kōtia Hydrating Day Cream SPF15

I'm always excited I get chosen to trial new products - I am even more excited when these trials are for moisturisers because to be honest, I am a sucker for anything related to skin care.

The first thing I noticed off the bat was the scent. It is quite strong. At first I thought because of the scent that it wouldn't be good for my sometimes sensitive skin. Luckily I was wrong. In saying this, if you are not a fan of strong scents with your face creams then this one might not be for you as I found it lingered for a while.

It is quite a rich and thick consistency, so I can see this product lasting for quite a while since you don't need to use much. Spreads easily and it is absorbed quite quickly which is good if you don't have much time in the morning to wait for your face products to melt into your face so you can apply your make up (I wear foundation pretty much every single day).

During the trial period I stopped using all other face products (ie retinol, toner, a redness minimiser from another brand) just so I could give this product a proper review. I really only used it for a short period of time, but during that time I did find that my skin texture did become a little more even, my face stayed moisturised and dry spots that had been appearing beforehand because of the season (winter) hadn't been appearing so much.

I definitely would use it again but being that you don't need to use much product at all I probably won't have to purchase any more for quite a while!

This product is hands down the best day cream with SPF in it that I have ever used. I love it and can't say enough about it! Naughtily I tend to shy away from SPF on my face, firstly because of the 'clog factor' and secondly the sunscreen smell makes me nauseous no matter what brand it is. The Kotia Hydrating Day Cream has no sunscreen smell, I've been using it for around 10 days now and my skin just loves it. There's no clogging or breakouts as I have had with every other moisturiser with SPF that I have used previously. The cream is rich and thick and luxurious, but it absorbs really quickly, and a little goes a very long way. My skin feels so soft, it definitely feels and looks more hydrated, and the cream is fine to have on underneath my normal foundation. I'm really sensitive to makeup and skincare smells/fragrances, but this product is so light in terms of scent that it doesn't faze me at all - even with using the Kotia Eye Cream and Rejuvenating Serum underneath the Day Cream. I can't recommend this product highly enough, and it is going to be my go-to moisturiser going forward. When you find a product this good, you need to stick with it.

This is undoubtedly the best moisturizer I have ever used! My skin literally changed overnight. I am 40 with aging skin and was using Elizabeth Arden visible difference cream, my skin was getting more and more irritated and sandpaper like. It started by remembering my grandmother who passed away a few back at 96 years old, she took deer velvet supplements every day for many years for her well being and was very healthy up until a few weeks before she passed. So I decided to look into it to see what was available and came across kotia which is made from NZ deer milk! I started using kotia and immediately my skin was silky soft, smooth and glowing. The pharmacy I purchased it from also gave me some samples of the serum and the cleanser. I will definitely be adding them to my skin routine and would love to try the eye cream! You only need to use a small amount as it is rich and creamy. I have combination skin, can be oily at times with dry patches and it suits me. Love how it is so natural, no nasties, very soft pleasant smell and is made in NZ! So grateful to the the person who came across this magic from nature!

I had the sample size of this product and most of all I liked the texture. It is thick and creamy but sinks into the skin beautifully and absorbs well. It makes skin so nicely glowy and soft. Would love to try full sized one

I love this product. I was abit taken back when i read "deer milk" but than thought, why not. The packaging is smooth and sleek, looks beautiful on my vanity. One i opened the product, the smell was beautiful, a light subtle clean smell. I love it. The moisturizer isn't heavy which i usually find they are when they have SPF in them. It doesn't leave white shadow on your face from the SPF either. I was actually wearing this product when i walked the run way at NZFW19 and was complimented on my skin and the photos didn't have any flash back. i feel it keeps my usually dry skin very well moisturized and i don't have that tight feeling on my face after a shower since using this. Over all totally would recommend it and will definitely look into their full skin range to go with the day cream.

Oh wow. So Deer Milk. Might just be the answer to all of our skin problems!

The Kotia cream is beautifully packaged, its classy and simple. I'd definitely gravitate to it in store.

It's very thick - very, very thick. You only need a small amount - it spreads easily and absorbs quite quickly. I was worried it was going to be too heavy, but I've suffered no pore congestion or breakouts since using it.

Its very smoothing and softening.

I really love this day cream. At nearly $70 it is a luxury product, but well worth a try.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this product. I've never tried anything from this brand before but the deer milk ingredient and the fact that it's NZ-made had me curious to try it. Firstly, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm 48 and I have mostly dry, bordering on sensitive, freckly skin. I'm a redhead so sun protection is high on my must-have list, too. I feel like this product ticks all the boxes. It's an SPF-15, which I never leave home without. It doesn't make my skin react to any of the ingredients unkindly, and it leaves a wonderful light sheen on the skin after use. Day cream that gives a natural glow? Holy grail material, as far as I'm concerned. Make up goes on easily and smoothly afterwards and I love the texture of it - it's not quite a lotion but not as heavy as a cream. Reverting to metaphors, it goes on like silk - smooth and lightweight but heavy enough to do a decent job at moisturising as well. The effects seem to last several hours - it doesn't disappear into my skin to the point where it leaves the surface dry. It really gets in there but it also leaves the aforementioned glow. I love the packaging, too. A subtle latte-coloured matte packaging makes it look fairly upmarket, which is a nice bonus. Scent-wise, I don't really notice one. There is very vague scent if I sniff it purposefully, but it's not overwhelming or unpleasant and honestly, barely there. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this day cream to my friends, and I'm really keen to try other products in the range to see if they perform just as well. I'll definitely be repurchasing once this pot is empty.

This winter has not been kind to my mature skin, and I've found it hard to stay hydrated. Simply put: Kōtia Hydrating Day Cream fixed this.

I love the packaging. It's simple, yet elegant.

Initially I wasn't sure what to expect from a product that uses deer milk, but what I discovered was a very thick, nourishing day cream (does it have a greenish tint? I feel like it does...) that truly plumped and nourished my skin ALL DAY. The dry patches I've seen coming to the fore in the afternoons disappeared.

It's so hydrating I was able to skip using my hydrating primer before applying makeup - which makes this product affordable since I'm now saving $50 by not having to buy primer (which I use every day). I also found it hydrated my under eye area better than my dedicated eye creams. Another saving!

I appreciate the inclusion of SPF as I can get lazy applying this (especially in winter).

The only thing I wasn't fond of was the scent... It was... mature. It seems to be becoming weaker scented the more I open the pottle, but it's still there. If the scent was fresher, it would be a full five kisses from me.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I'll also be investigating the rest of the range too.

loved trialling this ! Very unique and have never used deer milk product before, initially I was somewhat hesitant but I am completed swayed now, this is the most moisturising and hydrating day cream I have ever used. I apply this before work and until I go to bed and apply my night skincare routine I can still feel this in my face. my skins is smooth and hydrating and has the lit from within look ! Will be buying this again