Tried and Tested: woods_ copenhagen

Simplistic design and straightforward, honest attitude to natural skincare – is that enough to make the booming insta-famous Danish skincare brand woods_ copenhagen stand out among others?  Having recently received their ultimate exclusive test kit, I thought I’d jump on the minimalistic bandwagon and give woods_ copenhagen a go. Here are some of my favourite products and overall first impression of the brand as a whole. Try it out for yourself!

who is woods_ copenhagen?

In the unlikely case you have been living a social media free life lately, here’s an introduction to woods_ copenhagen. Established in 2017, with their core values set on ethical production and the purest ingredients brought to you in sustainable packaging, the Copenhagen-based brand emerged pretty quickly as the new model and influencer go-to. With the aim to extract as much raw, potent nature from the Nordics as possible, woods_ copenhagen skincare line uses, among other herbs and oils, wild Nordic berries and sea buckthorn, all enriched with Greenlandic pollution-free spring water.

“From cold fjords and deep forests to the smokestacks of buzzing metropolis and people on the go. woods_ copenhagen is raw nature and pure ingredients from natural sources high up north meeting busy urban life all over the world — to soothe, protect, nourish and keep skin in its natural element.
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Woods_ copenhagen products build on the “less is more” Scandi aesthetic, which most definitely applies to skincare as much as other aspects of life. Luxury ingredients encased in sleek aluminium tubes and apothecary-style bottles, as well as the emphasis on honesty and purity is certainly something we gravitate towards, hoping to free our skin from harmful chemicals once and for all. Let’s get to it then, shall we?

daily foaming cleanser

We’re starting off from the very bottom of any avid beauty lover’s skincare routine, which is of course, cleansing. Although so crucial and most basic of all, I must admit cleansers tend to scare me a bit. Having dry, slightly sensitive skin, means soapy cleansers often make my face feel tight and uncomfortable, and therefore prone to breaking out.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn woods_ made this unisex cleanser suitable for all skin types, but particularly effective for mine! The mild cucumber scent and clear, jelly formula bore resemblance to the celebrated Soy Face Cleanser by fresh, and felt just as lovely and soothing on the skin. I went in to remove traces of eye makeup with a lot of reservation, but I was did not feel any stinging or discomfort. This is certainly a cleanser I will be going back to for everyday use, particularly in the summer when cream cleansers just feel too heavy. If you’re looking for a product that will help your skin retain natural oils while gently removing impurities, you may have found the one.

deep cleansing scrub

I rarely reach for mechanical exfoliants due to skin sensitivity and sustainability concerns, but for woods_ copenhagen, I happily made an exception from the usual enzymes and acids I tend to use instead. The deep cleansing scrub really does what it says on the tin, the volcanic rock micrograins (no plastic beads here!) being quite intense – although if you don’t suffer from rosacea or extreme sensitivity, you may still try in out and simply adjust pressure. I stayed away from my cheeks, where I tend to go rosy and irritated, and instead focused on the T-zone. I was happy to find out the scrub contained glycolic acid, to aid deeper dead skin cell peeling and fit well into my current routine, as well as Nordic blueberry oil to prevent dryness.

Together with a barely-there scent (this product is meant for women, but I think it could easily pass as unisex) and an instant, smooth glow it gave me, this was an almost spa experience. I was very sad when I squeezed the last of my sample, which is just the best way to know something has worked for you!

deep cleansing mask

Perhaps my favourite products of the bunch (and that’s not an easy decision to make), this mask surprised me most of all with its consistency. I struggle with finding comfort in masking, as heavy, deep cleansing products tend to dry out immediately, leaving me with a crusty shell I then have to scrub off, causing my skin distress. Applying this jet black charcoal and black bamboo paste to my face, I expected a similar result, but to my utmost surprise, the mask stayed silky smooth and barely dry until the end!

The unique formula, also infused with glycolic acid, gave my face instant radiance and no dryness or tightness whatsoever. Although marketed mostly for problematic, oily and acne-prone skin types, I think this is a great overall mask for when you need some deep purifying. The unisex eucalyptus scent was a very pleasant bonus to what was most likely the most comfortable masking experience since I last got a pro facial.

daily mineral gel

I’m a sucker for gels and hyaluronic acid, so this choice of moisturiser is definitely the one for me. Extremely lightweight and immediately sinking into the skin, the daily mineral gel doesn’t “sit” on the skin, but becomes one with it. For someone, who doesn’t have a lot of time in the morning, it means I can apply makeup pretty much straight after, and instead of making a mess of my face, the gel works as a luscious primer, ensuring a smooth foundation application.

The long-lasting hydration is certainly on a level that should satisfy even drier skin types, but be sure to hydrate internally when using products with hyaluronic acid. It does help keep your skin plump and juicy, but it might easily have a reverse effect if you neglect to fill up your water supply also on the inside.

This is also probably the most feminine-scented product out of the woods_ copenhagen range, but not at all intrusive. A blend of wild berries, sea buckthorn and more masculine, tingly herbs is a scent so addictive you’ll want it in perfume form.

All woods_ copenhagen products are available online. Which ones will you try?

Products gifted by woods_ copenhagen, but all opinions are my own

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