to improve the elasticity of the skin.
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract
It works very similar to Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Water. If you have problems with blood vessels and redness, it might be one of the ingredients worth a try.
Centella Asiatica Extract
Centella Asiatica aka Gotu Kola, Tiger Grass or Pennyworth is an ingredient popular in Ayurveda. It's a current skincare trend thanks to K-beauty. Centella speeds up the healing process, reduces puffiness and dark circles, but it also stimulates collagen synthesis. It's hard to say no to this ingredient.
Pinus Sylvestris (Pine) Bud Extract
Pine Bud Extract has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It moderates the sebum production.
Sodium Benzoate
It's a preservative, and according to D'Alchemy, it's derived from blueberries, cranberries, mushrooms, cinnamon, cloves and dairy products.
Potassium Sorbate
It's a preservative that protects the product from microorganisms like fungi (because not every fungus is positive).
Parfume
It's a blend of natural fragrance composition like essential oils. If you see Parfum in the product description, it doesn't always stand for chemical fragrance.
Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Powder
It's a red algae. It's a source of vitamins and minerals. Carrageenan Powder is a scrub which makes it an ideal anti-cellulite ingredient, but it's also a good moisturizer.
Sodium Phytate
It's an ingredient derived from rice grain. Its main task is to save ingredient properties.
Biosaccharide Gum-1
It's a soothing moisturizer, derived from soybean and corn. You can't go wrong with it.
Sodium Levulinate and Sorbic Acid
I've decided to put them both together - they are preservatives.
Sodium Anisate
Sodium Anisate is an antibacterial and antiseptic ingredient. Ecocert allows its use in the products.
Glyceryl Caprylate
It's an emollient with antibacterial properties.
Xanthan Gum
It's a thickener.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is also known as BHA. It's an ideal exfoliant for acne-prone skin, but D'Alchemy uses it also as a preservative.
Alcohol
It helps with product penetration. The amount is so small, so you shouldn't be scared of it. It won't dry you out.
Citric Acid
D'Alchemy uses Citric Acid to balance the pH.
Linalool, Limonene, Citral and Geraniol
These four ingredients are perfuming ingredients.
My experience with D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm
Finding an ideal body moisturizer is hard. I always search for a delicate scent and lightweight but moisturizing formula. D'Alchemy is a win-win for me. I have some sleep problems, and usually, I'm tired after the entire day. This balm makes me relaxed and less stressed. The bottle feels a bit heavy, but I feel like even if it falls on the floor - it won't break easily. I'm not planning to test the bottle, but it feels solid. I have to admit that I lost the tiny cap, but without it, the product still works great. I hate when body balms leave the oily film on the skin, and my bedsheets are sticking to my body. Hopefully, it's not a problem with D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm. I almost can't feel the formula on my skin. At least the scent stays for a bit longer. This balm is ideal for mature skin, but also dehydrated and sensitive skin types. My skin is dry as a rock, and I see differences when I use it. If I use it every single day, then my skin feels hydrated. I don't see any rash on my legs which makes me happy since finding a body balm that will help my condition is hard. I guess if your skin is hydrated, then it'll be easier to spread the lotion on your skin. In my case, it takes a couple of minutes and pumps, but I don't find it problematic since the application process feels like a ritual or home spa treatment. It's hard to say how economical is this 200ml bottle. I wouldn't do a massage on this balm, but for everyday use it's ideal.
How much does it cost and where to find it?
D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm costs 219 PLN for 200ml or if you want to pay in Euro - €64.41. You can buy products from the official website. D'Alchemy delivers all the products to Poland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The free delivery starts at 149 PLN/€44. D'Alchemy Essential Body Balm in a mini version (15 ml) costs 59PLN/€17.35. If you plan to visit Poland or you live in Poland, then D'Alchemy products are available at drugstore chains like Sephora, Kontigo and Super-pharm.
Check D'Alchemy to find shops that carry their products in your country - there's a huge selection of places in Spain where you can find the brand.
Overall, Polish companies keep surprising me.D'Alchemy is a company which I believe can grow a lot and become popular overseas. It got me with aesthetic and formula that smells and works.
Have you ever heard about D'Alchemy before?
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*** This post was made in collaboration with D'Alchemy, even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product**
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