I'm pretty sure by now you all know how much I love eco luxe brand African Botanics. The high quality luxury brand combines high tech natural ingredients in the most amazing way. Their inci lists always make me swoon. African Botanics launched a bunch of new products. First up is two body products. Cafe Noir Body Exfoliant is a dual physical and chemical body exfoliant. Details per African Botanics:
Café Noir Body Exfoliant is a non-abrasive skin renewal treatment specifically designed to instantly exfoliate, detoxify, firm, brighten and resurface to reveal toned and glowing skin ready to receive all the benefits of any subsequent skincare.
Formulated with Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy acids as well as super-fine Black Coffee beans and crushed Marula nut shell powder to stimulate the epidermis by boosting and enhancing cellular renewal while toning and improving blood circulation.
Enriched with our powerful skin-nourishing Distinct African Oil Complex rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 to help firm the skin leaving it feeling supple, sensual and soft. Kigelia Africana, Caffeine, Vitamin C and Niacinamide firm and tighten skin’s elasticity as well as optimize healthy collagen.
Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy acids - exfoliate and effectively remove dead skin cells minimizing unevenness in skin.
Key Benefits
- Caffeine, stimulates blood flow, helps firm and tighten skin’s elasticity while promoting collagen boost.
- Facilitates the body’s natural detoxification process by increasing blood and lymphatic flow.
- Cape Rose Geranium, Green Rooibos Tea, Cypress, Bergamot, Grapefruit and African Buchu leaf - help tone, soothe and enhance the mood.
- Ideal combination of physical and biochemical exfoliation. Helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone. Improves lymphatic drainage, circulation and skin elasticity. Instantly brightens, smooths and polishes skin.
Directions Apply to wet or dry skin. Massage in circular ascending movements concentrating on rough areas to help reactivate lymphatic flow and detox the skin. Rinse off well and finish with a cold shower burst. Can be used daily.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Butylene Glycol (Sugar Cane derived), Lauryl Betaine, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Volcanic Pumice, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium)* Oil, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Bean, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Shell Powder, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress)* Oil, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot)* Oil, Moringa Oleifera (Moringa) Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit)* Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)** Oil, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)** Seed Oil, Caffein, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos)* Tea Extract, Kigelia Africana Extract**, Cyclopia Genistoides (Honeybush)* Leaf Extract, Barosma Betulina (Buchu)* Leaf Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. *Organic, **Wild-Harvested.
This has a thinner gel body wash base with a physical exfoliant texture. This foams lightly like a body wash and has an invigorating citrus rose scent. The menthol gives it a fresh uplifting feel on the skin. This combines natural fruit acids (AHAs) plus salicylic acid to chemically exfoliate the skin and declog pores. This physically exfoliates the body with volcanic pumice & coffee beans. Cafe Noir has several essential oils like cypress, bergamot, grapefruit & rose geranium plus marula, moringa, baobab & kalahari oils. It also has some of the native African plant extracts that are seen across all African Botanics products like rooibos & honeybush. Overall this is a nice scrubbing body wash that exfoliates in a two phase way. It has a truly invigorating uplifting scent perfect to stimulate and wake you up in the morning shower.
Svelte Cream is the ultimate instant body firming treatment. Details per African Botanics:
Svelte Cream is powered by our unique phytocomplex of Milk Thistle, Sacred Lotus Leaf, Horsetail, Spirulina, Guarana and Marine Red Seaweed extract which help stimulate the lipolytic activity, strengthen the skin’s structure and visibly improve skin that has lost its firmness.
It contains Capsaicin and an organic sprout extract from Brassica Alba - both potent vasodilators that help activate microcirculation and fight water retention in cellulite tissue while effectively shaping body contours.
Firming Kigelia Africana, Ivy Extract, Juniperberry, Thyme, Cypress, Grapefruit, active Marine algae and a powerful vasoconstrictor Caffeine help stimulate blood and lymphatic flow, improve tone, texture, elasticity and skin smoothness. Vitamin C, antioxidant-rich Marula Oil and moisture-binding Hyaluronic Acid boost collagen production, plump and moisturize.
Key Benefits
- Milk Thistle stem cells, rich in silybin - the heart of the anti-cellulite efficacy, helps resculpt the silhouette and smoothe the relief of fat tufts.
- Milk Thistle stem cells are effective in anti-cellulite and slimming body treatments.
- White Willow Bark contains Salicylic acid, a BHA that is a natural exfoliant, helps stimulate healthy cell formation.
- Kigelia Africana extract - rich in active compounds: quinones, irridoids, coumarines and flavonoids has proven tightening and firming skincare properties.
- Marine Red Seaweed (Algae) extract fights damaging free radicals and skin aging, reduces inflammation, helps to improve skin elasticity and provides hydration to the skin. Svelte Cream produces a thermal effect that helps stimulate local micro-circulation.
Directions To restore suppleness, firmness and tone, apply AM/PM. Vigorously massage using circular strokes and ascending movements concentrating on areas of concern (stomach, waist, thighs, hips, arms and buttocks). For best results: Use consistently, dry brush/exfoliate regularly, drink plenty of water and include regular exercise.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus)*Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle)* Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Brassica Alba (Mustard)* Sprout Extract, Capsaicin*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Salix Alba (White Willow Bark) Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Caffeine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Kigelia Africana** Extract, Fucus Vesiculosis (Seaweed) Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Carbomer, Pelargonium Graveolens (Cape Geranium)* Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Seed Oil, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Paullinia Cupana (Guarana) Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Extract, Fucus Vesiculocus (Seaweed) Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet)* Flower Extract, Juniperus Communis (Juniperberry) Oil, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme)* Oil, Niacinamide, Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress)* Oil, Athrospira Platensis (Spirulina) Extract, Jasmine Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Oil, Oleoresin Capsicum (Red Pepper) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. *Organic, **Wild-Harvested Ingredients.
This has a thicker velvety cream texture and herbal scent. Its got shea butter, soy protein, hyaluronic acid, lotus, milk thistle, capsaicin, willow bark, caffeine, vitamin C, kigelia, seaweed and essential oils. The red pepper and capsaicin combined with caffeine give this a very stimulating feel on the skin. Both increase circulation to the skin helping promote skin health. Willow bark has natural salicylic acid to keep pores clear. The essential oils are cypress, thyme, jasmine & neroli which give it that earthy herbal scent yet the jasmine and neroli bring it out of the too deep and earthy territory. This cream uses kigelia, seaweed and milk thistle to improve elasticity and firm the skin. This has that thicker velvety cream texture but it's never heavy or greasy. It takes a little while to sink in overall. It will give you a definite tingle on the skin due to the pepper extracts. If you just shaved your legs keep that in mind, that's what that sensation is from. You could always skip your lower legs if you want to avoid that tingle if you don't like it. I don't really believe in anti-cellulite creams because all produce temporary effects. At least every one I've ever tried. I will say this cream is amazing at really firming and lifting the skin. Like instant firming and lifting. It was really impressive. If you want a luxurious body cream to give you a really firm feeling this is the body cream for you.
Retinal Night Cream was easily the item I was the most excited for. Details per African Botanics:
Retinal Night Cream combines many innovative and advanced regenerative active ingredients to help repair skin damage, restructure, improve clarity and boost skin density while increasing moisture and elasticity.
Formulated with anti-wrinkle marine glycobiology, collagen stimulators, oligo-elements, peptides, antioxidants, zinc gluconate, hyaluronic acid and moisture-replenishing extracts, Retinal Night Cream targets fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, pigmentation and uneven texture for healthy, smooth and visibly youthful skin.
Key Benefits
- Powered by Retinaldehyde - an encapsulated and ultra stabilized bio-active form of Vitamin A that gradually and effectively converts to Retinoic Acid within the skin in one step, thus bypassing irritation. Retinaldehyde is far less irritating compared to other Retinoids and has one less step involved in the conversion to Retinoic Acid. It is known to have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Retinaldehyde boosts and protects collagen, increases cell turnover and enhances barrier function.
- White Willow Bark, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid and Fulvic Acid further help minimize pores, reduce acne scarring, sun spots and pigmentation.
- Zinc Gluconate - promotes skin healing, reduces hormonal effects on the skin and helps fight against acne.
- Hydrolyzed fucoidan (Laminaria) Algae - acts as a repairing agent by stimulating metabolism of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis. Laminaria helps reverse the signs of aging by bringing back the skin’s structure and firmness.
- Peptides - mimic the body’s own collagen production mechanism. This compensates for any collagen deficit in the skin and helps make the skin look younger, decrease wrinkles and helps create a lifting effect to the skin.
- Helps reduce signs of photo-aging, pigmentation blemishes and scars.
Directions Use PM Only. Application of the Retinal Night Cream should be introduced gradually and only used overnight. For optimum results apply a large pea-sized amount over clean, dry face, neck and décolletage. Allow to absorb before applying a face oil or a moisturizer if needed.
Use twice a week for the first 2 weeks, every other night for the next 2 weeks, then every night.
Caution: Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen during the day and limit sun exposure while using this product! Avoid using with other retinoid treatments. Patch testing prior to use is recommended if skin is sensitive. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Not suitable for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cetyl Alcohol, Sorghum Bicolor Stalk Juice, Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed fucoidan (Laminaria) Algae Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloud Berry) Seed Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture (Swiss Apple Stem Cells), Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Niacinamide, Panthenol, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Croton Lechleri (Dragon’s Blood) Resin Extract, Rosa-Senensis (Hibiscus) Extract, Resveratrol, Caffein, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)** Oil, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)** Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo)** Kernel Oil, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos)* Tea Extract, Kigelia Africana** Extract, Cyclopia Genistoides (Honeybush)* Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Arnica Cordifolia (Arnica) Extract, Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola)* Extract, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Extract, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Fulvic Acid, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip)* Seed Oil, Aloe Ferox* Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. *Organic, **Wild-Harvested Ingredients.
I love the cool black airless plastic pump container. This is a multi-focal night serum with acids, algae, lupine protein, Swiss apple stem cells, vitamin C, niacinamide, Dragon's Blood, resveratrol, peptides and the typical native African extracts I see in African Botanics like marula, baobab, kalahari and mongongo oils, rooibos, honeybush and aloe ferox. This serum contains encapsulated Retinaldehyde or retinal. Retinal is a little different than retinol, it's really stable and less irritating. Both are forms of vitamin A or retinoids which accelerate skin cell turnover leading to a rejuvenated complexion. Retinol is the gold standard in skincare because it helps with everything-lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and skin tone, dullness. You name it retinol/retinal helps. It’s your anti-aging power house ingredient. It ranges from prescription strength to over the counter. Retinol and Retinaldehyde both have to be converted by enzymes in the skin to vitamin A aka retinoic acid. Only as this last product retinoic acid can retinoids work on the skin. Retinaldehyde is a newer form of retinol (it’s been around as it’s in the conversion) but it wasn’t in a lot of retinol type serums until recently. Here’s the basic conversion:
Retinyl palmitate > Retinol > Retinaldehyde > Retinoic acid
This product converts to 0.10% into the skin and gives the serum its nice yellow color. This serum really has more of a light cream texture, almost a lotion. If you were oily enough you could probably use this alone as a night cream, I layered it under a night cream because I'm drier. I love retinaldehyde. It's one of my favorite forms of vitamin A. I find it effective and it has no irritation for me. No redness or flaking. I always get mild dryness when using a vitamin A product nightly but it's easily counteracted for me. I love that this has more than just retinal. It's also got multi-tasker niacinamide, anti-inflammatory and healing Dragon's Blood. Rice and lupine proteins have peptides that soothe and help stimulate collagen production. I love the soothing, firming and hydrating properties of algae, Swiss apple stem cells and aloe ferox. It's also got a lot of other beneficial oils and plant extracts.
I love it's multi-focal approach to a night serum and it's a good addition to the African Botanics line. As always the quality is spot on as well as the stellar inci list. I started using this once a week but quickly moved to 5x a week. I'm a seasoned retinol user so for me this often was fine, I don't suggest that often for sensitive skin or new vitamin A users. I found this one was nicely effective yet it was still pretty gentle. It never irritated me ever. It also has BHAs and AHAs to help with pores, sunspots and pigmentation. Azelaic acid is great in combination with retinol/retinal as it can help reduce the sensitivity. I actually liked this cream serum version more than the oil so this will be one of my new African Botanics favorites and a repurchase.
Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser is not a new launch but the packaging changed and the inci list changed a little. Details per African Botanics:
Skin balancing, water soluble facial cleanser that eliminates impurities and unclogs pores without over-drying or irritating. Regulates sebum production leaving skin with a soft matte finish while calming the epidermis and reducing redness.
Ideal for people exposed to urban stress, pollution, harsh, dry climates or for frequent travelers and is recommended for dull, mature, unbalanced, seborrheic and sensitive skin. Essential oils of Sandalwood and Cedarwood help calm, rebalance and rejuvenate. The delicate white blossoms of Jasmine help stimulate cellular renewal and help fade scar tissue.
Key Benefits
- African Clay, refines pores and accelerates healing of acne and blemishes.
- Removes excess oil and reduces pore size.
- Firms, tones and tightens the epidermis with Kigelia Africana and Aloe Ferox.
- Plumps and deeply hydrates with soothing African Botanicals.
Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Coco Glucoside, Bentonite (African Clay), Vegetable Glycerin, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)** Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)** Fruit Powder, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Kigelia Africana (Kigelia) Fruit Extract*, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Alcohol Denat (Sugar Cane), Hypoxis Hemerocallidea (African Potatoe) Extract, Jasmine Officinale (Jasmine)* Flower Extract, Citris Sinensis (Orange)* Extract, Illicium Verum (Star Anise)* Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Essential Oil, Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil*, Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coconut), Aspalathus Linearis (Green Rooibos)* Tea Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Limonene, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin.*Organic, **Wild-Harvested Ingredients.
This now has a more pink peach color versus the old light green sage color it had before. It's got a silky gel clay texture that's lightly foaming. I love this cleanser in the spring/summer months. It's detoxifying and really helps control oil. I like using this in the morning or especially as a second cleanse at night. It's really great on a day when you feel really grimey or oily. It helps control oil so if that's what you're looking for in a cleanser look no further. It's also really great for oily to combination skin types year round. This cleanser combines African clay with marula oil, aloe ferox, kigelia, vitamin C and rooibos. It does have a light unique scent from the jasmine, orange, sandalwood and cedarwood essential oils. I think if you're looking for a cleanser to balance and control oil, reduce pore size and firm the skin then you will love this cleanser.
*Gifted by brand, all thoughts are my own.
