The Ink Nurse Multi-Purpose Remedy Cream has intrigued me for the longest time because whenever a cream is marketed as “multi-purpose”, I immediately get sceptical. I’ve seen other skincare brands do this in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience, and the results usually could be more impressive. Such is often the case when skincare products take a one-size-fits-all approach.
Yet, family and friends, especially those with tattoos, have been singing its praises for as long as I can remember. So, when Ink Nurse contacted me directly to test the product, my curiosity was piqued.
Important note: This product was gifted to me, but I am not obligated to provide a review. I always test a product for four weeks before committing to a review. If I don’t like the product, you won’t see it on Skin School – gifted or otherwise.
So let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of this review.
The Background of Ink Nurse
While Ink Nurse is designed to assist in the healing process of tattoos, it can be used as a general remedy cream for irritated skin and a daily gentle moisturiser to keep skin hydrated throughout the day.
With an array of humectants and natural extracts like shea butter and avocado oil, this remedy cream reduces trans-epidermal water loss. It soothes skin trauma associated with fresh tattoos, including genetic and environmental irritations.
Last but not least, it contains no parabens, petroleum, or synthetic colours and fragrances – perfect for sensitive skin. It’s also cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and 100% Australian-owned and made – all green ticks in my book.
Texture, Feel & Finish
It’s a white cream with a medium thickness.
Depending on where you are applying it, only a tiny amount is needed is deeply hydrate and nourish the skin.
Upon rubbing it in, you can immediately feel the product providing a protective barrier over the skin. This barrier is definitely due to the occlusives like Coconut Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Shea Butter. You can re-apply it onto the skin as much as needed.
The finish is a semi-matte appearance that’s subtle and comfortable.
Results on my skin
As previously mentioned, I trialled the Ink Nurse Multi-purpose Remedy Cream for four weeks, replacing my go-to body moisturiser and evening face moisturiser with this. On colder days, I also used this as the first moisturiser underneath my sunscreen.
After cleansing, toning and applying my serums, I used this cream on my face as the last step in my routine. I applied it directly to my body straight after showering.
It’s winter here in Australia, so I’ve had to update my routine with skincare products that support my skin against the cold. My skin type is oily and acne-prone most of the year, but during winter, it switches to combination and acne-prone.
The Ink Nurse Multi-purpose Remedy Cream performed exceptionally well in two areas of my life.
Firstly, it’s been an absolute godsend during the frosty season, keeping my face and body supple, hydrated and smooth – especially my hands. Previously, the skin on my hands would crack and become flaky during winter. Since using this, there has been none of that.
As for my face, my eye areas and cheeks haven’t felt dry or tight – which I commonly experience during cold weather – since using this cream. My skin hasn’t reacted negatively because the formulation contains gentle ingredients and humectants. The redness I typically have during this time of year has also reduced somewhat.
That said, it did feel a bit heavy on my face, and after the first two weeks of using it, I noticed some minor breakouts in my T-zone areas, even though this product is marketed as non-comedogenic. The breakouts were nothing too crazy – only little whiteheads, which can be attributed to the thickness of the cream and its ingredients. But more on this later.
Secondly, I’ve used this cream as a post-shave face and body treatment. This is where the product truly shined for me. No matter what I do or what aftercare skincare product I use, my skin gets itchy and irritated, especially my legs. I used this like a post-shave balm after shaving, and it’s been happy days ever since! No razor bumps, redness or irritation was in sight. Frankly, I was ecstatic I wasn’t itching freshly shaved skin every few minutes.
Overall, the hype of the cream is true and I’m satisfied with the product. It delivers on its promises:
- A gentle multitasking cream that remedies multiple skin concerns like redness and irritation by creating a protective layer that deeply hydrates
- It aids in the process of skin repair and calms down angry skin
- Provides long-lasting nourishment and reduces trans-epidermal water loss while soothing skin trauma
Let’s talk about the ingredients in Ink Nurse
Because we love transparency at Skin School, here’s the whole ingredients list before we dive in:
Aqua (Purified water), Organic Aloe, Vera Leaf Juice, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum ParkII (Shea) Butter, Ceteareth 20, Glycerine, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylol Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Tocopherol.
As you can see, the list is full of ingredients that provide hydration and protection. Below is a breakdown of some of their benefits:
Aloe Vera
Contains anti-inflammatory properties and supports the healing of wounds.
Fractionated Coconut Oil and Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Rich in saturated fats and essential amino acids that repair the skin barrier.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, and Sorbitan Olivate
Fatty acids derived from olive oil. These are emulsifiers that prevent the water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
Shea Butter
Rich in Omega-3, Omega-6, Vitamin E and Karitene, all known to protect skin and seal in moisture.
Glycerine
A well-researched humectant that absorbs moisture from the air and brings it to the skin to keep it supple all day.
Rosehip Oil
A nourishing botanical full of vitamins A, C and E, it calms skin sensitivities, restores moisture, combats acne-causing bacteria, fade scarring, restores elasticity and improves skin healing.
Avocado Oil
Includes a host of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and niacin. This natural moisturising agent restores skin suppleness and provides antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals and environmental aggressors.
Jojoba Oil
A wax ester with anti-inflammatory properties can mimic the skin’s composition and “trick” it into thinking there’s enough oil on the skin, helping regulate sebum production.
Chamomile Extract
Rich in powerful antioxidants, polyphenols, and phytochemicals, this natural anti-inflammatory helps soothe aggravated skin conditions while providing antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic support.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E. Great for skin repair.
A quick note on the comedogenic scale
I previously mentioned that the Ink Nurse Multi-Purpose Remedy Cream broke me out in the t-zone area (nose), even though it’s marketed as non-comedogenic.
I’d attribute my breakouts to the formulation’s double layer of coconut oil. It’s also in the top half of the order of the ingredients, which means there’s quite a generous amount of it.
On a comedogenic scale, coconut oil rates as a four out of five, which means it’s severely comedogenic and can clog pores. As such, if you’re acne-prone, proceed with caution and do a patch test first to see how your skin reacts.
However, take the comedogenic scale with a grain of salt. Everyone’s skin is different, so while one ingredient might cause breakouts on your skin, it could be fine on someone else’s. Never use it as a be-all and end-all reference.
Do we approve the Ink Nurse Multi-purpose Remedy Cream?
Yes! If you want a gentle, nourishing product that does what it says on the box, the Ink Nurse Multi-purpose Remedy Cream is one to consider.
