Review: Aspect Phytostat 9 Moisturiser

Despite being the skincare category that seems to be the most basic, there can be such a variation between the ‘moisturisers’ on offer. I have (and love) many moisturisers that range from light lotions to thick creams, to thin water-based gels. They all hydrate (a basic requirement that is literally built into their category name) but there’s a whole range of optional extras and added features – loaded with peptides, enzymes, botanical oils, various vitamins – that can elevate a moisturiser from a basic cream to a sophisticated and valuable addition to your routine. What also varies is the price, and finding a product that strikes the balance between beneficial results and a worthwhile price tag is key, and that goes for every skincare category.

What Makes It Special:
Aspect describes this as their ‘every day, go-to moisturiser’ and I’d agree with that. It feels like a simple and unoffensive moisturiser in a lotion formulation that works well with everything else I’ve used it with (ranging from actives to nourishing basics). It contains peptides to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time, and Vitamin E to soothe and comfort the skin. It also includes a number of botanical oils and extracts (Sunflower Seed, Ylang Ylang, Seabuckthorn, Sweet Almond and Kakadu Plum).

Why I Like It:
I’m all about light layers of hydration and Aspect Phytostat 9 definitely ticks the box for a thin and hydrating cream. It’s has a light scent (botanical – very mild, it doesn’t linger for too long) and it absorbs well. I also love the packaging; an air-tight press pump means that you can push out the amount you need without putting your fingers in the actual tub – convenient and hygienic. It keeps excess air, sunlight and bacteria out of your moisturiser and that’s always a good thing.

What I Don’t Like About It:
It’s a perfectly nice moisturiser to use, but I can’t say it did anything exceptional and given the price I expected more than what it delivered. It’s a really pricey moisturiser.

Application:
Apply Aspect Phytostat 9 as the last step of your skincare routine in the evening and in the morning before your sunscreen.

Product Claims:
Hydrates & nourishes – agree
Antioxidant benefits – not something I can visibly assess
Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – plumps and hydrates well

Ingredients:
Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Dimethicone, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Oil, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide‐3, Dextran, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Fruit Extract Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract.

Available From:
Adore Beauty

Details:
50g – $92

Repurchase:
I probably wouldn’t. If it was in a discounted set, say, with my much-loved Aspect B17 Serum, perhaps I would see better value in it, but I think you can get a moisturiser that does just as much for less spend. It’s a good product, but for that price I want it to have more of a benefit to my skin. Maybe a slightly more mature skin might see more of a benefit?