Every two months a Boxwalla Beauty box shows up on my front porch, and it makes me utterly giddy. Boxwalla is a brand that shows so much attention to detail. Every curation is beautiful and leaves me feeling excited, enchanted, and enthralled. Even more so, I feel compelled to share those feelings with you. This month they are bringing you the most luxe clean, non-toxic retinol you’ll find in green beauty: African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil ($250).
The lovely co-founder, Lavanya, asked if I wanted the August box to review and I couldn’t say no. And yes, that means I put other things on hold to try out this month’s box. Trust me; you’re going to want to do the same. The August Boxwalla Beauty Box featuring African Botanics is only available while supplies last or until August 1st. So read this quick, and get it while you can.
African Botanics
I’ve heard a lot of buzz about African Botanics, but this month’s Boxwalla Beauty Box was my first hands-on experience with the brand. African Botanics, founded by South African natives Julia and Craig Noik, represents some of the most beautiful ingredients native to their home country. Made in the heart of South Africa, the ingredients used truly embody the spirit of the South African ecosystem.
On their site they say:
With great respect to Africa’s biodiversity, we utilize the most concentrated active plant extracts and superior botanical actives working together with South African botanists who study African traditional plant usage, share their knowledge and unite our efforts with one common goal: to ensure our unique products’ quality, safety and effectiveness.
I can dig it.
This month’s Boxwalla Beauty Box is introducing us to their ultra-luxe Intense Recovery Oil from the Fleurs D’Afrique Collection and it is so good. With a value of $250, I imagine this box is going to sell out. Yes, you read that right, you can try this $250 luxe oil for only $49.95 (no monthly commitment).
This is the most exceptional deal I’ve ever seen from an organic green beauty subscription box. Be sure to subscribe before August 1st to get this incredible deal. You can SIGN UP HERE.
If the box sells out before you get a chance to snag one, don’t despair. Boxwalla continuously delivers eco-luxe beauty brands and the value is always astonishing. The April Twelve Beauty Box was valued at $182. In June, the Moss Skincare box was valued at $215. The moral? Boxwalla always brings the heat. Get you some.
Fleurs D’Afrique Intense Recovery Oil
This elixir is luxurious. It’s feather light, smells delightful, and packs a powerful nutrient punch. The Fleurs D’Afrique Intense Recovery Oil is a gorgeous oil-based serum featuring adaptogenic African desert and bush plants, blue marine microalgae (sustainably sourced from the French Riviera), and a distinct African oil complex which forms a fatty acid matrix on the skin. This matrix, rich in Omegas 3, 6, 7, & 9 penetrate the skin and help regenerate damaged cells over time.
Some of the all-star ingredients include Kalahari Melon, Marula Oil, Jasmine Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Evening Primrose Oil, Microalgae Extract, Retinol, CoQ10, and loads of other wild-harvested African botanicals. In addition to being 100% vegan, this beautiful oil is also responsibly sourced. The Merula Oil is sourced directly from a “World Heritage Site.” In fact, Julia and Craig make every effort to use sustainable ingredients and to work directly with many small Fair Trade communities in South Africa. Doing this supports the local people and helps them invest back in their lands. It’s good for the people and good for the environment, and I am smitten.
The Spirit of South Africa
I also love that some of the unique ingredients in this oil are a distinct part of traditional African medicine and culture. The Resurrection plant, so called because of its ability to resurrect after extreme dehydration (also known as the Rose of Jericho), is an antioxidant-rich plant used to heal wounds. The Bulbinella plant is known as “South Africa’s own Aloe Vera” and helps soothe many irritated skin conditions such as eczema, sunburn, and chapped lips among other things. So cool, right?!
I’ve only been using the oil for about a week, so I can’t attest to how well it works, yet. Retinols are, after all, a long game kind of ingredient. But what I can tell you is it’s one of the most luxe clean beauty oils I’ve used. It absorbed super quick and left my skin feeling hydrated and plump.
On clean non-toxic Retinol
If you’re a woman over 30, you’re probably beginning to think about adding Retinol to your skincare routine. And rightfully so, it is a powerhouse. Retinol is the alcohol form of the vitamin A molecule. Many consider it to be the purest form of Vitamin A. Retinol can boost collagen (bye fine lines); increase cellular turnover (hey baby skin); dissolve oil (making pores appear tighter and smoother), and even gradually even skin tone and fade dark spots. But, Retinoids (of which retinol is included) are also shrouded in controversy; largely because of the oral medication Accutane, and it’s connection to birth defects and liver toxicity.
But please understand, there is a considerable difference between topical retinol and isotretinoin (Accutane). Namely, topical retinol does not influence cell-cycle progression, cellular differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis the way that Accutane does. This is why Accutane is so effective at the systemic treatment of acne. Essentially, topical retinol is not systemic, not absorbed into all of your cells, and doesn’t present the same level of concern for toxicity.
Additionally, some green beauty enthusiasts avoid Retinol products altogether because they tend to be stabilized with preservatives like parabens and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). As you know, parabens are on the toxic ten list, and BHT is rated poorly by the EWG (BHT is commonly used in food preservation.
Not your mama’s Retinol
The good news is that many green beauty brands are starting to address these concerns by producing clean retinol products. The Fleurs D’Afrique Intense Recovery Oil is one of them. This is vegetable based liposomal retinol preserved with rosemary extract. I talk about the effectiveness of liposome delivery methods in skincare in my review of Fitglow Beauty. The quick version is this: liposomal preparations allow the ingredients to be delivered directly into the skin cells through a lipid bilayer. This product is clean, made without nasty preservatives, and comes in a highly effective little package. Jackpot!
Breastfeeding?
You’ve probably heard that retinol is a no-no while breastfeeding. There is so much misunderstanding around this topic that I’ve written a separate post addressing retinol use and breastfeeding. Want to know why I’m ok with using topical retinol as a breastfeeding woman? Read THIS POST.
TL;DR? – First and foremost, I am not your healthcare provider. Oral retinoids are a NO-NO for both pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. But, there is no significant research to show that the use of topical retinol during breastfeeding leads to negative health outcomes.
Bottom line: I have been and will continue using this product. But also, for research and additional resources on safe drug use while breastfeeding, read my post on retinol in green beauty + breastfeeding.
Get it while the getting is Good
Let me stop waxing poetic about this lovely brand and beautiful oil. If you are looking for a luxe, clean non-toxic retinol, this is it. And if you are on the fence, but have been feeling like your complexion could use a little boost, you won’t regret having this in your arsenal. But you’ve got to act fast.
The August Boxwalla Beauty Box featuring African Botanics is only available while supplies last or until August 1st. So, if you think you might benefit from this juicy little discovery, get it now, because you’re never going to see it at a better deal.
I’m telling you, you gotta get it while the getting is good. 🤩 You can SIGN UP HERE to get this $250 face oil for only $49.95.
Have you incorporated a retinol into your skincare routine?
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
