Product Review: Mamonde Rose Skincare

In mid-July we were lucky enough to go to Tofino, where we stayed at the Wickaninnish Inn and celebrated Lawrence's birthday in style. Long walks on the beach, a couples hot stone massage at the spa, a romantic dinner and brunch at The Pointe and room service in between...it was exactly the restful and luxurious reset we craved. (The trip highlights are saved on my Instagram if you want a peek!)

When it was time to pack skincare for the trip, I reached for the Mamonde Rose Trial Kit ($22). This trio of mini K-beauty skincare goodies seems tailor-made for summer weather thanks to lightweight textures and rose-infused scents. I'd originally bought the kit for my workout bag, but with the pandemic and my barre studio closing, I stopped using the products in mid-March and hadn't had a chance to revisit these products until now.

Mamonde has been on my radar since the grand opening of Vancouver's first and only Aritaum store in 2016. Their brand focus is formulas that showcase florals, naturals, and botanicals. While the Mamonde Rose line isn't 100% natural, it features roses and rosewater as hero ingredients, putting their soothing and hydrating benefits front and centre. Where possible, the formulas steer clear of controversial ingredients like parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and ingredients of animal origin. Here are some quick notes on each product in the kit.

Mamonde Petal Spa Oil To Foam Cleanser ($21 for full size)

This oil-to-foam cleanser's innovative texture is designed to deliver a double-cleansing experience within one product. Intriguing, right? In reality though, the oil texture is sticky with very little slip. The first few times I used it, I used much more product than I should've because I was craving that classic slippery cleansing oil texture. When the cleanser became wet, it foamed up so much and produced way too many suds. Eventually I settled on swiping a pea-sized amount onto dry skin and skipping the massage while it was in the "oil phase." Then I'd wet my face and rely on the lather to do the intensive cleansing. It gets dirt, oil, sweat, and sunscreen off, but does it replace my usual double-cleansing routine of micellar water followed by water-based cleanser? I'm skeptical. Bonus points for being paraben- and sulfate-free.

Mamonde Rose Water Toner ($23 for full size)

This toner boasts 90.97% real rose water and is a sensory delight: light and hydrating, with a delicate rose scent. To avoid wasting product, I usually splash this into my hands and press my palms into my face instead of using a cotton round. Bonus points for being vegan!

Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream ($26 for full size)

This gel cream delivers a divine rose scent and all-day hydration thanks to its 68.7% damask rosewater formula. It's light and refreshing and feels great for summer. However, if you have very dry or mature skin, or you want a thicker moisturizer for winter, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Final verdict

Overall, I like Mamonde Rose as a cohesive basic skincare line. The products deliver on their promises of hydration and mood-boosting florals, but the formulas don't have enough potent actives to address specialized skincare concerns like acne, tone/texture, hyperpigmentation, lines, etc. Mamonde Rose is suitable for post-workout grooming and a solid option for travel, but not my first pick for daily use or for thirtysomething complexions.

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