After I got off Accutane, I was very wary about trying skincare products. I tried to be as minimalist as possible and then this summer, I was traveling so much that I started to heavily rely on samples to keep my bags TSA-friendly. And with that, I tried some Herbivore products and immediately bought some full-size ones to keep me stocked.
One of the first samples I had was the Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask. It has a very jelly-like consistency and has a cooling sensation when you put it on. I usually leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water. This face mask’s star ingredient—blue tansy oil—is naturally high in azulene and a powerful anti-inflammatory that soothes irritated skin and reduces redness. It also contains white willow bark, a natural beta hydroxyl (BHA) that is high in salicylic acid; natural alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), including papaya and pineapple, that work to gently exfoliate and rid skin of dead cells; and aloe leaf to gently decongest and unclog pores for a smoother, healthier-looking complexion.
To say that this mask can fix your life may be an overstatement, but it really fixed my skin. I tend not to have terrible breakouts anymore, except for a whitehead here and there. However, I don’t get much sleep during the week and didn’t realize how dull my skin was until I took off this mask the first time. My skin was visibly clearer, even-toned and fresh for the day! All Herbivore products are also vegan, noncomedogenic, cruelty-free, and formulated without gluten and silicone, so basically I know I can indulge without being harmful to myself or the environment.
The next product I tried was the Moon Fruit Superfruit Night Treatment. This cream looks like purple mousse when you open the jar and smells of sweet orange and lavender. The beautiful color comes mainly from indigo root powder, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and soothing to the skin. This night cream made my skin feel very soft and hydrated in the morning, but not oily like other night treatments. Powerful antioxidants included are prickly pear, goji berry, and red raspberry seed. Exotic kokum and shea butters are natural humectants that provide deep hydration and lock moisture into skin. Papaya, lemon, sugar cane, orange, bilberry, cranberry, and maple enzymes gently resurface and support natural cellular renewal, leaving skin exfoliated, smooth, and glowing. I am not sure how moisturizing this will be in the winter, but I’m going to try it this December.
I am very skeptical about facial oils because my face is an oily mess these days in the summer, so I was wary about trying this one, but I loved the two other Herbivore products, I decided to go for it. The Lapis Balancing Facial Oil is supposed to be used as a solution for acne, redness, and pores. The luxurious formula is made with 100 percent natural and pure plant oils to thoroughly hydrate skin without clogging pores, so that it can stop producing excess oil and find the balance it needs (counterintuitive, right). The quick-absorbing oil drives moisture, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants into your skin—forming a natural lipid barrier to lock in essential nourishment, while protecting against dryness and heat in the environment. I was really impressive with how quickly my skin absorbed Lapis and how I didn’t feel like it was about to ruin my pillow. It also does not have an odd smell like some facial oils do, so you can wear it when you’re sleeping at your friend’s and not worry about smelling like a Whole Foods bathroom cleaner.
All these products are worth a try, if you have not tried them before! Herbivore has a ton of products, catering to all types of skin. Check them out!
