The Rose-Raspberry series - complete facial skincare

Not so long ago, when we heard the words "One Rose-Raspberry, please" in our brick-and-mortar shops, we reached without hesitation for a little white bottle topped with a black pipette. Meanwhile, before we knew it, one serum in the Ministerstwo range had grown into a four-product series of advanced facial care products! Although they have a great deal in common, each one is different - today we present the whole set to you :).

In the beginning there was the serum... Rose-Raspberry

Our rose-raspberry obsession (in the good sense of the word) began with work on our first multi-ingredient facial care product. The Ministerstwo range already included our own body care formulas, but the face was looked after by minimalist products in the form of pure raw materials: plant oils, hydrolats and clays. We wanted more, without giving up our love of oils - so the fruit of several years of effort could be nothing other than an oil serum.

Today, more than four years after its launch, the Rose-Raspberry name covers, in turn: a face serum and cream, a make-up removing and face cleansing oil, and a serum for the eye and lip area, also known as the elixir. What they share is the presence of two base raw materials - unrefined, cold-pressed rosehip seed oil and raspberry seed oil - and the same divine scent of rose jam. What differs is the composition of supporting ingredients (chosen according to the type of product and the effect it is meant to deliver), as well as the formula and the packaging. Each of them is a multi-ingredient, carefully composed formula offering all-round care. Together, in any combination, they complement each other according to your individual needs.

The multi-ingredient Rose-Raspberry face serum oil

A rich composition in a light, fast-absorbing formula - that is the short summary of our rose-raspberry serum. This is a product that wins over even the most hardened oil sceptics - we have lost count of how many times we have heard the words "This is the only oil serum that has ever worked for me" ;). It can successfully replace a cream and can also be used under make-up. The serum formula is a perfectly balanced blend of natural oils (including perilla, pumpkin seed and buriti), light emollients (from sugar cane and milk thistle seeds) and a plant counterpart of lanolin, enriched with absolute classics among antioxidant and anti-ageing ingredients - a complex of vitamins A, C and E and coenzyme Q10. All this in order to give your skin a solid dose of moisture, nourishment and elasticity, along with an effect of radiance, reduced redness and improved skin tone - and all in one little bottle! Used regularly, the serum clearly increases the firmness, smoothness, elasticity and hydration of the skin, which is confirmed by independent instrumental studies. And, although this particular point cannot be proven by laboratory methods, we add with full conviction: it reduces the evil of the world :).

An interesting ingredient:
Tripelargonin - a light emollient obtained from milk thistle seeds. It forms an invisible occlusive layer on the surface of the skin, strengthening the epidermal barrier and limiting excessive moisture loss. It softens and smooths the skin, leaving a dry, silky finish with no greasy feel, which makes it exceptionally pleasant to the touch.

The super-nourishing face cream Rose-Raspberry Jam

We began work on the first face cream at Ministerstwo with the idea of creating a universal cream - but we quickly realised that if we wanted to combine our beloved, tried and tested cosmetic raw materials, the challenge would be to obtain a formula that would not be too heavy, greasy or sticky. On top of that, we dreamed of boldly reaching for advanced, modern active ingredients, but choosing the right ones required first deciding on specific properties for the finished product. The Rose-Raspberry Jam was therefore born as a cream intended for dry skin in need of strong nourishment, as well as skin prone to redness, mature skin and skin lacking firmness. So that it could effectively moisturise, nourish, firm and smooth the skin, we went for a balance between ingredients we had already tested - natural oils, vitamins and coenzyme Q10 - and a wealth of exciting new ferments, extracts and innovative active substances, led by liposome-encapsulated plant stem cells. The whole thing turned out to be a bullseye: using the Jam in daily facial care gives the skin smoothness and increased hydration, reduces redness and flaking of the epidermis and, what many find most promising, reduces the depth and length of wrinkles. And we have the papers to prove it! ;)

An interesting ingredient:
Among the products in the Rose-Raspberry line, the nourishing face cream stands out for containing two valuable raw materials obtained from... apples :). The first is Pyrus Malus Seed Oil - apple seed oil, a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, thanks to which it effectively soothes irritated skin, softens, nourishes and moisturises it. The real star of the Jam formula, however, is the liposome-encapsulated stem cells obtained from red Swiss apples (INCI: Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract). Penetrating deep into the epidermis, they protect our skin's stem cells against harmful external factors, support their natural renewal and strengthen their vitality, which translates into slower skin ageing and prevention of wrinkles.

All of you interested in the Jam are welcome to read the post in which we take its formula and its effects apart almost down to the last detail :). Day and night face cream Rose-Raspberry Jam

The Rose-Raspberry hydrophilic cleansing oil for make-up removal and face washing

Both during the day and at night, impurities gather on our skin: a peculiar mixture of, among other things, sweat, sebum, residue of applied cosmetics and dust. Nothing pleasant. Diligent and correct cleansing of the skin is the foundation of its good condition and healthy appearance - the remaining steps of your routine will not do their job if we apply cosmetics onto such a base. Brrr! Most of the impurities mentioned are fatty in nature, so if we want to dissolve them effectively and remove them from the surface of the skin, we need to reach for substances that bind with fats - and the best at that are... other fats :). And this is how it joined the Ministerstwo range: the Rose-Raspberry hydrophilic cleansing oil for make-up removal and face washing.

As a rinse-off cosmetic, that is one we do not leave on the skin, the make-up removing and face cleansing oil is not meant to play a caring role - hence its composition is relatively simple, without the wealth of active ingredients you will find in the other products of the Rose-Raspberry series. Its task is instead to wash away impurities well and to wash ITSELF away well, without disturbing the skin's natural hydrolipid barrier. So in its formula we combined unrefined plant oils: rice bran, sweet almond, raspberry seed, rosehip seed, sunflower seed, buriti oil and squalane, along with a composition of emulsifying ingredients (which make it easier to rinse off, more on which in a moment) and the iconic fragrance that brings to mind rose doughnuts ;). Perfectly balanced proportions of ingredients mean that the oil is neither too runny nor too thick, which makes it highly efficient and easy to spread on both dry and damp skin. Our "hydrophile", as it is commonly known, effectively removes both regular and waterproof make-up from the face, eyes and lips, heavy sunscreens, excess sebum and all impurities. After rinsing with warm water it leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh, without any unpleasant sensation of tightness, dryness or irritation. The complexion looks healthy, is soft and smooth to the touch and full of glow. And on top of that it smells beautiful!

An interesting ingredient:
Glyceryl Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Triolein - a mixture of substances known as emulsifiers, which make it possible to combine oil and water ingredients that do not mix. Used in the formulas of emulsion products (creams, lotions and so on), they are responsible for obtaining a uniform mass that does not separate again into a water phase and an oil phase.

Let us use a culinary metaphor here: imagine a dish into which we pour water and any kitchen oil. The more vigorously we stir such a mixture (or shake it in a closed container), the more uniform it may seem to us, but once we set it aside it will separate again over time - the oil will first start to form "bubbles" and eventually rise completely to the surface of the water. In cosmetics, two-phase make-up removers behave in this way. If, however, we added an emulsifying ingredient to such a mixture, we would manage to blend the whole thing effectively and lastingly into a uniform mass.

In our hydrophilic cleansing oil for make-up removal and face washing, the presence of emulsifiers means that the plant oils it contains wash off the surface of the skin perfectly on contact with clean water, with no need for detergents. In other words, it is the emulsifiers that are responsible for its hydrophilic nature, that is its love of water :). Thanks to this, the oil can be used as the only cleansing cosmetic, leaving no greasy layer on the skin and not making it shine.

The active elixir for the eye and lip area Rose-Raspberry + Ximenynic Acid

Our youngest child among the four rose-raspberry siblings and, at the same time, the first Ministerstwo product intended strictly for the care of the skin around the eyes. Like the others, it is based on classic ingredients - rosehip seed and raspberry seed oils, squalane, vitamins A, C and E and coenzyme Q10. This time, however, we allowed ourselves a touch of extravagance, enriching its formula with unusual but wildly promising plant extracts - including the ximenynic acid of the title. We present the whole thing to you in special packaging made of biophotonic glass, which protects the contents from sunlight, topped with a metal ball that not only makes the product easier to apply but also brings additional cooling properties, which helps reduce puffiness under the eyes, especially when we are short of sleep ;).

The active serum for the eye and lip area Rose-Raspberry + Ximenynic Acid effectively nourishes, regenerates and moisturises without weighing down the delicate skin around the eyes. It smooths, improves skin tone, brightens and adds radiance. The enormous amount of work we put into creating it deserves a far more detailed presentation, which is why we warmly encourage you to read two separate posts on the Ministerstwo blog - the first is about the elixir as a whole, while in the second we say a little more about ximenynic acid itself, since you ask us about it in great numbers and without pause :).

You can read more about the Rose-Raspberry eye serum here: Ximenynic acid - properties and effects

An interesting ingredient:
The elixir formula stands out for, among other things, unusual plant extracts carefully chosen for the needs of the delicate skin around the eyes, which is prone not only to loss of firmness and expression lines, but also to puffiness and dark shadows. The first of them is an extract from the flowers, leaves and stems of the so-called electric daisy (INCI: Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract), sometimes called "herbal botox" because of its muscle-relaxing effect, which helps to reduce expression lines. Together with the extract from milkvetch root (INCI: Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract) they have a strong soothing effect. Extract from the bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree, in turn, stimulates microcirculation, helping to reduce swelling, redness and shadows under the eyes that arise from stagnant blood and lymph in the capillaries. What is more, each of the above extracts is also a strong antioxidant. Together they have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin's supporting fibres - milkvetch root extract supports the multiplication of fibroblasts and prevents the degradation of collagen under UV radiation, electric daisy extract stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the fibroblasts, and Terminalia arjuna bark extract inhibits the breakdown of elastin fibres. Three times YES for firmer, smoother skin and shallower fine lines!

How to use the cosmetics from the Rose-Raspberry series?

We have now introduced you to each of the four products from our bestselling rose-raspberry series - all that is left is to tell you how to use them in your daily facial care. Below we have gathered a handful of the most important tips:

Together and separately

Every cosmetic from the Rose-Raspberry line can be used every day and all year round - both during the day and at night, and twice a day too. Of course, "can" absolutely does not mean "must" :). The products in the series can be freely combined in a skincare routine or used interchangeably - if only it suits your individual preferences and the needs of your skin, there is nothing to stop you from first washing your face with the oil and then applying, in turn, the eye elixir, the serum on the face, neck and décolletage, and finally covering it all with the cream. Not every complexion, however, will happily accept such rich care! Our customers use every possible combination, also changing them depending on the time of day or the season - the alternating use of the Serum and the Jam is especially popular: the lighter Serum in the morning, the more substantial Jam in the evening, or the Serum in spring and summer and the Jam in autumn and winter.

Tried and tested duos

The rose-raspberry cosmetics are also happy to form duos with other Ministerstwo products, creating a complementary care routine. Depending on your needs, we particularly recommend the following combinations:

• Greater precision when cleansing - the oil + a cloth

If you want to be sure that you have rinsed the hydrophilic cleansing oil off your face precisely (which matters especially for skin prone to blemishes), it is worth swapping washing it off with your hands under running water for using a bamboo face cloth - we soak the cloth thoroughly, squeeze out the excess water, press it to the surface of the face and gently wipe the oil away with outward movements, paying particular attention to the folds by the ears, the nose and the whole hairline, where product residue likes to gather.

• Two-step cleansing - the oil + a foam

For those with dry and sensitive skin and for people who do not wear make-up or use "heavy" skincare products in their morning routine (rich creams, mineral sunscreens and so on), washing the face in the evening with the cleansing oil alone and rinsing it thoroughly is usually enough. In other cases, stronger two-step cleansing is recommended, that is first using the oil and then a water-based cleansing product - for example the Natural Apricot face wash foam from the Ministerstwo range.

• More moisture and faster absorption - elixir/serum + hydrolat

Even very light oil formulas, such as our active elixir for the eye and lip area Rose-Raspberry + Ximenynic Acid or the Rose-Raspberry face serum, may need a moment longer to absorb and may leave a very thin protective layer on the surface of the skin, especially if it is not skin prone to dryness. To reduce this effect, it is worth applying them to skin that has first been dampened with a hydrolat of your choice - then not only will the oil product spread more easily and absorb faster, but we will also give the skin an extra dose of moisture :).

• Care on a grand scale - oil + cream

The Rose-Raspberry Jam, although it is a cream with a substantial, strongly nourishing formula, may need support when your skin is particularly dehydrated, for example during a period of low temperatures and dry air in centrally heated rooms. If you feel that the Jam used on its own does not wrap the skin sufficiently, we recommend mixing a portion of the cream with a little oil of your choice on your hand each time before applying it - this can be either the Rose-Raspberry Serum or any pure oil, such as squalane or raspberry seed oil, which will enrich its texture and strengthen its occlusive action, preventing water loss. You will get an even stronger effect by applying them to the skin one after the other - first the Jam and then the Serum or an oil to "seal" the routine.

• Too substantial? Hydrolat + cream

If, quite the opposite, the Jam turns out to be too rich a cream for you, we have a simple solution for that too - it is worth trying to apply it to damp skin generously sprayed with any hydrolat, which will thin the texture of the cream and remove the film you can feel on the skin.

A little caution

All products in the Rose-Raspberry series are vegan cosmetics. They will find a use in the care of every skin type, although we especially recommend them for dry, mature skin or skin with the first signs of ageing. We do recommend, however, that pregnant and breastfeeding women consult their doctor or paediatrician individually before using products from the Rose-Raspberry line.

Because of the rosehip seed and raspberry seed oils of the title, each of them has a yellowish or golden colour. Please do not worry though - after application they do not stain the skin and do not make the face visibly yellow compared with the rest of the body; they only give it a healthier shade, boosting and evening out its natural tone. They may, however, stain light fabrics if they get onto them directly - so we recommend care when applying the products to the skin and waiting until the cosmetic has fully absorbed before putting on or taking off light-coloured clothing.