Nutrient Infusion: Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex

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Like a multivitamin for the skin, Tata Harper’s Replenishing Nutrient Complex provides antioxidants, nutrients, fatty acids,  lipids, amino acids, and omegas essential for softening the visual signs of aging. Brightening and rejuvenating the complexion, this formula leaves the skin silky soft and strong.

Suitable for all skin types, the Replenishing Nutrient Complex is formulated with:

• Alfalfa Extract, high in vitamins A, B, C, D and E, helps maintain a youthful appearance and protects skin from environmental conditions that cause damage
• Improves the appearance of skin tone with Rose Geranium
• Soothes dry, dehydrated skin and aids in cellular repair with Calendula
• Borage Oil keeps skin healthy and supple with high levels of Gamma Linolenic Acid
• Jojoba and Borage provide nutrients and fatty acids while aiding skin lipid and moisture retention
• Provides a final layer of environmental protection to the skin

This is the best post-beach treatment ever! After sun, surf and sand you really feel this product “replenish” all the nutrients back into the skin. Unlike a lot of face oils, this one soaks into the skin beautifully and does not leave an oily layer. With a subtle floral aroma that smells fresh and feminine, Tata Harper’s Replenishing Nutrient Complex is a must-have.

About Tata Harper

Tata Harper had no intention of entering the beauty world until her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. His doctor told him to stop all personal care products which started Tata Harper’s curiosity. She checked the Skin Deep Database only to find that the high-end products she had been using for years were highly toxic. With her scientific and engineering background, she traveled the world searching for comparable natural beauty products. “I chose to spend my money on high quality ingredients rather than packaging and marketing, which is usually the opposite of what other brands do” says  Harper. Even before they had their new packaging , they received letters asking if they would ship the product in Ziploc bags.  If that’s not a testimony to product performance, I don’t know what is.

10 Minute Fix: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask

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First Aid Beauty (F.A.B) Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask is a 10 minute remedy for dry skin. This deeply hydrating and nourishing mask repairs and revives even the most rough, flaky and dehydrated skin.

Perfect for sensitive skin, F.A.B. Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask contains no parabens, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances and dyes. It is formulated with:

• Colloidal Oatmeal (oats that have been ground to powder) – to soothe irritated skin
• Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract – helps to heal the skin and anti-aging as it combats free radicals
• Shea Butter – moisturizes and nourishes the skin

Oatmeal has been known to heal and treat many skin disorders like; eczema, poison ivy rash, insect bites. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin and is excellent for addressing dry skin symptoms, including itchiness, rashes, scales, peeling, etc. There is hardly anything that can match the curative action of oatmeal for combating dry skin problems.

F.A.B Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask harnesses all of these benefits into a quick 10 minute dry skin cure. The consistency of this mask is very thick, as you would expect from a nourishing mask. While wearing the mask, skin feels very comfortable – it does not tingle or irritate the skin. Easy to remove, this mask leaves skin feeling fresh, plumped and super-soft.

This is a wonderful mask to have on hand when skin feels irritated or needs a boost of moisture. It can be used at any time on a regular basis without having to worry about counteracting with your daily skincare. F.A.B Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask is the 10 minute fix for dry skin and staple in my skincare routine.

The Beauty Berry: Sea Buckthorn

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Known as the “beauty berry” across Europe and Asia, sea buckthorn contains over 190 bioactive compounds that restore, revitalize, and protect youthful beauty – inside and out. Available in skincare products, haircare products and healthcare products this bountiful berry has been used topically and internally for centuries.

Topically, these hardy berries help nourish skin, hair, and nails with powerful antioxidants and essential fatty acids, including the rare Omega 7. Sea buckthorn contains the highest Omega-7 content in the industry. Today scientists are touting Omega 7 primarily for it’s anti-aging benefits. It helps control free radicals, is vital for healthy collagen production and contains dozens of skin-nourishing phyto-nutrients including full spectrum Vitamin E, well known for healing and repairing skin tissue.

Internally, sea buckthorn can protect against heart disease, cancer, natural aging symptoms, liver damage, sun damage, memory loss, ulcers, menopause symptoms and more. Over 120 specific studies on sea buckthorn have shown that this little berry promotes health and vitality. Even Dr.Oz featured the sea buckthorn berry on his show as a vehicle for healthy weight loss and maintenance. From sea buckthorn’s rare abundance of some of the most powerful antioxidants to being the only plant in the world known to contain essential fatty acids 3, 6, 7 and 9 – sea buckthorn has earned it’s title as a “superfruit”.

Traditional health-related uses for the sea buckthorn berry include:

• Sustained energy levels
• Improved cellular health
• Cardiovascular support
• Healthy inflammation response
• Joint support
• Moisturizing dry and damaged skin and hair
• Improved immune health
• Decrease in wrinkles and fine lines
• Addressing exzema and rosacea symptoms

Fact: It takes approximately 10 pounds of sea buckthorn berries to product 1 pound of oil.

Here are four wonderful companies that incorporate sea buckthorn into their products:

Sibu Beauty has developed an entire system of premium health and beauty products made from wild, hand-harvested, fair-trade sea buckthorn. Products include luxurious cleansers, moisturizes, and other topical treatments as well as dietary supplements that beautify and protect from the inside-out. Each product is packed with the maximum levels of Omega 7 and the 190 other bio-active nutrients from the sea buckthorn berry to revitalize, renew, and replenish the body.

Shown: Sibu Repair & Protect All Natural Facial Cream and Sibu Sea Buckthorn Cellular Support

Weleda, named after the Celtic god of wisdom and healing, develops it’s products based on a passion for beauty, wellness and environmental respect. Weleda uses sea buckthorn in products targeted at dry, dehydrated skin. The essential fatty acids replenish vital moisture, while pro-vitamin A and vitamin E soften and protect the skin. Weleda adds sea buckthorn to it’s products to provide thirsty skin with nutrient-rich moisture and added antioxidants and vitamins.

Shown: Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil

Naked Organix offers concentrated, plant-based formulas to protect, repair and moisturize the face and body. Featuring some of the most effective botanical ingredients on the market, their skincare line is hand-crafted in small batches and contain only the finest quality organic, wild-crafted ingredients. Naked Organix uses sea buckthorn for it’s renowned ability to protect and revitalize dehydrated skin and help any skin type appear more youthful and radiant.

Shown: Naked Organix Sea Buckthorn Cleansing Bar and Naked Organix Sea Buckthorn Body Butter

Amika dedicates an entire line of haircare products to sea buckthorn (also known as Obliphica). The range provide deep conditioning and manageability utilizing pure obliphica oil or sea buckthorn oil. The concentrated formula feeds hair, restoring natural moisture and balance and imparting vitality and health to the follicle. The natural oil won’t weigh the hair down so dull hair becomes enriched and replenished with the it’s natural moisture.

Shown: Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment

Four Favorites: Face Oil

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There is often a misconception about the use of oil on the face. I believe that the term “oil-free” has brainwashed us to reject these magnificent moisturizers. Face oils can be more effective at hydrating the skin than a cream or gel-based moisturizer. Oil is able to sink to the surface of the skin and penetrate two of the five layers of the epidermal, producing quicker results. They nourish the skin, adding powerful vitamins and antioxidants, and help balance the skin’s natural oil production.

The best face oils are all-natural products made from pure oils and other plant-based ingredients. If a product combines oil with synthetic fillers, it looses it’s effectiveness. Here are my four favorites:

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil: Formulated with an aromatic blend of 11 essential oils, this opulent oil relies on flowers and botanicals for their calming and illuminating properties. A staple of many top pros and makeup artists, this oil can be used to take makeup off, to moisturize and as a massage oil (expensive massage oil?). Add a couple drops to foundation to create a dewy finish or pat on the cheekbones and undereyes for a beautiful, fresh glow. Just a few drops will make your skin look radiant. Use as an alternate or supplement to your moisturizer and apply whenever your face needs a pick-me-up.

Creator, Linda Rodin spent over a year mixing oils in her bathroom (in a coffee cup) to make the elixir to satisfy all her beauty needs. She does not promise miracles–she is neither a chemist nor a scientist. She is interested in simple, natural products that work.  In her own words, “the product makes skin look more alive”. 

Decléor Aromessence Neroli Essential Serum: Full Blog Post Review HERE.

SUTI Nourish Organic Face Oil for Night: A potent blend of 15 plant and flower extracts that strengthen the skin and promotes the regrowth of skin cells while you sleep. Formulated with Avocado, Sesame, Patchouli and Bergamot to heal, replenish and plump-up dehydrated skin; Macadamia and Geranium to balance the production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil production) for healthy moisture retention; Argan Oil to calm irritated, inflamed and blemished skin and Apricot Kernel to help promote dermal elasticity. This combination is intensively “nourish”-ing, luxurious, and smells of fragrant jasmine. Skin looks glowing, bright and plump in the morning, like you’ve just had a wonderful night’s sleep.

SUTI is created by two sister-in-laws Suzannah and Tina (the “Su” and “Ti”). SUTI is a small, impeccably crafted line from the UK that uses only sustainably sourced, organically grown ingredients, hand-blended into the finest and gentlest of facial oils, balms and tonics.

Alpha-H Age Delay Facial Oil: A preventative and corrective solution formulated with nine of nature’s finest oils: Apricot Oil for it’s protection and softening properties; Rose Hip Oil to repair and strengthen: Wheat Germ to nourish; Calendula to regenerate; Carrot Oil to improve skin texture and miximize moisture levels; Frankincense for it’s firming and toning benefits; German Chamomile to soothe; Lavender to heal; Patchouli to aid in repairing cells and balance the skin. This facial oil is a synergistic mix that works to slow the aging process by protecting the skin against free radical damage, repair cell damage and sun damage. Deeply hydrates and firms the skin for instant, noticeable results. Your skin will drink this oil up and immediately feel soothed and nourished.

Australia’s leading professional salon treatment brand, Alpha-H pioneered the use of fruit acids in skin care nearly 20 years ago. Their cult cosmeceutical formulas are endorsed by a global following of clinicians, make-up artists and beauty writers and are relied upon by thousands of therapists worldwide for their fast and visible results on signs of ageing, sun damage, sensitivity and acne.

Silicone Synopsis: Makeup Primers

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Face primers are a great way to smooth, prep and perfect the skin before applying foundation. If you have acne scars, fine lines or large pores, a makeup primer can spackle those spaces for an even coverage. However, some people can be allergic or sensitive to the main ingredient found in most makeup primers, silicone.

Silicone is a chemically derived product that sits on top of the skin to protect and keep moisture in. Any product used with that “slippery/silky” feel to it, more than likely contains some kind of silicone. To identify silicone in a product, look for Dimethicone or Methicone in the ingredient list. The general rule of thumb is that anything ending in “cone” is likely to be silicone. Opinions however, are divided as to whether silicone is indeed good or bad for the skin.

Unless you have a sensitivity to silicone and your skin reacts with break-outs or irritation, it seems quite harmless. Silicone is used in almost every product we use on the body from haircare to skincare. To immediately confirm sensitivity to silicone, notice if you breakout on your back from the hair conditioners used. Silicone is abundant in these products and can be the culprit for reoccurring back acne.

Currently, I have two favorite face primers, one silicone-based, one silicone-free. The main activities I look for in a primer are: skincare properties (I do not believe in adding another step to my daily routine – unless it is good for the skin), ability to smooth the skin and longevity.

Hourglass – Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15: This is a wonderful silicone-based primer. It applies effortlessly, smooths the skin, increases the longevity of my face makeup and gives the skin a subtly glow. It contains anti-aging benefits and restores moisture to dehydrated skin. I use this primer for “special occasions” – mostly when I am wearing a full face of makeup. I have found that mixing a small amount of this primer with your foundation produces a flawless, airbrushed-look.

Fresh – Rose Freshface Primer: This is the first silicone-free primer I have tried and now can’t live without. I use this primer on a daily basis and sometimes as my primary moisturizer. Packed with rosewater and cucumber extracts, this lightweight lotion immedietly soothes redness and evens out my skintone. It contains vitamins and botanicals that are beneficial to the skin and smells like a bouquet of roses.

I do notice a difference between the two products, in terms of skin smoothing. Silicone is currently the best ingredient for reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. This is why the majority of  makeup primers on the market contain them. However, there are many silicone-free products on the market and I assume many more will emerge in the future.