Herbivore Botanicals Skin Care Review

Before you read ahead, I want to warn you that this review doesn’t favour Herbivore Botanicals. This is such an expensive brand and I love their ethics and ingredients, unfortunately this skincare just doesn’t agree with my skin. That said, I gave everything here a fair chance and I still have some positives. If anything, these products are filled with exceptional ingredients that are very effective. Keep reading for more details on what issues I encountered and what did work well.

Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Juice, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose (Plant Derived), Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Flower Oil, Ananas Sativus (Organic Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Leaf Extract, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Leuconostoc / (Leucidal) Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Unfortunately this actually feels like it burns my face, especially on my cheeks. It’s also caused me to break out along my chin and near my upper cheeks and temples. I don’t like the smell either. Willow bark has a pungent, medicinal scent a little similar to tea tree oil. I’ve used willow bark extract before but this scent is far more intense. If this worked for me I’d enjoy it because it’s clearly strong and effective for those who can tolerate the ingredients.

Lapis Facial Oil

Ingredients:

Amaranthus Squalane Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Capric Triglycerides (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Nut Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Tanacetum annuum (Blue Tansy) Leaf Oil, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Absolute, Rosa Damascena (Moroccan Rose) Absolute

The scent in this is minor compared to the Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask. This doesn’t completely sink into my skin, so I can feel a slight, oily residue. It definitely improved the redness in my cheeks though, so I really like that. Since I was using this at the same time I broke out from the mask though, I’m unsure as to whether this contributes so I will try again once my skin has settled down.

Phoenix Facial Oil

Ingredients:

Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil, CoQ10, Hippophae Rhamnoides L (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosa Damanscena (Moroccan Rose) Absolute, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil

When I used this every morning and night, in conjunction with my Queen Bee Secrets Bee Pure, my skin became so supple, moisturised and smooth. The Neroli does not over power the scent, so that is a huge bonus. Unfortunately this clogs my pores so badly around my jaw line and high on my cheek bones. I tried it on my neck. Clogged pores. On my chest. Breakout. This one I’m upset about considering my skin feels so much nicer with it, but I can’t handle the clogged pores.

Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Leaf Gel, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (plant derived), Glycerin, Carica Papaya (Organic Papaya) Fruit Extract, Pineapple Natural Melange, Ananas Comosus (Organic Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Brazilian Micronized Tourmaline Gemstone Powder, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Leuconostoc / (Leucidal) Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

The first time I tried this, my skin looked brighter and smoother immediately. It tingles, but doesn’t burn like the Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask. As I introduced this into my skincare regime along with everything else and I couldn’t tell whether it was causing me any issues as I’d already broken out because of the other mask. The smell is fresh and a lot more tolerable than the Blue Tansy, so I will definitely try it again because I liked the immediate effect the first time. I can see it improving my skin over time too, as long as it’s not breaking me out of course.

MOON FRUIT Superfruit Night Treatment

Ingredients:

Organic Aloe Leaf Juice (Aloe Barbadensis), Red Raspberry Seed Oil (Rubus Idaeus), Organic Prickly Pear Oil (Opuntia Ficus-lndica), Kokum Butter (Garcinia Indica), Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Organic Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Organic Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa Canina), Hyaluronic Acid, Organic Lavender Flower Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia), Organic Bilberry Fruit Extract (Vaccinium Myrtillus), Organic Sugar Cane Extract (Saccharum Officinarum), Organic Sugar Maple Extract (Acer Saccharinum), Organic Orange Peel Extract (Citrus Sinensis), Organic Lemon Peel Extract (Citrus Limon), Organic Cranberry Fruit Extract (Vaccinium Macrocarpon), Organic Papaya Fruit Extract (Carica Papaya), Organic Goji Berry Extract (Lycium Barbarum), Xanthan Gum, Indigo Powder (Baphicacanthus Cusia [Nees] Bremek), Ultramarine Blue, Manganese Violet

This has a strong scent that reminds me of artificial fragrance, so that’s a drawback. It’s also a very innocuous product, because it looks like a rich cream but dries matte. It says to use a generous amount but it leaves me feeling greasy and like it’s sitting on top of my skin. Not only that I put a little of the excess under my eyes and it gave me a little lumps and dried it out quite badly. This wasn’t even a proper application of the product! I can’t use this either because instead of clogging my pores, it gives me big, under the skin pimples. As long as you don’t have issues with any ingredients, I can see how it would benefit your skin with long term use.

Final Word

This line has beautiful packaging and aesthetics. The textures of all the products, along with the scents would just add to the luxurious experience. I would not have a problem replacing my skincare with this line if it worked for me. The trouble is that it’s made my skin worse by clogging my pores and causing breakouts, which is the complete opposite to what you expect.

I really do believe though that I am one of the unlucky few because I’ve read so many great reviews. I can also feel it working on my skin when I apply any of the products. Furthermore, I’m not contesting the efficiency. I truly believe that they are formulated with exceptional ingredients, it’s just that I can’t use them.

It would have been very beneficial to me to be able to have tested these before purchasing full sizes. They are an expensive investment and it’s definitely made me reconsider taking the risk again.

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