Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's Top 5 Picks from African Botanics

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Given my devotion to, and love of, African Botanics it should come as no surprise that it is nearly impossible for me to adhere to the rules of The Beauty Spotlight Team's Favorites post. We decided that each member would select their Top 5 Products from one of their all-time favorite brands, and while I immediately selected African Botanics, it was nearly impossible to narrow my favorite products down to a mere 5. Therefore, in order to achieve this I narrowed down the field by excluding their body care products, and instead focused on their anti-aging skincare products for the face. While I could have easily upped the number from five to all ten of their products for the face, I decided to stick to the rules. African Botanics is a cruelty-free, eco-friendly line that believes in sustainability and  handcrafted, ultra-luxe products made with the highest quality naturally sourced ingredients.

Here are my choices:

 African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil (Reviewed HERE. $250.00 for 1 oz. from African Botanics, Violet Grey, Credo Beauty, Cult Beauty, Need Supply Co. and Net-A-Porter): 

Fleurs d' Afrique is a highly concentrated luxury oil that is lightweight in texture and fast absorbing. The texture, is itself, ultra-silky and it leaves skin feeling like the softest cashmere conceived. It has an utterly intoxicating aroma that is a delectable fusion of the Jasmine Grandiflorum, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and Marula Seed Oil. It is a warm and earthy floral that delights the senses, calms the mind and nourishes the skin. This is an oil to be savored, and the tactile and sensory experience is so exquisite that one immediately slows down to really relish the experiential component of this highly effective ultra-luxe beauty oil. 

From its very inception, African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil was envisioned and conceived as a new type of antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory anti-aging oil– the likes of which did not yet exist. Unlike many luxury oils that add water to break down water-soluble actives, African Botanics opted not to dilute the oils, but instead utilized highly potent oil soluble actives. Furthermore, they source rare ingredients of the highest quality from remote locations, and the end result is a staggeringly unique beauty oil that easily rivals the most potent and effective anti-aging serums in the marketplace today

African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil utilizes a visionary delivery system that allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin deeply in order to effectively nourish the skin, to stimulate skin cell renewal, to restore and regenerate skin and to protect and heal. Furthermore, this unique formula softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while fading hyperpigmentation, and it reduces inflammation and redness.

My skin is notably different in that the overall texture is more even in tone and the small areas of light hyperpigmentation have noticeably faded. My fine lines are softened and my skin appears more taut and lifted. Furthermore, it effectively encourages skin cell-turnover to eliminate dull and dry dead skin cells in order to reveal luminous fresh skin.

This oil balances skin, and has regulated my active T-zone while simultaneously fighting redness and inflammation during my monthly hormonal cycle. I also found it remarkable that it healed a hormonal breakout overnight because of its ability to regulate hormonal skin and radically reduce inflammation.

While I do not have particularly enlarged pores, I have noted that mine are now far less noticeable. Additionally, the pores that have always been prone to clogging on my nose and chin no longer appear congested.

African Botanics claims that African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil will leave skin, "luminous, more youthful with increased firmness, elasticity and clarity" and I can attest to the veracity of this statement. This lovely oil leaves skin soft, supple, hydrated and luminous unlike anything else that I have tried.

For all skin types, including skin exposed to urban stress, pollution, harsh, dry climates, sun damage and is recommended for hormonal, inflamed, mature, unbalanced and sensitive skin.

Concerns Addressed by African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil:

• First signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness

• Dullness, dry, aging skin with uneven skin tone and pigmentation

• Hormonal and sensitive skin. Inflammation, redness and irritation from breakouts, sun damage and environmental exposure

• Excess oil, acne-prone, seborrheic and unbalanced skin

• Enlarged pores and clogged pores

Ingredients: Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)* Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)* Seed Oil, Jasmine Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Adansonia Digitata*, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyseride, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis (Microalgae) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Helichrysum Angustifolium (Immortelle) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Myrothamnus Flabellifolius (Resurrection) Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos)* Extract, Bulbinella Nutens (Bulbinella) Extract, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo)* Oil, Cyclopia (Honeybush) Extract, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Retinol (Vitamin A),  Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract. *Wild-Harvested. Not tested on animals.

African Botanics Marula Neroli Infused Marula Oil (Reviewed HERE. Please note that the bottle above is the old packaging that has recently changed. $120.00 for 1 oz. from African Botanics, Space NK, Violet Grey, Cult Beauty, Credo Beauty, Skin Care RX and Net-A-Porter): 

African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil is a lovely fast absorbing and deeply nourishing lightweight oil that smells divine, and imparts an unbelievable healthy glow. This glistening jewel remains one of my all-time favorite oils because it keeps my skin perfectly balanced, deeply nourished and moisturized, and with an unbelievable luminosity and clarity. It is so nourishing and moisturizing, in fact, that I have been able to forgo an added moisturizing cream at night. I have even used this as my sole moisturizer during the day and my skin looked and felt amazing. I often add a few drops to my foundations and tinted moisturizers and it most definitely enhances their effects.

Marula Oil has been shown to:

• Intensely boosts skin's ability to repair, accelerating recovery.
• Neutralizes free radicals that cause signs of aging.
• Protects skin from harmful environmental agents & provides powerful anti-oxidant protection.
• Restores skin elasticity, firmness & improves skin tone.
• Ideal treatment following facials, provides pre-and-post support for chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
• Excellent moisturizer that can help plump up the skin to reduce & minimize fine lines.
• Rejuvenates and recovers skin’s luminosity, radiance and suppleness.
• Soothes irritation.
• Have anti-pollution, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits.

Essential oil of Neroli has been shown to:

• Regenerates skin cells. Improves suppleness.
• Protects against free radicals & environmental stresses.
• Powerful antioxidants that fill cells with water & nourishment, prolonging their life & vitality.
• Strengthens the skins flora.
• High in Vitamin C – essential for the production of Collagen.
• Stimulates circulation, clears blemishes. Assists in the release of toxins.

Ingredients: Sclerocarya birrea (Marula Essential Oil), Citrus aurantium (Neroli Essential Oil). 

African Botanics Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum (Reviewed HERE. $160.00 for 1 oz. from African Botanics, Net-A-Porter, Violet Grey, Credo Beauty, and Cult Beauty £132.00):

This lightweight, and fast absorbing, gel-like serum is filled with an array of healthy, antioxidant-rich botanicals, highly effective Swiss Garden Cress Liposomes and Peptides, Retinol, Resveratrol and Green Sea Algae– to name but a few of its potent, carefully selected ingredients. African Botanics Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum increases collagen synthesis, accelerates skin cell-turnover, plumps and reduces the appearance of fine lines, improves elasticity and tone, deeply nourishes and hydrates skin and it reveals luminous, youthful skin. 

My skin appears refreshed, luminous, even in texture and skin-tone, lifted and ultra-hydrated. I simply massage a small amount into my face, neck, décolleté and under eye area and go to sleep, and when I awaken my skin appears as though I had a serious rejuvenating, anti-aging facial and peel. This serum is suitable for all skin types, and is non-comedogenic.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Hamamelis Virginia (Witch Hazel) Distillate Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Arnica Cordifolia Extract, Aloe Ferox (Bitter Aloe) Leaf Extract*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Myrothamnus Flabellifolius (Resurrection) Plant Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elder) Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Anacyclus Pyrethrum (Pellitory) Extract, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Phytic Acid, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)* Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)* Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract*, Sorbitol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Hydrocotyl (Centella Asiatica) Gotu Kola Extract, Chamomile Martricaria Extract*, Chlorella Vulgaris (Green Algae) Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout (Swiss Garden Cress) Extract, Lecithin, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos Tea) Extract, Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil, Eriocephalus Punctulatus (Cape Chamomile)* Essential Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)* Leaf Essential Oil. *Organic and Wild-Harvested Ingredients. Free of Parabens, preservatives and chemicals.

African Botanics Intense Skin Repair Balm (Reviewed HERE. $160.00 for 2 oz. available from African Botanics, Net-A-Porter, Space NK, Bloomingdale's, Credo Beauty, Cult Beauty and Violet Grey): 

African Botanics Intense Repair Balm is an ultra-luxurious face balm, that is unlike any other beauty balms that you have experienced. It is the perfect ultra-hydrating moisturizer that immediately nourishes and hydrates the skin, reduces inflammation and redness, plumps fine lines, evens skin tone, improves elasticity, firms, and improves overall clarity.  

It is extremely concentrated, therefore a pea size amount is all that you need to use for your  entire face, neck and décolleté. Warmed between the hands or fingers, this balm transforms into an exceedingly luxurious serum that melts into the skin effortlessly. The silky texture coupled with the gorgeous aroma, that is a fusion of Jasmine Grandiflorum, Damask Rose and Bergamot, makes using this luxury balm an extraordinary sensory experience.

This nourishing and healing balm is the perfect year-round moisturizer for people with dry and dehydrated skin, but the benefits of its use are so pronounced that I use it all year long on my normal/combination skin. It soaks in the same way that a beauty oil does, and therefore is not unlike using a beauty oil because it liquefies in the same way once it is warmed up. It soaks in immediately and leaves skin unbelievably soft, supple, hydrated and luminous. If you are left with a greasy residue, then you have neither adequately warmed it up, nor have you used a small enough amount. 

Additionally, this unique formula offers healing benefits that effectively treat skin conditions such as acne (or monthly hormonal breakouts), hyperpigmentation and it softens the appearance of scars. People with sensitive, irritated, and damaged skin will be astonished by the immediate soothing and healing properties that are embodied in this potent healing elixir, and won't ever want to be without this magical balm. This is also a great post-treatment balm that immediately calms down skin that has been subjected to a peel or vigorous exfoliation. I have used it after an at-home peel, and after thorough exfoliation, and my skin immediately feels and looks better. My skin can, at times, be rather sensitive, and this balm has proven to be the perfect soothing and calming remedy for just about every skin irritation that I have experienced. It is a multipurpose balm, that boasts extraordinary efficacy, and just so happens to be the perfect face cream. It delivers moisture and nutrients more effectively than any balm that I have tried, and its texture and aroma are utterly addictive. Once you try it, I suspect that you will become as obsessed with it as I am!

Ingredients: Trichilia Emetica (Cape Mahogany) Mafura Seed Butter*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil*, Aqua (Water), Squalane, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Beeswax, Jasmine Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil*, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Niacinamide, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon) Seed Oil*, Helichrysum Angustifolium (Immortelle/Everlasting) Oil, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Pichia (Resveratrol) Ferment Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bulbinella Nutens (Bulbinella) Extract*, Aspalathus Linearis (Green Rooibos) Tea Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), D-Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Squalane. *Wild-Harvested, Unrefined and Fair Trade ingredients. Never tested on animals.

African Botanics Marula Résurrection Eye Crème (Reviewed HERE. $95.00 for 0.51 oz. from African Botanics, SpaceNK and Cult Beauty): 

The texture of Résurrection Eye Crème resides somewhere between a healing balm and an eye cream thanks, in part, to the Shea Butter. However, the texture is silky smooth and ultra refined without any of the granular particles typically found in many Shea Butter based products. This lovely eye cream is healing, hydrating and restorative– leaving the delicate eye area looking refreshed, hydrated, lifted and youthful. It is incredibly concentrated– therefore the smallest amount delivers noteworthy results. A small spatula is provided in order to avoid contaminating the contents of the jar, but one needs only to scoop out the tiniest amount for both eyes.

It plumps my fine lines, lifts the skin, and gives the delicate skin of the eye area an unprecedented clarity and luminosity. On those days when I don't get enough sleep and wake up with dark circles, Résurrection Eye Crème works wonders on diminishing those unsightly reminders of fatigue-- not to mention that it makes short work of reducing unwanted under eye puffiness.

This elegant and understated eye cream can (and should) be used day and night because the results are astounding. However, it is the combination of its extraordinary efficacy, healthy potent ingredients, and its superior visceral tactile and subtle aromatherapeutic sensation that take this eye cream where none have gone before.

Skin Concerns Résurrection Eye Crème Addresses:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Stressed, dry, taut, dehydrated skin
• Redness and inflammation
• Dark circles and puffiness

Ingredients: Aqua (De-ionised water), Myrothammus flabellifolia (Resurrection) plant extract, Aspalathus linearis (Green Rooibos) tea extract, Coffee Arabica (Coffee) Essential Oil, Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Seed Oil**, Arnica Montana (Arnica) Oil, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) Oil, Daucus Carrota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Butyrosperum parkii (Shea Butter), Hyssopus officinalis (Hyssop) Oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), Mel millis (wild flower honey), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Essential Oil, Rose Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Citrus aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil, Citric Acid (Vitamin C), Acetyl TETRAPEPTIDE-9, Argentum Potabile (Colloidal silver), Palm Glycerine BP, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba wax), Xantum gum, D-Tocopherol (Vitamin E). ** Certified Organic.

For an in-depth guide to using all of the African Botanics products, please visit Lola's Secret Beauty Blog's African Botanics At-Home Luxury Spa Day.

Overall Assessment: African Botanics truly is in that elusive top 1% of the most extraordinary natural luxury skincare brands. Their visionary approach, brilliant and ultra-potent formulas, unprecedented efficacy and high quality natural ingredients keep their beautiful products forever at the forefront of luxury skincare brands. However, the extent to which their products are a joy to use cannot be sufficiently underscored. Their textures and aromas create an incredible visceral experience that soothes the skin and calms the senses. African Botanics is the holy grail of holy grail skincare lines, and you owe it to yourself to try their gorgeous gems.

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