December 5, 2017

Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick ($9.99) is a new multitasking skincare stick that contains peppermint, cucumber, and aloe vera that act to quickly hydrate and perk up tired skin. About two years ago stick everything was all the rage but the fade died out a little but it looks like drugstores are trying to recapture the trend particularly Physicians Formula who has not one but two different skincare sticks in the works for Spring 2018 (I’ll tell you more about the other one soon!).

Hydrating cooling sticks are quite popular in Japan and Korea and I’ve reviewed a variety of different ones in the past like Skin Food Facial Ice Vita Cooling Stick, Shara Shara Lemon Tea Pore Stick, and Baviphat Alaska Mineral Eye Stick. The US has slowly caught up to the crazy and products like Milk Makeup Hydrating Oil Stick, E.L.F. Studio Daily Moisture Stick, and even makeup remover sticks like Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil Stick have launched in our market.

I find these sticks useful, fum, and travel-friendly but I wasn’t sure what Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick could bring to the table that I haven’t already seen in the huge collection of skincare sticks I already own or have owned in the past.

Nothing. That’s exactly what they bring to the beauty stick world. I hate to say it but you really don’t think you need to indulge in the Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick. If you’re looking into moisturizing, cooling sticks you might want to look towards Korean brands such as Skin Food or Etude House who create some very good sticks like this.

Sadly, Physicians Formula did nothing for me.

This chunky swivel up stick is a light minty green shade and 0.45 oz in size. The brand promotes and markets it as a stick for all skin types that cools with peppermint, hydrates with bamboo, soothes with cucumber, nourishes with aloe vera, and refreshes with glacial water. Apparently it can reduce the appearance of tired eyes while hydrating them and reduces puffiness or you can use it on your neck or other areas of your face to cool and refresh your skin. It has a very light, subtle mint scent that didn’t linger and a slight cooling effect that wasn’t terribly noticeable. The stick is quite dense and doesn’t have a slicker texture so it doesn’t have a smooth, easy glide and could tug during application especially under the delicate area of your eyes. The moisture element is barely there so don’t expect intense moisture. It might be a nice primer for makeup as it does create a lightly hydrating base across my face but nothing noticeable enough to rave.

For me the Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick is sort of a novelty product that doesn’t do very much. I can see people instantly buying it as the idea of swiping it under your eyes for a little moisture and cooling is very appealing however, it’s not formulated as well as some of the other beauty sticks I’ve tried in the past that are much better at what they do.

Sadly, I felt like this one was a skip.

Physicians Formula Refreshmint Cooling Stick is launching now at drugstores and at ulta.com.
Tried it?

Do share!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kjh

    This looks as if PF is studying/copying KB/AB products and not executing them as well. Saccharomyces, bamboo…. and the Tarte fingertip looks as if they have been studying CP. Dusk to dawn is pretty much intended to be used the same way. There is so much derivative going on, that it’s no wonder we cosfiends long for something really original.

    • kjh

      Read the 3AB reviews. Please let me use ‘think I saw a pig fly by my window!’ Beyond funny. Then (of course) had to look up Korean glaciers, just in case they are the Santa of Asian geography, but got sidetracked by an expo exhibit,in which Korean water was transformed into ‘fresh spring water from the Alps with the help of ingenious Swiss technology.’ Seriously. Enough googling for today. Another from the You’re Making That Up Dept.