I opened this jar and my first thought was — this smells like a spa that costs $400 a session. Second thought: why is the origin story on the box longer than my last relationship?
But here’s the thing. They didn’t just slap “glacier water” on the label like everyone else. This was actually formulated in a geothermal lab near Reykjavik. The heat comes from the ground there. That’s not a marketing gimmick — that’s just how they make stuff.
It’s a $58 moisturizer. I know. I saw the price and audibly groaned. But the claim that got me — it uses *cool-climate* fermentation, which is apparently a whole thing in Iceland because their bacteria grows differently when it’s 40 degrees and dark half the year.
Geothermal Fermentation
Ingredients are processed at volcanic spring temps — not boiled like most labs do.
Cool-Climate Extracts
Arctic botanicals that grow slowly = more concentrated actives.
Barrier-First Formula
It’s designed for skin that’s been wind-whipped by Atlantic storms.
Photo: Mockup Free / Unsplash
Here’s where I got skeptical — Icelandic moss? Sounds like something a fantasy character would eat. But it’s real, and it’s shockingly good at calming redness. The hero is actually the angelica root, which they harvest wild from lava fields.
- Icelandic Moss: Soothes irritation and locks in moisture
- Angelica Root: Wild-harvested, calms reactive skin
- Arctic Cloudberry Seed Oil: Omega-rich, absorbs fast
- Volcanic Minerals: Trace elements that support skin barrier
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
This is where it gets interesting. It’s a velvet cream — not gel, not heavy butter. It sits somewhere in that perfect middle. Absorbs in about 15 seconds, leaves zero grease, and my face feels… held. Like a gentle hug. Cheesy, but true.
Week two: my cheeks stopped flaking. That never happens in winter. But — the fragrance is strong. If you hate scented skincare, run.
Photo: Kimia Zarifi / Unsplash
My redness is down maybe 40%. Dry patches gone by day 4. But my T-zone still gets shiny by 3pm — this isn’t a mattifier, it’s a barrier cream.
It’s the moisturizer I didn’t know I needed and now can’t stop recommending. My skin is calmer, softer, and weirdly more even-toned. That volcano magic is real.