A new launch from Okoko Cosmétiques is always a cause to rejoice.  Recently, I had the delightful opportunity to indulge in two new Okoko treasures, Diamant Bleu Clarifying Cream with Niacinamide and Blue Tansy as well as Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition Next-Level, Age Defying Face Oil with Retinol Fusion. Let’s take these beauties one by one.

Okoko Cosmétiques Diamant Bleu: Clarifying Cream with Niacinamide and Blue Tansy

How can I put into words the pleasure of using Diamant Bleu?  A much-requested item from the Okoko line, this cream is utterly luxurious with a sumptuous buttery texture, the gorgeous color of the sky on a clear and bright day, and a natural fragrance (with key notes of sweet Blue Tansy) so delicious that applying it will lift your spirits and allow for a moment of truly regal indulgence even during an otherwise harried day.

Diamant Bleu is a sensory delight to use.  Sometimes “skincare as self-care” can feel like a marketing gimmick, but not in this case!  It is no exaggeration to say that applying Diamant Bleu offers a precious and enjoyable moment of calm in the storms of life.  I have never smelled any product with a fragrance this delicious, and based on its uplifting effects on me, I would say it is the best aromatherapeutic I have ever tried.  All this praise is simply about the joys of applying Diamant Bleu, but there is so much more to this blue beauty than just delivering an indulgent experience.  As with all Okoko Cosmétiques treasures, every precious ingredient in the formulation is truly performance-driven and based on exhaustive R&D by Okoko founder and Chief Formulator, Oyéta Kokoroko. The gorgeous blue color, for instance, is not just for show; it comes from the combination of natural actives Blue Tansy and Blue Spirulina extract, two incredible plant-based ingredients and potent antioxidants that also deliver skin-calming and detoxifying properties.

If you have a history of complexion woes like I do, then when you imagine a “clarifying cream” you may have visions of harsh dermatological prescriptions that leave skin angry and flaking, but this could not be further from the beautiful reality of Diamant Bleu’s skin-calming results.  I have lovingly nicknamed Diamant Bleu “my blue heaven” because of how dreamy it is in both its performance and use.  The texture is like perfect, freshly-churned butter, delivering an immediate wave of calming hydration.  Before you worry that such a rich, buttery cream might be too indulgent for persnickety, acne-prone skin, let me assure you that Diamant Bleu is formulated precisely for the very concerns of rebellious skin. The importance of hydration plays in optimal healing is often neglected in traditional clarifying formulations, but this is Okoko Cosmétiques, and  Oyéta never delivers less than perfection.  Not only does Diamant Bleu not break me out, it soothes and diminishes inflammation of any sort—whether that is acne, acne marks, or redness and irritation.  Anyone with acne-prone skin can tell you that the marks acne leaves behind are often more stubborn and frustrating than the acne itself was.  Here Diamant Bleu also excels beautifully, with encapsulated Niacinamide proven to rapidly diminish the look of post-acne spots and scarring.

The results of Diamant Bleu will surpass even the highest expectations. My complexion is so much calmer and clearer after regular use of this blue beauty.  This transformative cream is both elegant and high-performance, healing and gently hydrating, all without any harshness–a true feat in formulation!  Diamant Bleu is exceptional and has quickly become my favorite moisturizer of all time.  Of all the moisturizers I have ever tried, none have been as pleasurable and had such an incredible array of benefits as the truly heavenly Diamant Bleu.

Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition Next-Level, Age Defying Face Oil with Retinol Fusion

Les 16 Précieux was already the best anti-aging face oil I had found, but with the new Prestige Edition, you get an entire anti-aging skincare routine all in a single product!  The R&D that went into this treasure is beyond impressive.  As in the White Label version of Les 16 Précieux , Bakuchiol is a key ingredient in the Prestige Edition, but here its effects are further boosted with two evidence-based anti-aging superstars, Encapsulated Retinol and Vitamin C.  The combination of Bakuchiol and Retinol is notable, as the two ingredients work synergistically together, such that their anti-aging and skin-clearing benefits are more than the sum of their individual parts.  Moreover, the Retinol in Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is encapsulated to improve its delivery and stability.  All this is further amplified by collagen-boosting  vitamin C in an oil-soluble form, L-ascorbyl Palmitate, that helps to brighten and smooth the complexion.

Other incredible ingredients in this luxury cocktail that is Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition include powerhouse antioxidants Astaxanthin, skin-smoothing Ceramides, Fermented Willow Bark to help keep skin clear and bright, White Lupin extract for firming sagging skin, and CoQ10 to help protect skin from environmental stress, and Seabuckthorn and Rosehip Oils to help reduce the appearance of scars.  These are just some of the highlights in this truly divine oil serum!  With all the precious actives featured in Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition, it is noteworthy that the formulation also includes Acai Goji Dehydrasome, an advanced natural ingredient that is not only highly antioxidant and hydrating, but also boosts the delivery and absorption of all the formulation’s beneficial ingredients, of which there are many.

Despite all the potent actives and their enhanced delivery, Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is incredibly gentle in its power, never causing even the slightest hint of a reaction even on my sensitive skin.  This rich oil is luxurious, hydrating, anti-aging and yet still a perfect choice for those of us dealing with aging and acne simultaneously, as it addresses both concerns and is non-comedogenic.  Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition is by far the most advanced and effective oil treatment serum I have ever used.  Once again, Okoko Cosmétiques has surpassed my high expectations and delivered a product that truly elevates the entire category of facial oils.

The post Okoko Cosmétiques Diamant Bleu & Les 16 Précieux Prestige Edition appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

I’m thrilled to share my Chebula Active Immunity Serum review.  A hotly-anticipated new release from True Botanicals, the star active Chebula is one of the most bioactive and potent full-spectrum cascading and anti-inflammatory antioxidants ever to grace a skincare product!  The fact that it is a cascading antioxidant means that after it’s done fighting a free radical, it takes a new form that fights yet another free radical and then another and then another, all the while protecting and calming the skin.  Chebula  contains Chebulinic and Chebulagic acids that are able to penetrate the upper levels of the skin where they intercept oxidative stress before it can trigger inflammation and inflammaging. As such a potent anti-inflammatory, Chebula helps directly address the root of practically all skin concerns from aging to acne: inflammation.  The result is a product that is truly a multi-tasker. Most skincare takes weeks to show any benefits, but Chebula Active Immunity Serum seems to reduce my redness and nip my stubborn acne in the bud overnight!

With continued use, Chebula Active Immunity Serum offers even more benefits, correcting 5 signs of aging:

1. It heals roughness and dryness: Chebula boosts aquaporin 9 and aquaporin 3 to help water flow properly through the lower levels of your skin, strengthening barrier function and helping your skin retain moisture
2. It brightens & plumps dull skin: Glycation happens as we age–it’s when amino acids in your skin combine with sugar and create a flat, dull and sunken appearance of the skin. Chebula is a potent glycation inhibitor: it breaks that chain from happening to give way to brighter, plumper skin.
3. It smooths fine lines and wrinkles: Chebula boosts collagen and reduces collagen degradation which is known to help with fine lines and wrinkles.
4. It evens skin tone: Chebula is proven to inhibit and break up uneven distribution of melanin, reducing hyperpigmentation and helping even skin tone.
5. It improves skin elasticity & firmness: One of the root causes of skin sagging is the breakdown of filaggrin beneath the skin’s surface. Filaggrin binds proteins together, almost acting like glue to maintain a strong surface structure and firmness. Chebula boosts filaggrin to improve overall firmness, elasticity and skin health.

Since I started using the Chebula Active Immunity Serum, my skin is brighter, more even, smoother, and clearer!  This is a formulation that delivers visible results!  I love knowing that the serum strengthens my skin’s immunity to the inflammatory forces in order to fight multiple signs of aging. This is not only a great anti-aging product, but also a brilliant tool for preventing signs of aging, because it actually intercepts the things that cause aging (and other skin complaints) before they happen!  I highly recommend this innovative, highly effective formulation from True Botanicals. If you are curious to try it for yourself, they offer a convenient mini size so you can try it before committing to a full size.

Shop Now: Chebula Active Immunity Serum

The post Chebula Active Immunity Serum Review appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

True Botanicals is an uncompromising, highly effective clean skincare line that combines the best natural ingredients with the latest scientific advances in formulation.  Their motto is “pure, potent, proven,” and they live up to it, backing up product efficacy with actual research that demonstrates their products outperform some of the most iconic skincare on the market!  Additionally, their results-driven formulations truly are kind to skin and to the planet.  For example, the US bans only 11 ingredients in beauty products; Europe bans 1,328.  True Botanicals holds itself to a higher, safer standard, banning over 5,000 chemicals known to hurt human or environmental health.  True Botanicals appeals to me because they prove that natural and sustainable skincare can be luxurious and effective.  Today I am going to tell you about an incredible holiday gift set, True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit!

As True Botanicals has been on my wishlist for a few years, I was thrilled to have the chance to try a PR sample of a special holiday gift set, the True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit.  This set offers a lit-from-within glow with True Botanicals iconic Clear Nourishing Cleanser (4 fl oz), Clear Pure Radiance Oil (1 fl oz), Radiance Facial Roller, and a reusable True Botanicals Essentials Bag perfect to use as environmentally-friendly gift wrapping.  The set I tested is focused on giving clear, bright skin, but the “You Make Me Glow” set is also available featuring the Renew line for those who want to focus on anti-aging.  Having enjoyed the Kit for a couple of weeks, I have already seen improvements in my skin in terms of more even tone, less inflammation, and fewer blemishes.  I credit the Clear Nourishing Cleanser and Clear Pure Radiance Oil used with the Radiance Facial Roller for these visible benefits!

How to Use True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit

Here is how I have used the “You Make Me Glow” Face Care Kit to such great effects.  First, I cleanse my face with Clear Nourishing Cleanser.  Next, I apply about 7 drops of Clear Pure Radiance Oil to my skin while it was still moist.  I use the Radiance Facial Roller in short, gentle strokes starting at the center of the jawline and moving up and out towards the hairline. The smaller roller offers gentle precision, and I use it to roll up and out under the eyes and over my temples.  Finally, I roll above my eyebrows up and out on my forehead toward the hairline. I repeat each of the strokes 3-5 5imes until one side of my face was complete and then move to the other side, repeating these steps.

The Clear products themselves are great and truly encourage clear skin while also leaving skin pleasantly hydrated and supporting the skin barrier. Clear Nourishing Cleanser is a creamy, non-foaming cleanser that strikes the perfect balance between sloughing away dead skin and providing healing hydration.  Almost every acne-fighting cleanser I have ever used has been somewhat harsh or drying, but not True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser!  The base ingredient is not water as you would commonly see, but instead nutrient- and polyphenol-rich green and white tea!  The tea is not only highly antioxidant, but also very restorative.  It is complemented by nature’s salicylic acid, black willow bark, which exfoliates and smoothes skin without irritation. Another star ingredient of many is helichrysum, a soothing antibacterial and antifungal botanical renowned for its wound-healing and scar-minimizing benefits.  Rather than drying out the skin (which can exacerbate breakouts and worsen scarring), Clear Nourishing Cleanser is hydrating and offers truly the perfect balancing cleanse!

Clear Pure Radiance Oil is a plumping moisturizer that simultaneously prevents pesky breakouts and helps minimize signs of aging. It serves these dual purposes beautifully with healing , antibacterial helichrysum, sebum-balancing oils of hemp, pumpkin, and grape seed, and the potent anti-aging ingredients algae and astaxanthin.  Packed with skin-loving essential fatty acids, Clear Pure Radiance leaves skin plump and hydrated, restores the skin barrier, and does all this while also balancing oil production and preventing blemishes.

Clear Nourishing Cleanser and Pure Radiance Oil are especially amazing when used with the Radiance Facial Roller included in the True Botanicals You Make Me Glow Face Care Kit.  Radiance Facial Roller boosts circulation and product penetration, reduces puffiness, eases tension, and helps promote elasticity!  This Face Care Kit would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves skincare or deserves some quality self-care!

The post True Botanicals “You Make Me Glow” Kit Review appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Five Elements Skincare is a standout handcrafted, all-natural line of skin-loving botanical products from New Zealand that powerfully restore and enhance skin’s wellbeing and vitality, all without any questionable ingredients, common irritants, or harmful additives.  When Five Elements founder Karen Mackay reached out to me and offered me the chance to try a few of her botanical treasures, I jumped at the chance.  Be sure to check out my interview with Ms. Macay!  The products themselves are elegant, with clean formulations that rely on time-tested botanicals, rather than faddish ingredients, to deliver a multitude of skin benefits.  After trying a few of the products and being highly impressed at how well they hydrated, soothed and helped to heal my mature skin, it came as little surprise to me to discover that Five Elements Founder and Formulator Ms. Mackay has a postgraduate degree in Botany.

Five Elements Skincare Founder, Karen Mackay

In addition to my fondness for the products, I also love the values and integrity that this line embodies.  Quality is ensured with careful thought and attention at every step of production; they even grow their own botanicals using biodynamic principles on their herb farm in Marlborough, New Zealand.  Additionally, Five Elements Skincare routinely donates 10% of profits to New Zealand Conservation Efforts, and they frequently designate periods of time during which they donate 15% of all profits to conservation charities.  Packaging is PBA,  plastic-free and recyclable.  Their prices are amazingly accessible, and to top it off, they are also offering a special discount to my readers through the end of September (jump to the end if you can’t wait)!

The full Five Elements Skincare line consists of a lovely assortment of facial, body, and hair products.  I have thoroughly enjoyed four of Ms. Mckay’s creations:

• Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm
• Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
• Five Elements Elemental Renewal Serum
• Five Elements Comfrey Balm

From the moment I started using Five Elements Skincare, it was clear that the products had been lovingly and thoughtfully created by someone with a keen and nuanced understanding of the healing powers of plants.  Though each the product in the Five Elements range serves a specific, distinctive purpose, the entire line is infused with impressive anti-inflammatory and restorative properties.  Moreover, I would be remiss if I did not mention that Five Elements Skincare offers some of the best value in all green beauty:  pure ingredients, high-performance formulations, all at refreshingly accessible pricing.

Five Elements Skincare is a line that was born out of pure compassion; as you can read my founder interview below my reviews, Ms. Mackay was inspired to create her initial formulation out of a desire to bring comfort and healing to a student she was teaching who was suffering from painful and debilitating eczema.  She had no intention of launching a business.  However, the culmination of her formulation efforts, a balm that she named Five Elements Skin Tonic in honor of the five healing botanicals it contained, led to such a complete transformation in the student’s condition that others soon clamored for it, continually compelling her to make more to share.  Today, Five Elements Skin Tonic is a beloved hero product to those who have experienced its benefits.  Below, I will tell you about my experience with each Five Elements treasure I have tried, starting with Skin Tonic.

The Irritation Remedy: Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enjoy Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm, which contains the Five Elements plant extracts—a lovely blend of anti-inflammatory Ginkgo, healing Plantago, antiseptic Rosemary, antioxidant Olive, and brightening Rumex–in cold-pressed, extra virgin Olive Oil with Grape Seed Oil and Beeswax.  (The Liquid version contains the Five Elements extracts in an Olive Oil and Grapeseed Oil base.)  All the botanicals have been locally grown in New Zealand, and both the Balm and Liquid are entirely natural and clean without any harsh or harmful additives.  Personally, I cherish the Balm, especially whenever my skin is dry and irritated, which is a fairly regular occurrence for me both because of my skin’s tendencies and also because I occasionally overdo it with harsher actives.  Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm is a nourishing, hydrating, creamy remedy for inflamed skin.  Those of us with problem skin, particularly due to irritation, redness, or dryness, will rejoice at the immediate comfort and rapid healing Skin Tonic helps to provide.  The Balm is a brilliant moisturizer and soothing treatment in one.  Though it may be a little rich for highly acne-prone skin, those with normal to dry skin will love it.  I reserve it for when my skin is dry and not in particularly acne-prone phase and find it a welcome addition to my arsenal.  Remarkably, this soothing botanical gem, made with home-grown plants and lots of care, can be yours for just $17.73!  I wasn’t kidding when I said this was a fantastic value.  Five Elements Skin Tonic Balm is a mighty, healing formulation, especially wonderful for dry, dehydrated, and/or sensitive skin, and an extraordinary find for less than $20!

Ingredients: Elemental Phytoextracts (Ginkgo, Rosemary, Rumex, Plantago, and Extra Virgin Olive oil) in cold-pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Olil and Grape Seed Oil with Beeswax.

The Cleanest Natural SPF I’ve Encountered: Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

As someone with photosensitive lupus, I am understandably picky about my sunscreen, and Five Elements Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 is an absolute winner.  I love this blend for so many reasons.  First, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 contains my favorite ingredient for balanced UVB/UVA protection, zinc oxide, and the formula is one of few that includes as generous an amount of zinc oxide (20%) as I like to see to ensure excellent protection.  Despite the high percentage of zinc oxide, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 does not leave a white caste and blends like a dream!  The blendability is incredible, as is its creaminess.  The formulation is ultra-pure, with just five natural ingredients (e.g., zinc oxide, shea butter in cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive and grapeseed oil base with a touch of beeswax).  Simple ingredients give way to a surprisingly elegant formulation; as someone who has tested a lot of mineral sunscreens, it’s quite impressive to experience one that is so hydrating and blendable, all without skimping on the protection.

Five Elements Natural Sunscreen is truly nourishing with an amazing texture that is luxurious and hydrating while being ultra-smooth and blendable.   In short, this is a true winner!  You get a lovely helping of protective zinc oxide in an elegant formula with a lovely creamy consistency, excellent dispersion of zinc, all with no white cast.  Plus, Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 can easily double as a lovely moisturizer, as it delivers excellent nourishment and hydration with the purest of ingredients.  This is a very complete, high-performance product despite a minimal-ingredient formula.  I love applying and wearing it and am confident in the SPF protection.  If you want to experience a feat of formulation, look no further!  Plus, the price is incredibly accessible at just $17.52.  Amazing!

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide in cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Grape Seed Oil with Beeswax.

The Antioxidant Nourisher with Striking Anti-Aging Benefits: Five Elements Elemental Renewal Serum

Elemental Renewal Serum features Five Elements’ signature, biodynamically-grown five-plant healing Elemental Phytoextracts, included in the formula at a whopping 50%.  This formula is one of few oil serums I have tried that visibly improves the look of skin, no doubt it owes much to the generous proportion of carefully-chosen Elemental Phytoextracts with microcirculation-boosting and collagen-enhancing Ginkgo, soothing and toning Plantago, antimicrobial and oil-balancing Rosemary, nourishing and anti-inflammatory Olive, and tyrosinase-inhibiting Rumex.  The Five Elements are very well-rounded and complementary, and when you enjoy them at such high potency, skin reaps the rewards.  The base oils are nourishing, skin-loving Organic Rosehip, Avocado, and Jojoba Oils, so there is much here to admire.  Delivering vital minerals and vitamins A, D, and E as well as the special Five Elements healing phytoextracts, Elemental Renewal helps minimize scars, pigmentation, and acne, and it also nourishes and plumps skin while stimulating collagen production for healthy, vibrant skin.  It’s easily absorbed and makes a beautiful daily serum to leave skin soft and renewed.  I also enjoy incorporating a few drops of it into my dry masks to elevate their formulas and boost the healing and hydration.  Either way, Elemental Renewal Serum is a treasure, and it gets even better when you realize you can purchase this botanical beauty for just $26.61.

Ingredients: Contains 50% Elemental Phytoextracts (Ginkgo, Rosemary, Rumex, Plantago, and Extra Virgin Olive oil), Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Avocado Oil.  Organic Frankincense, Geranium, and Palmarosa essential oils.

Sore-Muscle Soothing: Five Elements Comfrey Balm

This blend is another winner: ultra-soothing and truly effective at relieving my muscle pain and occasional joint pain.  Better yet, Five Elements Comfrey Balm is highly effective without the overwhelming stinging, freezing, or burning of so many topical pain relief products!  It provides relief without that discomfort.  The key ingredients include the Five Elements Organic Elemental Phytoextracts plus Organic Comfrey, Therapeutic-Grade Cumin, Frankincense, and Eucalyptus in a creamy and nourishing organic base.  This is a lovely, clean formula that beautifully showcases the magic of botanicals for pain relief.  This pain relief is available for just $16.12.

Ingredients: Organic Comfrey, Organic Elemental Phyto-extracts, Therapeutic Grade Cumin, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil and Organic Grapeseed Oil, Organic Beeswax.

Special Offer, Courtesy of Five Elements Skincare:  Go to their site and use the code SEPTEMBER18 at checkout for FREE Shipping (yes, internationally) for any order over $100NZ (equivalent to around $65US).

Offer expires September 30, 2018.

I’m always eager to expand my horizons! Have you tried this or any other New Zealand skin care brands?  What’s on your global skincare wishlist?

The post Five Elements Skincare: New Zealand-Grown, Botanist-Created Beauty appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

After falling in love with Kana Skincare’s CBD Sleeping Mask and experiencing its great skin-soothing results, I was eager to explore this promising trend of CBD skincare further.  There are tons of emerging brands to choose from, with more popping up all the time.  However, I’m not naive:  I know that with an ingredient as “hot” and current as CBD, many companies are simply jumping on the bandwagon, ordering ready-made–and mass-produced–formulas and then just slapping their own label on it as if it’s their unique creation.  (This is called white-labeling, and it is done a lot in the industry, especially when an ingredient is trendy.)  I’m only interested in showcasing brands that are made with true care and intention.  With that in mind, the next special brand I am proud to introduce and review is Code of Harmony.

Code of Harmony Continues to Lead the Way for CBD Skincare

Code of Harmony is the original luxury CBD skincare brand—and still the brand that sets the bar for newcomers and the rest.  I had the great privilege of trying several Code of Harmony products, and I was also able to interview Code of Harmony’s charming and insightful founder and formulator, Janet Schriever (click to read!).  This is incredible skincare created with love and effort by a brilliant maker.  Code of Harmony feels amazing on the skin, and for anyone whose skin may be a little imperfect, it provides serious beautifying powers.  I could tell when I looked at the ingredient lists that these products were unique.  The formulas are ultra-clean, highly botanical, and offer an array of benefits in a single bottle. Plus, all you have to do is follow Code of Harmony’s Instagram for a few days to tell that Ms. Schriever (who runs the account, along with everything else related to the brand) is one of the coolest women in the beauty industry.  She tells it like it is, works hard on her products, and offers up the highest quality skincare without ever overstating what you can expect.  Having said this, Code of Harmony CBD Skincare is transformative and highly effective. The brand’s transparency is refreshing in an industry rampant with false promises.  Now, onto the delicious Code of Harmony products themselves!

 Code of Harmony OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe – CBD Face Cleanser & Makeup Remover

 OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe  is a best seller in the line, and after even a single use, it’s easy to see why. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe gives you what is known as the Goldilocks effect, or the “just right” clean. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is easily one of my favorite cleansers-of any type—ever.  I’ve never used another cleanser that is so gentle and non-drying yet truly gets my skin clean without leftover residue (from makeup, SPF, or the cleanser itself); at the same time, OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe never strips or leaves skin at all tight or dry either. Skin is left perfectly clean, lightly hydrated, and totally comfortable.

OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is a feat of formulation.  When it comes to cleansing, there are many places to go wrong, like overdoing it and stripping the barrier, not cleansing effectively, and/or leaving a stubborn greasy film on the skin.  I have used many oil cleansers that required a lot of repetition and manual exfoliation to work—not this one!  OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe has earned a permanent place in my routine because it falls into none of these traps and gives me the perfect clean every time:  gentle, refreshed, smooth, never greasy, and never dry.  Code of Harmony’s OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe is gentle, yet it loosens dirt/makeup/debris with even a light touch.  The formula has all sorts of beneficial botanical oils that support and fortify the skin barrier, along with two ultra-gentle yet effective cleansing agents typically used in baby products (genius!), and the result is a brilliant cleanser that leaves my skin gently exfoliated without any of the damage that a typical exfoliator inflicts on my sensitive skin.  I call this the perfect clean.  As an added bonus, the cleanser feels so good on skin that I almost never wash it off immediately, leaving some of the goodness (e.g., Hemp, Hemp-derived CBD, Cucumber Seed Oil, Moringa Seed Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil, and more) to sink in for a few minutes.  Even after letting it sit, the minute I add water, it emulsifies into the cleanser I have come to love and rinses easily for the perfect, balanced clean.

Why do I consider this a superior oil cleanser?  Aside from the skin-nuturing ingredients, there is the fact that it uses two extremely gentle surfactants in the formula—so gentle they are most commonly found in baby products. These surfactants are what makes the cleanser actually cleanse the skin; without them, it would just be a skin oil, not a skin cleanser. So many oil “cleansers” on the market have nothing in them that is designed to clean the skin, so they are basically just face oils. The use of ultra-gentle surfactants for an effective clean—along with lots of beautiful skin-nourishing actives and oils—truly sets this formulation apart and explains why I have never truly fallen in love with an oil cleanser before using Code of Harmony OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe.

If you have ever been dissatisfied with traditional oil “cleansers,” you have got to try the real deal, a true oil cleanser that hits all the right notes, cleansing gently and deeply. OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe puts other so-called oil cleansers to shame, I promise you!

OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe Ingredients:

Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, D1-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil, Caprylic capric triglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Oil, Moringa Olifera Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Oil, Cedrus Deodora (Cedarwood) Oil, Cannabidiol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract + Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Bisabolol, Phytosterols, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids.

Code of Harmony Virgin Skin Youth Serum

Virgin Skin Youth Serum has become a staple for me because it is incredibly soothing as well as plumping, firming, and brightening.  This serum offers an array of benefits, especially for mature, fussy, or troubled skin (all of which I have).  In addition to offering potent youth-enhancing (firming and brightening skin), I have found Virgin Skin Youth Serum is a wonderful “soothe-all” product that can remedy all sorts of skin ails whether the issue is a frustrating blemish, redness/irritation, or persistent dryness.

Virgin Skin is packed with goodness; in addition to CBD, it also features Virgin Centella Asiatica, Glucosamine, Niacinamide, Tremella Mushroom, Apple, Algae, Sea Kelp Bioferment, Beta Glucan, Coconut Endosperm, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin C, Green Tea, and more!  Each one-ounce bottle has a very generous 150mg of CBD as well.  All these luscious actives are emulsified with Safflower Oleosomes for time-released delivery of the actives, so that you get maximum benefit continuously through the day or night.  The result is a gift that keeps giving; skin is calmer, plumper, firmer, and far more peaceful.  If stress is taking a toll and/or you are short on time, this is a great product to have on hand.  Virgin Skin Youth Serum has all the intensive benefits of a truly great serum, and it is hydrating enough that it could double as a moisturizer for most skin, offering a wonderful single step regimen for those days when you’re in a hurry.

The ingredient list (see below) reads like a dream, and the experience is every bit as good as one would hope given the many star players. The hefty helping of CBD is just one of countless beneficial ingredients in this hydrating serum.  The color is a creamy tan, and the scent is natural and earthy in a delicious way—all suggestive of the clean formula and substantial nutrition skin is about to enjoy.  I have gone through my first bottle of this rapidly for good reason. Virgin Skin Youth Serum is another long-term favorite and definite repurchase for me.

Virgin Skin Youth Serum Ingredients:

 Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes + Water, Lactobacillus/Nereocystis Luetkeana Ferment Filtrate (Sea Kelp Bioferment), Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp (Mushroom) Extract, Niacinamide, Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycerine, Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Algae Extract + Pullulan, Betaine, Sodium Lactate, Lecithin (Sunflower, Non-GMO), Glycerin + Water + Hydrocotyl (Centella asiatica) Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Squalane, Water, Glycerine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Tocopherol, Coconut Nucifera Fruit Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid (and) Glyceryl Caprylate (and) Glycerin, Cannabidiol, Ferulic Acid, Beta Glucan, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Bisabolol, Glycerin, Canarium Luzonicum (Elemi) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract + Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.

Code of Harmony Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is a luscious, highly antioxidant oil blend that nourishes with 100% plant-based oils, while soothing skin with a generous dose of CBD (100mg in every one-ounce bottle), and imparting a subtle, natural-looking glow with a touch of finely milled mica. This is a skin-perfecting serum and gorgeous highlighter in one!  Best of all, this is designed to benefit all skin types, so even those of us with acne-prone skin like myself can use and benefit from Glo-Berry without any worry about breaking out!

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is the ultimate blend, one that provides instant radiance as well as substantial skin benefits with continued use like calmer, plumper, more vital skin.  Glo-Berry is packed to the brim with beneficial botanical ingredients that include CBD, hydrating Squalane, Prickly Pear Seed, Daikon Seed, Passion Fruit Seed Oil (that provides natural carotenoids, minerals, fatty acids, and skin-loving vitamins), Hemp, highly antioxidant Guava Seed (an ingredient that not only has vitamins A, B, and C, but also has firming qualities), Acai Berry, Watermelon Seed, and Red Raspberry Seed Oils.  These many superstar ingredients offer an array of skin-beneficial vitamins and minerals, nourishing and plumping fatty acids, and potent antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage, all while soothing with a generous amount of CBD.  Meanwhile, the perfect touch of mica leaves skin luminous and glowy.

Glo-Berry lends a radiance is gorgeous and natural—the kind of subtle glow that will leave people wondering why you look so refreshed and vibrant. If you want some compliments on your skin (and who doesn’t?!), you really must try Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum.  Personally, I cannot get enough of this non-comedogenic, beautifying blend.  With Glo-Berry, my skin goes from dry and dull to moisturized and glowing in mere seconds.  Whenever I’m feeling a tad frumpy, Glo-Berry is the perfect remedy, an instant antidote providing vital nourishment, plumping moisture, and that extra sparkle and luminosity that makes me feel as good as it makes me look.

Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Ingredients:

Daikon Seed Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed (Hemp) Oil, Squalane (Olive), Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil Caprylic Capric Triglycerides, Red Raspberry Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Lecithin (Sunflower, Non-GMO), Tocotrienols, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Cannabidiol, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil (Ylang Ylang), Bisabolol, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Copaifera Officinalis Oil.

CONCLUSION

Code of Harmony is an extraordinary line that offers the incredible soothing powers of CBD in incredible formulas filled to the brim with complementary beneficial botanical actives.  The line’s products are soothing and regenerative and leave even troubled skin calm and clear.  This is high-performance clean beauty at its best!

• OCD Oil Cleanser Deluxe offers the perfect clean—lots of skin-nourishing actives, skin barrier protection and hydration, ultra-gentle surfactants to give an efficient and effective clean.  There’s no residue, and skin is comfortable and not tight. 
• Virgin Skin Youth Serum tackles inflammaging, blemishes, and irritation; this gem has the power of a serum and the hydration of a lightweight moisturizer, and it helps skin return to optimal balance. 
• Glo-Berry Glistening Skin Oil Serum is a luscious and nourishing blend of precious and highly antioxidant oils plus the perfect touch of mica to leave skin radiant. Highly recommended!

The post Code of Harmony CBD Skincare: The Original Luxury CBD Skincare appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Image courtesy of the LILY DE MAI Blog

If you consider your skin sensitive, reactive or compromised, LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare is a line you should know.  Why?  Because LILY DE MAI solves one of the biggest problems those of us with sensitive skin face:  finding that just-right intensity level of high-performance skincare that will deliver results without stripping the barrier, inflaming, and/or dehydrating our sensitive skin.  As someone with sensitive skin myself, I always feel like I’m towing the line between using powerful-enough actives for results and going a wee bit too far, leaving my skin an angry mess.  Like many with reactive skin, I often err on the side of overdoing it.  Time and time again, I have overtreated my skin and end up looking decidedly worse for it.  I should know better, but the desire for results is so great that I cannot seem to help but make this mistake repeatedly.  Not anymore! LILY DE MAI is a line that delivers the perfect concentration and combination of both clinical and botanical actives to yield results—without irritating or compromising sensitive skin.

LILY DE MAI first came on my radar on Instagram, where I immediately noticed the line’s focus on sensitive skin, which is unusual and pertinent to me, as well as the line’s sumptuous, appealing aesthetic.  Impressed by the posted content, I started admiring the products and reading the LILY DE MAI blog as well.  Whereas most skincare lines’ blogs exist simply to promote products, the LILY DE MAI blog covers a range of topics pertinent to sensitive skin, and the content is consistently first-rate and highly educational.  Reading it, you realize that LILY DE MAI not only understands skin but truly understands and cares about sensitive skin.  For too long, those of us with sensitive skin have largely had to choose between gentle products that basically sit inert on our skin or products that are “sensitive” in name only–and sting or burn when applied.  LILY DE MAI is sensitive skincare without compromise, offering visible benefits and gentle care simultaneously.

When I reached out to founder and formulator Sara Runser, I discovered that she brings a wealth of expertise to her craft; she is a Formula Botanica graduate, as well as an esthetician and aromatherapist and has spent years studying skin from many angles.  Ms. Runser knows sensitive skin firsthand as well as theoretically.  As Ms. Runser said in a previous interview, “My own struggle with sensitive skin was the inspiration for LILY DE MAI.  . . . . I couldn’t find the type of products I wanted, so I created them myself. Traditional sensitive skincare products have some helpful ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, but they are full of potentially harmful ones like PEG’s, parabens, and sodium lauryl sulfates. Green, clean skincare lines have beautiful organic oils, botanical extracts, and essential oils but they’re lacking the clinically proven active ingredients that have an enormous benefit for sensitive skin. I don’t believe people should have to choose between green, clean or clinical skincare. Harmful ingredients should always be avoided, and the most effective ingredients from both nature and science should be used to formulate the best products. That’s what I did with LILY DE MAI.”  Indeed, a large part of LILY DE MAI’s considerable appeal is that the line delivers sensitive skincare without making us choose green versus traditional or gentle versus clinical.  With each LILY DE MAI product, Ms. Runser proves that we need not sacrifice striking results because of sensitivity.

LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare mindfully excludes all harsh and questionable ingredients (e.g., sulfates, parabens, phthalates, PEGs, silicones, ethoxylated compounds, mineral oils, petroleum, drying alcohols, abrasive exfoliants, and synthetic fragrance and dyes); instead, the line embraces biocompatible skin-identical ingredients like ceramides and plant sterols, clinically-proven age-defying actives like vitamins and peptides, and organic botanical extracts and oils, all skillfully combined in high-performance yet gentle formulations designed for soothing, hydrating, brightening, and anti-aging results.  Key to LILY DE MAI’s high-performance products is an understanding of how skin works. With extensive training in the function and structure of the skin, LILY DE MAI founder Ms. Runser understands that a well-supported skin barrier is paramount for beautiful, healthy skin, particularly for those of us prone to sensitivity.  A weakened barrier leaves skin vulnerable to all sorts of troubles, including irritants, bacteria, and moisture loss.  LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare products truly support, replenish, and strengthen the skin barrier to deliver transformative results, promoting calm, hydrated, glowing skin.

I was fortunate to get the chance to try three full-sized LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare treasures, RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser, BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist, and SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum, and I have quickly become very attached to having all of them in my routine.  My skin was red and irritated when the LILY DE MAI products arrived, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt to apply them and experience comfort rather than stinging and irritation!  As someone who has sensitive skin plus additional inflammation related to lupus, I can vouch for the fact that LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare is wonderful in terms of both application and the aesthetic experience—beautiful textures and natural fragrances (from the botanical actives) in formulas that feel lovely on application even when skin is uncomfortable, inflamed).  Let me tell you about each product I had the pleasure of using.

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser

Do you want to fall in love with cleansing?  Then you must try LILY DE MAI RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser.   RENEW has changed the way I view cleansers.  For the first time ever, I do not view cleansing as the least exciting step in my routine, and I actually look forward to it.  Until I tried RENEW, I did not realize how much using overly harsh cleansers was harming my skin—stripping the barrier and leaving my skin more vulnerable to dehydration, acne, inflammation, and signs of aging.  RENEW is a rich, gentle cream cleanser that feels hydrating on contact yet cleanses beautifully.  It maintains the skin’s pH and supports the skin barrier while effectively but gently removing debris, dirt, and pollution.  Unlike most cleansers, RENEW is soap- and surfactant-free; as a result, RENEW does not strip skin of its natural oils or harmfully alter the skin’s pH (which leaves skin more vulnerable to bacteria and impairs barrier function).  The result is clean skin that is moisturized, calm, and balanced.

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser is the first cleanser I have ever used that provides actual comfort on application–to the extent that I find myself making excuses to delay washing it off.  I didn’t know that a cleanser could be soothing, but with Aloe, Chamomile, Calendula, and Oat, RENEW feels luscious and calming on contact.  Along with its Ecocert-approved emulsifier for effective cleansing, RENEW nourishes with a blend of organic Sunflower, Argan, and Avocado Oils and rich Shea Butter.  Panthenol and Hyaluronic Acid boost hydration.  Everything about RENEW makes me want it to linger!  So much more than your typical cleanser, this gem is a multitasker; RENEW is frequently used by LILY DE MAI fans (including myself) as a hydrating and soothing mask, and it can even double as a light moisturizer.  It delivers a great clean along with nourishment, hydration, and soothing benefits.  RENEW is the first cleanser I have used that really provides my skin something rather than just depleting it, and I didn’t even know a cleanser could do that!  RENEW provides this luxurious hit of soothing nourishment upon contact that is paradise for my sensitive skin, and even when I leave it on quite a while, it never becomes at all drying.  I think it’s safe to say that RENEW is my favorite cleanser ever.  I adore it!! 

RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser Ingredients: Deionized Water, Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) Oil*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil*, Propanediol**, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Olivate**, Sorbitan Olivate**, Capric/ Caprylic Triglycerides, Butyrospermum parkii (shea) Butter*, Argania spinosa (argan) Oil*, Persea gratissima (avocado) Oil*, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe barbadensis (aloe) Leaf Extract*, Calendula officinalis (calendula) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) (chamomile) Flower Extract*, Avena sativa (oat) Extract*, Allantoin, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Natural Fragrance, Ascorbic Acid**, Benzyl Alcohol** Salicylic Acid**, Sorbic Acid**

* Certified Organic   **Ecocert Certified Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist is such a high-performer that it may revolutionize what you expect from a mist.  It has for me.  Prior to trying BLISS, most toners/mists struck me as totally optional, falling into two camps:  mildly pleasant, nice-smelling spritzes with watered-down ingredients (i.e., only a half-step above regular water) or harsh and stinging medicinal toners that strip skin of its natural oils and impair the skin barrier, ultimately leading to dehydration.  Not BLISS!  BLISS provides skin with skin-identical (i.e., most like components naturally occurring in skin) Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) like Sodium PCA and Hyaluronic acid; these NMFs keep skin plump and moist by attracting and retaining hydration.  Niacinamide in BLISS brightens the skin and prevents blemishes, while Yeast Oligopeptide and Soy Amino Acids replenish the skin barrier and boost collagen production.  Finally, a blend of 7 soothing organic botanicals—Licorice, Green Tea, Irish Moss, Aloe, Chamomile, Calendula, and Oat–calms sensitivity and reduces redness.

I love that this is a highly functional, reparative powerhouse that provides significant, lasting hydration and repairs the skin barrier, all in a deceptively light spritz.  When it comes to making a lasting impact, BLISS is a big step up from other mists I have used.  It smells heavenly and feels cooling and refreshing even on irritated skin, and its hydrating powers are above and beyond any other mist I have tried.  I find that if I spritz it on after cleansing, I can even get by without moisturizer without feeling tight or dry, which is not something I have experienced with any other mist/toner to date.

BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist Ingredients : Deionized Water, Rosa damascena (rose) Flower Hydrosol*, Niacinamide, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Yeast Extract*** (and) Soy Amino*** Acids, Glycerin*, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) Root Extract*, Cameilla sinensis (green tea) Leaf Extract*, Aloe barbadensis (aloe) Extract*, Calendula officinalis (calendula) Flower Extract*, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) (chamomile) Flower Extract*, Avena sativa (oat) Extract*, Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) Extract, Montmorillonite, Illite, Kaolin, Mentha piperita (peppermint) Leaf Oil*, Natural Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol**, Salicylic Acid**, Sorbic Acid**, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer**

* Certified Organic   **Ecocert Certified  *** Non-GMO Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum is a lovely antioxidant serum with so much to recommend it.  Let’s start with its dynamic Super Fruit Complex that features skin-protecting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Pomegranate, emollient and UVB-protective Red Raspberry, hydrating and wound-healing Rosehip, nourishing and fatty-acid-rich Cranberry, and healing and hydrating Sea Buckthorn Oils.  Together, SANCTUARY’s Super Fruit Complex provides an exceptional blend of protective antioxidants, nourishing phytosterols, skin-protective polyphenols, anti-inflammatory tocopherols, anti-inflammatory carotenoids, protective bioflavonoids, detoxifying chlorophylls, skin-enhancing vitamins (e.g., A, C, E), and nourishing fatty acids (including linoleic, a-linoleic, oleic, punicic, and omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9).  Not only doe this powerful blend nourish skin and improve tone and elasticity, it also but helps to protect skin against negative exposures from our environment, including pollution and UV rays.

In addition to the incredible Super Fruit complex, SANCTUARY also features an amazing form of Vitamin C that is both highly active and perfect for sensitive skin: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate.  This stable and non-irritating Vitamin C Ester is proven to provide incredible anti-aging benefits by providing antioxidant protection, boosting collagen production, fading hyperpigmentation, and minimizing inflammation.  Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA) has special advantages over other forms of Vitamin C in that TA: is powerful yet non-irritating to sensitive skin, penetrates all the way to the dermis (where it can exert maximum benefits) and is highly stable in formulations and in the air.  Despite being less irritating than L-Ascorbic Acid, Hema Sundaram, MD., a Board-Certified Dermatologists states that TA provides five times greater collagen production and twice the suppression of matrix metalloproteinases (enzymes that degrade important structural proteins) [than l-ascorbic acid].  Thus, with TA, SANCTUARY provides the ideal form of vitamin C in terms of potency, stability, and lack of side effects.

As if the blend of TA plus the Super Fruit Complex were not already impressive enough, SANCTUARY also provides potent antioxidant, collagen-boosting CoQ10 as well as precious oils and botanicals like Watermelon and Shiso Oils and Rhatany CO2.  The result is an incredible blend of valuable ingredients that combine synergistically to provide a wealth of skin benefits–from calming to rejuvenating to protecting to hydrating and strengthening.  The potent formula is nonetheless gentle on contact, with a light oil texture that sinks right into skin.  SANCTUARY is a beautiful daily investment in overall skin vitality and health.

SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum Ingredients:  Perilla ocymoides (shiso) Oil*, Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) Oil, Rosa rubiginosa (rose hip) Oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) Oil*, Rubus idaeus (red raspberry) Oil*, Punica granatum (pomegranate) Oil*, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) Oil*, Argania spinosa (argan) Oil*, Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) Oil, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C ester), Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn) CO2*, Krameria triandra (rhatany) Root CO2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) Leaf CO2 Extract*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) Oil, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa)*, Thymus vulgaris (thyme ct. linalool)*, Leptospermum scoparium (manuka), Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), Commiphora myrrha (myrrh)

* Certified Organic            Cruelty Free, Vegan, Gluten Free

CONCLUSION

LILY DE MAI’s tagline “The Purity of Nature + The Power of Science” is an apt description of what you can expect from the line’s formulations: the best of natural and clinical actives expertly blended to visibly benefit sensitive skin.  With LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare, you are not forced to choose between clean and green versus innovative science, because the line incorporates both.  Moreover,  you are not forced to choose between gentle versus high-performance, because LILY DE MAI is carefully crafted to deliver dramatic benefits and visible results without irritation, with careful attention paid to issues of sensitivity.  Every ingredient in LILY DE MAI RENEW Restorative Calming Cream Cleanser, BLISS-NMF Transformative Moisture Mist, and SANCTUARY Vita 3 Anti-Ox Defense Serum has been meticulously researched and selected for its gentleness and clinically-proven ability to soothe, hydrate, minimize signs of aging, and promote skin’s vitality.  All three LILY DE MAI products feature gorgeous, highly-effective blends of scientifically-proven clinical actives and luscious botanicals that deliver benefits without drawbacks.

• RENEW is my favorite cleanser ever, nourishing skin as it effectively cleans.
• BLISS is the first mist I have used that is as high-performance, indispensable, and hydrating as a great serum.
• SANCTUARY is the ultimate high-performance antioxidant serum to protect, fortify, and bolster skin against the elements.

LILY DE MAI Sensitive Skincare offers transformative results, gently and healthily, such that even highly temperamental skin visibly benefits—without irritation or side effects. 

As a special treat for my readers, use the code SENSITIVE15 for 15% off any LILY DE MAI purchases!

The post LILY DE MAI: All the Benefits, None of the Compromises appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

Iremia in Iremia Skincare translates to mean tranquil or serene, and this is an apt description of what you can expect from this gorgeous, clean, ultra-soothing line. Elaine Li, the founder and formulator of Iremia Skincare, knows the challenges of sensitive skin firsthand, having struggled with eczema, hypersensitivities, and redness as long as she can remember.  She knows how frustrating it is: to purchase a product specifically designed to be “sensitive” only to have it sting and burn on contact, to discover after making a purchase that harmful ingredients are deceptively hidden in proprietary blends rather than declared, or to finally find a sufficiently gentle formula only to discover that it has little impact on skin, or worse, is merely causing more problems (e.g., breakouts).  Iremia Skincare was born out of frustration with these limited options for sensitive skin.  When Elaine found no workable solutions for her skin on the market, she created her own.  Iremia Skincare offers what has been largely missing from the industry:  gentle yet effective, healing skincare for sensitive skin.  Based on my experience using this line, Iremia Skincare is proof that gentle and effective do not have to be antonyms in skincare.

Iremia Skincare embraces a less-is-more philosophy in which each ingredient is carefully chosen, and each of the line’s products is designed to deliver multiple benefits.  Rather than suggesting dozens of products for an elaborate routine (that may end up overtreating sensitive skin), Iremia Skincare keeps things clean and streamlined, with just three multitasking products: a Soothing Lotion, a Protective Cream, and a Restorative Facial Oil.  In crafting Iremia’s exceptional formulations, Elaine relied on clinical and scientific studies as well as ingredient notes she had meticulously taken over years of trial and error while searching for a workable solution for her skin.  As a devoted working mom of two children, it was imperative to Elaine that Iremia products be pure enough for children’s delicate skin and also multifunctional enough to streamline the routine of a busy working mom like herself.  As a result, Iremia Skincare is unique in the fact that it is extremely gentle and pure, yet still high-performance, delivering many benefits in each product.

I had the chance to try two of the three products in the Iremia Skincare line:  Soothing Lotion and Restorative Facial Oil.  Both have been matches made in heaven for my dry, inflammation-prone, sensitive skin.  Below, I will tell you about each one.

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion has a luscious texture that is rich and creamy but sinks into skin easily, leaving just light hydration behind.  Soothing Lotion has a faint-yet-delicious natural scent from its beautiful botanical ingredients, and it feels amazing on contact—even on skin that is compromised due to sensitivity, dryness, or both.  In addition to providing nourishing hydration, Soothing Lotion is also truly calming and efficiently eases inflammation and irritation.  I saw a lovely turnaround in my skin after using Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion for four days; redness/irritation and flakiness from dryness steadily healed, until my skin was as serene as ever.  In just a few days of use, my complexion felt dramatically soothed, more comfortable, and nourished.

In the short time I have been using this luxurious gem, I have come to count on it to calm and hydrate my skin when it’s at its fussiest with redness or flare-ups of inflammation.  Soothing Lotion quickly, gently, and effectively calms, heals, and hydrates my sensitive skin at it’s most challenging.  On occasions when my skin is being well-behaved, Soothing Lotion is a beautifully nourishing moisturizer that glides on and sinks in for lasting hydration.  I find it to be pure, effective, and versatile.  Having studied Soothing Lotion’s ingredients, I know that the benefits do not end with soothing and hydration; with regular use, several actives deliver anti-aging benefits in addition to hydration and soothing.  What is the secret to this luscious healer?  I have to credit Elaine and her meticulous approach to ingredient selection and formulation.  This is a truly multipurpose lotion appropriate for sensitive skin!

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion’s beautiful blend of carefully-selected ingredients includes:

• Shea Butter—derived from the nutrient-rich nuts of the African Karite tree, this active is highly emollient, healing, hydrating, anti-inflammatory, contains natural vitamins A, C, and E, and even delivers skin-strengthening and anti-aging benefits by boosting collagen production
• Aloe Leaf Extract—used topically since ancient times for its healing and soothing capacities, Aloe is anti-inflammatory, hydrating, soothing on contact
• Grape Seed Oil—rich in flavonoids, including those called proanthocyanidins (PCOs), excellent free radical scavenger
• Calendula Flower Extract—with active components including flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpenes, carotenes, and more, Calendula Flower Extract is proven to be soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, and hydrating
• Lavender Flower Oil—improves circulation and thus facilitates the healing process
• Manuka Honey—naturally rich in a variety of B vitamins, reinforces skin’s ability to regenerate, offsets free radical activity, improves healing, and increases fibroblast ability
• African Mahogany Tree Bark Extract— clinically proven to strengthen the skin and significantly reduce wrinkles after 56 days of use

Soothing Lotion Full Ingredient List: WATER/AQUA, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, COCO-CAPRYLATE CAPRATE, DICAPRYLYL ETHER, SODIUM OLIVOYL GLUTAMATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER), CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, CERA ALBA, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, KHAYA SENEGALENSIS BARK EXTRACT (AND) MALTODEXTRIN, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHEROL, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) FLOWER OIL, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) PEEL OIL, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT, HONEY( MANUKA), SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil

Iremia Skincare Restorative Facial Oil is an antioxidant-rich multivitamin for the skin that strengthens, soothes, and balances.  The luxurious blend of 11 beneficial oils leaves skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth, hydrated, and plump.  As with the Soothing Lotion, there is no added fragrance, and yet Restorative Facial Oil naturally has a subtle, delicious scent from its blend of fresh natural actives.  The vibrant orange hue of the blend hints at the nourishing antioxidant goodness delivered to skin with every drop.  The texture is light, and it sinks into skin quickly rather than leaving a greasy residue.

Each of the 11 oils adds value to the overall formulation of Restorative Facial Oil, but some highlights include:

• Avocado Oil—nourishes dry skin and provides a rich source of Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E
• Camellia Oil—highly antioxidant, emollient, and anti-inflammatory
• Jojoba Seed Oil—soothing and anti-inflammatory and excellent for eczema-prone skin
• Rosehip Fruit Oil—rich in essential fatty acids that help regenerate and repair damage to skin
• Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil—rich in antioxidants, provides vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, and plant sterols, as well as healing Omega 7

Restorative Facial Oil is a wonderful hydrating oil blend with a full range of soothing, antioxidant, strengthening, and skin-plumping benefits.  Both the aesthetics and the performance of Restorative Facial Oil are magnificent.  This product is elegant and enjoyable to use and has left my skin calmer and better hydrated than before I started using it.

Restorative Facial Oil Full Ingredients: HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL , PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA (CAMELLIA) SEED OIL , SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) OIL, ROSA CANINA(ROSEHIP) FRUIT OIL, HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES (SEA BUCKTHORN) FRUIT OIL ,TOCOPHEROL, CYMBOPOGON MARTINI( PALMAROSA) OIL, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, PELARGONIUM ROSEUM LEAF OIL

CONCLUSION

Iremia Skincare Soothing Lotion and Restorative Facial Oil

With pure, clean formulas and carefully selected ingredients, Iremia Skincare offers gentle-yet-effective healing solutions for reactive, sensitive, or inflamed skin.  Soothing Lotion offers calming hydration that quickly resolves flakiness, redness, and/or inflammation, while also delivering antioxidant protection and a proven anti-aging active.  Restorative Facial Oil, in turn, provides well-rounded topical nutrition and skin-plumping hydration in an elegant, quickly-absorbed blend of 11 beneficial oils.  Together, this duo serves as a high-performance, streamlined skincare routine that dramatically improves the condition of sensitive skin.   Both products are available at Natural Avenue.  Highly recommended!

The post Iremia Skincare: Tranquility for Sensitive, Reactive Skin? appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

I must rave about a new creation by my formulator friend Frankie Chui, newly released Savon Mama 24K Gold Silk Cream.  On her inspiration for this new creation, Ms. Chui said, “I went to a luxurious spa in Hong Kong this past summer and was lucky enough to experience their gold leaf mask.  I was amazed at how it refined and rejuvenated my skin!  I wanted to create a cream that replicates the incredible experience I had.”  In a time when many formulators are driven solely by fads, I appreciate and respect the fact that Ms. Chui was inspired to create Savon Mama 24K Gold Silk Cream after experiencing a gold treatment firsthand and being impressed by her results.

Gold has a long history as a topical beauty treatment; for instance, ancient Egyptians used gold as a skin treatment, and Japanese geishas rubbed pure gold leaf on their skin.  Recently, gold has been making a resurgence as an active in a big way.  As Ms. Chui’s experience suggests, the world’s most exclusive spas are increasingly offering gold leaf treatments, and an ever-increasing number of elite cult beauty brands are touting gold serums and creams. To my knowledge, there are not any controlled trials of gold in skincare, but the descriptive research that exists hints at potential benefits, with preliminary evidence that gold nanoparticles may reduce glycation-induced skin aging and could have the potential to inhibit a type of matrix metalloprotease (e.g. MMP-I, which breaks down collagen types I, II, and III) without inflammatory effects.  Both of these findings have anti-aging implications.

Though the science is preliminary, many amongst those who have tried gold skincare are already sold on its benefits–citing increased radiance, improved texture, and wrinkle reduction.   As Ms. Chui told me, “There are no controlled studies, but gold is one of those ingredients Asian women swear by. I was amazed by my results.  I suggest you give it a try and see how it works for you.”    I have high regard for Ms. Chui as a formulator and love all the Savon Mama products I have tried, so I was eager to try her newest creation.

After a few weeks, I can happily report that Savon Mama 24K Gold Silk Cream is a fantastic product.  First, this innovative cream not only features gold, but also gold ferment.  This is exciting because since fermentation boosts an active’s bioavailability, gold ferment likely enhances gold’s anti-inflammatory, brightening, and rejuvenating effects.  Including both gold and gold ferment really sets 24K Gold Silk Cream apart on the marketplace.  In addition to gold and gold ferment, there are wonderful supporting actives.  Indeed, 24K Gold Silk Cream also contains an abundance of nourishing, antioxidant, and rejuvenating ingredients like: Silk Amino Acids, Hyaluronic Acid, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract, Organic Olive Oil, Pomegranate Seed Extract, Organic Aloe, and Orange Flower Extract.  These are great ingredients.  For example, silk amino acids protect from dehydration, stimulate collagen in the skin, and have anti-aging properties that compare favorably to vitamin C.  Hyaluronic acid has incredible water-absorption abilities and helps regulate the water-content and elasticity of skin.  Pomegranate and Green Tea extracts are potent antioxidants with skin-protecting anti-inflammatory effects.  The result is a cream with many benefits.

24K Gold Silk Cream is a luscious hydrator that has quickly become one of my favorite moisturizers.  In addition to the beneficial ingredients, I experience immense joy in applying and wearing it, as 24K Gold Silk Cream is a smooth and creamy dream!  Luxuriously rich without being at all heavy, it sinks into skin effortlessly, providing significant lasting hydration.  Silky to the touch, this cream has perhaps the most heavenly texture of any moisturizer I have ever used (and I have used countless delicious moisturizers in my day).  Part of what accounts for this delightful texture is a cutting-edge emulsifying system (Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate and Palm Stearic Acid) that meets even the strict Whole Foods Premium Body Care Quality Standards.  My skin is extremely soft, silky, and well-hydrated since I started using 24K Gold Silk Cream, and I imagine I will see further benefits like brightening and wrinkle reduction with regular use.  If you have not tried any Savon Mama products, this is a wonderful place to start!

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The Bohemian Collection is a special assortment of natural and organic herbal skin care handcrafted in small batches for the ultimate in wholesome goodness.  After admiring nearly every ingredient blend in the Collection, I knew that the products would be amazing, and they absolutely are (more on that in a bit). What caught me a little more by surprise—and has left me in awe—is the positivity, passion, and intentionality that founders and formulators Dominique and Syeed Harris put into every aspect of their creations and their business—from formulating their products only when they can bring a positive energy to the process, to enthusiastically educating customers on natural living, to generously sharing their own keen insights on passionate marriage, positive parenting, and financial peace on social media. In their mission to share and educate, the Harrises manage to be refreshingly genuine, down-to-earth, and authentically inspiring. If you do not already follow @nattynaturals, @bohemiancollection, and @allthingsonatural on Instagram, I encourage you to do so, because the Harrises are not only gifted makers but also passionate, generous, and enlightened individuals with a remarkable family.  Just one example: Ms. Harris homeschools their four children while she and her husband run their bustling business All Things O’Natural, which consists of both Natty Naturals and The Bohemian Collection.  They do this all from home while maintaining order and keeping a tidy, loving household!  (As a mom of three myself, I am utterly impressed.)  The Harrises are worth getting to know. Please do not miss my interview with Ms. Harris, which can be found here.

The Bohemian Collection Kijani Mask and Balm

The Harrises generously granted me the opportunity to try two lovely products from the Bohemian Collection: their Kijani Enzyme Mask and Kijani Green Goddess Beauty Balm.  First, let’s talk about Kijani Enzyme Mask.  This mask is suitable for anyone with normal to oily skin, and it’s especially great for those of us like myself who are acne-prone. It has a rich base of healing Manuka Honey (UMF 15+) and is loaded with detoxifying and antioxidant Matcha, vitamin-rich and enzymatic Pumpkin and Banana, as well as anti-aging Gotu Kola and Gotu Kola extract, healing and antiseptic Brahmi, antibacterial and antioxidant Ceylon,  anti-inflammatory Tumeric, balancing Rosemary CO2 extract, vitamin-rich Strawberry, soothing Calendula extract, and Essential Oils of Bergamot, Lemongrass, Sweet Orange, and Manuka.  The use of this last active caught my eye because although I had read about Manuka Oil’s virtues when researching actives for taming acne because although it appears to be widely used in New Zealand, I had difficulty finding it in products here in the US. Seeing Manuka Oil featured in more than one Bohemian Collection product (see also their Cacao Clay Cleanse) immediately told me that the Harrises dig deep when it comes to finding and using the most effective ingredients, opting for lesser known but more effective gems over more obvious choices. Why am I so excited about this?  Manuka Oil is 33 times as potent an acne-fighting antibacterial as its more commonly used cousin Tea Tree Oil, making it an excellent addition to this blemish-taming mask.  This is an amazing mask for healing and gently exfoliating acne-prone skin, while truly taming and preventing blemishes with its special Manuka-Oil-containing blend. As a huge bonus, the mask has also got all sorts of fabulous ingredients for taming inflammation and facilitating cellular regeneration.  Kijani Enzyme Mask is truly active-packed and a wonderful calming-yet-acne-fighting remedy for fussy skin. It also smells amazing and is a delight to wear.

Kijani Enzyme Mask Full Ingredients: Raw Honey, UMF15+ Manuka Honey, *Matcha, *Pumpkin, *Banana, *Ceylon Cinnamon, *Tumeric, *Brahmi, *Gotu Kola, *Rosemary CO2 Extract, *Calendula Extract, *Gotu Kola Extract, Essential Oils of: *Manuka, Sweet Orange, *Bergamot, *Lemongrass

* = Organic Ingredients

The Bohemian Collection Kijani Enzyme Mask

The perfect complement to Kijani Enzyme Mask would have to be Kijani The Green Goddess Beauty Balm. This luscious, ultra-hydrating balm blends together 22 whole plant oils, butters, and extracts, all of which come together in a nourishing, skin-calming balm.  As someone with dehydrated, acne-prone skin, I often have trouble finding sufficiently rich hydration without exacerbating blemishes, and Kijani Beauty Balm is a wonderful and rare find in this regard, offering lasting, exquisite hydration without breaking ever me out or leaving me congested. This versatile balm is one of few products I’ve tried that I feel wholly comfortable recommending for nearly any skin type (dry, mature, sensitive, acne-prone).  Kijani Beauty Balm combines skin saviors like moisturizing yet non-comedogenic Hempseed Oil, chlorophyll-rich Avocado Oil, hydrating Sweet Almond Oil, omega-rich Chia Seed Oil, healing Tamanu, GLA-rich Evening Primrose, anti-aging Rosehip Seed CO2, antioxidant and antibacterial Rosemary CO2 Extract, healing Sea Buckthorn Co2, anti-inflammatory Blue Chamomile and more for an array of nourishing and healing benefits. Although the website states that you can use Kijani Beauty Balm as a cleanser using the dry oil cleansing method, I have not tested this out, simply because I love the feel of the balm too much to remove it!  Kijani Beauty Balm has a lovely aromatic scent and leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, soothed, and hydrated without clogging pores.  This is a beautiful balm for anyone, but I particularly recommend it to anyone like myself with problematic or acne-prone skin.

Kijani the Green Goddess Beauty Balm Full Ingredients: Hempseed Oil, *Avocado Oil, *Sweet Almond Oil, *Chia Seed Oil, *Tamanu, *Evening Primrose, *Rosehip Seed CO2, *Rosemary CO2 Extract,*Sea Buckthorn CO2, *Non GMO Vitamin E Oil, *Cupuacu Butter, Beeswax, *Blue Chamomile CO2, Essential Oils of: *Geranium, *Bergamot, *Myrrh, *Yarrow ,*Lavender, *Sandalwood, *Rose, Carrot Seed, Jasmine Absolute

* = Organic Ingredient

The Bohemian Collection Kijani Beauty Balm

I loved the experience and the results of using the Kijani products so much that I had to add to my Bohemian Collection stash with a purchase of my own. (When I feel compelled to spend my own money on a line this quickly after trying PR samples, you know it’s a standout!) I ordered the Cacao Clay Cleanse, a wildly popular cleanser/mask that is the most frequently repurchased item from Bohemian Collection.  Cacao Clay Cleanse is the most delicious-smelling product I have ever put on my face—imagine a decadent, rich chocolate dessert topped with floral notes, and you may get a hint of the sensory experience Cacao Clay Cleanse offers. (Full disclosure: it smells so good that I have been extremely tempted to taste it, and each time I’ve opened the jar I’ve had to muster all my restraint not to pop a dollop in my mouth.) This beauty combines Kaolin Clay, Raw Honey, Cacao Powder, Rhassoul Clay, Marshmallow Root, Need, Rose Hydrosol, Neroli Hydrosol, Witch Hazel, Apple Cider Vinegar, Pumpkin Seed Oil, and more in one brightening, gently clarifying, balancing blend.  It can be used as a deep yet nourishing cleanser or as a brightening and detoxifying mask/spot treatment.  Personally, once I put Cacao Clay Cleanse on my face, the aroma is such a delight that I am reluctant to take it off, so I love to use this as a mask and spot treatment.  It’s very effective at calming down blemishes, and it’s like having a guilt-free dessert at the same time. Treating my skin with Cacao Clay Cleanse is a stress-relieving self-care ritual that eases my mind and leaves my skin balanced and brighter. Masking has never been more delicious!

Cacao Clay Cleanse Full Ingredients: *Kaolinite (Kaolin) Clay, ***Raw Honey, *Theobroma (Cacao) Powder, *Rhassoul Clay, *Marshmallow Root, *Neem, Rosa damascena (Rose) Hydrosol, *Citrus aurantium (Neroli) Hydrosol, *Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, *Theobroma (Cacao) Extract, *Cucurbita pepo L (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary in organic olive oil base) CO2, Lactobacillus Ferment, Potassium Sorbate, Essential Oils of: *Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka), *Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh), Sweet Orange, *Juniperus virginiana (Cedarwood), *Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium)

* = Certified Organic

*** = Wildharvested from unsprayed local bee farms

The Bohemian Collection Cacao Clay Cleanse

These three Bohemian Collection treasures have some of the best, most nutritious, and skin-beneficial ingredient blends you will find anywhere, and to top it off, you can sense the love, care, and positive intentionality that has gone into crafting them. As Dominique explained in a previous interview with Melanglow, “I believe what we are feeling, our emotions, are transferred into the products; it’s all a connection. The ingredients are from the earth, which holds a ton of energy and our personal energy as humans should merge and create something dynamic. For instance, neither my husband or I will create a product if we are not in a good place mentally or spiritually that day.”  The result of such care is a skincare line that is a treat for skin, body, and spirit.  Highly recommended.

The post The Bohemian Collection Kijani Enzyme Mask and Green Goddess Beauty Balm appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.

I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to Toni, the Founder and Formulator of Naturallogic Skincare.  Whether you are newly discovering Toni’s line or are a longtime fan, you are in for a treat, as Toni was exceptionally generous in our conversation. I am delighted to be able to share our candid and heartfelt interview, which I believe will deepen even loyal fans’ appreciation for Naturallogic and the unique love, expertise, and intentionality Toni puts into her craft.

Toni Ann Barandon, Creator of Naturallogic

Instead of an Introduction, a brief Note: After the interview, I was wracking my brain, trying to figure out how to describe or “sum up” Toni in a few words, and I found myself at an absolute loss. Anything I could think of was trite or oversimplifying. After staring at a blank screen for a while, I emailed Toni and asked her how she would describe herself in a few words. She replied, “I can’t answer a question like that. I don’t feel the need to describe myself. And 2-3 words would never do it, anyway.”  I smiled the moment I read her answer. She was completely right, both that 2-3 words would never suffice and that the question might not be truly answerable, at least not to any degree of truth or satisfaction.  Moreover, Toni’s willingness to easily and kindly turn down my question led to a revelation for me as I realized that I could just let go of my self-imposed expectation and forgo an introductory description entirely.  The idea had truly not occurred to me. [Sometimes (and I mean almost all the time) when things aren’t working, I forget that “stop forcing it” is an option.] 

The above is just one of countless examples of how interacting with Toni–even over email– is eye-opening, refreshing, and change-inspiring.  Toni has a way of being utterly true to and honoring herself that I have rarely encountered before, and she is one of the most generous, loving, and emotionally giving people any of us could hope to encounter.  Though it took me a while to understand, this self-honoring and deep generosity go hand in hand. As Toni has said (and explains in more detail below), “Being the truth of who we are in every moment is true humility.”  Suffice it to say, I find Toni herself and the love and intentionality she brings to every product she makes incredibly inspiring and refreshing, and I urge you to check out her outstanding high-performance holistic line. Naturallogic features true botanical wonders that have an almost magical ability to elevate skin care to nourishing self-care.

A Dream Collection of Naturallogic Goodies

 THE INTERVIEW

You healed yourself of diabetes, PCOS, and severe acne by changing the way you care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Can you describe some of the healing changes you have made? 

My body healed itself. It might be difficult to pinpoint specific things because I wasn’t specifically looking for healing.  I did change my diet drastically. Also started walking every day. I felt a longing and knew it was something I wanted to do.  Prior to that, I was a terrible eater.  Despite growing up surrounded by the healthiest foods.  I started eating primarily vegetables overnight, and before long I started craving them.  I felt + looked years younger, and I had more clarity. A different kind of intelligence came with it, as well.

What I think was the most powerful part of it was why I did it.  What I realized about myself + how I felt about myself, that instigated the change. And then changing how I treat myself. Self-care, self-honor, and not betraying yourself are very key to health and healing.  They are also very personally defined, so they can look different for different people. It’s about honoring the truth of who you really are in every moment.

How has changing the way you treat yourself changed your ideas about beauty?

Being who I am gives me a sense of freedom that, to me, feels like the source of true beauty.  When I first started Naturallogic, I had a hard time calling it a beauty brand. I considered it a health + wellness brand, and that’s still true. However, I want to plant seeds about the idea that beauty is an experience rather than how something or someone appears. It really is in the eye of the beholder. It’s the one looking and experiencing beauty, who is beautiful. They, in that moment, realize it as who they are, and that’s why they can feel it + experience it. I would love for people to realize that they are beauty itself, and have the actual experience of it.

I read a little about how you became a formulator in your interview with Dallas of My Strange Days.  How did you decide to move from creating products for yourself to launching a business?

People in my life were asking for it. Whatever I was making for myself, I was also sharing with friends + family. Eventually, they asked for more and someone put the idea in my head that I could do this thing I loved for a living. It took about 3 years from there to really learn and discover how to craft proper, efficacious skin care, as well as learn how to start + run a business.

A luscious Naturallogic mix during formulation

When it comes to your journey of starting and running Naturallogic, what have the biggest challenges been at any point along the way?

Customer service has been a huge growing experience for me. I didn’t know how hard it was for me to be true to myself until then. Customer service pushed all of my buttons and brought things up in me I didn’t even know were there. Fear.  There were huge, truly testing times when I would go through periods of intense fear that I had to look at and really learn from.  It was difficult, but also one of the greatest times of my life.

Fear is just a story in the mind. It doesn’t really exist. It never did. It just “seems” to. There’s a clarity that comes with that, that has opened the door to more creativity. And fear has transformed into fun + adventure. I have fun figuring out how to help and be of service.

What have the greatest rewards been?

For me, one of the greatest rewards is the freedom—the freedom to be and to discover who I am, while doing something I love + that serves others. I love the flexibility I have had over the last 10 years and the fact that things can change. I have the time, space + flexibility to discover + enjoy life while evolving my line + creating greater + greater experiences for my customers.

I’ve always had a desire to serve and take care of people, and Naturallogic is my way of doing that.  It’s my ministry.

How would you describe your beauty and skin care philosophies?

Beauty is something we inherently are. Knowing and experiencing that is the best gift you can give yourself.

In my mind, skin care and self-care are the same thing. It can be a tangible tool to work with when you’re paying attention to yourself and giving yourself the love and time that you might not have had the chance to give yourself all day.  It’s a way to just sit and be, a reset button, a chance to feel your own touch on your skin, which anchors something in your subconscious that is just invaluable: that you care about yourself.  To feel those feelings in your body when you’re taking time and doing your self-care—whether you’re taking a bath or misting your face momentarily before getting back to what you were doing—there is the opportunity to just take a few seconds to go beyond the thought in your head and just sink down into your body and feel something lovely about yourself. The joy of who you are.

What are your biggest goals as a formulator/maker/founder?

When it comes to specific skin needs, I feel that oxidation and inflammation are at the root, whether it’s acne or eczema or aging . . . .   So I like to work with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in every product that I make.

And overall, I like to stay on the nutritious + nourishing side of things.  I’m sure you know our skin is our largest organ and it will absorb up to 60% of a lot of what we put on it. What we eat is also important, but what maybe you don’t know is that out of all of our organ systems, skin is the last to receive nutrients from our food. Because of this, using nutrition topically is a really good idea.

And, I view skin care as a mini-meditation. It’s nice when people allow silence and sit and eat their meals without being in a rush, and I hope they’re the same way with their skin care practice.

What do you think skin troubles can teach us?

This is a multi-layered thing.  On a physical level, skin conditions are going to show us something is out of balance in the body.  I personally believe that these types of things start on an energetic level, however, and so if there’s something going on in the body physically there’s very likely something going on energetically that started that chain. Beliefs, suppressed emotions . . . .  Skin troubles are messengers, and these messages can typically be detected way before they reach the skin, but we miss them. They are subtle, and we are preoccupied with our day to day life, most of which we spend in our head.

You just need to pay more attention to yourself and love yourself, if that makes sense.  Do you notice how all these brands are now calling skin care a ritual?  There are so many shamans in the skin care industry right now, it is unbelievable. These people are coming forward as spiritual teachers. Taking time for yourself, to BE yourself + honor yourself,  really opens things up that have been blocked from flowing. When that energy gets flowing, it can open up and let life force in. Love can flow through you without getting stuck.

How do you source and select your ingredients to ensure optimal performance and potency?

I choose ingredients based on their nutrients + ability to provide certain results. When it comes to sourcing those ingredients, I’m very picky. I try to harvest locally as much as I can. For the ingredients I can’t find locally or don’t have the time + extra hands to scout, I look to local farms + co-ops I’ve known for years who have a love for what they do, impeccable ethics + reverence for plants. Same goes for ingredients I source globally.

Only the finest ingredients

Are you self-taught?  Either way, how did you begin and can you describe how you have become such an accomplished formulator today?

I spent a lot of time researching and experimenting and practicing. I sought out and spoke with formulators and other skin care entrepreneurs. I liken it to being a self-taught chef.  Maybe you didn’t go to formal culinary school, but if you work hard and train with the right people, you can become very accomplished.

Throughout the process of learning, you fall down rabbit holes of discovery and learn unexpected things as well.  The internet is a great resource, but you still have to practice your butt off. Eventually, formulating becomes intuitive. My intuitive connection to plants and ingredients has come recently, after lots of experience.  This new connection is impacting the way I formulate now, so I’m changing and updating my recipes. I’m a better formulator now than I was 4 years ago. In an effort to constantly strive to make the absolute best products I can, I have to revisit all my recipes and make sure they’re the best possible version.  I want every product in the line to live up to an incredible level of excellence.

You said in your interview with Dallas of My Strange Days that your newest products tend to be your favorites because they have come from the most realized version of yourself.  Can you describe how your own evolution and growth is connected to and translates to the products you create?

My understanding of my environment reflects my understanding of myself. And plants, formulating, efficacy, + potential outcomes are included in that. When I expand + embody more clarity, I’m able to see everything in a different + more conscious way. With my products, there’s a fine tuning that’s happening. Recently it’s as if a recipe is handed to me intuitively in an instant, and I just have to create it + put it through a test phase.

What do you see as the greatest success of your line so far and what are your hopes for the future?

Just look at my Love Notes page. What it’s done for people.

Naturallogic is my ministry.

I’m honored just by the fact that Naturallogic happened and that it’s still happening. It’s part of everything I do, almost like a partner. Some customers have become dear friends. It’s my life and gives me incredible joy.

RAREFY Flawless Complexion Facial Serum featuring Tamanu & Blue Tansy

Where do you get your ideas (for your line, products, etc.)?

Ideas can be sparked by anything, anyone or anywhere. Something someone says (whether in passing or maybe a blogger), or I’ll notice a need . . . customers may write me with ideas they would love to have access to.  Sometimes it can be inspired by a new ingredient or something unconventional (like LUNA). It always starts as something intuitive and then begins to solidify and come into clear focus as I take the first step with whatever it is. I use my background knowledge, intermingled, from there.

What would you most love to change about the beauty industry?

I don’t really know anything about the beauty industry. I’ve been on the outskirts of it, so far. So, it’s hard to say. My focus is always on what I’m doing, not so much on what others are doing.

What inspires you?

Inspiration! I don’t really know how else to answer this question. Inspiration is a powerful force. It happens, I notice, I act.

Where do you hope to take Naturallogic in the future?

Depends on how far into the future. I’m much more interested in the present moment.

I DO think about and plan for the future, but not so far ahead that being flexible with new ideas and inspirations, and able to adapt to + flow with change as life unfolds are encumbered in any way. It’s more like I have a vision I want to create or something I want to achieve, and I set it in motion and start to live it, do it, create it. There’s not a plan for wanting it to happen in a certain time frame or by a certain date. I like to do things organically and let them flow in a way that I can work with, mold or reshape them as time goes on. Flowing organically in this way allows for that without things ever being difficult to adjust to or uncomfortable to change when I change and, therefore, my business has to change with me.

How do you think Naturallogic stands out in a crowded marketplace?

It doesn’t feel crowded, to me. I know there are a lot of green beauty brands, but the ones that stand out are the ones being original and authentic. And, that’s how I live + create. If I do stand out, it’s because I create from a completely inspired place, that combines traditional herbal wisdom, ancient plant wisdom, modern science + the alchemy and conscious intention of each person who uses + enjoys the products. From the formulation of each recipe to the packaging, to the website, to the idea Naturallogic was born out of, you won’t see any other products that work like or even resemble them. And that’s why I can stay so in love with it. I’m true to myself and my own ideas.

Every beauty in the Naturallogic line

Can you suggest a few example Naturallogic skin care rituals you would recommend for different skin types or goals?

Sure! There is a Collections page on the website that covers this in more depth, and you can always send us a note for more personal recommendations at resources@naturallogicskincare.com. The line is quite extensive, and most products are wonderful for all skin types, so you can search by category (cleanser, mask, serum, etc.), find a product that you’re interested in, and be very confident that it will love your skin. For the basics for specific skin types, I recommend these:

Oily, Acne Prone

Cleanse: BALANCE Cleansing Oil

Tone/Mist/Essence: BALANCE Neroli Nutrient Mist

Oil Serum: BALANCE Clarifying Serum

Sensitive, Reactive

Cleanse: BALANCE Cleansing Oil

Tone/Mist/Essence: HYDRATE Rose Nutrient Mist

Oil Serum: RAREFY Flawless Complexion Serum

Aging, Mature

Cleanse: RADIANCE or BRIGHTEN Cleansing Gel

Tone/Mist/Essence: HYDRATE Rose Nutrient Mist

Oil Serum: PHYTO-NECTAR Super Fruit Radiance Serum

ANCIENT EARTH Micro Exfoliate is fabulous for all skin types, as a bi-weekly exfoliate.

And most of my masks are amazing for all skin types.

Can you describe the magic that has gone into your limited-edition mask/cleanser LUNA and how this magic translates to amazing skin benefits?

It’s the Moon!! It’s such an essential part of the process that creates the main ingredient. The red wine + lees.

The lees separate + settles beneath the wine during seasonal artisan wine crafting,  form over the course of several lunar cycles, and are collected at each new moon.

The interaction between the probiotics + the moon cycle creates such a lush, nutrient rich, dark purple clay that literally hydrates, nourishes + transforms skin, while giving such a divine treat for the senses. It smells deep, sweet + slightly earthy with wine + berry notes + a chocolate finish. And the feel of it on skin is cushiony, like a long, soft hug. You can leave it on for an hour or more, and you’ll want to. It’s a deeply self-nourishing + loving experience. Try to do this for yourself at least once a week.

LUNA Red Wine + Probiotic + Antioxidant Cleanse + Masque

How do you think self-limiting beliefs impact skin?

Self-blocking creates stuck energy. A block to our own expression, emotions or joy/creating our desires can definitely show up on the skin. Congestion. Inflammation. Whatever is going on internally can + likely will show up externally. It seems more obvious in some rather than others to the degree it’s happening internally and how we all deal with it, let it flow, release…   I woke up with a pimple this morning because I’ve been ignoring my need for sleep, lately. That’s a block in the sense that when my body tells me it’s tired, I stop the flow of that energy and say no by continuing to pull all-nighters. It can be that simple, or it can be something really deep. But the mechanism is the same. Stopping energy from flowing the way it naturally wants to. Then that stuck energy turns into a symptom that speaks louder to get our attention. Our body is always on our side, and will use whatever it can to reach us in a language we will notice, listen to + do something about. If we can catch it at the subtle level, we can free the energy and let it flow before it becomes a louder symptom.

Self-limit is saying no to who we are. It’s important to be humble. Truly humble. Being the truth of who we are in every moment is true humility. Not always putting others first or doing what we “think we should” be doing. Of course, it doesn’t mean putting others last, either. It’s about being what wants to come through us in each moment. Without second guessing it. That requires humility. Complete surrender, in the sense that we have to submit to the truth of who we really are, rather than trying to hide, or control or change it. That’s self-love. And our love for ourselves causes us to be love to others in the truest way.

Thank you, Toni!

The post An Exclusive & Heartfelt Interview with Naturallogic Skincare Founder Toni appeared first on The Beauty Librarian.