So I slapped a 14-ingredient balm on my face and then looked up its EWG score like a detective. Two ingredients flagged — one for allergies, one for “enhanced skin absorption.” For a brand that screams *clean*, that’s a bold move.
The real kicker? One of those flagged ingredients is literally just **coconut oil**. The EWG hates it because it can clog pores, but it’s also the reason this balm actually melts into your skin instead of sitting on top like a greasy film.
It’s a “vital balm” from Josh Rosebrook — an all-over moisturizer that costs more than my weekly grocery run. The claim that got me? “Deeply nourishing without clogging pores.” That’s a tightrope walk, and most brands fall off.
Texture
Thick as a body butter but absorbs in 30 seconds — no joke.
Scent
Smells like a fancy herbal tea, not a perfume counter.
Multi-use
Face, cuticles, elbows, flyaway hairs — it’s a one-product army.
Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
Here’s the deal: **coconut oil** (the flagged one) is the base, but it’s balanced by non-comedogenic oils that actually penetrate deeper. The star is **rosehip oil** — real vitamin A, not the synthetic stuff. Then there’s **shea butter** for that instant softness, and **sea buckthorn** which smells like a farmer’s market and stains your pillowcase if you’re not careful.
- Coconut Oil: The ‘bad’ guy — rich but potentially pore-clogging for some
- Rosehip Oil: The MVP — brightens and smooths with real retinoids
- Shea Butter: The comfort blanket — seals everything in
- Sea Buckthorn: The antioxidant pop — but orange-tinted, watch your white sheets
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
First dip: it’s like scooping out cold butter. But the moment it hits your skin — *whoosh* — it turns into this silky oil that disappears. My dry cheeks drank it up in seconds, and my T-zone didn’t revolt. That’s rare.
By week two, I stopped needing my eye cream. The skin around my eyes just… looked awake. But here’s the surprise: it’s not hydrating enough for my winter-heavy days. I need a serum underneath, or my nose flakes by noon.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
My skin is definitely softer — like, pet-my-cheek-soft. The redness around my nose calmed down by 30% within a week. But the “clogged pores” concern? I got one tiny whitehead on my chin. One. So maybe the EWG was being dramatic.
Photo: Eurico Craveiro / Unsplash
Is it “clean”? Mostly. Is it worth $128? Only if you love the ritual of applying it. It’s a great product wearing a slightly overpriced price tag.