Founded in LA in 2012, African Botanics is 100% vegan and focuses on a number of plant derived ingredients. (Read more about the brand here.) You may remember my undying love for their Intensive Skin Repair Body Balm (review here), so I had high expectations for this oil.
Here's the info from their site:
Pure Marula Oil is a natural, cold pressed, light textured facial oil that is easily absorbed into skin. Rich in vitamins C + E & natural antioxidants that help cells renew & resist damage. High in essential fatty acids (Omega 9 oleic & Omega 6 linoleic) that deeply hydrate skin & reduce redness while protecting against the elements, especially in cold & dry weather conditions. Marula Oil also softens the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles & helps improve skin elasticity for a more youthful appearance.
Unique Properties
Perfect as a daily moisturizer on all skin types including combination to oily skin. Rejuvenating & nourishing treatment for re-conditioning your skin after snow, wind or sun exposure. Ideal for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, sun damaged skin, eczema, stretchmarks & scars. Great when traveling because it sweeps away the signs of jetlag.
Preservative + chemical free.
I can't speak to the effect on fine lines, I do think this has helped keep my skin hydrated even if are temperatures are horrifyingly cold. My skin seems to have less redness, and feels good overall. (Yay!) I think it has even helped with some of the scars from my more recent breakouts, though that may just be in my head. (Haha, perhaps I should take a before & after shot some time and really put it to the test!) I don't have any eczema or very noticeable sun damage to test it on, but I may ask Mr. Bunny to test it out for us!!
EDIT: I experienced some irritation on my face and I had some little itchy red bumps on my face as well as redness on one cheek. I applied this in the morning and literally my skin looked even and normal when i happened to look at my face in the work bathroom in the afternoon. This stuff is MAGIC!
I've been using this on top of my moisturizer most of the time, and it has been working great. While it doesn't absorb into my skin as quickly as Osmia Organics Facial Calibration Serum, it definitely soaks in much faster than some of the others I have from Ole Henriksen and Sponge. One thing that I noticed with face oils too is that my eye makeup tends to get smudgy with some of them - not so with African Botanics!
All in all, I'm really liking this oil and definitely want to explore the brand further. I've sniffed the Neroli Infused Marula Oil which is more citrus scented and seems quite lovely. I'll be sure to try that next! (But it may be a while before I get through this one, haha!) I also have their body oil to review!
At the moment, Space NK has a great gift set available at the moment for $75 called the Marula Ritual, which includes this oil, the body oil, a mud scrub, and the balm that I LOVE. What do you think about this oil? Is it something you would try??
Product generously provided for review. Affiliate link.
