This is a very long overdue post. Lovinah is a indie brand I discovered last year created by fellow Houstonian Joy. Lovinah Supernatural Skincare is inspired by ancient African beauty secrets and remedies with a modern technology twist. Joy grew up in Nigeria where she learned from her grandmother who was an herbalist, doctor & midwife. Lovinah products are hand crafted in small batches. The line is a natural and clean plus quite unique. I've only dabbled in a few things so far but they're all been impressive to date.
Dragon's Blood Tonic is one of my favorite by Lovinah. It's got a thin watery texture so it sinks in beautifully. It's like a toner meets serum but I really use it like an essence. Details per Lovinah:
Protect your skin from environmental aggression and return its healthy natural glow with the help of nature. Dragon’s Blood Tonic deeply cleanses the pores, unclogs them and acts as a protective shield.
Dragon’s blood is an ingredient that’s been used for its healing properties for centuries. Derived from the Croton Lechleri tree, it’s actually tree sap. Because of its second skin-like properties the dragon’s blood helps reduce redness and irritation and has a very soothing effect.
Dragon’s Blood Tonic combines the power of dragon blood’s antioxidant and collagen repairing properties with the rooibos tea probiotic to revitalize your skin, protect it from environmental effects and brighten your complexion.
Directions Apply Dragon’s Blood Tonic to the skin using cotton wool after cleansing to effectively remove dead skin cells and ward off future breakouts. The skin is visibly-improved, clearer and ready for further skin care.
Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fermented Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) Tea, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Rosa demascena (Rose Otto) Flower Distillate, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar), Glycerin, Acetyl palmitoyl-pentapeptide 4, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Extract Beet (Beta vulgaris) extract, Astaxanthin, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Extract
All of Lovinah's stuff got repackaged into these gorgeous black and gold bottles last year. This tonic has a spray top. So I spray it into my hands and pat into the skin. Directions say to use a cotton wool but I don't want to waste any. The very thin fluid texture has a slippery hydrating feel. It's got aloe, glycerin & cucumber to hydrate and soothe. Antioxidants fermented rooibos, white tea & astaxanthin protect while witch hazel, Dragon's Blood and apple cider vinegar vinegar help detox, exfoliate and purify.
I was scared this would smell too much like vinegar because I have an aversion to a strong vinegar smell but actually it's masked really well and smells delicious. I like the unique combination of ingredients and Joy knows her stuff. It's got a light slippery hydrating texture and makes a great essence. This has been reformulated just recently and now it no longer contains vinegar. It's got some other changes as well which make it look more hydrating and soothing. I really want to get my hands on it because I love this one, it's one of my favorite essence style products.
Goddess Glow Brightening Balm has the softest texture. It's really dreamy. Plus the sparkle of 24K gold is perfection. Details per Lovinah:
Glowing, radiant complexion is, unfortunately not something that just happens, for most of us anyway. The best way to get that luminous, radiant skin is to raise your daily routine game, which can often become quite hard to fit into our busy schedules. Luckily, you don’t need a shelf full of skincare products to get THAT glow, just some good night’s sleep, while you let your Goddess Glow Brightening Balm do it’s magic!
This powerful overnight treatment deeply replenishes your skin, improves its texture and acts as an effective anti-aging agent. Created to help your skin get its natural glow back, the Goddess Glow Brightening Balm has high content of natural retinol, in the forms of bakuchiol, moth bean and Cacay oil. Bakuchiol is derived from babchi seed with natural retinol properties to help boosts the production of collagen, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and plumps up your skin.
Combined with soothing all-natural ingredients like licorice and Vitamin C, it provides the brightening and firming effects, all while deeply nourishing the skin while you sleep. Suited for all skin types, this mighty balm will let your skin radiate your inner goddess!
Ingredients
Caryodendron orinocense (Kahai Nut Oil), Sugarcane derived Squalane, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Nigella sativa (black cumin) CO2 oil, Abyssinian (Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Seed Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Nilotica Shea, Raphanus sativus (radish) seed oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) CO2, Sea Buckthorn Oil (Hippophae hamnoides) CO2, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract & Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract & Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract & Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract & Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Prunus Domestica (Plum) Seed Oil , Actinidia Deliciosa (Kiwi) Fruit Seed Oil, Bakuchiol ,Synovea (Hexylresorcinol),Undecylenoyl phenylalanine. Vigna Acontifolia (moth bean), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Alpha Bisabolol, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Ubiquinone, D-alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E), Haematococcus Pluvialis (Astaxanthin) Extract, Linoleic Acid, Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) , Cananga Odorata Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Vanilla Planifolia, 24K Gold flakes
I love the luxe black and gold heavy duty jar. The balm has a delicious orange hue and is sparkled with 24K gold. It's got a very soft texture that melts right into the skin. It's light and not too heavy so it doesn't sit on top of the skin for a while like heavier balms can. Because it's a touch lighter I can use this balm in more seasons that just the dead of winter. This balm has delicious oils like kahai, squalane, moringa, black cumin, rosehip and sea buckthorn. It also has vitamin C and a natural AHA complex of sugar cane, orange, lemon & sugar maple for exfoliating, brightening and giving radiant skin.
Bakuchiol is the new natural version of retinol. Moth bean & date extract also stimulate overnight cellular repair. Goddess Glow also has Vitamin E, CoQ-10, plant derived amino acids, beta-carotene & licorice. I love how well rounded this balm is & it's got anti-aging covered from all angles. The stellar packaging combined with a dreamy texture make this a favorite of mine that I would most definitely repurchase. As a bonus it comes with this cute little gold metal spoon. I love it! I talked about the balm related to some others HERE.
The Black Tea Cleanser is actually quite the powerful detox cleanser. Details per Lovinah:
The Black Tea Cleanser is your next go-to one-step facial cleanser. Its key ingredient is the Ancient African Black Soap, that’s been known as a powerful one-size-fits-all ingredient. African Black Soap has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, helps fight acne and improves the skin texture.
Formulated for all skin types, the cleanser provides a deep clean and visibly minimizes pores and the appearance of fine lines, revealing silky smooth skin every time. Its powerful cocktail of fruit acids, natural enzymes and antioxidants gently tones and hydrates the skin as well as softens imperfections.
Black Tea Cleanser is a powerful cocktail of both AHA and BHA fruit acids, along with powerful antioxidants to deeply purify deep within the pores and help protect skin against environmental elements while promoting glowing complexion.
This ultra-refreshing cleanser purifies the skin by removing dull, dead skin cells while clearing the way for moisture. Whether your skin is prone to acne, or just lost its natural glow, the Black Tea Cleanser will help you achieve a clearer, refreshed complexion in a matter of minutes.
Ingredients
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (black tea) infusion, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar), Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Cocoate, Coco Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Vegetable Glycerin, Theobroma (Cacao Pod) Ash, Bambusa Arundinacea (bamboo charcoal) powder, Moringa Pterygosperma (Moringa Seed) Extract, AHA & BHA Concentrate (Malic, Gluconic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid), Papain (green papaya enzyme), Bromelain (pineapple enzyme), Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Salix Nigra (Willow Bark) Extract (Willow), Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (Licorice) Root Extract, Lemon (Citrus medica limonum) extract, sclerotium gum, aleleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Cymbopogon schoenanthus (lemongrass) oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil
This detox cleanser has a gel like texture and it's got a deep black color from the charcoal powder and cacao pod ash (part of African Black Soap). This cleanser does have some hydrating and antioxidant ingredients like aloe, glycerin, moringa extract & black tea but it's power packed with enzymes and things that help purify and detox the skin. It's got witch hazel, vinegar, willow bark, tea tree, lemongrass & spearmint with an exfoliating AHA/BHA concentrate and enzymatic action from papaya & pineapple enzymes. Add in the charcoal and cacao ash and you've got a powerful cleansing gel. It will exfoliate, detox and clarify the skin while cleansing.
This might not be for sensitive or drier skin. It's pretty powerful. It cleans very well and almost leaves me feeling too clean. This is a summer cleanser for me when I'm more oily. I had a hard time using this during this winter. It was too much for me. They recently reformulated this a bit by taking down the mint scent and increasing the citrus aroma. That was a huge improvement for me. When I first used this the mint was way too strong for me and I wasn't into it. Strong mint just isn't something I can do. Now I can actually use the cleanser. Once the weather gets warmer I'll be pulling this out again. This is your deep pore cleaning cleanser to reveal smoother skin.
Super Green Serum is the superfood serum. Details per Lovinah:
Get the healthy, fresh-faced look with specially formulated superfood complex of the Super Green Serum. This high-high-performance serum keeps your skin hydrated and glowing while delivering comprehensive protection from environmental aggression.
The advanced formulation of the Super Green Serum is packed with powerful vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants derived from your smoothie-favorites like moringa, spinach, spirulina, green papaya, hydrolyzed kale, carrot and lemon proteins as well as the bifida ferment - a powerful probiotic proven to increase skin resistance, deeply hydrates and boost the skin’s natural glow.
Achieve radiant, smooth and even complexion with this potent all-natural serum that penetrates into deep levels of your pores and rejuvenates the skin.
Key Actives
- Moringa is a super food and a skincare cure-all. It is bursting with vitamins A and C and encourages skin cell renewal, minimizes breakouts and helps fight off the signs of premature aging.
- Kale is a leafy vegetable that’s much more than just an addition to your vitamin shot. Packed with antioxidants, phyto-nutrients and vitamins A, B, C and K, kale promotes the production of collagen and detoxifies the skin.
- Loaded with antioxidants, spirulina does wonders for your skin when it comes to detoxifying and purifying your complexion.
- 10% Niacinamide will help minimize your pores and reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion.
- Zinc Gluconate is used as an effective acne treatment due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Sodium Hyaluronate holds 1000 times its weight in water, and is considered the ultimate moisturizer and an effective ally when fighting dull, dry skin.
- Copper Gluconate is a promising anti-aging ingredient that helps prevent and reverse the signs of premature aging.
Ingredients
Fermented Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) leaf extract, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf juice, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Kale Protein, Carrot Protein, Lemon Protein, Hydrolyzed Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Propanediol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Inulin, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, N-Acetyl Glucosamine, Zinc PCA, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, MSM, Propanediol, Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Allantoin, Copper Gluconate, Sclerotium gum, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Saccharide isomerate, Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Galactoarabinan, sodium hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate (Licorice Root Extract), Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide , D-alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E), Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Blood Orange) Oil
I love the bottles on these serums they're so gorgeous. This serum has a light slippery hydrating gel serum texture. It's got a paler green color as you can see above. This is the superfood smoothie for the face. It's got antioxidants, probiotics and vitamins. I love the base of fermented antioxidant rich green tea combined with aloe, niacinimide, beta-glucan, MSM, gotu kola & sodium hyaluronate. It's got probiotics/prebiotics with lactobacillus, inulin & bifida ferment lysate.
You got your greens for a vitamin rich cocktail with kale, alfalfa, spinach & spirulina. Plus this has blood orange oil. I'm a sucker for it anytime. Zinc & copper gluconate will help control sebum production and balance. I really enjoyed this serum and would purchase again. I have my eye on her other serums now. The bottles and textures are killer.
The Dragon's Blood Bioactive Mask is an exfoliating and rejuvenating mask that is quite unique. Details per Lovinah:
Rejuvenate your skin, and achieve a clearer, healthier complexion with the help of Dragon’s Blood Bioactive Mask. This powerful exfoliating mask is formulated with Dragon’s Blood, a tree sap praised for its protective and healing properties. It acts as a shield and forms a protective barrier. By locking in the moisture, it helps in preventing and diminishing the signs of premature aging.
Dragon’s Blood has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and although suitable for all skin types, it’s particularly recommended for sensitive skin, because of its soothing nature. This centuries-old extract acts as a barrier preventing the main cause of acne - bacteria - to penetrate into your pores and cause breakouts. Due to its healing properties it helps to repair the skin structure and visibly treat stubborn acne scarring.
Dragon’s Blood Bioactive Mask is your one-step solution to healthier, younger-looking skin. It provides gentle exfoliation and unclogs the pores, increases blood circulation and promotes cell turnover. Its unique formula with powerful botanicals, herb and fruit enzymes and Rooibos tea contains all the nutrients your skin needs.
Ingredients
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Fermented Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Red Tea, Vegetable Glycerin, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, African Red Sandalwood (Osun Powder), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Papain (green papaya enzyme), Bromelain (pineapple enzyme), Myrciaria dubia (Camu Camu Fruit Powder), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract, Kaolin,Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), Salix Alba (White Willow) Bark Extract, Lactic acid, Centella asiatica (gotu kola), Allantoin, sodium hyaluronate, Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Galactoarabinan, Cellulose Gumsclerotium gum, phytosterols, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, panthenol vitamin B5, non-gmo mixed vitamin E tocopherols, Rosmarinus Officinalis, Citrus sinensis (Blood Orange) Essential Oil
This mask recently got reformulated texture wise and a few ingredients were changed. This old one has a jam like chunky kind of texture. The new one is a smoother creamy looking mask. This one was a bit too chunky for me so I think that will be a great improvement. I only had the ingredient list to the new mask which is above. This old mask has Dragon’s Blood, encapsulated vitamins A & E, fermented rooibos tea and bifida ferment lysate. This also contains enzymes, lactic acid & willow bark extract to exfoliate gently. The new mask doesn't have the encapsulated vitamins A & E anymore. Plus they added inulin and alpha-glucan oligonucleotides to help protect the skin and add a deeper hydration.
I love how this mask increases the circulation in the skin. It really gives you a good flush. This is an antioxidant, detox and gentle exfoliator mask all in one. I can't wait to try the new one some day. I have a huge Lovinah wishlist because she just makes stellar products. The ingredient lists are so unique and phenomenal. I want all the oils and serums some day, plus the new Dragon's Blood items. There's a moisturizer I've been eying for a while as well. If you looking for something different with high quality and a unique ingredient list then Lovinah is worth checking out. The luxe sleek black glass packaging doesn't hurt either.
Keep me updated!