I have sung the praises of True Botanicals on many occasions. This safe, potent, and proven skincare brand boasts a seriously impressive ingredients list, and is highly effective to boot. After loving their Vitamin C Booster and Cellular Repair Serum, I was pumped to try the Pure Radiance Oil. The Clear oil, in particular, has balancing properties that work to regulate sebum and clear your skin while allowing its natural radiance to shine through. I love that while this oil is deeply hydrating, it doesn't feel too greasy or heavy, and I can wear it year-round thanks to its quick absorption. Antioxidants and potent antibacterial ingredients help heal any infections and clear congestion, leaving your skin vibrant and revived. As always with True Botanicals products, their facial oil is certified MadeSafe, and formulated with natural ingredients like helichrysum, hemp, pumpkin & grape seed oils, and algae extract. No scary ingredients here! A potent acne treatment and glow-inducing moisturizer in one?? Sounds like the perfect combo- I'll definitely need to restock soon! While I'm at it, I'm excited to try some of their newer releases, like the Antioxidant Booster, Resurfacing Body Mask, and Deep Repair Eye Serum, as well.
fave products // avène mineral ultra-light sunscreen
By now everyone knows the importance of wearing sunscreen. It helps protect your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays, which cause sunburns and can lead to wrinkles, and can even help prevent skin cancer down the line. Knowing that, you'd think everyone would be wearing it 24/7, however, that's not always the case. I'll admit that I could be more disciplined in this regard, but I'm trying to improve for the sake of my skin, both now and in the future! Eau Thermale Avène is a popular French pharmacy brand that I've come to rely on and enjoy thanks to its expert dermatological care for sensitive skin. Many sunscreens out there are made with harsh chemicals that my skin simply cannot handle, so I prefer to use those that are purely mineral-based (made from zinc oxide & titanium dioxide). Avène Mineral Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ (Face) is a 100% mineral facial sunscreen with broad spectrum SPF 50 and UVA/UVB filters, is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, goes on sheer without any white residue, and is totally free of fragrance, parabens, and other harsh irritants. As an added bonus, a photostable form of vitamin E provides powerful and effective antioxidant protection! Talk about the full package! I love how it feels, or rather how it doesn't feel, on my skin. It's so lightweight that you'd hardly even know it's there, which makes it great for layering over your other skincare products and under any makeup you may be using. I think it's safe to say this baby has earned a deserved and welcome spot in my daily skincare regimen.
fave products // true botanicals nutrient mist
I don't know about you, but come summer time, I find myself reaching for a refreshing facial mist on a pretty regular basis. I love a good mist anytime of year, but if it's hot and humid out, literally nothing feels better on my skin! Whenever mine needs a bit of a pick-me-up, a spritz of this True Botanicals Nutrient Mist does just the trick. This one is packed with nutrients and antioxidants, including green & white tea, algae extract, and kombucha, which help to hydrate, nourish, and repair the skin. Even better, these ingredients help fight free radical damage, keep your skin nicely plump, and leaves you perfectly dewy and glowing! For something a bit more affordable, and also more basic, I really enjoy Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray as well. I always keep a mist or spray in my purse for that extra boost when I'm on-the-go, and it's especially refreshing at the beach on a hot summer day!
fave products // true botanicals hydrating cleanser
I've been a True Botanicals fan for a while now- from the renewal serum & vitamin C booster to the polishing grains, these products truly work. And with ingredients that are both potent yet gentle, you can actually feel good about what you're putting on your skin. The hydrating cleanser is a jack of all trades that removes makeup and dead skin cells, unclogs pores, hydrates, heals scarring, and stimulates cell turnover. The cleanser from the clear collection also helps to fight infection, by destroying acne-inducing bacteria and balancing your skin (all the while being careful not to damage it). I love that it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed, rather than dry and tight, like so many harsh cleansers seem to do. Every so often I'll add a shake of the polishing grains to the mix to get that extra bit of exfoliation!
True Botanicals uses green and white teas (as opposed to just water) for the base of this cleanser, which allows you to reap the antioxidant and polyphenol benefits of these impressive ingredients. Think toning, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, just to name a few! Black willow bark extract joins the party as a non-irritating, but highly effective, version of the traditional salicylic acid you're used to, and helichrysum is a total anti-powerhouse (anti-bacterial, fungal & inflammatory). Talk about an added bonus!
fave products // sunday riley juno hydroactive cellular face oil
Remember when oil was considered the bad guy, and everyone thought putting oil on your face was an almost certain cause for a break out? Everywhere you looked, skincare products were boasting oil-free this, and oil-free that. I'm so glad that myth has been debunked, because to be honest, high quality oils offer some serious benefits for your skin: preventing dryness, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting skin's firmness and elasticity to name a few!
Take Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil, for example. This essential oil is an antioxidant and superfood powerhouse that gives you that beautifully, radiant glow your skin craves. It works to protect and enhance the skin with a botanically active blend of cold-pressed superfood seed oils, including blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and broccoli seed oils. I've found it to be super hydrating and nourishing thanks to the antioxidants (which fight those free-radicals!) and omegas (3, 6, & 9!), but at the same time it feels light and soothing on my skin. Combined with Vitamin A & C, which help fight signs of aging by increasing collagen production and brightening the skin, and essential amino acids, your complexion will likely be more luminous than ever before.
Other than its awesome hydration and protection power, I really love that Juno is formulated without parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. I personally try not to use any products with these ingredients, as they can be highly irritating to my sensitive skin. At this point it's safe to say that Juno has (deservedly!) earned a prime spot in my skincare routine and medicine cabinet!
fave products // sun potion ashwagandha
I'd been hearing a lot about Sun Potion supplements lately, and decided to do some investigating of my own to determine whether or not they were worth the hype. These transformational foods use medicinal plants, superfoods, and tonic herbs to aid in the achievement of health, happiness, and overall well-being. Sounds good so far- I mean, who doesn't want to feel better by simply using roots found in our natural world? Sun Potions commits to sourcing organic and wildcrafted products to maintain a pure, high quality standard. These potent, healing substances are said to have the ability to transform both consciousness and health.
I decided to begin with Ashwagandha, a vital Ayurvedic herb believed to have many healing properties including tonifying the immune system, inspiring vigor and strength, and relieving various forms of stress. It's known as an adaptogen for its ability to harmonize various physiological functions, as well as to help balance hormones. Ashwagandha's highly potent root, sourced from small organic farms in India, undergoes a cold-water extraction creating a powder that mixes easily into water, coffee, tea, or smoothies. I've been mixing it into my morning coffee, along with He Shou Wu and collagen, which makes for a healthy & potent start to my day. I hardly taste the herb at all, but if anything it adds a welcome creamy, spiced note to my coffee. I've noticed a positive response related to my immune health, as well as my brain function and emotional balance throughout the day. I've felt more present and aware, and am able to react to situations in a more beneficial way. The immune-fortifying and invigorating properties of Aswaganhda make it an antioxidant powerhouse, one that I'm pleased to welcome to my daily routine.
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