Magic in a pot.

    As a beauty blogger, I think it's safe to say that I rarely gatekeep products. Whether I liked a product or not, I always make sure to share my thoughts here on the blog. I'm always on "review mode" and I make sure my readers get all the deets, the pros and cons of the products I feature and if they're even worth purchasing. 95% of the items in my stash make it here on the blog, and yes, they're a mix of good and bad, purchased and gifted! So yes, I rarely gatekeep products because gatekeeping and blogging don't go together haha! Well.....until I came across this one product. 

    Now you might be wondering why I've been gatekeeping this product. Short answer: because it's so good! It's the first moisturizer that really worked wonders on me and I kind of selfishly want to keep it to myself for a little while. However, I realized that this good product needs a spotlight on them and I need more people to get hooked on it. No, it's not a newly-released product; in fact, it's been around for a while now (since 2020 I believe). It's Farmacy's Honey Halo!

   The Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer is  described as "an intense moisturizer to replenish dry, distressed skin with lasting hydration to help visibly plump skin and improve the look of fine lines." This product is suited for all skin types and can help with skin concerns such as dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, and elasticity.

    This moisturizer is made with potent plant-based ceramides, antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey, and sweet fig. These ingredients provide hydration, soothe, and help in protecting the skin's moisture barrier, making it smooth, dewy, and glowing.

    The Honey Halo is cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, and sulphate-free. It comes in three sizes: 25ml (₱1,881), 50ml (₱3,594), and 100ml (₱5,475). The one I have is a 15ml pot that I got from Farmacy's Sephora Beauty Insider Travel Set.

    I've tried a considerable amount of moisturizers since I started blogging, from water-based to heavier/creamier ones with prices that range from affordable to pricey but I have to say the Honey Halo is a standout from everything I've used! Initially, I wasn't too excited in trying it because it looks like a typical cream moisturizer that feels heavy on the skin and you know me, I'm a water-based/gel moisturizer type of gal but the Honey Halo changed my mind in a snap! Though it is technically a creamy product, it has a thin (maybe even whipped) consistency that melts the instant it comes in contact with the skin. it spreads easily and quickly, kind of like a gel moisturizer! 

    However, unlike gel moisturizers that get absorbed by the skin in an instant, the Honey Halo doesn't dry down as quick. While it dries down, you'll feel a very sheer layer of it on your skin that's slightly tacky and slick to the touch. That's the way it is because this product also doubles as a makeup primer! I can attest to this being a good primer because I paired the Honey Halo with my go-to sunscreen, Dazzle Me's Attack on Sun and neither moved around. Both products worked well together as I felt that my sunscreen stayed on my skin longer than usual. I experienced no separation and actually made my skin smoother and ready for makeup. The concealer and powder I put on top stayed on for hours and I have no doubt the same will happen for skin tints. (Thicker foundations may need an extra layer of primer, in my opinion.)

    Now let me tell you the ultimate reason why I love the Honey Halo: its moisturizing and hydrating properties are amazing! Back in February, my skin was just super dry and flaky and no matter how much water I drank, the dryness just won't ease up. It was so dry that gel moisturizers aren't too effective anymore. Enter: Honey Halo! I used it before I went to bed and in the morning, my skin magically transformed. It didn't feel dry and crusty anymore but instead, it felt soft, smooth, and bouncy! Honey Halo solved a problem I had for weeks with just one use and that is freaking amazing to me! It just proves that their claim that this product increases moisture on the skin by 8x on just the first us.  Now it's my go-to moisturizer whenever I have dry patches and just overall dryness, and it also doubles as my eye cream! 

    Aside from moisturizing dry skin, I find that the Honey Halo is also really good for soothing irritated skin. I love using Honey Halo after cleansing off my makeup because it soothes my skin really well, thanks to its anti-inflammatory ingredient: honey! The honey in it not only soothes the skin, it also helps in healing wounds so in a way, the Honey Halo also helps patch up tears on my skin barrier. Using this product after all the makeup scrubbing and cleaning is such a huge help in keeping my skin moisturized, smooth, and calm! Plus points too for its nice and subtle honey scent!

    Not gonna lie, the only thing that's stopping me from hoarding it is its price. A 100ml pot of this moisturizer on the Sephora.ph website is almost the same price of our monthly electric bill and I cannot for the life of me splurge that much for a pot of, admittedly superb, moisturizer. But I'll say this: this product is worth every penny, especially if you want a moisturizer that works like magic on really dry and sensitive skin. I really can't recommend this enough! 

    Lastly, I'll give you a pro tip: if, like me, you still want to get it without spending too much, I suggest looking into Farmacy's sets instead! I got mine this way (said set given to me by my sister; thanks, Ate!!!) This way, you not only get to try Honey Halo, you also get to try other Farmacy products. The products in the sets are also decently sized which makes them even worth it!