I consider myself a lifelong advocate of body butters and skin oils. One of my first skin-care-related memories is of my mom reaching for a tin of shea butter and slathering it everywhere my skin had dry patches: lips, elbows, knees, feet, you name it. When I moved from temperate Northern California to upstate New York for college, I started incorporating oils into my skin-care routine too. Vitamin E oil was cheap and easy to get at any drugstore, and kept my face and body moisturized even through the most extreme winters. Now, several years later, that philosophy still holds true: A buttery, balmy emollient is the key to restoring my dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin, regardless of the season or climate.
So when I came across the skin-care company Oak Essentials, my interest was understandably piqued. The brand prides itself on its offering of cruelty-free, non-GMO products that prioritize moisture without using any synthetic fragrances, parabens, silicones, colorants, sulfates, phthalates, or other potential irritants. All of the products are California-made and contain a mix of fruit and nut oils, butters, and extracts, which makes for minimal and easy-to-decipher ingredient list. Whenever possible, it’s all of natural origin, and the packaging is almost completely recyclable.
The Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Balm, which helps to boost collagen production and increase skin’s glow, was the first product to catch my eye. It has a golden yellow hue and a subtle chamomile scent that reminds me of an essential-oil-filled sauna in a spa. The star ingredients here are sea-buckthorn fruit oil, organic cocoa-seed butter, and organic coconut oil. According to the brand, sea-buckthorn fruit is the highest vegetal source of vitamins C and E, as well as fatty acid omega-7, which helps the ingredient fight damaging free radicals and spur collagen production. Comprised of raw cacao, the cocoa-seed butter is another vital source of antioxidants and fatty acids, not to mention raw enzymes, which help with cellular repair and rejuvenation. And coconut oil is a known emollient that also contains lauric acid, which helps lessen inflammation and kill bacteria.
For me, this balm was love at first use. Unlike with many other facial moisturizers I’ve tried (and trust me, I’ve emptied a lot), the radiance this one adds to my skin actually lasts through the day, and even overnight. To apply it, you scoop a pea-size amount from the container and gently press it onto damp, freshly cleansed skin. As you smooth it on, the product melts from a rich balm to a silky, lightweight oil that yields visible luminosity. I use a very light layer during the day, which I make sure to let dry for a few minutes before I go in with sunscreen and makeup, and then a little extra at night to really lock in moisture. When I wake up, the product is fully absorbed, but my glow is still noticeable. Another plus? The balm hasn’t triggered any irritation or redness in my skin over this month-long trial period.
If you, like me, are constantly striving for that glowy glass-skin effect, but aren’t interested in layering a cocktail of essences and moisturizers to achieve it, the Oak Essentials Moisture Rich Balm will be your new savior. Just don’t forget to rinse and recycle the jar after you inevitably use up every last drop.
Ariel Wodarcyk is a freelance beauty and wellness writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Cosmo, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Popsugar, and Makeup.com. Outside of work, you can find her hunting down signature scents for loved ones and scouring PerfumeTok.