How I Found My New Favorite Skincare Brand (And Why I Almost Didn’t Order)
Let me paint you a picture: It’s 2 AM in Berlin, I’m doomscrolling Instagram Reels, and suddenly there’s this ad for Getsunmed featuring a woman slathering green goo on her face while drinking matcha in a Scandinavian-looking kitchen. As someone whose skin freaks out if you look at it wrong, I was equal parts skeptical and intrigued.
Why I Finally Caved:
- Their ‘Clean & Simple’ guarantee (no parabens, sulfates, or mysterious ‘fragrance’)
- EU-compliant ingredient lists (this matters post-Brexit!)
- That 15% newcomer discount glowing like a skincare siren song
First Impressions: The Good, The Grainy, and The German
My package arrived in 8 days flat – faster than my last Sephora order. The unboxing experience felt like opening a Wes Anderson prop: recycled cardboard box, tissue paper stamped with leaf patterns, and samples wrapped in… corn starch plastic? Cue immediate eco-guilt about my Cetaphil stash.
What’s Inside:
- Daily Defense SPF 30 (smaller than expected)
- Cloudberry Night Serum (smelled like a hippie Christmas)
- Freebie Clay Mask (later dubbed ‘The Cement Mixer’)
Two Weeks In: The Glow-Up (And One Epic Fail)
Morning Routine Wins: The SPF 30 became my ride-or-die. Unlike American chemical sunscreens, this mineral formula didn’t turn my fair skin into a grease slick. Pro tip: Apply like you’re frosting a cupcake – the zinc oxide needs patting, not rubbing.
Night Serum Surprise: Week 2 brought the ‘Cloudberry Glow’ – not quite Beyoncé lighting, but my Zoom coworkers asked if I’d gotten new ring lights. The catch? It pills if you layer it over anything thicker than water. I learned to apply before brushing my teeth to let it set.
The Mask Incident: That free clay mask hardened faster than British sarcasm. Picture me panic-googling ‘remove concrete face mask’ at 11 PM. Olive oil saved the day (and my eyebrows), but I’ll stick to their chemical exfoliants.
60 Days Later: Is This Sustainable?
Skin Wins:
- 63% fewer angry chin breakouts (yes, I counted)
- No more midday oil slick on my T-zone
- Actual cheekbone highlight without makeup
Wallet Reality Check: That cute 30ml serum lasts exactly 28 days with daily use. At €39 a pop, I’ve started calculating cost-per-drop like a skincare sommelier.
The Pros That Made Me a Convert
- Airport Security MVP: All products under 100ml, perfect for carry-ons
- Sensitive Skin Safe: Survived both Berlin winter and Spanish summer
- No Greenwashing: Legit sustainable packaging (send back empties for recycling!)
- Transparent AF: Full ingredient breakdowns with sourcing countries
- EU Compliance: Meets stricter European standards than US drugstore brands
- Surprise Hero: Their SPF works under makeup better than my old $50 French pharmacy staple
The Cons That Made Me Side-Eye
- Scent Roulette: The ‘natural fragrance’ range goes from ‘fresh meadow’ to ‘herbal apothecary’
- Size Matters: Products last exactly 4-6 weeks – feels intentional
- Website Quirks: Prices show in Euros even when set to US mode (prepare for conversion math)
Real Talk: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This
Perfect For:
- Sensitive skin refugees from harsh actives
- Eco-warriors who want packaging they can compost
- Minimalists who hate 10-step routines
- Expats needing EU-compliant skincare
Skip If:
- You want instant Botato (Botox + potato filter) results
- Prefer luxury textures over effectiveness
- Can’t handle earthy scents (this ain’t Glossier)
Hacks I Learned the Hard Way
- Double Cleansing Trick: Use their oil cleanser after workouts to prevent post-gym breakouts
- Time Zone Serum: Apply night treatments at 7 PM if you Netflix till midnight
- Sample Economy: Those free packets contain exactly 3 uses – perfect for weekend trips
The Verdict: Westerner to Westerner
After burning through €287 worth of products (thanks, VAT), Getsunmed earns a permanent spot in my medicine cabinet – but not the whole shelf. The SPF and serum are holy grail status, while the exfoliants are just… fine. At €11-42 per product, it’s cheaper than Goop but pricier than CeraVe. Worth it for problem skin that needs gentle care, but casual users might balk at the costs.
Final Score: 4.1/5 ⭐
- Effectiveness: 4.5/5
- Value: 3.8/5
- User Experience: 4/5
TL;DR: Think European The Ordinary meets German engineering. Not perfect, but my skin hasn’t looked this good since pre-pandemic. Just keep olive oil handy for that damn mask.
References
[1] Which CBD product is best for me? – Sunmed CBD
[2] CBD tincture vs. gummies: Which to use according to experts
[3] CBD isolate vs. full spectrum: Which is right for you?
[4] Kava vs. CBD: Comparing the effects of each
[5] The Ultimate Weight Management Solution – Sunmed
[6] Red Light Therapy: Pros and Cons – Sunmed CBD
[7] Sunmed Reviews - Read Customer Reviews of Getsunmed.com
[8] Sunmed Rest Gummies - GETSUNMED SITE
[9] getsunmed.com Reviews: Is this site a scam or legit?
[10] SUNMED - Updated February 2025 - 104 Photos & 193 Reviews
[11] Delta-8 vs. delta-9 vs. delta-10: What’s the difference?
[12] 10 Water-Soluble CBD Benefits – Sunmed CBD