Furtuna Skin is an Italian skincare brand founded by Croatian-American model Agatha Luczo and her business partner Kim Walls.
The inspiration behind Furtuna Skin lies in the unspoiled 750-acre farm that Luczo’s family owns in Sicily. There’s olive groves on the farm, as well as a wide variety of plants and medicinal herbs. One of those plants is Anchusa azurea, the key ingredient used throughout the Furtuna Skin collection.
While Furtuna Skin products certainly sound luxurious, what really matters is how well they perform. To determine how effective these products are, we’ll discuss the key ingredients in Furtuna Skin products, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare.
Plus, like all of our reviews here at The Derm Review, we’ll share snippets of Furtuna Skin reviews from real customers so that you can see what they really think of these products.
What Are The Top 6 Best Furtuna Skin Products?
At the time of writing this review Furtuna Skin offers a total of six products. We’ll give you the details on each one below.
Furtuna Skin Micellar Cleansing Essence
The Micellar Cleansing Essence is a 2-in-1 product that functions as both a cleanser and a toner, sweeping away impurities and purifying the skin in one simple step. It’s recommended for all skin colors, ages, and types; including dry, sensitive, oily, and combination.
This dual-use formula uses olive-enriched micelles to draw out dirt and buildup while delivering a concentrated level of nutrients thanks to the wild-foraged plant extracts in this essence.
For instance, antioxidant-rich Anchusa azurea is one of the star ingredients used in this essence, as well as throughout the Furtuna Skin collection (we’ll give you more details on this extract in the Key Ingredients section below).
Anchusa is accompanied by collagen-supporting chicory, vitamin E-packed asparagus, hydrating beets, and moisture barrier-boosting mallow.
Bottom Line: This essence functions as both a cleanser and a toner, sweeping away impurities and purifying the skin in one simple step.
Furtuna Skin Face and Eye Serum
This multitasking serum illuminates both the face and eye area while helping to visibly lift, reduce the appearance of puffiness, and even out skin tone as it protects against damage and dehydration.
The base of antioxidant-rich olive leaf water is accompanied by a high concentration of olive oil. Olive oil contains several different fatty acids, but is mostly composed of oleic acid (65 to 85%).
Oleic acid is an omega-9 monounsaturated fatty that functions as a penetration enhancer. A publication in the Journal of Controlled Release states, “Penetration enhancers such as oleic acid (OA), which increase skin permeability, appear to act selectively on the extracellular lipids representing the principal regulatory channel for the penetration of small molecules.”
This is not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, using oils high in oleic acid can help other beneficial ingredients — like the 10 wild-foraged plant extracts in this formula — penetrate into the skin. Plus, it’s quickly absorbed and leaves no greasy feeling.
In addition to these botanical extracts, this Furtuna Skin serum contains hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid to help boost moisture levels and increases skin’s ability to retain moisture over time.
Bottom Line: An anti-aging serum with a high concentration of olive oil combined with 10 wild-foraged plant extracts and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil
Similar to the Face and Eye Serum, the Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil includes a high concentration of olive oil in order to supply the skin with antioxidants while also enhancing the penetration of ingredients.
Olive oil is accompanied by jojoba oil and squalane, which are both very light emollients that help to hydrate skin without feeling greasy. Plus, there’s 12 wild-foraged plant extracts in this formula, as well as ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (an oil-soluble derivative of vitamin C).
Vitamin C functions as a potent antioxidant, donating electrons to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as the superoxide ion and peroxide that are generated when the skin is exposed to UV light.
Vitamin C also stimulates the synthesis of new collagen in the skin. By increasing collagen levels, signs of aging will be diminished and the skin will appear more firm.
And just when you thought vitamin C couldn’t get any better, it can: vitamin C also has the ability to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve uneven skin tone. This is accomplished through inhibition of melanin synthesis.
Melanin is a pigment that gives our skin color, but too much of this pigment can lead to undesirable dark spots called hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C decreases melanin formation by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that is required for melanin synthesis. The result is skin that appears brighter with less dark spots and a more even skin tone.
Bottom Line: Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil combines 12 wild-foraged plant extracts with a stable vitamin C derivative to brighten the complexion, firm skin, and reduce signs of aging.
Furtuna Skin Eye Revitalizing Cream
The Furtuna Skin Eye Cream has a thick, creamy texture that instantly softens and hydrates skin while also filling in lines and creases with moisture to re-volumize the skin. It’s also formulated to brighten the eye area, as well as help reduce the appearance of lines, puffiness, and dark circles.
Sadly, the brand chose to package this pricey eye cream in a jar. Why is this a problem? Jar packaging will cause these ingredients to oxidize and degrade every time they are exposed to light and air.
Bottom Line: The Furtuna Skin Eye Cream is packed with antioxidant-rich botanicals, however, the jar packaging will lead to the degradation of these antioxidants due to exposure to light and air.
Furtuna Skin Replenishing Balm
This reparative balm gets its beautiful aqua hue from spirulina, an algae that’s rich in antioxidant vitamins that can protect the skin from free radical damage. Spirulina is also known to increase the skin’s metabolism, restoring its vitality and maintaining a healthy glow.
A base of olive oil is accompanied by plenty of additional skin-softening emollients, such as sunflower seed oil, beeswax, kokum seed butter, and jojoba oil.
A unique aspect of this formula is the “Wild-Foraged Replenishing Complex”, a blend of wild organic botanicals from Furtuna’s Sicilian Estate. This blend includes calamint, hawthorn, dandelion, carrot, and bristly oxtongue.
These wild ‘Extremophyte’ plants tend to be stronger and more potent, and they’re also loaded with nutrients, phytoceramides, and antioxidants, thus helping to repair skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Bottom Line: A reparative balm that rejuvenates stressed skin while boosting hydration to leave it soft and nourished.
Furtuna Skin After Shave Serum
Formulated for the guys, this Furtuna Skin serum is said to lock in moisture, soothe post-shave irritation, and help reverse signs of fatigue.
Similar to other Furtuna Skin products, the serum includes organic olive oil, olive leaf water, chicory, mallow, and spirulina.
Unfortunately, this Furtuna Skin serum includes a “functional scent” featuring the brand’s Monte Barraú Blend of natural oils to stimulate the mind and awaken the senses.
While we understand that customers want their products to smell nice, these essential oils have the potential to cause skin sensitivity reactions.
Bottom Line: A lightweight serum with skin-soothing botanical extracts, but keep in mind that this Furtuna serum contains fragrance.
What Are The Key Ingredients in Furtuna Skin Products?
One of the key ingredients that’s used throughout the Furtuna Skin collection is Anchusa azurea — also known as Italian Bugloss — a species of flowering plant that produces beautiful violet-blue flowers and also has a long medicinal history.
According to Furtuna Skin co-founder Kim Walls, Anchusa azurea was revered for its anti-inflammatory and healing powers in ancient medicine.
Recent studies reveal its anti-inflammatory secret. It contains rosmarinic acid, a compound that helps prevent and treat inflammation. Reducing inflammation is essential to anti-aging and healthy skin.
It’s also rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. In fact, Anchusa azurea has the highest level of antioxidants in any edible Mediterranean plant.
Anchusa azurea is accompanied with a variety of additional wild-crafted botanicals in the Furtuna Skin products, such as:
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Chicory
- Mallow
- Olive
These are just a few examples of the bioactives the brand harnesses from wild-foraged plants found on Furtuna’s Sicilian Estate.
How Much Do Furtuna Skin Products Cost?
Furtuna Skin is a luxury brand and the products are priced accordingly. For example, the Face and Eye Serum costs $185 USD for one ounce (30 mL) while the Eye Revitalizing Cream costs $285 USD for just a half ounce (15 mL).
Where to Buy Furtuna Skin Products?
Furtuna Skin Products are sold on the brand’s website (furtunaskin.com), as well as a few third party online retailers such as bluemercury.com and neimanmarcus.com.
What is The Furtuna Skin Return Policy?
The Furtuna Skin return policy states, “We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase and will accept any product for a return (no exchanges), as long as it is at least half full and received within 90 days of initial purchase. Please note, all International orders are final sale. We do not accept returns or exchanges for items shipped internationally.”
Is Furtuna Skin Cruelty Free?
Yes, all Furtuna Skin products and ingredients are certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Is Furtuna Skin Vegan?
While some Furtuna Skin products are suitable for vegans, this is not a 100% vegan brand as some products contain animal-derived ingredients (i.e. Furtuna Skin Replenishing Balm contains beeswax).
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Furtuna Skin products are formulated well with high-quality, wild-carfted botanical extracts, and they could be a good option if they fit in your budget.
Pros
- Botanical extracts are combined with tried-and-true actives (hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, etc.)
- Many positive Furtuna Skin reviews
- Furtuna Skin is cruelty free
Cons
- High cost
- Products packaged in jars will lose efficacy each time you expose delicate ingredients to light and air
- After Shave Serum contains fragrance (essential oils)
References:
Journal of Controlled Release Vol 37 Issue 3 Dec 1995 Pages 299-306
