If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that Iย do notย feature entire brands lightly. There are a lot of brands out that there that have bang-upย one-hit wonders, and I am so here for them. There is absolutely room on my beauty shelf for the solo star from a brand, but when you find a brand that does all the things and does them well… it warrants a brand love spotlight from me. African Botanics is one of those brands.
I’ve already talked extensively about some of theirย most recognizable (in clean beauty) products like the Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum and Fleur d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil, both beautiful non-toxic retinol products. And I just recently featured their Le Masque Hydralift Intense, which I adore as an overnight hydration mask. But there is so much more to this brand, and today I want to dive in.
For those new around these parts, just know, my general rule of thumb is this: I love it. I use it. I share it. The end… sorta.
The “sorta” part always gives me a chuckle, because basically, it’s never really the end. Frankly, when I love something, you’re going to see a lot of it. But, because sharing is caring, here’s what’s in it for you — an Epic Instagram Giveaway! *GIVEAWAY CLOSED*ย
*This post, like most, may contain affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog.
Meet Julia and Craig Noik, Founders of African Botanics
Craig and Julia are South African natives who grew up steeped in the habitat and traditions of South Africa. When they relocated to Los Angeles, they tapped into those roots to create a skincare line that excellently preserves and promotes the unique biodiversity of their home country.
Not only doesย African Botanics utilize the most beautiful native South African ingredients; which trulyย embody the spirit of the South African ecosystem, but every product is also made entirely in South Africa. Yup, from start to finish. Cool, right? Additionally, African Botanics has several “Positive Luxury” initiatives which promote environmental sustainability and awareness, as well as replanting efforts. Love!
After spending some time exploring this brand and it’s beautiful products, I can say that it does such a good job conveying not only the rich biodiversity of South African flora, but the bespoke formulations truly evoke luxury. From the textures to the materials used, to the packaging,ย these products justย feeel fancy. And they work.
A clean, non-toxic Luxury Brand
When it comes to African Botanics, I always feel the need to point out the price point. The fact of the matter is, this is aย luxury skincare line. It’s expensive. But funnily enough, when I used traditional skincare products (i.e., not “clean beauty”), I never felt the need to qualify. And I think that has to do with brand recognition. When I was using La Mer, or Le Prairie, or SK-II, most people knew immediately where those brands stood on a scale from Target to Bergdorf. But within the clean beauty world, very few people know more than a few brands, and they certainly don’t know where they stand from a price point perspective. At least, not in my experience. So, it stands to reason that one of the most common questions I get about this brand is, “is it worth it?”
And to that, I have to give a resounding yes. And here’s why ๐๐ฝ :
A uniquely South African experience
I love that African Botanics uses ingredients that are unique toย traditional African medicine and culture. Now, it’s not new for clean/natural skincare lines to use ingredients that are unique to a specific region. This is especially true for brands that use ayurvedic herbs or follow the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. But it is new to find a brand highlighting the flora and culture forย this region. And I can dig it.
Across the various products, you will find ingredients like The Resurrection plant, so-called because of its ability to resurrect after extreme dehydration (also known as the Rose of Jericho). This plant is antioxidant-rich and is used to heal wounds. The Bulbinella plant is known as โSouth Africaโs own Aloe Veraโ is another plant ingredient that helps soothe many irritating skin conditions such as eczema, sunburn, and chapped lips, among other things.
Other ingredients you’ll find and love in AB products: marula seed oil, baobab seed oil, blue micro algae, glycopeptides, and their distinct African oil complex which incorporates high levels Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9.
Efficacious AF
Wild African desert and bush plants are known for their strength, resilience, and natural ability to grow and flourish under extreme environmental conditions. These properties translate into skincare products which are anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant-rich; among other things. African Botanics takes these ingredients and incorporates them with the latest skincare biotechnology to create products that increase skin vitality, moisture retention, and overall rejuvenation.
In a word, they are efficacious AF. After using AB products daily for weeks at a time, I can tell you that Iย absolutelyย see a difference in my skin within just days of incorporation. Back in April I got a glorious birthday box filled with African Botanics goodies (*gifted) and committed myself to using those products both exclusively and incorporated into other routines and after various iterations, I feel confident that my skin knows and loves African Botanics. But more importantly, they play well with others. So if you are not in the market for the full African Botanics lineup, no problem. Find the product that will address your most pressing concern, and mix that baby into your routine.
Looking for a Hero Product?
Last year I saw damn near-immediate results with my hyperpigmentation when I started using the two retinol products. First the Fleurs d’Afrique, which I love because it’s a feather-light oil that can be used day or night, and second the Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum, which is an epic PM retinol product that firms, lifts, and brightens. ๐ If you are in the market for just one, I will begrudgingly recommend the Resurrection Serum (green bottle). It is less expensive and is their more potent retinol product which also includes Resveratrol and plant peptides. If I had to choose: I think my favorite AB product to date is the Fleurs d’Afrique, but I have the luxury of not having to choose and so I kinda “need” them both.
A few moreย of my Faves
I mean, I haven’t tried a product by African Botanics that I haven’t loved. That’s why we’re here, right? But thereย are some skincare products that I have yet to mention on the blog, and so I want to mention those as well. This brand seriously “can’t stop, won’t stop.”
The Rose Treatment Essence
This essence is different. I have to admit I didn’t know what to do with this product at first. It is African Botanics answer to the toner step, but it isn’t a spray, and it’s not quite a liquid. It’s some sort of magical viscous fluid that comes out as a gel-like structure and immediately melts into a proper “watery” texture. After getting over theย “it’s not a spray”ย stage of discovery, I fell in love with it.
The Rose Treatment Essence is packed with bioactive medicinal plants, botanical emollients, peptides, humectants, B vitamins, oligosaccharides, yeast beta-glucan, and collagen boosters that legit leave your skin bright and hydrated. I’ve gotten pulled away from my skincare routine on several occasions after this essence, but before applying the next step, and to my surprise, my skin didn’t get all taut and howling for moisture. It totally fits with my #toddlermom life.
*Contains Phenoxyethanol.
Nutritive Molecule Serum
The Nutritive Molecule Serum is the AM replacement for the Resurrection Cell Recovery Serum; a retinol serum intended for PM use only. And just like the Cell Recovery Serum, ย this serum is a total skincare hero. It is packed with three types of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid, Tannic Acid, Niacinamide, Superoxide Dismutase, Resveratrol, Green Coffee, and Yeast. This serious antioxidant heavy hitter also packs plant-derived hyaluronic acid. So it leaves skin bright and hydrated.
I actually wasn’t sure if I liked this serum at first. It has a strong smell and a thicker texture than I’m used to with serums, but after a week I barely notice the smell (not bad, just strong) and the results speak for themselves. My pores look better, my skin texture is smoother, and the overall brightness shows. At $250 (30ml), this isย definitelyย a luxury product. But, much to my husband’s chagrin, this product is a must. It just works. Plus, a little goes a long way, 1.5-2pumps daily will change your face. Legit.
Infinite Resurfacing Mask
Surprise, Suprise! I love this mask. This is African Botanics AHA +BHA mask, and it is so effective, yet somehow manages to be relatively gentle. Perfect if you have reactive skin as I do. I actually prefer a good chemical exfoliant over manual exfoliation, because I am highly prone to scaring if the manual exfoliant irritates or disrupts my skin barrier. But sometimes, chemical exfoliants are too harsh for sensitive skin types, or swing in the opposite direction and leave you feeling like it didn’t have enough acids. This isย just right. Packed with Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Phytic Acid, and White Willow Bark this mask exfoliates but also refines pores. Additionally, this formulation has collagen boosters derived from the leaf sap of South African โBulbine Frutescens,” which I feel has contributed to the improved texture and tone of my skin.
As you know, I love a face mask and like to do it 5-7x a week. But this mask is best used only once or twice a week. So it lasts for.ev.er. It’s definitely one I’ll keep in my arsenal. (btw- I like to alternate it with the other African Botanics mask when I’m committed toย only this brand).
Resurrection Eye Creme
This eye cream gets an honorable mention from a girl who doesn’t really like using eye creams. Here’s the thing: I’m a contact wearer with sensitive eyes, and most of the time when I use an eye cream, I wake up feeling like it has migratedย into my eyes. No Bueno. But this eye cream is lightweight, penetrates deeply, and somehow stays put. Perhaps because it’s already fully penetrated before I go to sleep? I’m not sure, but I like it.
The Resurrection Eye Cremeย is also packed with some really innovative skincare biotechnology designed to “renew skin cells, boost collagen and elastin production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restoring youthful density to the orbital area” (from African Botanics website). You’ll find ingredients like Laminaria Algae, African resurrection plant extract, Kigelia Africana, Resveratrol, Caffeine, and Hibiscus extract. It also contains Diamond Powder for an illuminative effect. Yup, you read that right; we fancy. ๐
*Contains Phenoxyethanol.
Shop African Botanics Here
And there you have it, some of my faves by this beautiful brand. If you are in the market for luxury clean beauty products that are worth every penny,ย African Botanics is where it’s at. This brand is totally rocking my world, and I just know you’ll love it too.
Want a chance to WIN some of my fave African Botanics Products? *GIVEAWAY CLOSED*
PS — Did you know that African Botanics alsoย hasย body care and wellness products? Stay tuned for more of this brand and other brands that are doing great things, and if you try anything, be sure to tell me what you think!
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
