My face has been screaming at me every time I step outside. Dry air + indoor heat = reptile skin by noon.
I threw this Rhode tub at the problem expecting another greasy disappointment. Instead, my forehead stopped flaking within 48 hours — and my T-zone didn’t revolt.
$29 for 50ml. A thick, balmy cream that claims to lock in moisture without clogging. I bought it because the marketing copy said “barrier restore” and my barrier was clearly in shambles.
Shea Butter Base
Not the cheap kind — it melts on contact, doesn’t sit like a white mask.
Squalane (Plant-Derived)
Sinks in within 20 seconds. No sticky residue on my pillow.
Ceramide Complex
Actually stays active after application, not just a label claim.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Three things doing the heavy lifting here: peptides for repair, niacinamide for redness, and a triple lipid blend that mimics your skin’s own oils. No fragrance — which is smart because winter skin is already pissed off.
- Peptides: Signal skin to produce more collagen — helps with windburn repair
- Niacinamide: Calms the angry red patches around your nose
- Triple Lipid Blend: Fills the cracks in your moisture barrier like spackle
- Squalane: Lightweight enough for combo skin but hydrating enough for dry patches
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
Texture is a thick butter that softens as soon as it hits warmth. I scoop a pea-sized amount, rub between fingers, and press into my cheeks — feels like a hug from a cold jar. My husband walked past and said “you smell like nothing” which is honestly the highest compliment.
Week three: I accidentally used too much one night and woke up with a tiny clogged pore on my chin. So there’s a ceiling. Respect it.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
My cheeks stopped feeling tight by day three. The redness around my nostrils faded by day seven. But my oily T-zone stayed exactly the same — which is the win, because it didn’t get worse.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
It’s not magic. It’s just a really well-formulated winter cream that knows when to be rich and when to back off. For the price, nothing else this winter has kept my face from feeling like parchment.