Is Pamela Anderson's Sonsie Skincare worth the hype? I tested the skincare 'holy trinity' for 3 months
Reviewers call it the "holy trinity" of skincare — is it worth $179? Here's my honest review of the serum, moisture mask and balm trio.
I grew up in the '90s, when Baywatch and its voluptuous stars with their flawless faces, were considered ideal beauties. I, with my flat chest and acne-filled face, always felt so far removed from that level of unattainable glamour.
Fast-forward to last year's Paris Fashion Week and the biggest buzz wasn’t surrounding the made-up starlets but a fresh-faced Pamela Anderson (yup, Baywatch's C.J. Parker!), who, while impeccably styled, didn’t don a stitch of makeup.
Her bare look was about being authentic and trying to “get in touch again with the person I was before I left for California [in 1990],” she told Vogue. Next, she acquired the vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand Sonsie, a line of products she herself had been using for some time. Does Sonsie turn back the hands of time? Promise to erase wrinkles? Is it an anti-aging superstar? Not really. But according to The Last Showgirl star, the brand is “...not [about] false promises, it’s self-acceptance of yourself and where you are in this moment.”
I have been using the trio of Sonsie products for the past few months and couldn’t agree with her more. Breast cancer treatments and early menopause have taken such a toll on my skin that when I find something that keeps my skin hydrated all day long, I jump on it.
In fact, the more I use Sonsie, the better I feel about myself and the skin I am currently in. To a middle-aged mom like me, that’s pretty exciting. Read my full review of Sonsie Skincare below and find out if this bundle of products really is the "holy trinity" of skincare.
The Sonsie line of products has been called the "holy trinity" of skincare by reviewers
- Super hydrating
- Vegan
- The Multi Moisture Mask can be used all over the body
- It's a bit expensive
The details
At its core, Sonsie is about simplicity and clean ingredients. Currently, the brand only has three products and they can be purchased individually or as a bundle.
First is the Sonsie Super Serum, a lightweight formula and ideal base layer clinically shown to reduce redness in as little as 30 minutes. The powerhouse serum is packed with 4 per cent niacinamide, which helps support the skin barrier, 2 per cent mountain pepper extract, which is key in reducing redness on sensitive skin, and a plant oil complex that gives your skin a glowing radiance.
Tried & Tested by Yahoo Canada
Sonsie Super Serum
After cleansing your face, apply one pipette of the serum morning and night, patting gently onto the skin. Follow the serum with a thin layer of the invisible Multi Moisture Mask to lock in hydration.
Looking for lusher lips? The Basic Balm is the perfect blend for a smoother and more nourished pout. The balm's 34 per cent biosqualane is key for long-lasting moisture, while the sunflower seed wax seals in hydration and offers a glossy finish. Users will also enjoy the lip salve's subtle and skin-safe Yuzu citrus scent. Apply the balm liberally throughout the day and before bed.
Tried & Tested by Yahoo Canada
Basic Balm
The final product in the trifecta is the invisible Multi Moisture Mask, which delivers high-powered hydration to multiple areas of your body. It's even been proven to improve hydration levels for up to 24 hours.
This multipurpose mask has hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and prickly pear extract great for soothing sensitive skin. The 12 per cent glycerin formula locks the moisture in while supporting the skin barrier. Use the mask as a daytime or overnight mask and as a daily moisturizer under sunscreen or makeup. Rough feet and hands? You're in luck as this lotion also works great as an all over body moisturizer.
Tried & Tested by Yahoo Canada
Multi Moisture Mask
Sonsie skincare products are vegan and created without sulfates, phthalates, parabens and silicone.
What I like about it
Holy hydration!: The Sonsie Super Serum delivers next-level hydration and I couldn't believe how dewy and soft my skin felt and looked after applying it. It absorbs quickly and your skin gets such a nice boost after every application. I also couldn't believe how smooth the heels of my feet were after applying a little of the Multi Moisture Mask. I have never owned a product that safely and effectively hydrates both my face and feet!
The best lip balm I have ever used: The Basic Balm is quite possibly one of the best lip balms I have ever used. Since menopause, I have noticed my lips getting thinner and dryer. I put on this balm in the morning, and I don't need to reapply until late afternoon. I also really like its glossy look and the fresh citrus scent.
It has a nice scent: The Super Serum and the Multi Moisture Mask have a pleasant, earthy scent, which I really like.
Primo packaging: I love that Sonsie Skin is all about sustainability, right down to the recycled glass they use in their bottles and recyclable product packaging. They even use post-consumer resin (PCR) plastic when plastic is used.
Room for improvement
It's pricey: The bundle costs $179, which is not cheap. If you purchase the products separately, they're even more expensive, with the Super Serum alone costing $96. These are great products, but spending that much regularly on skincare can be hard to justify.
You will run out of the Super Serum quickly: I loved the products so much I wanted to use them every day, but I had to pace myself a bit. The suggested amount for the Super Serum is one pipette, which is a lot when it costs so much, and you're applying it twice daily. I went through my 50 mL bottle quicker than I would have liked. Moving forward, I would only use half a pipette per application to make it last longer.
What other users are saying
The Sonsie Bundle has collected hundreds of rave reviews online, with one user dubbing it the "holy trinity" of skincare. They note it has greatly reduced their skin's redness after just two weeks, and they can't over how "amazing" it is. It has made their skin "so smooth."
Another reviewer writes they are "in love" with the products, stating that their skin has "never looked better." The moisture mask feels like you're giving your face "the biggest hug."
The Sonsie products were incredibly effective for one user with hormonal acne. After two weeks of using the serum and mask, they noticed a "big difference." Now, their skin is "glowing," and the acne is "gone."
The Basic Balm is "not basic at all," writes one shopper who loves how it left their lips "hydrated for hours." It's their "top choice" for lip balms.
While the majority of reviews on the site are complimentary, one person who has been using the serum and moisturizer for over six months calls them "overpriced" and "just okay."
The verdict
There are skincare products that you use to fix your skin and then there are ones that you use to feed your skin. Sonsie Skin falls into that second category. I took the bundle (and some SPF) with me camping a few weeks ago and it was all my skin needed as we tented underneath the stars. Does that mean I'm only using Sonsie from here on out? Not exactly. I love the products and how healthy they make my skin feel, however, for $179, they may be more of a once-in-a-while gift to myself rather than my everyday skincare.
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