Did you know that Rihanna dabbed on Egyptian Magic for shooting her “Bitch Better Have My Money” video?
If it’s good enough for her…
Just kidding! This is still a science-based blog, so we’ll review the cream with our lab tools. But it’s hard to resist the hype, isn’t it?
Rihanna isn’t the only celeb fan. Since Egyptian Magic made its debut more than 25 years ago, it’s been a staple in celebs’ beauty stashes. Rumour has it, Kate Hudson, Eva Mendes and Lauren Conrad all use it, too.
What makes this cream, made by tweaking an ancient Egyptian recipe, so special? Let’s find out:
Key Ingredients In Egyptian Magic
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil is a staple – both in my pantry and my skincare routine.
Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and oleic acid, olive oil is incredibly moisturizing. Its fatty acids (like oleic) create a barrier on the skin that holds moisture in, keeping it soft and hydrated for hours.
Plus, its antioxidants help you prevent premature wrinkles. Here are a few highlights:
- Resveratrol: It fights free radicals and protects against UV-induced damaged
- Vitamin A: It reduces + prevent wrinkles, boosts collagen, treats acne and fades dark spots
- Vitamin C: It prevents wrinkles, boosts collagen and brightens the complexion
- Vitamin E: It moisturizes skin and fights free radicals
Oh, it helps protect skin from UVB damage, too. Is there nothing it can’t do?
Related: 4 Skincare Uses For Olive Oil
HONEY, BEE POLLEN, PROPOLIS & ROYAL JELLY
Egyptian Magic contains everything bees make. Literally. The cream has:
- Honey: A thick, golden liquid bees make from the nectar of flowers. It hydrates skin, fights off free radicals (the nasty molecules that give you wrinkles and speed up aging), soothes irritations and inhibits the growth of bacteria (possibly P.Acnes, too!).
- Bee Pollen: The pollen bee collect from flowers. It’s rich in antioxidants that help slow down premature aging.
- Propolis: A brownish, resinous substance bees collect from tree buds to seal small crevices in their hive and protect it from cold weather and predators. Like honey, it has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Royal jelly: The creamy, white secretion honey bees feed to larvae to help them grow healthy and strong. It’s loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that slow down aging and hydrate skin.
P.S. Bee-derived ingredients are safe for most people. But if you’re allergic to them, this cream isn’t for you.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Honey In Skincare
Texture
I wouldn’t call it thick, but it’s a bit tacky and takes a while to sink in – even on dry skin.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
It’s multipurpose, so you can use it all over your face and body. Just make sure to warm it up between your palms first! Once it turns into an oil, massage it on your skin.
P.S. A little goes a looooooooooooong way. The jar will last you for ages.
Perfomance & Personal Opinion
Egyptian Magic is one of the most moisturizing creams I’ve ever used in my life.
I don’t use it on my face because I’m not a huge fan of the texture. It takes a while to absorb and, in the meantime, it feels a little tacky. I don’t like that feeling on my face.
But on my body? Love.
The skin there is so hard, only the richest body butters can keep it soft and smooth from morning till evening. This cream does the same – and more.
It deeply moisturises skin, heals any flaky patches and prevents your skin from becoming dry – all without clogging your pores and giving you pimples.
This is how I like to use it, but Egyptian Cream is a multitasker. The brand claims you can use it as:
- Moisturizer: It definitely keeps skin soft and hydrated from head to toe.
- Holistic acne treatment: There’s some anecdotal evidence that honey and propolis can help with acne, but they’re not a substitute for anti-acne remedies like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
- Lip balm: It feels slippery on the lips, but it gives them a beautiful shine and keeps them soft and kissable for hours.
- Eye cream: It moisturises from head to toe, remember? That includes the eye area, too.
- After-sun moisturizer: I haven’t tried this personally (it’s winter here in London), but it’s got what it takes to soothe skin after a long day in the sun.
- Hair mask: I don’t like using this on my hair because of its texture. But it does make it softer.
How does it differ from Vaseline or Aquaphor? The texture’s lighter and absorbs more quickly. Plus, it’s all natural.
Related: Salicylic Acid VS Benzoyl Peroxide: What Is The Best Acne Treatment?
Who Is This For?
- Dry skin
- Anyone looking for an all-natural multitasking cream
Who Is This Not For?
- Oily skin may find it too rich
Packaging
Egyptian Magic cream comes in a big (118ml) white, red, and blue jar decorated with Egyptian symbols. It’s definitely eye-catching!
Does Egyptian Magic Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Multi-purpose skin cream with a magical touch. | It is multi-purpose. |
| Our unique process combines six of nature’s most moisturizing and healing ingredients to create a balm unlike any other. That’s it. No additives, preservatives, fragrances, chemicals or parabens. | True. |
| Hydrates and repairs skin from head to toe. | True. |
| Use as a moisturizer, holistic acne treatment, lip balm, eye cream, after-sun moisturizer or even hair mask. | It can’t single-handedly treat acne, but it is a good moisturizer for skin, eye area, lips and even after-sun. |
Price & Availability
$26.00/£30.00 at Asos, Look Fantastic, Selfridges and Urban Outfitters
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a multitasking, natural cream for dry skin you can use from head to toe, Egyptian Cream is definitely worth a try. It’ll last you for ages, too.
Dupes & Alternatives
Olive Oil, Beeswax, Honey, Bee Pollen, Propolis, Royal Jelly.
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