Dieux’s Skin Mercy Saved My Sensitive Winter Skin

While baby sisters are often given the “menace” label, the latest addition to Dieux’s moisturizer lineup might be the peacemaker of the family. Not that the rest of the products aren’t entirely peaceful… just keep reading. You’ll see what I mean.

On Monday, January 5, Dieux is launching Skin Mercy Intense Recovery Cream a mega-soothing moisturizer packed with antioxidants and colloidal oatmeal to offer your precious skin barrier some fast forgiveness. Lord knows, after all that festivity and cold air, it probably needs it.

Keep reading to discover everything there is to know about the product, including my honest review.

The Inspiration

Dieux has always been committed to transparency. This means being open about how much their products cost to formulate, and also letting customers know exactly why they decide to craft something new. The vision is less about constantly pumping out new products, and more about filling in actual missing pieces in their lineup.

Dieux’s other moisturizers, which team Byrdie loves very much, include the richly textured and deeply hydrating Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Firming Moisturizer (the brand compares it to a puffer jacket) and the light, easy-to-layer, acne-friendly Air Angel Hydrating Gel Cream (a favorite cotton T-shirt). The silky soft Skin Mercy falls somewhere in the middle of the thickness scale, and is all about protection and comfort (it’s your favorite cardigan, if you will).

The Formula

The brand says that Skin Mercy “envelopes skin in a protective cocoon of moisture, bringing lasting comfort and delivering less reactive skin over time.” Its go-to ingredient for this is 1% Colloidal Oatmeal, which is clinically proven to calm itchiness, irritation, and inflammation. Shoutout to everyone with eczema, rashes, or simple living-in-the-winter dry skin.

Thanks to this addition, the moisturizer is certified as an over-the-counter drug, which means it’s going to do your skin a service beyond simple cosmetic benefits.

The formula, which was awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, also includes an antioxidant-rich 3% Soothing Complex (blended by the brand to include tazman fruit, bisabolol, allantoin, and panthenol), more than 10% glycerin (which will deliver moisture to your skin for lasting hydration and bounce), and 0.1% licorice root to defend skin from outside stressors.

My Review

Skin Mercy didn’t get the “Angel” moniker memo, but it has been one of my skin’s greatest guardians this winter. The soft green aluminum tube arrived in the mail when my face, and thus my soul, needed major blessing. Isn’t it funny how that works?

I have sensitive skin, and it’s been on a roll since the temperature started to drop. I’m talking rashes, redness, and general depravity. Since I started slathering this on, the skies have opened up. (Figuratively, at least. It’s still disgusting outside.) Light enough that my skin doesn’t feel weighed down but heavy enough that I don’t feel like it immediately absorbs and I need to reapply constantly, Skin Mercy has sent salvation in the form of hydration, bounce, and a serious lack of the redness I was previously experiencing. I’m most fond of its work around my nose and cheeks, which had been big problem areas.

Somewhere in the middle of December I got a VI Peel, and then I got the flu. I looked a mess, but once the peel did its thing and I was able to resume regular skincare I ran right back to Mercy and the heavens opened once again. I’ve been using it almost exclusively since, and have to say my skin is looking gorgeous and feeling saved.