Brand Review | Ecooking (day cream, eye cream, vitamin C serum, neck cream, multi balm, foot cream)

Ecooking is a Danish brand created by an Tina Søgaard, who was already working in the beauty industry before she started creating these products in her kitchen, bringing in raw ingredients from the laboratories she worked on (hence the name). These products have developed into an environmentally conscious, “clean” skincare brand. Uh oh.

There’s that term again, “clean”. I’ve said it before: “clean” beauty brands typically use essential oils on their formulas (which can be extremely irritating for the skin), and some ban ingredients that have been scientifically proven to be safe and /or benefit the skin, based on unsubstantiated fearmongering. Or at least that used to be the case. Currently I see so many cosmetics brands claiming to be clean, which is clearly a good marketing strategy these days, that you see a bit of everything. It’s like when BB creams were made popular – everyone and their mother came out with one.

Ecooking claims to focus on honesty and transparency when it comes to ingredients, which is always the best starting point. And because it was created by someone who was already in the beauty industry, I had high hopes for this brand. First impressions were very positive: tinted glass packaging, that not only preserves the ingredients better but is less harmful for the planet than plastic. And there are no long, wordy names on the products – it’s just what the product is (eye cream, day cream, etc). And the products are vegan and most are either fragrance free or have a fragrance free alternative, so this is a super inclusive brand.

You can tell I’m into it.

Let’s dive into the products.

Day Cream – 39€ for 50 ml

Brand Review Ecooking day cream

I don’t know why this is specifically a “day” cream – it’s pretty thick, and has no SPF, so for me it’s actually more appropriate for applying before bed. This moisturizer comes in two formulas, this and a fragrance free one. The fragrance free formula is exactly the same, except it doesn’t have the last 4 ingredients in this one, which are the perfuming agents. Because fragrance is at the bottom of this list, I don’t mind it. It does smell nice, I’m not gonna lie, but if I was to repurchase it, I would get the fragrance free formula. My current one is a mini size with 15ml.

This is a really nice formula. Lots of moisturizing ingredients, vitamin E (tocopherol) which is a good antioxidant, and even peptides, which are cell communicating ingredients that can stimulate collagen production. The bad thing about it is that in comes in jar packaging, so the product get’s more exposure to air every time it’s used and that will make those sensitive ingredients degrade faster. They should put this in the eye cream pump packaging.

Ecooking Eye Cream Ingredient List: Aqua, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tripeptide-10 Citrulline, Tripeptide-1, Lecithin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Parfum, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene.

Vitamin C Serum – 52€ for 20 ml

Brand Review Ecooking vitamin C serum

This is a very well-rounded serum. It’s hydrating, it contains soothing ingredients (aloe extract) and of course, vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside), which is high up in the ingredients list – enough that you’ll see a difference in skin brightness with regular use, but not so much that’ll cause an adverse reaction if you have sensitive skin. The texture is like a very fluid gel that feels very comfortable on the skin. Mine is a 10ml mini size, and I think I’m going through it quite quickly – still, even though it’s pricey, I would repurchase this one before I would the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum (similar results, higher price point).

Ecooking Vitamin C Serum Ingredient List: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aqua, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Levulinate, Maris Aqua, Potassium Sorbate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin.

Neck and Décolletage Cream – 52€ for 50ml

Well. Why is this specifically for just neck and chest? No reason. Neck and eye creams are just repackaged moisturizers, any ingredients that can target specific neck/eye concerns can be used all over the face. The texture is actually super similar to the day cream. The good thing about it is, it’s another solid formula. I haven’t actually tested it on my face (just neck and chest), but looking at the ingredients, there’s no reason not to. Sunflower oil, shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin E, the list goes on – they’re all winners (as they should be, because it’s more expensive than the day cream for the same amount). And no fragrance. The only thing left to make it perfect is a pump or air-tight packaging. Still, way to go Ecooking.

Ecooking Neck and Décolletage Cream Ingredient List: Aqua, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Niacinamide, Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Tocopherol, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Citric Acid, Sodium Salicylate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Citrate, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phytic Acid.

Eye Cream – 58€ for 30 ml

Like I just mentioned, eye creams are glorified moisturizers. Which is not to say they can’t be great – it’s just that what constitutes a good eye cream is the same that constitutes a good face cream. Hence why I’m currently using this all over the face as my night time moisturizer and not just around the eye area. The texture is less thick than the day cream, however when I apply it as my last step (usually after 1 or 2 serums), it foams up a bit while spreading. I’ve looked into the foaming up of skincare products and there’s nothing wrong with it, nor does it reduce the efficacy of said products, but it’s annoying.

Formula wise though, it’s worth it. Soothing ingredients (jojoba ester, panthenol), hyaluronic acid for hydration, antioxidants, peptides!, and a bunch of good, moisturizing components and no fragrance – this is a freaking home run. Seriously. And I know it’s pricey, but the full size of this product is 30ml – double the size eye creams usually are. So taking that into consideration when looking at the price, it’s like paying 29€ for a regular size eye cream. Not too bad.

Ecooking Eye Cream Ingredient List: Aqua, Cucumis Sativus Fruit, Jojoba Ester, Raphanus Sativus Seed Extract, Cocos Nucifera oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Jojoba Alcohol, Potassium Jojobate, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Palmiotoyl Tripeptide-5, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pantolactone, Hydrolized Rice Protein, Glycine Soja Protein, Superoxide Dimutase, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Asparagus Officinalis Stem Extract, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Pullulan, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract.

Multi Balm – 23,50€ for 75ml

This is THICK. And sticky.

If you have terribly dry and sensitive skin anywhere on your body, try this. This is chock-full of moisturizing, skin-replenishing, soothing and antioxidant ingredients. There’s no denying that it’s well made. The packaging also allows for the antioxidants to remain stable. It’s just the texture – it’s so… nasty. It’s sticky as all hell, hard to spread, and hard to take off. It’s not really water soluble and after applying it I have to wash my hands twice to get everything off.

Again, for someone with very dry skin, this can be a savior. I’ll keep it if I ever have an eczema flare up. But it’s not something that I’ll use regularly.

Ecooking Multi Balm Ingredient List: Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Rosinate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cera Alba, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Aqua, Glycerin, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Xanthan Gum, Proline, Alanine, Serine, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-49.

Overnight Foot Cream – 33€ for 100ml

Mine is a mini size that came in a Look Fantastic subscription box. You know Vicks Vaporub? This smells exactly like it. And it’s potent. The texture is midway between a balm and a gel. There is a weird sensation with this product; you know when your feet are really cold and you put them near a fireplace or heater and they feeling like they’re melting on the inside? That’s kind of how this feels. I wouldn’t call it a cooling sensation, but it’s not a warming one either. Strange. But I like it.

I usually put it on after a shower and then put on a pair of fluffy socks. This is more of a balm so it’s not ever fully absorbed and I’m not sure if it’ll work in the summer with flip flops. Probably gets all slippery. This is a winter thing.

Ingredients wise, obviously there’s a lot of fragrance, but it’s mostly menthol, which even though it can be drying, it also has antibacterial, antifungal and painkilling properties. Plus, there are a lot of moisturizing ingredients in this that make up for the menthol (urea, glycerin, sodium PCA, panthenol), and it’s your feet, the skin there is pretty resilient. There is also lactic acid, which is good to exfoliate and help remove dead, callous skin, and even antioxidants in the form of vitamin C and E (ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherol). And the good news is the full size comes in an airless bottle with a pump. I’ve enjoyed this so much that I’ve finished the jar since taking that picture. Will buy again.

Overnight Foot Cream Ingredient List: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Aqua, Urea, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera/Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Menthol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Carbomer, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Caprylate, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pantolactone, Parfum, Limonene.

Final Thoughts (TL;DR)

I never thought I could get excited about foot cream. That’s what you did to me, Ecooking.

Overall, the formulas are great. There is a focus on good ingredients, that will actually work to improve the skin, and when fragrance is used (which is very rarely) it’s either done well and with a purpose, like with the foot cream, or they offer a fragrance free option for those with sensitivity. They only fall short of perfection for me because some of the products that have air sensitive ingredients come in jar packaging, which will make them degrade faster than airtight pumps. Get on that, Ecooking.

This is a brand that stays true to its claims: no nonsense formulas, transparency with their products, results over fluff marketing. The pricing is not exactly affordable, but considering how well made the products are, I think they are fair – plus, there’s often a discount on this brand on Look Fantastic website, so take advantage of that, if you can. I know I will.

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8 Comments

  1. I have the Vitamin C serum from them too and I’m really enjoying it! Do know what you mean though about it being quite liquidy and so you go through it quite fast!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

  2. Never tried Ecooking skincare before, but reading your review I am pretty certain this is a brand I will love. This is going straight to my wish list! Thank you for sharing!

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