kōtia Hydrating Day Cream SPF15

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.

The thought of deer milk made me a bit hesitant to be honest.. but my after using it, my skin looks so glowing, fresh and hydrated! It is a beautiful thick velvety cream - reminds me of a night cream - it glides on smoothly and doesn’t leave a heavy oily feeling. It has made the skin appear plumper and I have noticed a slight decrease in fine lines after only a week so I’m excited to see what results long term use can achieve. It doesn’t have a strong fragrance which is really nice. Applying makeup after using this moisturiser is so easy and fast the make up just glides on. I have used this cream morning and night as part of my beauty regime and it’s definitely going to be a staple from now on. I did look at the shops for it and it’s a bit pricey but you don’t need to use much at all as a small amount goes a long way. Seriously using it twice a day for a week hasn’t even made a dent in my pottle. I can’t recommend this moisturiser enough. I’m in love.

Since I had my babies 6 months ago my skin has been unpredictable. Mostly dry and dehydrated but prone to oiliness and breakouts. I thought I'd give this product a go. The consistency is just like any good hydrating cream.. Its nice and creamy and thick. A little went a long way and was easy to apply. Some day creams are watery and just don't seem to do much but I felt like this product went on so easy and felt amazing as soon as it was on. My skin immediately felt smoother and softer and hydrated. In fact I kept running my hands over my face as It was so much nicer to touch! My dry areas immediately felt more hydrated and soft as well. It felt nice and moisterised but not waxy or oily in any way. It was my skin that felt soft and not just the top layer. This product lasted throughout the day as well.. It still felt just as smooth and hydrated after going about my day and reapplying it at night just made it better. I will continue to use this product to see if it continues to improve my skin as I'm loving the results already. I love the packaging.. Very simple yet appealing and the smell. Is pleasant too.. Not overpowering at all. I would say the price is reasonable and a little goes a very long way so would last a while. However being a single mum of two baby girls it will likely be out of my price range so would be unlikely to purchase it again purely due to the price. I wasn't out in the sun so never tested the SPF15 but I love that this had this in it.. Nice extra protection from the sun. All in all I think this is a great product and well worth trying if you have unpredictable skin like mine.

Im really enjoying this product. It comes in a generous tub. The packaging is nice. It smells quite pleasent. The application is gorgeous! It's so smooth and easy to apply not thick and not to thin. It definitely leaves your skin hydrated and the added spf doesn't break out my skin. It's for sure a product I will continue to use and most likely purchase again. A little goes a long way and a finger nail amount is enough.

I was excited to try this day cream, particularly given its claim to fight oxidative stress and brighten the skin, and of course, because it's New Zealand made, which I love! I have a tendency to have dull and dry skin - a combination of stress, lack of sleep, and a hectic work life - so I had everything crossed I'd find some relief with the kotia Hydrating Day Cream and in the week I've been using it, I haven't been disappointed! The texture of the cream is very buttery and quite thick and it feels great on. It's easy to apply, absorbs well and I could definitely feel my skin was instantly and noticeably more moisturised during and after application. I applied makeup over the cream with no issues (no slipping or sliding, no difficulty blending) but I did notice that I needed to reapply powder in the afternoon with this cream. It seemed to bring out the natural oils in my skin much more than my usual moisturiser. On the days I didn't wear makeup my skin looked bright, soft and almost dewey (something I very rarely say about my complexion). I had a persistent and annoying dry patch by my eye that has cleared up completely since using this cream. I have certainly been impressed by the results, although I'm not sure I've noticed any reduction in the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles...I'm hoping this will come with longer use! I'll certainly continue to use this day cream. Everything from look, feel, smell and results was great! It's safe to say I'm a Deer milk and Kotia convert!

I received this product as part of a BR trial team. I am always interested in finding a great moisturiser, as I have combination skin that is often exposed to the elements being out on the farm. Kotia as a brand interests me as it is innovative; science based, and has diversified a New Zealand farmed product to reach a new market in the beauty industry.

The product arrived in a simple card box with minimal detailing, a simple product description, instructions and ingredients. Inside the box is a 50ml tub of cream, again, very simple but appealing.

Kotia claims that their Hydrating Cream SPF15 will provide protection from environmental factors, maximise skin vitality and boost complexion. I found this product VERY hydrating. The cream has a very thick consistency, but was easy to spread and rubbed in well. It left my skin feeling smooth and you could tell that there was moisturiser on your face, but it wasn’t greasy. The product lasted all day, and I didn’t end up with any dry patches as I often do. Even though I have not used this product long enough to know if it would help with vitality and complexion, my first impressions were very positive. I definitely felt a layer of protection throughout the day.

This product retails at $69.00, which I do feel is quite pricey for a moisturiser. However it seems to work as advertised, and feels like a quality product.

Bonus: Made in NZ, no animal testing, and there is a great section on their website about their farming practices, animal health and sustainability.

I would use again, although in reality, is a bit out of my price range.

This moisturiser comes in a lovely brown plastic jar with a matte finish with the words Kõtia Hydrating Day Cream SPF15 New Zealand Deer Milk. I must admit I was intrigued. The cream is a thick creamy consistency. The fragrance of the cream is a little unusual and strong but I think I may be getting used to it and it makes me smell fresh for most of the day. I have dry patches on parts of my face and after the week of using I have noticed a bit of an improvement. My skin feels more hydrated and a little firmer too. I would recommend this product for anyone with dry skin needing that little extra TLC with the added advantage of a sunscreen.

I was lucky enough to be selected on the trial team for this product!

The packaging is simple and elegant, with no fiddly nozzles and pumps that are prevalent with a lot of high end skincare products currently on the market. I like this because you can get every last drop of product out.

This day cream is thick and creamy in consistency, and light yellow in colour. It's scented, but I'm not a fan of the smell. It's sweet but not fresh, and for want of a better description, I'd say it has a "mature scent" which lingers and gets more intense as the product absorbs.

On application, the cream makes my skin look plump and hydrated by filling in the fine lines. It feels very rich and hydrating but also quite heavy on the face, like it never fully absorbs.

For the price point, this isn't the day cream for me. I have dry skin and this definitely helps hydrate it, but I prefer moisturizers with a gel consistency. The thick, creamy ones like the kotia cream tend to sit on top of my skin which made it feel like my make up was going to slide off my face! At the end of the day, my skin still felt hydrated but my makeup looked patchy, especially through my t-zone.

I'll be giving the remainder of this product to my lovely mum to test run. I think she'll like it for its SPF protection and elasticity.

I was intrigued by this day cream due to the deer milk and I have to say I was extremely pleased with it. Not only does your skin feel hydrated and soft but the cream absorbs into the skin quickly without leaving you feeling like you have a film on your skin.

The cream has a smooth consistency and not too thick or running so when you put it on it goes where it should on your skin, it has a very soft and subtle smell so you don't really smell it when you put it on which is great. Even hours later after putting on the my skin still feels soft and hydrated which I loved, its not heavy on the skin or make you feel like you have a coat of something on, my skin just feels amazing and well looked after.

After using this cream for a week my skin feels healthier, softer and hydrated, I will be honest I though my last cream was great but this one lets you know what hydrated skin really feels like and I think due to this I look less tired and more healthy and well more alive.

Yes this is not a cheap day cream, but you don't need loads so one container will last you for ages and to be honest I could never go back to my old day cream now as I don't feel it is up to the job after using this one.

Wasn't too sure on this product due to it having deer milk but was pleasantly surprised with it. Comes in an easy to hold container and has a pleasant smell to it but being a SPF15 I felt I could smell sunscreen (don't know if it is just me but I'm not a big fan of some sunscreen smells, so would take a bit of getting used to for me). The cream is a lovely thick texture and absorbed into my skin well. I did use a bit too much cream when first applying so spread it onto my chest area and loved how soft my skin felt afterwards. In the short time I had to trial this product I didn't notice any major skin changes but loved how my skin did feel soft and silky after.