Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 is a day cream fit for a princess.
Literally. Princess Marcella, a member of the Italian royal family with a passion for all things beauty, created the Borghese brand in the ’50s. How cool is that?
The bottle of the moisturizer reminds me of perfume – a reminder that skincare is more than just creams and lotions. It’s about self-care and the luxury of taking some “me time” to recharge and unwind.
Can this moisturizer deliver all that? Read on:
- What’s In Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15?
- Texture
- Fragrance
- How To Use It
- Performance & Personal Opinion
- Who Is This For?
- Who Is This NOT For?
- Packaging
- Does Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 Live Up To Its Claims?
- Price & Availability
- Do You Need It?
- Dupes & Alternatives
What’s In Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15?
HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Hydration is the foundation of healthy skin.
When skin has all the moisture it needs, it plumps up so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It gets softer to the touch. And it takes on a radiant glow.
The best way to hydrate skin? Hyaluronic acid, a magnet that draws moisture from the air and binds it into your skin. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 uses TWO forms of hyaluronic acid for a double dose of moisture. So hydrating!
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE (VITAMIN C) TO PREVENT WRINKLES
Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 uses Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP), a stable derivative of Vitamin C. What does that mean?
Pure Vitamin C is so unstable, it goes bad within 3 months. It can be very irritating, too. It’s enough to make you want to stop using it. But you can’t.
Vitamin C is an anti-aging superstar. It fights free radicals, boosts the production of collagen (the protein that keeps your skin firm) and brightens the complexion.
Enter Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. It gives you all the benefits of Vitamin C without its annoying side effects.
P.S. MAP is a little less effective than pure Vitamin C, but the trade-off is still worth it.
Related: 5 Anti-Aging Superstars You Should Add To Your Skincare Routine For Younger-Looking Skin
UV FILTERS TO PROTECT SKIN FROM UV HARM
Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 uses a blend of chemical UV filters to keep your skin safe from UV harm:
- Avobenzone: One of the very few UVA filters approved for use in the US. It protects your skin from UVA rays, but itt’s very unstable (i.e. stops working quickly when exposed to light).
- Homosalate: A.k.a. Octyl Salicylate, an UVB filter with a slightly oily consistency and a mild floral scent.
- Oxybenzone: A sunscreen agent hat protects from UVB and some (not all) UVA rays.
All together, they provide adequate sun protection – IF you apply the recommended amount. That’s 1/3 of a teaspoon for the face alone.
Pro Tip: you need to apply your moisturizer with SPF the same way as your sunscreen if you want to get the SPF stated on the bottle.
Having said that, I do follow up with sunscreen afterwards. SPF 15 may be enough for gloomy London winters, but it won’t cut it in summer.
Related: Is Avobenzone Dangerous?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Texture
Pink, creamy texture that absorbs fast without leaving a greasy residue behind.
Fragrance
Lovely floral scent.
How To Use It
In the morning, after serum but before sunscreen.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Can I say that using Borghese Crema Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer With SPF makes me happy? The packaging is so elegant, I look forward to my skincare routine every morning.
I know, I know. Packaging is hardly the most important thing in a moisturizer. But I love when a brand goes the extra mile and creates something that’s as beautiful as it’s effective. Don’t you?
Once the cream has sunk in, my skin feels so soft to the touch. It looks a little plumper, too – a nice little effect that makes the fine lines around my eyes look smaller.
My skin feels hydrated for the whole day. At no point I get that tell-tale tight feeling that warns me it’s time for a touch-up. Phew!
I apply sunscreen afterwards but I do appreciate the extra sun protection, especially now that summer’s in full swing. You can never have enough, can you?
If I had to find fault with it, I’d say I’d like to see a few more antioxidants in the cream. But my sunscreen has plenty of those already, so I don’t mind too much.
If you’re on the lookout for a luxurious, hydrating moisturiser for your dry skin, I think you’ll really like this. Just don’t skip your sunscreen!
Who Is This For?
It’s suitable for all skin types, bar maybe sensitive (the fragrance may irritate your skin).
Who Is This NOT For?
Anyone looking for a moisturiser that can replace sunscreen.
Packaging
An elegant, see-through bottle with a pump applicator that dispenses just the right amount of product you need. Afterwards, just turn the cap left to lock it, so nothing can accidentally get out.
Does Borghese Cura Di Vita Protettivo Moisturizer SPF 15 Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, protective hydrating lotion that provides UVA/UVB protection and ensures skin’s youthful suppleness. | It’s lightweight, but SPF 15 isn’t enough to provide adequate broad spectrum protection. |
| Soothes, softens, and protects. | True. |
Price & Availability
Available at: $46.00 at Borghese
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a new moisturiser, this is worth a try.
Dupes & Alternatives
I haven’t found an exact dupe for this lotion yet.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 10.0%, Oxybenzone 5.0%.
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polysorbate 60, Squalane, Bisabolol, Tocoperyl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium PCA, Sea Salt, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Triethanolamine, Collagen Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ceteareth-20, Adenosine Triphosphate, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI 14700)
