Herbivore Botanicals Has My Heart

Herbivore Botanical’s back story is much like its products, pure and uplifting. You’ve possibly noticed I’ve been getting into more natural brands for my main routine, and that’s because I’m truly supportive of harnessing plant power to fix my skin woes. Herbivore’s products are beautiful to look at and even better to use but I also feel good supporting them generally due to the work they do behind the scenes.

They have been consistently donating money to organisations and charities from sales of specific products. For example with their Emerald Oil, they donate money to “Americans for Safe access” which is an organisation that supports safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research – and their PR agency even passed on my suggestion to consider organisations helping Black and PoC imprisoned for marijuana charges. Their exfoliating product Prism donates to Immigration Equality that provides free legal services for LGBTQ and HIV+ immigrants and they regularly up their donation amounts during sale times.

It’s just as well their products match up to their amazing ethics because it makes it a lot easier to put them in my basket. (I was gifted some of their products but I’ve bought them with my own coin before). Anyway I know you’re here to know my thoughts so let’s get into it.

Herbivore invited me to their Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil (30ml £42) launch a few months back; apart from being shocked they’d even consider lil ole me, I was super excited because I was already a fan of their products. I’d tried some of their oils before such as Lapis and Phoenix, and they told me that Emerald was like a combination of all their other oils but with added moisture. I also had a mini facial using this oil and my skin was GAGGING for it, it slurped up faster than when you wake up from an unexpected nap and run to get some water. They gifted me a bottle to take home, and I’ve been using it almost every single day and the glow it gives my skin in the morning is something no other oil has ever given me. It’s key ingredients are:

Hemp Seed Oil: this one is probably an obvious ingredient because of the name; but in case you didn’t know anything about it; hemp seed oil is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, gamma linolenic acids and vitamin E. This is what is making my skin look so plump, moisturised and healthy when I use this oil. Vitamin E is also epic for skin healing and has been great for when I have spots and scars.
Ashwagandha, Tumeric Root and Shitakke mushroom: these are also known as adaptogens which are a category of plants that are thought to combat stress – normally you’d see it as something to take internally. I’m not aware of studies regarding how adaptogens work in skincare, but I will absolutely testify that there’s been a huge reduction in redness – both after cleansing and throughout the day. They are also supposed to help the skin cope with pollution, UV rays (not an spf!) and lack of sleep – whereas the shitake mushrooms are high in vitamin D which is perfect for ageing signs. This oil seems like it really wants to look after you and I’m letting it.
Squalane, Meadowfoam seed oil, and Borage seed oil: more hydration! give it all to me! I adore squalane – it’s one of my favourite oils because it closely resembles the skin’s natural sebum; amazing for all skin but perfectly suited for oily skin types. The fact that it’s the first ingredient listed screams to me in such a spiritual way (this means it’s high in concentration and here to PLAY).
There are essential oils like Helichrysum and Hemp essential oil; I normally try to avoid essential oils as much as possible in my skincare, and whilst I do not have sensitive skin (do a patch test). However, I’ve had no irritation from them and my skin is loving it.

They were also kind enough to gift me their other relatively new product Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion (30ml £52). Although I’m not scared of using more intense acids, I really appreciate the idea behind this product. Using an exfoliating product every day without risk of irritation or acid burn is great for dryer or sensitive skin types. Just because it’s more *gentle*, doesn’t mean it’s not effective; it gives me overnight results of brightness and clarity, and within a week a decent reduction in red spots and blemishes. I’ve had no risk of over-exfoliation because of how gentle it is, and it plays very well with other products in my regime. Both the Emerald oil and Prism bottles seem to be lasting me forever, so if the price seems scary to you – I can promise they’ll last you a good while even with daily use. I’ve seen some people complaining about the colour change in the bottle – which is apparently perfectly normal effect due to the Kakadu plum extract. Prism is made up of fruit acids such as bilberry lactic, sugar cane glycolic, orange peel citric (which is fine when diluted and not like sticking an entire lemon on your face), apple malic acid and vitamin c rich Kakadu plum. There’s also rose and aloe water, and a vegan hyaluronic acid derivative to calm and hydrate – it’s quite a runny consistency, definitely not as thick as other acids I’ve used. I think it’s gentle enough that you could use it as an exfoliating toner, or after applying HA but before oils/creams. I think this would be an amazing alternative to those that don’t get on with acids but if you’re used to something stronger then this may not be for you.

This next product is something I’ve bought with my own money twice now; Blue Clay Detoxifying Treatment Mask (60g £20). This is definitely one of their cult products and I find it really hard to get hold of. From time to time, I get congested skin on my chin and on my forehead – they end up really oily despite me having dry skin. Clay masks are great for oily skin because it draws out all the crap (just be sure to hydrate well afterwards!). Smell is not that important to me but I truly enjoy using this product because it smells divine and luxurious. Cambrian Blue Clay is a rare clay that deeply penetrates your pores without drying them out. I use it around once a week and it makes a noticeable difference to my blemishes and is especially useful when my hormonal spots pop up. It took me a little while to understand how much of the clay powder to mix with water to make the right consistency (too thin and it runs off your face, too thick and it won’t dry properly). Each pot lasts me a long time, and it’s the best clay mask I’ve ever used.

The reason I was delayed getting this review up is that I was last minute sent another product and I wanted to give it enough time to try before talking about it. I still want to try for a few weeks longer but I’ll give you my initial thoughts. I’d never used a night treatment before using Moonfruit (50ml £48) but I was definitely intrigued. I did my usual routine and applied this as the last step. It’s a creamy texture that you can massage into your skin as if it was a moisturiser. They also suggest adding in an oil for more hydration. If you rub it in well enough, it shouldn’t transfer to your clothing or bedding. I wasn’t expecting much because in some way I had no idea what to expect so I was definitely shocked to wake up to skin that rivalled my new baby nephew’s backside. Sometimes I wake up with dry and dull skin, even oils (because they can be absorbed by my satin pillowcases if I don’t give them enough time to absorb into my skin) but because Moonfruit essentially locks it in, I was able to keep all the hydration and then some – due to the presence of HA, aloe juice, kokum and shea butter. The enzymes and fruit acids also give a brightening effect which was definitely THERE after a couple of uses but something I hope would become more noticeable with continued use. Some reviewers have discussed colour change and it going off – again, these are natural products and whilst I don’t want to dismiss anyone’s experiences with the product, I do think it’s important to take note of how these products are made. Herbivore recommends putting it in the fridge to keep it fresher for longer; whilst I agree with this, I think an option for a smaller size would be great (especially considering cost). It’s definitely a nice fun, cherry on top treatment as opposed to a necessary product, so you definitely don’t need it but I think this night treatment could be especially nice for ageing and oily skin.

I’d definitely buy Emerald oil again, alongside the Blue Clay mask and maybe the Prism exfoliating potion; I’m also keen to try the rest of their range – have you tried any of their other products you think I’d like?

until next time,

Demi – Colleen x