Heal Yourself in 15 Days by Cleaning Up Your Skin Exposure

Cancer-causing chemicals

January was a month of bad complexion karma. Whether due to incompatible products or inclement indoor conditions, my skin let me know that it was not happy. Scaly patches below my mouth battled with relentless flakes on my nose for the title of driest place on my face. My standard daily and nightly moisturizers were no longer cutting it. Using lightweight lotions could not conceal swathes of flaking skin, while layering various creams resulted in gunky residue that made applying makeup impossible. Once Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog saw his shadow- thus forecasting another six weeks of winter- my dry skin plight became more desperate than ever.

Having exhausted my favorite heavy-duty dry skin solutions for nighttime, I reached into my bag of beauty tricks to see if some other products might work in a pinch. YBF Boostwasn’t rich enough to resuscitate my skin with a boost of moisture. Ditto for Yves Rocher Bio Culture Wake up Cream and Kenneth Mark M.D. Antioxidant Cream. Despite feelings of skin suffocation on its initial trial, I gave Skinn Wrinkle Balm Night Treatment another chance. Once again, the waxy layer peeled off onto my pillow and left my skin thirsty the next morning. Teava Facial Treatment Mask and gloTherapeutics Conditioning Mask were not practical for everyday use, certainly not during the daytime. I continued my search for a dry skin savior to dig me out of this rut.

Not to say that any of the above products are bad; in fact, most have been recommended for various uses. But nothing seemed to fit the bill of an all-around, day or night, skin-saving moisturizer which could seal my dry spots and improve my winter-worn complexion. For that, I had the good fortune of meeting Olive’s Organic Botanicals Harmony Facial Replenisher($57.99 in the TIA store). I already knew that Olive’s Organics was no ordinary organic skincare line, as described in my experience with thecarrot seed cleanser, a dropper bottle of natural oils that work together to instantly lather, soften, purify, and hydrate. The cleanser’s effects were so satisfying that Olive’s Organics made our list of Five Best Face Cleansers of 2009.

The moisturizer, like its cleansing cousin, is not your typical face cream. Rather, Harmony is a waxy balm that requires a mini wooden spatula or immaculate finger to scoop out. Its diminutive glass vessel is deceptive, since a fingernail-sized portion is more than enough to cover the entire face and one ounce lasts at least a month. Also like the cleanser, application is a process, but it is so worth the extra effort. After scooping out a dollop, you are meant to rub it between your index finger and thumb to warm, soften, and create an even consistency. Otherwise, the waxy substance tends to clump on the face and requires repeated rubbing. I’ve found that Harmony spreads most uniformly over skin that has already been moistened with a serum.

The visible results are instant hydration, camouflaged fine lines, and youthful radiance. But under the surface additional benefits are at work, infusing the skin with antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and essential fatty acids. The formula’s base ingredient, rosehip oil, is the only vegetable oil containing retinoic acid, as well as an excellent source of omega 3 and 6. Harmony’s invigorating scent hints at its enriching herbal blend of calming lavender, moisturizing mandarin, tightening patchouli, and healing chamomile. In addition, Harmony conditions the skin with natural emollients like jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic moisture regulator, and pure beeswax, which acts as a protective barrier.

Once my skin is coated in a layer of Harmony, it begins to glow, nay, glisten. Despite the moisturizer’s lingering greasiness, I do not feel an oily presence sitting on the surface- as is the case with REN Rose Synergy Serum and NARSskin EFA Night Infusion- which limits the product to overnight use only. I have found ways around the sheen, such as blotting with tissues, applying powder, or using a mattifying solution on top. Every sunscreen I’ve layered over Harmony has blended effortlessly. Nonetheless, I think Harmony is best suited to nighttime, because it not only requires much less work but it also lasts literally all night. My skin continues to bask in Harmony when I wake up every morning.

After two weeks of Harmony, my skin’s karma has taken a drastic turn in the right direction. I do not think that oily skin types or impatient personalities will appreciate the intense hydration and tedious application. But dry skin couldn’t find a better match.

Ingredients in Harmony:

100% Certified Organic Organic rosehip seed oil, organic pure filtered beeswax, organic jojoba oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic lavender, organic patchouli, organic mandarin, organic roman chamomile.

Olive’s Organic Botanicals Pomegranate Facial Replenisher Cleanser- Reader Review

Posted by Sal

I have been using Olive’s Organic Botanicals Pomegranate Facial Replenisher Cleanser (available at the TIA store for $57.49)for the last month and I love it! The cleanser is housed in an old fashioned amber apothecary bottle with a dropper to dispense. The smell of the product is innocuous but hints of an oil of some sort are evident.

The ingredients of the cleanser are: organic saponified olive oil, organic coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, organic aloe vera, organic rosemary extract, and 100% pure, organic cold pressed/unrefined oil from certified organic pomegranate seeds. I like this wash because my face feels and looks “really” clean after I use it.

The instructions on the charming bottle read that you should first massage a small amount of product all over. I used it on my face, neck, and chest, then allowed it to sit for one minute. I then lathered, washed with warm water, and rinsed the creamy solution away.

I am often outside and worry about sun, so every morning I use moisturizer, sunscreen, a loose powder with additional sunscreen in it, and some blush-on to top it all off. I sometimes feel that I have a lot on my face but the combination of products seems to fill my needs…Anyway,  Olive’s Organic Botanicals Cleanser fits right into my regime. The cleansing action really works and I believe it is due to that “let it sit for a minute” step which is unique to me in a cleanser!

There are tiny pieces of pomegranate seeds that you can feel a bit of in the cleanser and I believe that this too contributes to the great “cleansing” job of the product. My face feels so good and clear of all previous products that were on my skin before it. I know I want to buy more of this delightful, organic, natural product in the charming “throw back” bottle!

Ingredients:

Organic pomegranate seed oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic pure filtered beeswax, organic coconut oil, organic hemp seed oil.

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