Introduction
Glossier – ah, the brand that’s practically become synonymous with millennial pink and dewy skin. If you haven’t heard of them by now, you might want to check if you’ve been living under a particularly large rock.
Enter their latest skincare superhero: After Baume. Glossier describes it as a “daily moisture barrier recovery cream” for very dry or sensitive skin. They’ve thrown around some fancy terms like “plant-based moisture magnets” and “cocooning cream,” promising to help your parched skin bounce back and stay hydrated for a full 24 hours. Sounds dreamy, right?
Released in 2021, After Baume quickly became a darling of the skincare community, especially among those battling the eternal struggle against dry, flaky skin. It’s aimed at folks whose skin is practically begging for a tall drink of water – you know, the kind that feels tight and uncomfortable even when you just think about skipping your moisturizer.
Now, I’m not one to just take a brand’s word for it, no matter how pretty their packaging is. So, I decided to put After Baume through its paces. For a full week, this little tub of promise became my skincare BFF. I slathered it on morning and night, all in the name of science (and hopefully better skin).
The burning question: Is After Baume truly the moisture messiah it claims to be, or is it just another overhyped product that’ll leave both your skin and wallet feeling drier? Stick around as we dive deep into my week-long adventure with this cult favorite, and find out if it’s worth spending your hard-earned cash on.
Breaking Down The Balm
All hype and marketing aside, a cosmetic product is only as good as its ingredients. So let’s peek under the hood of After Baume and see what’s really driving this moisture machine.
The star of the show here is Cupuaçu Butter, a lesser-known cousin of cocoa butter. This Amazonian powerhouse is like a moisture magnet, pulling water into your skin and creating a protective barrier. It’s paired with glycerin, a tried-and-true hydration hero that most skincare enthusiasts are familiar with. Together, they’re the dynamic duo responsible for that “24-hour hydration” claim.
Now, I know a long list of ingredients can look like alphabet soup to many people, so let’s break it down in simpler terms. After Baume also contains various plant oils and extracts that work to nourish and soothe the skin. There’s Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil (that’s just a fancy name for Babassu oil), which is light yet deeply moisturizing. Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, derived from algae, brings antioxidants to the party, helping to protect your skin from environmental stressors.
But what does all this science actually feel like on your face? Well, After Baume has a thick, creamy texture that feels luxurious to the touch. It’s rich without being greasy, and while it does leave a slight film on the skin, it’s not unpleasant – more like a protective shield against the elements. The balm melts into the skin surprisingly well for such a thick product, though it does take a bit of time to fully absorb.
The combination of oils and butters gives After Baume its distinctive texture and performance. It’s not a lightweight, barely-there moisturizer – this is a product that means business. You can feel it working, which might be too much for some, but is likely heaven for those with parched skin.
Taking all of this into account, I’d rate the ingredient profile a solid 8.5/10 – it’s impressive and well-thought-out, especially for dry skin types. For texture, I’d give it an 8/10 – it’s luxurious but might be too heavy for some. Absorption gets a 7.5/10 – it does sink in, but takes its sweet time about it.
The Results & Effectiveness
Ok, now let’s talk about the results. After all, that’s what really matters when you’re shelling out your hard-earned cash for a skincare product, right?
In my experience, After Baume lives up to its moisture-boosting promises. I incorporated it into my routine, using a small amount in the morning under my makeup and a more generous layer at night as an overnight treatment. The results were noticeable pretty quickly.
My typically dry, sometimes flaky skin drank this stuff up like a camel at an oasis. The tight, uncomfortable feeling I often get, especially in drier weather or after cleansing, was significantly reduced. It was like giving my face a tall glass of water – refreshing and instantly comforting.
One standout moment was after a long flight. Usually, my skin looks and feels like a wrung-out dishrag after air travel, but After Baume came to the rescue. I slathered on a thick layer before takeoff, and when I landed, my skin still felt soft and hydrated. It was a game-changer for travel.
In terms of layering, After Baume plays well with others. It didn’t pill or ball up under my sunscreen or makeup, which is always a concern with thicker creams. At night, I found it worked beautifully as the final step in my routine, sealing in all the goodness from my serums and essences.
However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a lightweight, barely-there moisturizer. You can definitely feel it on your skin, which some might find too heavy, especially during warmer months or if you have oily skin. For my dry skin, though, it was just right.
As for visible results, while it didn’t erase my fine lines or give me an instant facelift (let’s be real, no cream can do that), it did make my skin look plumper and more radiant. The chronic dry patches around my nose and forehead? Significantly improved.
Taking all of this into account, I’d rate the effectiveness of After Baume a solid 8.5/10. It delivers on its promises of deep hydration and skin barrier support, especially for those of us battling chronic dryness. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s pretty darn close for parched skin.
Who Is After Baume For?
So, what type of person do I think this skincare product would be perfect for?
If your skin is thirstier than a marathon runner in the Sahara, After Baume might just be your new best friend. This product seems tailor-made for those battling chronic dryness, flakiness, or a compromised skin barrier. You know who you are – the ones who look at a “normal” moisturizer and think, “That’s cute, but I’m going to need about five more layers.”
I can see After Baume being a godsend for people living in harsh climates – whether that’s bone-dry desert heat or the moisture-sapping chill of winter. If you’re someone who cranks up the heating in winter or spends a lot of time in air-conditioned spaces, your skin might be crying out for this level of hydration.
It’s also worth considering if you have sensitive skin that tends to get irritated easily. The soothing properties of After Baume could help calm and protect your skin from environmental stressors.
Now, if you’re on the oilier side or prone to breakouts, you might want to approach this one with caution. While it didn’t cause any issues for me, the rich texture might be a bit much for those who prefer lighter formulations.
Age-wise, I can see this working for a wide range of people. Whether you’re in your 20s dealing with dehydration from a hectic lifestyle, or in your 50s looking to plump up fine lines and add some bounce back to your skin, After Baume could be a solid choice.
It’s also great for skincare minimalists who want a no-fuss, does-it-all kind of product. Slap this on morning and night, and you’re good to go. On the flip side, if you’re a skincare maximalist (no judgment here!), After Baume layers beautifully with other products and could be the perfect final step in your 12-step routine.
Should You Buy It?
After spending the week with Glossier’s After Baume, I’ve come to a verdict. My overall rating for this product is 8.5/10. Why? Because it delivers on its promises of deep, lasting hydration and skin barrier support, especially for those of us with dry or sensitive skin. It’s not perfect – nothing is – but it comes pretty close for its intended purpose.
The strengths of After Baume are clear: it’s intensely moisturizing, has a well-thought-out ingredient list, and can make a noticeable difference in skin hydration and comfort. It’s particularly effective for those battling chronic dryness or living in harsh climates. The way it creates a protective layer on the skin without feeling overly greasy is impressive.
However, it’s not without potential drawbacks. The rich texture might be too heavy for some, particularly those with oily or combination skin. It’s also not the quickest absorbing product out there, which might be an issue if you’re always in a rush in the morning.
As for value, while it’s not the cheapest option on the market, a little goes a long way. If you’re someone who’s been struggling to find a moisturizer that actually keeps your skin hydrated all day, the price might be worth it for the results.
So, should you buy it? If you’re constantly fighting dryness, flakiness, or sensitivity, I’d say give it a shot. It could be the moisture-boosting superhero your skin has been waiting for. If you live somewhere with extreme weather conditions, or if your skin tends to feel tight and uncomfortable by midday, After Baume could be a game-changer.
On the other hand, if you have oily skin, are prone to breakouts, or prefer lighter textures, you might want to sample this before committing to a full-size purchase.