Review: African Botanics Skincare — Kate O'Brien Wellness

Where do I start? I first discovered this beautifully natural, ethical, sustainable (and many more adjectives) brand in the Credo Beauty eco store in Boston earlier this year. I purchased a few products and was quickly hooked! During the summer I was fortunate enough to meet the ever creative and passionate South African founders, Julia and Craig Noik, in their adopted city of Los Angeles.

Marula fruits are overflowing with skin-loving oils & nutrients

As regular readers know I am extremely picky about my skincare - and indeed my coffee, bread (only proper gut-loving sourdough please!) and a few other daily essentials - but African Botanics, in its entirety, is an all-round winner. Even the Résurrection Eye Créme - and that is saying something as I rarely, if ever, purchase eye creams/serums as most of them do little good - I gently massage my facial oil (always pure and natural) around my eye area - this said, I should not advocate doing this as the eye area is so delicate but it works for me!

For the sake of brevity here, the following are my chosen few to get you started on your African Botanics journey:

Pure Marula Oil

African Botanics divine Pure Marula Skin Oil

At the heart of the African Botanics family is the divine Marula Oil, harvested from the mighty Marula tree that grows free and wild on the west edge of Southern Africa and Madagascar. Marula's fruit is recognised as the richest plant source of Omega 9 (and other essential omega's too) while also extremely rich in bio-available antioxidants, nutrients and vitamins. The oil is anti-inflammatory and known for it's very high antioxidant count and stability that helps calm inflammation, increase hydration and boost the skin's moisture barrier.

African Botanics Fleurs d'Afrique

Another star in the range is the heavenly Fleurs d'Afrique Intense Recovery Oil, rich in bush botanicals, soothing plant extracts and their Distinct African Oil Complex. According to Julia the Oil Complex mimics the skin’s natural moisturising properties while fighting off fine lines, dark spots, inflammation, dryness and general skin imbalances to restore elasticity and luminosity.

It's perfect nourishment for all skin types during the cooler, colder months ahead.

African Botanics Résurrection Eye Créme

African Botanics super nourishing Resurrection Eye Creme

As mentioned above, I rarely rave about eye creams but there is something about this intensive Résurrection Eye Créme that makes me want more: Perhaps it's the luxurious velvety texture that feels equally soothing and nourishing, or maybe it's the confidence that the antioxidant-rich molecules, super nourishing Laminaria Algae and African plant extracts are working in unison to plump and renew the delicate skin around my eyes. Sadly I was too greedy to just try one eye to really test the difference, but my eyes look and feel plumper and brighter - well marginally anyway!

Ethical Skincare at its best

In my view, skincare doesn't come much better than this niche ethical brand and what better time to treat yourself to skincare that really does make a difference to your skin, without compromising our fast deteriorating environment. This said, the price point on most of the products is quite high. When I spend my money, I want to know that I am getting value and quality - and with African Botanics, it's a clear YES and YES!