Take Your Occlusives On the Road With This Tiny Healing Balm
When I love something, I’m always looking for a new improved version of that thing, like a laser vacuum. You’d think I’d be satisfied to have found something that I think is great? WRONG. I want that thing, and MORE OF IT. This is why I keep buying occlusives. I will forever be devoted to Eucerin Healing Cream, which I have praised more times than I can count, but then I discovered La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume, which is a little lighter, a little easier to apply, and fancier because French. I would use both interchangeably, depending on how hardcore I was feeling, but THEN I learned about Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm, which is, yes, the same as the other two products I just mentioned, but also different? I had to try it. And wouldn’t you know, it’s actually pretty deserving of all the hype.
There aren’t huge differences between occlusives from Eucerin, La Roche-Posay, and Hero Cosmetics. The results are pretty similar (at least for me) but the differences are in the formulas, packaging, and price points. If you want a small container that offers precise applications, Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm is the one for you. The regular sized tube is 15ml for $12.99 ($0.87ml), but you can also get a tinier 5ml for $7 ($1.40ml). 15ml is still a very small tube, so I don’t really see the need for a 5ml one, but if that works for you, then go with God.
The real standout is the tube itself. The tiny little applicator makes for a precise application. I wouldn’t recommend applying from the tube to your face directly, but if you want to just get a small amount of product, you can control the dose very easily, and could even apply on a Q-Tip and then apply to your skin. Rescue Balm is marketed as a post-breakout treatment, so it’s more for applying to a small area than say, your entire face (although you could apply this anywhere, it wouldn’t’ be the most cost efficient option). My skin has been doing great lately (brag) (knock wood), but when I do get breakouts, I tend to have really red, raw skin afterward - especially if I pick at it. My method of healing these spots (I started doing this as a PRETEEN and I had no idea it was actually good skincare) is to apply bacitracin or Homeoplasmine or even Vaseline to the spot and cover it with a small Band Aid. Rescue Balm is basically the trick I’ve been doing for 20 years, but prettier and possibly more discreet.
Now to compare it to my other occlusive faves.
I’d say the consistency is between Eucerin Healing Cream and La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume. It’s not as diaper rash cream-y as the Eucerin, but it’s certainly a thicker formula than Cicaplast Baume.
Swatched from left to right: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume, Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm, and Eucerin Healing Cream
Because of the applicator and the size of the tube, I’d say Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm (0.507oz for $13 [$25.6oz] or 0.178oz for $7 [$39.32oz]) is for small areas that have been recently irritated. You know, like they suggest right here on the tube. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume (1.350z for $15 [$11.11oz]) is lightweight enough that you can pat a layer all over your face and not feel like you’re wearing paste to bed. Eucerin Healing Cream (16oz for $13.50 [$0.84oz]), as I’ve said one million times, IS diaper rash cream. This is for the hardcore, ridiculous goofballs like myself. The ones who aren’t afraid to go to bed with their healing blemishes covered with Band Aids. As for price, the Eucerin is by far the cheapest because that tub literally weighs one pound, and the Hero Rescue Balm seems very pricey when you break it down to a per ounce cost, but it’s a tiny tube and it’s designed for you to use very little. And that tiny tube is actually super convenient if you want to keep it in your purse or in your travel cosmetics bag.
Whatever occlusive floats your boat, wear it with pride and enjoy your moisturized, healed, gorgeous skin. Also, if you have a fave that I haven’t mentioned, TELL ME. You know I’m always looking for my next favorite occlusive.
