The blue tint in a calming cream usually comes from guaiazulene (azulene), an ingredient long associated with soothing the look of redness. But does it actually help when skin is irritated? We had our Midnight Blue Calming Cream evaluated in a dermatologist-led clinical test. Here is what it measured.
- ✓Redness on irritated skin — significantly reduced after 1 application (p<0.05)
- ✓Untreated skin — no significant change over the same period
- ✓Skin barrier (TEWL) — improved in a separate 2-week study
- ✓No adverse reactions reported
Cosmetic measures of the skin’s appearance and feel; individual results vary.
What we looked at
In a clinical test of 21 participants, led by a dermatologist at a third-party research lab, skin on the forearm was deliberately, mildly irritated. Redness was then measured instrumentally (as average hemoglobin concentration) after a single application of the cream — and compared with adjacent skin that was left untreated.
What the test found
- After a single application to irritated skin, the measured redness (hemoglobin concentration) was significantly reduced (p<0.05).
- Adjacent untreated skin showed no significant change over the same period — the difference tracked with the product.
- In a separate 2-week study (21 participants), transepidermal water loss (a barrier measure) significantly decreased, with no adverse reactions reported.
In short: it was measured to help calm the look of redness as it supports the skin barrier.
Why guaiazulene + ceramide
Midnight Blue Calming Cream pairs guaiazulene (the source of its signature blue) with ceramide in a fragrance-free base built for reactive, redness-prone skin. If you are unsure what “calming” even claims to do, see our explainer on what calming actually means.
How to use it
Use as the last step of your routine, or apply a little extra to areas that look or feel irritated and pat in gently.
FAQ
Is Midnight Blue Calming Cream clinically tested?
Yes. In a dermatologist-led clinical test (21 participants), redness on irritated skin was measured instrumentally after a single application; a separate 2-week study measured skin-barrier (TEWL) changes.
Does azulene reduce redness?
In this test, skin redness measured as hemoglobin concentration was significantly reduced after applying the azulene-containing cream to irritated skin (p<0.05), versus no significant change on untreated skin. Results are cosmetic and vary.
Is it a treatment for rosacea or a medical condition?
No. It is a cosmetic moisturizer that helps the look and feel of redness-prone skin. For a diagnosed condition, see a dermatologist.
Can I use it daily on sensitive skin?
It is fragrance-free and designed for regular use on reactive skin; introduce it on its own and patch test first.
Note: figures come from cosmetic clinical/consumer studies measuring the appearance and feel of skin. They are not medical claims; individual results vary, and the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. Always patch test.
