At The Amazing Blog new skincare ingredients always pique our interest, and when we learnt about this CALM Face & Eye Serum by Circulove, with its biotic actives designed to deliver probiotic benefits directly into the skin – we knew this was a must-try!
Circulove is a Scandinavian brand that was founded in Finland in 2020. Where a group of designers, natural cosmetics chemists, beauticians, nurses and lifestyle professionals have come together to create this brand to help people live a “more sustainable and purposeful lifestyle while enhancing their natural beauty.” The idea of a circular lifestyle is the basis of Circulove. The concept of circularity focuses on cycles in the sense that things should be reused and recycled. Circularity considers entire ecosystems, like social, cultural, natural, and human capital, and the benefits of these systems. With this ideal in mind, their goal from day one has been “to create clean, biotic skincare products with no compromises.” Päivi Paltola, the founder of Circulove, was concerned with the increased occurrences of greenwashing and began investigating circular design principles to try and create “more purposeful beauty.” Circulove is committed to following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), which are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future. Anyone can see their commitment to these values and goals, with toxic-free products and less waste; they use 30% ocean waste plastic for their recyclable mono-material bottles and organic by-products from the food industry for ingredients. The plastic used is recycled waste plastic collected from the Java Sea, meaning Circulove contributes to the ocean clean-up movement. They also promote up-cycling and transparent supplier networks, scrutinizing their own carbon footprint, by using 85% of Finnish or local Scandinavian ingredients in their products. Paltola says it best, “we know we are on a lifelong learning journey, and we believe that every action counts.” They are also FI-NATURA certified.
The CALM Face & Eye Serum hydrates, soothes and protects the skin. What makes this serum ‘different’ is that it combines vegan prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics with eight luxury plant extracts and oils to help reset the skin taking it back to its original and natural state. Prebiotics are compounds that induce the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms and may help improve the skin’s barrier function. Applying topical prebiotics and probiotics to the skin is the most effective and direct way to affect the skin’s microbiome. Postbiotics include enzymes, peptides, and cell surface proteins and are a by-product of the fermentation process of the probiotics. The ingredients in this serum are fermented for 3-5 weeks, which is the chemical breakdown process of the prebiotics and postbiotics. Following the fermentation process,the plant extracts and oils are then added. The CALM Face & Eye Serum helps reduce redness, creates long-lasting moisture, protects against free radicals, and balances the skin’s pH and oiliness. The beauty of this serum is that it is suitable for all skin types, and can significantly help those with sensitive, rosacea, couperose or atopic skin. The CALM Face & Eye Serum contains a few other key ingredients. The antioxidant and flavonoid plant extracts are derived from lady’s mantle, blueberry and lingonberry. The pure oils here are raspberry seed, jojoba and sunflower, hemp, and rosehip all of which are rich in essential fatty acids such as omegas 3 & 6, vitamin E and antioxidants. The vegan prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics come from fermented oats and tapioca; the slow fermentation process ensures that these ingredients stay nutrient-dense. Beyond these ingredients, Circulove has provided a detailed ingredients list that includes the country of origin (the list can be found here ) where the brand delivers full transparency for each product - and we’re obsessed! In their efforts to create sustainable products, the packaging is airless, designed specifically for their all-natural skincare, and this design lets you use every last drop of the product since the bottom of the packaging rises as you use it. The simple white opaque bottle ensures that the natural ingredients retain their integrity. Each of Circulove’s products are free from mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, silicones, chemical sunscreen, nano zinc oxide colourants, added perfumes and GMOs.
To use the CALM Face & Eye Serum apply to clean skin on the face, under the eyes and around the lips - both day and night. NB: We found that the airless pump required a quick 5-10 pumps to activate before using. It can be used alone for combination or oily skin, or if like us you have normal to dry skin, then use it prior to moisturiser or face oil. The fragrance gave us a delicious hint of berries combined with green tea. It felt like a lotion to apply and absorbed quickly as It’s light to the touch, but super-hydrating once on the skin, and yes, we’d say it’s yet another of our #amazingfinds. The 30ml CALM Face & Eye Serum is available for purchase directly from Circulove’s website here for € 59.00.