#wldkat.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Mushroom + Moss Moisturizing Gel Cream

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Moisturizer

Price: $10-15 USD*

Size: 1.7 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Snow Mushroom: Adaptogen, balances skin, loaded with nutrients, super hydrator

MossCellTec: Antioxidant

Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates, plumps

Texture: Cream

Feel: Tingly

Scent: 🌸

Results: This is a nice every-day moisturizer. It doesn't have the high concentration of snow mushroom extract like the mask does, so you're not going to have that same drenched feeling. It's better balanced. That being said, for me I found it to be a little on the dry side. Like, I wanted to apply a second coat.

It doesn't do much if you're looking for brightening or anti-aging effects, but it's a nice basic face cream. It will keep you hydrated. It's not going to really do anything else, and I'm not sure I'd recommend it if you have really oily, acne-prone skin. It's probably best for normal to dry skin.

Comps: As with the Starflower + Snow Mushroom Mask, there aren't a lot of direct comps. Well People Fresh Dew Snow Mushroom Gel Cream ($22/1.76 fl oz) and NYX Face Freezie Cooling Primer + Moisturizer ($20/1.69 fl oz) both use snow mushroom.

Some other adaptogen-centric moisturizers include Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Cream ($78/1.7 fl oz) and Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Hydra Burst Gel Lotion ($78/1.7 fl oz), which uses a combination of adaptogens; Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with ashwagandha and reishi mushroom ($58/2 fl oz), LAPCOS Chaga Rest Balm Cream ($42/1.85 fl oz) with chaga mushroom, DIME Dewy Day Cream with tremella mushroom and rosehip ($38/1.7 fl oz), I'm From Mushroom Collagen Cream ($35/1.7 fl oz) with 30% mushroom extract, Undefined Beauty R&R Gel-Creme with shiitake and tremella mushrooms ($28/1.0 fl oz), and Good Light Order of the Eclipse Hyaluronic Cream with meshima mushroom ($28/1.69 fl oz).

Moisturizers using moss as an active aren't plentiful either. MARA SeaDream Algae Cream ($64/1.7 fl oz) is one. Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream ($39/1.69 fl oz) is another. I also found Pacifica Comfort Space Skinflammation Mask ($15/2.0 fl oz), which is a nighttime mask used 1-2 times a week.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. Typically, you will find them listed between $10-15 USD. Unfortunately, I can't find the original prices, but as this was a very 'buzzy' skincare brand, products were priced on the higher side.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Starflower + Snow Mushroom Ultra-Hydrating Sleep Mask

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Moisturizer

Price: $10-15 USD*

Size: 2.4 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Starflower: Antioxidant, skin-balancing, anti-aging

Snow Mushroom: Adaptogen, deeply moisturizing (20x more than hyaluronic acid)

Texture: Aerated cream

Feel: Drenched

Scent: Frankly, I almost want to give it a negative flower, which is something I've never done. There's no added fragrance, but the ingredients don't have a pleasant scent.

Results: A little goes a long way with this product. Initially, the mask has a bit of resistance in the jar. It's easy to accidentally scoop too much product because when it gives way, you kind of pick up a chunk. Rubbing it between your fingers will melt the product.

It tends to sit on the skin, rather than absorb right away. In fact, it's so rich that unless you have very dry skin, you might find it too hydrating. I had some issues with breakouts if I used it every day. It was fine when I only used it once or twice a week though, or in very small amounts.

That said, I am glad I tried this. There's been a lot of hype around snow mushroom as a skincare ingredient. It's more moisturizing than hyaluronic acid. But right now it's mainly available from high priced brands I can't afford. This was a good way to get my hands on that active without paying out the nose for it.

I liked this product, but what I liked more was the active. Snow mushroom seems like the perfect ultra-hydrator for winter skin problems.

Comps: Brands are still catching on to using adaptogens in their products, so it's a little hard to find something new to the market like snow mushroom that has a lot of hype behind it without overpaying for it. I've tried my best to find some reasonably priced options. Well People Fresh Dew Snow Mushroom Gel Cream ($22/1.76 fl oz) and NYX Face Freezie Cooling Primer + Moisturizer ($20/1.69 fl oz) both use snow mushroom in their formulations.

Some other adaptogen-centric moisturizers include Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Cream ($78/1.7 fl oz) and Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Hydra Burst Gel Lotion ($78/1.7 fl oz), which uses a combination of adaptogens; Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with ashwagandha and reishi mushroom ($58/2 fl oz), LAPCOS Chaga Rest Balm Cream ($42/1.85 fl oz) with chaga mushroom, DIME Dewy Day Cream with tremella mushroom and rosehip ($38/1.7 fl oz), I'm From Mushroom Collagen Cream ($35/1.7 fl oz) with 30% mushroom extract, Undefined Beauty R&R Gel-Creme with shiitake and tremella mushrooms ($28/1.0 fl oz), and Good Light Order of the Eclipse Hyaluronic Cream with meshima mushroom ($28/1.69 fl oz).

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything for other moisturizers using starflower.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. Typically, you will find them listed between $10-15 USD. Unfortunately, I can't find the original prices, but as this was a very 'buzzy' skincare brand, products were priced on the higher side.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Ginger + Kombucha Skin Tonic

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Toner

Price: $10-15 USD*

Size: 3.33 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Ginger Root Extract: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

Kombucha: Rich in probiotics and enzymes, supports skin barrier

Texture: Watery

Feel: Clean, refreshed, hydrated

Scent: 🌸

Results: I loved this product. The label says it's to 'bounce, glow, and tone' skin. It operates more like an essence though, where you apply it direct to the skin and massage it in. It foams up a little when applied to the skin, which gives it a pretty lush feel.

It's also super hydrating. You almost don't need anything else in your routine after applying this.

That being said, I'm not sure if I saw any results from using this product. I just liked it; it made me feel like it was doing something, probably because of the foaming action. I don't think it particularly helped my skin tone. I had a lot of cheek redness while using these products, like my rosacea was worse. It felt more like this was meant for skin brightening than toning.

That said, I liked that it didn't strip my skin, as toners often do.

Comps: If you're interested in trying out a toner or essence with kombucha in it, here are some options for you. Probably one of the most widely known brands, fresh Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence is going to be one of the most expensive at $82 for a 5 fl oz bottle. I've tried a little sample of this before and quite liked it. Unfortunately, for me and probably most of you, this is a little outside my normal price range. Closer to doable are K-beauty brands Juice to Cleanse Vinegar Kombucha Vegan Essence ($43/5.07 fl oz) and t'else Kombucha Hydro Glow Essence ($28/5.07 fl oz). Even more reasonably priced than that is good. clean. goop beauty The Illuminator 10% Glycolic Toner with kombucha and snow mushroom extract ($19.99/3.4 fl oz) and avatara Kombucha The Clean Sweep Balancing Oil-Control Toner with kombucha and glycolic acid ($13.99/4.05 fl oz).

For a more general brightening toner, there are lots of options out there. OLEHENRIKSEN Barrier Booster Orange Ferment Essence ($48/4.0 fl oz), Flora & Noor Vitamin C Resurfacing Toner ($28/5.0 fl oz), Beekman 1802 Pore Minimizing Facial Toner ($22/4.0 fl oz), Andalou Naturals Clementine + C Illuminating Toner ($14.99/6.0 fl oz), Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner ($14/4.0 fl oz), and Peach Slices Snail Rescue Blemish Busting Toner ($13.99/4.0 fl oz) are some great options without strong acids in them, which I think is harder to find than ones that do.

If you very specifically want a brightening essence, I can think of a quite a few from K-beauty brands. Son Reve Tri-Bio Treatment Essence ($43/5.07 fl oz), I'm From Mugwort Essence ($40/5.64 fl oz), NEOGEN Real Ferment Micro Essence ($38/5.07 fl oz), Benton Fermentation Essence ($27/3.38 fl oz), CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($25/3.38 fl oz), Chasin Rabbits Magic Beauty Shroom Tremella Mushroom Elixir ($25/6.76 fl oz), and Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist ($24/3.38 fl oz) are all great options with clean ingredient lists, and quite a few of them also contain probiotics, similar to Wldkat. Ginger + Kombucha Skin Tonic.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. Typically, you will find them listed between $10-15 USD. Unfortunately, I can't find the original prices, but as this was a very 'buzzy' skincare brand, products were priced on the higher side.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Yucca + Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Exfoliant

Price: $10-15 USD*

Size: 3.33 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Yucca: Antioxidant, soothes

11% Lactic Acid: AHA, exfoliant

10% Glycolic Acid: AHA, exfoliant

Texture: Liquid

Feel: Burn-y, Tight

Scent: 🌸

Results: There was a lot of hype around this product, but I, personally, wasn't impressed with it. I bought it because it said it was a gentle exfoliant you could use every day. The first time I used it, I got severely burned after indirect sun exposure through a car window. It looked like I'd gotten sunburn on top of a chemical burn. It was really awful and took a while to heal.

I thought maybe I'd used the product wrong, so I tried it again a couple times, only to have pretty severe redness each time after use. Not as bad as the first burn, thankfully, but I wasn't impressed.

After a little investigation, I found out that there was also glycolic acid in this, in addition to the lactic acid. In fact, the percentage on both acids was much higher than anything I've used previously. Not gentle enough for every-day use at all. I wound up watering this down by over half just to make it something I could use. Really disappointing.

Comps: If you really love the idea of a 10% lactic acid liquid exfoliant, try Sacheu Lactic Tonic AHA Resurfacing Essence ($26/3.33oz), Hanskin Hyaluron Exfoliating AHA Treatment ($27/5.0oz), or Undefined Beauty R&R Exfoliator ($28/3.4oz). OLEHENRIKSEN Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner has a 7% AHA mix, which is a little bit gentler ($35/6.5oz). Indie Lee Exfoliating Solution, on the other hand, is a stronger product with 15% AHAs ($52/4.2oz). Personally, this experience has taught me that I need a much weaker product, and if you feel the same way or are new to using acids, you may want to try Thayers 2% AHA Toner with Glycolic + Lactic Acids, which is super reasonably priced at $14.99 for a 12oz bottle.

Similarly, you could try a peel pad, which just a liquid exfoliant with a pre-soaked pad. For that, I'd recommend BeautyStat Cosmetics Universal Triple Action Daily Peel ($75/30 ct), which is a little on the pricey side. I'm also not sure of the concentration of acids. The brand does offer a 10ct trial pack for 29 USD, which might be a good way to see if you like the product before committing to the higher price point. Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads 10% AHA + BHA is another option at a much lower price point of 16 USD for a 60ct tub.

If you think peel pads are bullshit and would rather try a serum formulation, there are plenty of options. People go bonkers over Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment, but it's hella expensive ($85/1 oz). Dermalogica is a tried and true brand, as well, and offers both the Liquid Peelfoliant with 10% AHA, .5% BHA, 4.5% PHA ($65/2 oz) and Clear Start Breakout Clearing Liquid Peel with 10% AHA and 2% DHA ($29.50/1 oz). Closer to the midrange is Mad Hippie AHA Exfoliating Peel ($29.99/1 oz). Bubble Moon Walk Gentle Exfoliating Serum is a 7% AHA + BHA mix ($17/1 oz). Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment is going to be the cheapest at 6 USD for a 1 fl oz bottle. It has 10% AHA + BHA acids.

If you'd rather use a much stronger product once a week, I'd recommend a mask. Higher priced brands include Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial ($80/1.69oz), OLEHENRIKSEN Dewtopia 25% Acid Flash Facial ($50/1.7oz), Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask ($49/2.0oz), and Beekman 1802 Potato Peel Rapid Resurfacing Milk Facial ($49/1.69oz), which has a 25% acid concentration. Midrange options include Mad Hippie Microdermabrasion Facial ($31.99/2 oz). CosRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel is a powerful treatment that really is only used once a week and is super reasonably priced ($19/1.01 oz). Bubble Deep Dive Exfoliating Mask is a close second at $18 per 1.5oz, but has an unspecified acid content.

As you can see, your option for exfoliants is pretty wide reaching. You can even find cleansers with AHAs and BHAs in them. They're really flexible actives, and you can go stronger or weaker, daily or intermittent use. It's really up to you. Just remember that using AHAs will increase your photosensitivity, so wear sunscreen.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. Typically, you will find them listed between $10-15 USD. Unfortunately, I can't find the original prices, but as this was a very 'buzzy' skincare brand, products were priced on the higher side.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Patchouli + Cherimoya Gel Cleanser

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Cleanser

Price: $10-15 USD*

Size: 4.0 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Patchouli: Balances skin, adds fragrance

Cherimoya: Adaptogen, hydrates

Texture: Gel

Feel: Clean

This is gentle enough to use twice a day, but you should be cautious about using too much product, as it can result in dryness. Follow the recommended instructions.

Scent: 🌸🌸🌸

Smells pretty strongly of patchouli.

Results: I liked this cleanser. A small amount of product goes a very long way, so it takes a while to use up a bottle. It's gentle enough to use twice a day, though that can result in some dryness if you're using too much product at once.

Another fun aspect to this product is that it's multipurpose. It can also be used when shaving. I tried it out a few times and found it hydrated and smoothed, allowing for a closer shave than I normally get. That was a nice bonus.

And it smells good. I don't usually see earthy scents used in skincare, so it was a pleasant surprise. I'm a big fan of patchouli, sandalwood, and other 'earthy' essential oils. If I'm wearing something with scent, it's usually that. I found the smell of this cleanser to be pleasant and soothing.

Comps: Adaptogens, particularly adaptogen cleansers, are still sort of catching on in the skincare world. There's a lot of questions about what adaptogens are, what they do, etc. It was pretty difficult to find comps for this. I couldn't find anyone else who was using patchouli in a cleanser.

Sandalwood, which is in a similar scent family and is good for sensitive skin, has some options out there. Urban Veda Sandalwood & Sage Soothing Cleanser is a good choice at only 17USD for a 5 fl oz bottle. I also found a brand called Living Libations, who make an all-in-one cleanser, moisturizer, and serum with sandalwood. It's a little on the pricey side ($42/oz), and I can't speak to product quality, as I've never heard of them before this. That being said, it sounds like a cool product.

Origins has a line that uses mushroom adaptogens in their products. Check out Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cleanser ($42/5.0 oz) and Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Micellar Cleanser ($42/6.7 oz).

You may also want to check out Undefined Beauty R&R Cleanser, which uses aloe, niacinamide, and licorice root, not to mention centella, green tea, tremella and shiitake mushrooms, AND probiotics. Undefined Beauty's mission is to bring people adaptogen skincare at an affordable price. Their cleanser comes in at a very reasonable 24 USD for an 8.0 oz bottle.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. Typically, you will find them listed between $10-15 USD. Unfortunately, I can't find the original prices, but as this was a very 'buzzy' skincare brand, products were priced on the higher side.

[skincare-surveyor]

WLDKAT. Saffron & Oat Milk Glow Serum

Brand: WLDKAT.

Product Type: Serum

Price: $25.00 USD*

Size: 1.0 fl oz

✔️Vegan  ✔️Clean Ingredients  ✔️Cruelty Free  ✔️Sustainable Packaging

Star Ingredients:

Saffron: Brightens skin

Oat milk: Soothes, protects

Texture: Watery

Feel: Non-sticky hydration

Scent: 🌸

No added fragrance.

Results: Initially, I was really excited to try WLDKAT. It was one of those more expensive, buzzy brands. Their whole schtick was using adaptogens--like mushrooms--and other unusual ingredients in their products. As a result of all the hype, I couldn't really afford it and was waiting for a good sale. Then I started noticing that their products were disappearing from my wishlist and did a bit of research only to find that they'd gone out of business. To the company's credit, this was not due to a failing in product design but, as is so often the case, money. So I bought some things on clearance, which is the only place you'll find these products now.

That being said, I didn't notice any change or improvement in my skin while using this product. This is supposed to be a brightening serum, and the way I measure results is if I notice any change in the age spot on my temple. Sun damage as you get older really is a thing, kids. Use sunscreen. Unfortunately, my age spot stayed exactly the same color as when I began using the serum, so it was ineffective in that regard.

I also found that my rosacea seemed to be worse and, like most brightening products, I had a line of discoloration above my upper lip. That was pretty annoying.

That being said, it provided some nice additional hydration, which I felt was needed because the daily moisturizer felt kind of dry to me.

Comps: Frankly, I wasn't impressed with saffron as an active ingredient for brightening. I feel like if brightening your complexion is your main goal, it's better to go with an active that has proven results.

One of the best actives out there for brightening is Vitamin C. Like I've said before, Derma-E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum is the best price per ounce I've seen. Other good, affordable options include Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C & Niacinamide Serum, Cocokind Vitamin C Serum, and, of course, The Ordinary has several Vitamin C serums available, all at reasonable prices.

Another active used for brightening, as well as tone, texture, and oil control, is niacinamide. I'm pretty partial to niacinamide. It's a gentler active than vitamin C, costs less, and is more multi-functional, imo. BYOMA and The Ordinary both offer brightening serums where niacinamide is the main active. Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum has the best price per ounce and is available in a 2.5 fl oz bottle.

If you want to something a little more intense but not as expensive as vitamin C, Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum uses beta-arbutin to brighten, and is super cheap.

*WLDKAT. Skincare has gone out of business. Any products remaining are being sold through closeout retailers at highly discounted prices, which can vary. This post lists the original retail price.