Spring clean your skin with Live Botanical (Spring Skincare)

D.C. has been playing at Spring for a little over two months now. We’d get a peek of warm weather and sunshine, and then there would be snow advisories. Sometime in the last few weeks, though, she finally decided to get her life together because the Cherry Blossoms are in full effect and we’ve had over a week of weather in the 70s. The sudden infusion of sunshine has me feeling all types of Springy, and for me, that often means spring skincare.

Spring also means lots of projects like garden projects, spring cleaning our house, and a wardrobe overhaul. But before I get to all of that, I like to take a hard look at my skincare. I’m delighted to introduce you to the brand Live Botanical and to two products that are making me swoon.

You know the deal: This post is a collaboration with Live Botanical. I reached out, and Carolyn graciously sent me these products to try, but all opinions are my own. Also, because sharing is caring, use code FELIX15 for 15% off your order.

Now, let’s get into it.

Oh Hi, Live Botanical

Live Botanical is one of those brands that is doing a lot of things right in Green Beauty. I say that knowing full well just how powerful words can be. It was maybe 4-5months ago that I learned about Live Botanical and started to follow along on Instagram. But I wasn’t introduced to a product, in real life, until the April Art of Organics box. Through that subscription, I discovered and fell in love with the Live Botanical AER Aloe + Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This gem hydrates, tones, and soothes sensitive skin (c/o the aloe + green tea hydrosol).

If I had to explain my skin care goals in one sentence, it would be: “dewy with a lit from within glow.” Now, this should go without saying but, the ultimate dewy skin really does start in the kitchen: drink water… and lots of it. And make sure to eat your healthy fats and collagen-rich foods. But, after that, skincare reigns supreme, and hyaluronic acid is a skincare heavy hitter.

Needless to say, after a few uses I felt compelled to reach out to Carolyn, and she has been a dream. Carolyn, the creator of Live Botanical, is a herbalist who believes in the power of plants. The formulations are minimal and rooted in creating balance and harmony. The ingredients are simple: whole plant infusions, botanical extracts, and unrefined oils, always. What puts Live Botanical over the top, though, is their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. I mean, the care with which she sources ingredients is kind of insane. Frankly put, she gives a damn. So, I stand behind my original statement: Live Botanical is doing a lot of things right in green beauty. I’m over the moon to share the products that will help you spring clean your skincare.

The AER Green Clay + Maca Root Clearing Mask

Call me a modern-day witchy woman if you like, my friends do, but I want to pour of over my “potions” regularly to be sure I’m giving my body just what it needs. Every few days I love to take a few moments and check in on my skin (& my diet). Then tweak my potions accordingly. I think the best thing you can do is establish a process (I’ll share mine soon) and then all you’ve got to do is evaluate which step in the process needs tweaking to meet your individual needs. For me, masks are a must.

Masks are great because they really can address just about any of your skin needs. Depending on the mask it can be detoxifying, exfoliating, healing, or moisturizing; and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A mask is the single most nimble category in my arsenal, and I honor its flexibility regularly. In the winter I like to alternate between exfoliating and moisturizing. But when the season changes and it puts me in the mood to spring clean my complexion, I want to throw in something that will deeply clear my pores.

Insert clay. The AER Green Clay + Maca Root Clearing Mask is made with a combination of French Green and Rhassoul clays plus plant-based Activated Charcoal to draw out impurities and unclog pores. I pretty much always have Rhassoul or Bentonite clay on hand, but the addition of the French Green clay really elevates the purifying properties of this mask. Other ingredients include Maca, Sacha Inchi, Honeysuckle, Aspen, and Oregano essential oil. All things designed to handle any blemish, spot, or acne you might be experiencing. And if you think you’ve heard me mention some of those ingredients before, you’re right. I include both Maca & Sacha Inchi oil in my diet! I mean, this is simple… yet elevated. This mask is active (read tingly). Expect to be a little red, but that redness will pass after about 30mins. Do it at night if you’re concerned, or apply a color correcting moisturizer afterward, as I did. ($20, but use code FELIX15 for 15% off)

The AER Aloe + Green Tea Fresh Complexion Gel Cleanser

So, once my pores are clean the next thing that I turn my attention to is my morning cleanser. If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know that my evening skincare is like a 7 part moving meditation. It’s how I perform self-care daily. But in the morning, I like a lightweight cleanser that is simply going to prep my skin for the day. It doesn’t have to remove makeup and a bunch of schmutz so I tend to reach for something milky that doesn’t require a washcloth. Mornings can be harried with three children so quick and effective is a necessity.

The AER Aloe + Green Tea gel cleanser is perfect for the task at hand. This oil-free and soap-free formula is pH balanced to help acne prone skin and gently cleanses without being drying. It is rich in humectants, so you’re left feeling fresh and hydrated. I mean it’s simple, effective, and relatively inexpensive. But my favorite part? The scent. I mean, this lightly sweet tea and honey scent is fantastic.  My husband also enjoyed the scent, so that’s a win! Let’s just say; this is having a moment at the front of my beauty shelf. And at $30, it’s one of the most affordable cleansers in my bathroom. Given the sourcing of the ingredients, it’s a steal. If you’re looking to buy one, be sure to use coupon code FELIX15 for 15% off.

A little something extra

Carolyn is such a sweetheart that she included a sample of the Clary Sage Chamomile Calming Serum in my package. This inclusion could not have been more perfect. I’ve been battling serious sun sensitivity for the past few years, and it is always worse in the Spring. If you’re unfamiliar with Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE), it’s really no fun at all. Think itchy stinging hives from just a small amount of sun exposure.

This past weekend when visiting the Arlington National Cemetery with my family I forgot to put sun protection on my hands, and after a few hours, my PMLE was acting a complete fool. The backs of my hands felt like bees were stinging them, and I could not stop scratching. Completely out of aloe leaves, I searched my arsenal for something that would help. I reached for the calming serum, and I was amazed at how quickly the symptoms began to subside. If you follow me on Instagram, you may recall I was raving about it in my stories. Carolyn says people have used the calming serum in a myriad of ways, like on burns and poison oak rashes. I mean, come on! Anyway, I will be buying a full size of this gem, and it will have a home on my nightstand.

This brand has found its way into my heart, and I’m happy to have it in my arsenal. Have you heard you heard of Live Botanical? Are there products on their page you’d like to know more about? I’d love to know what you’d like to know about next.

Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix