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?