As I sit here doused in warm layers on this frigid Fall day after the first snow of the year has fallen, sipping my new Earthwise Beauty Goldenrod Tea, I feel so inspired to share about this truly one-of-a-kind Indie, luxury skincare line called Earthwise Beauty. Finding a line of skincare that resonates not only with our skin on the surface, but with our soul within is quite the difficult task.
I should preface this much-anticipated blog post with my realization that this brand has become my skincare haven. Each morning and night as I go through the steps of my skincare routine, I feel a sense of coming home, of arriving where I truly belong…. I have fallen in love with EWB as a brand, for what it stands for, for who Ava (the founder) is as a remarkable woman (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I would follow her to the end of the earth! I trust her with my whole heart and being) and that is why I’m so excited to feature this Brand Spotlight blog post for you today! It’s going to be a long, detailed one because there is just SO much to say. So, please, bookmark this page & use it as a reference, or sit down under a comfy blanket and have a cup of herbal tea with me right here and now.
A little bit of background….
I’ve been on my green beauty/living journey since 2007, which is nearly 12 years of watching different trends, and seeing the evolution of natural skincare as a whole. I’ve also become pretty jaded when its come to natural skincare because after all this time, I’ve seen many lab-created, overpriced products flooding the market and it can be difficult to discern what makes a product truly worth its price. Many natural lines have bold claims that don’t deliver and sell bottles of a cheap oil, like Jojoba, filled with small amounts of other actives and charge a fortune just for the sake of the product being “natural”. All of this can be very confusing and overwhelming for people who are just beginning to transition to natural skincare. I’m prefacing this blog post with this little bit of information as an introduction to what makes Earthwise Beauty (EWB from here on out!) stand apart.
Ava, the founder of Earthwise Beauty, is at the heart of the entire company. She formulates all of her products herself, she goes above and beyond to carefully source each and every ingredient herself, and hand-makes each product in small batches, taking into account every single aspect that makes plant-based ingredients potent, vibrational, and therapeautic. Many luxury skincare brands use an outside lab and hire a chemist to formulate their products. I’m not putting down this method, but it’s a very different approach because I’ve found that the owners of these companies don’t have the same knowledge and intuitive sense as a person who is behind every step of the creation of their product from start to finish.
At EWB, you will find detailed information about each and every product on their website: earthwisebeauty.com as Ava has poured her heart and intent into each informative post under each product about the benefits of each chosen ingredient, how they were ethically sourced and carefully selected, and what skintypes they are best suited for. I can feel the genuine energy and abundant knowledge that Ava has poured into her products. Let’s get into details about each one!
The Cycle of Acne
I silently perused the EWB site for many years before I finally took the plunge and made my first purchase. EWB is one of the few natural skincare lines that keeps acne-prone individuals in mind and this is incredibly rare! I have not had much success with natural skincare due to the fact that these “one size fits all” lines that saturate the green beauty market tend to clog my pores to no avail and do nothing to treat and heal the existing acne on my face. As a chronic acne sufferer (I’ve been battling acne for 21 years now!), this is something near and dear to me because I had gotten to a point where I nearly gave up on using natural skincare altogether. I decided to try Ava’s line as a one last chance type of venture into green beauty for acne and that’s what I’ll be going into detail about today, as well as an overview of all of the products in Ava’s line designed for combo, oily, and acne-prone skin. I don’t believe that it’s possible to completely cure one’s chronic acne with any form of topical product because acne is a physical manifestation of many factors: genetics, hormonal fluctuations/imbalances, digestive disorders, immune system reactions, etc. The key for chronic acne sufferers is to find a line that does not exacerbate acne and actually contains active ingredients to help heal the skin and to create a balanced, overall healthy complexion that will become less susceptible to breaking out in the first place. People who suffer from acne have incredibly REACTIVE skin (sensitive skin is different–but the same principle applies). I have incredibly reactive skin, but my skin is not sensitive at all. A person can also have very sensitive skin and not have reactive, acne-prone skin. A proper skincare routine will enable your skin to become LESS reactive over time, leading to fewer breakouts overall, and the breakouts that do appear will go away much more quickly without leaving severe scarring and pitted scarring.
How it all began….
Photo courtesy of Earthwisebeauty.com
The one product in green beauty that I actually really loved and raved about for years on my blog was the Andalou Naturals Turmeric Enlightened serum, which was reformulated and now contains a much less potent formula with comedogenic ingredients to boot. Nap in the Meadow is essentially the amped up, 100x more effective version of the previously mentioned serum and once I tried this gem of a product, I was hooked and have never looked back! Nap in the Meadow is a super lightweight, aloe-based serum that has turmeric CO2 extract listed as the THIRD ingredient, which makes this star anti-inflammatory ingredient at the very top of the active ingredients that de-flame acne, calm hyperpigmentation, heal acne breakouts, and give life back to dull, tired, thirsty skin. The most potent, therapeautic, healing, and super pricey essential oils have been added to make this serum a rock star! German blue chamomile gives this serum its classic, beautiful turquoise hue along with de-puffing properties, anti-aging properties, and a calming aromatherapeautic scent that transports me to a forest with cascading waters that sooth the soul. Elderberry extract, yarrow, two different types of lavender and Helichrysum (italian everlasting oil), which is the most beneficial oil for revitalizing skin tissue and reducing scarring. Lastly, taken from Ava’s description:
Galbanum: This essential oil is made from galbanum resin, an ancient wound-healing agent for slow-to-heal skin conditions and also used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Included here to aid skin tissue repair and scar healing and prevention.
Copaiba balsam resin: Another healing resin, this one from Brazil, used here to contribute acne-healing properties.
These are some of the other star ingredients that make up this incredibly versatile formula!
Since i have very oily skin, most products (especially oils, balms, and moisturizers) tend to sit on top of the surface of my skin without ever absorbing, which leads to more clogged pores in the end. Ava suggested that I try using Nap in the Meadow over a lighter oil such as Ruby or Yasuni Balm, to further assist with the absorption into my skin. THIS WORKS LIKE MAGIC!!!! I actually do what I call “A Nap in the Meadow Sandwich“. I spritz my face with Cistus & Moonlight face mist/toner and apply one pump of Nap all over my skin. Then I apply Ruby oil during the day and apply two pumps of Nap over top of Ruby oil. At first it seems like it hasn’t done much of anything except increase the overall moisture…..BUT, wait 5 min or so (do your eye makeup or skincare, etc…) and then just touch your skin with the back of your hand and viola! IT ALL ABSORBS LIKE MAGIC!!!! As a person with the most oily of skin, this is truly a game changer for me on so many levels. Ever since I incorporated this method, I’ve opened up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to what products I can use on my skin. My skin feels plump, hydrated, but never oily or sticky with any form of residual residue lingering on top. Plus, my mineral makeup then applies like a DREAM! (side note: simply mixing a drop of ruby into NAP and applying at the same time does not yield the same effect for me as the NAP sandwich does, but it’s worth a try!}
Many people think their skin is much more oily than it actually is. When I say I have oily skin, I mean that I can blot my face with an oil absorbing sheet 30 min after washing my face! The only benefit to me having underwent two rounds of Accutane in my early 20s after going off the BCP, is that I learned what all different skin types feel like and how they respond to products. My skin went from being very oily, to slightly oily, to combo, to dry, to severely dry by the end of my treatment and it amazed me to watch how products that would just sit on top of my skin when my skin was oily would just absorb right in leaving no residue whatsover when it was normal-dry. So, that’s why its very important to use products designed for your skin-type and to accurately determine what your skin-type truly is, which can also change due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, post pregnancy, menopause, seasons, etc. The EWB site divides their products according to skin-type, which is very helpful!
If there is ONE single product I can recommend to you from this line, it is hands down Nap in the Meadow face serum if you suffer from any form of acne, hyperpigmentation, oily skin, puffiness, etc. I’ve recently purchased the largest size and I don’t think it’s large enough so I’m going to ask if Ava will consider releasing a JUMBO size of NAP in the 3 oz bottle that the cleanser comes in for anyone who plans to use NAP in this method for those with very oily skin. I also secretly fantasize about bathing in a giant claw-foot tub filled to the brim with Nap in the Meadow serum…
Otherwise, if you don’t have oily skin and oils do absorb into your skin, then my best suggestion to get the full effects of NAP is to apply two pumps morning and night as the first step in your skincare routine underneath your daily oil/balm.
As if all of the above wasn’t enough of a unique product, Ava included flower essences of the following to this remarkable blend: Rosa woodsii (Wood’s rose) flower essence†, Phlox longifolia (pink phlox) flower essence†, Achillea millefolium (white yarrow) flower essence†, Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine) flower essence†. to enhance the properties of each carefully selected ingredient in this super potent, vibrational blend!
Retail Price: $54 for 1oz $86 for 1.7oz COUPON **Clarity15 saves 15% on all purchases!**
Ingredients:
Cold-press whole-leaf Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, Sambucus nigra (elderberry) fruit extract, Curcuma longa (turmeric) root Supercritical CO2 Select extract*, caprylyl capryl glucoside (naturally derived), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil (* and †), Achillea millefolium (yarrow) oil*, Helichrysum italicum (Italian everlasting) oil†, Marticaria recutita (German blue chamomile) oil*, potassium sorbate (natural food-grade preservative), organic Pelargonium graveolens (geranium bourbon) oil, Pelargonium roseum (geranium rose) oil*, Copaifera officinalis (copaiba balsam) resin†, Ferula galbaniflua (galbanum) oil*, xanthan gum, ascorbic acid (vit. C), Rosa woodsii (Wood’s rose) flower essence†, Phlox longifolia (pink phlox) flower essence†, Achillea millefolium (white yarrow) flower essence†, Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine) flower essence†.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
***Note: for a full, updated blog post highlighting the amazing healing benefits of Nap in the Meadow serum, please check out this post! Nap in the Meadow Face Serum Review for Acne-prone, Aging Skin, Scarring & Hyperpigmentation with Before & After Photos!***
https://completenaturalclarity.com/2019/08/03/earthwise-beauty-nap-in-the-meadow-face-serum-review-for-acne-prone-aging-skin-scarring-hyperpigmentation-with-before-after-photos/
I’ve linked my other Earthwise Beauty blog posts down below at the end of this post!
Don’t forget! Coupon Code CLARITY10 ALWAYS SAVES 10% on any EWB order at earthwisebeauty.com!
My Full EBW Skincare Routine
Since June of 2018, I collaborated with EWB to be able to share about my experience of using their entire line for oily-acne-prone skin. Some of the products I purchased myself and others were gifted to me to complete my routine. I had planned to do before and after photos, however, over the summer, my body underwent some form of immune reaction where I began to break out all over my body whereas my chronic acne only ever formed on my face prior to this and I was suffering from debilitating chronic eczema where the skin on my hands and arms would break open and bleed in painful open wounds and rashes. It was clearly an internal response manifesting on the surface of my skin. When we have issues to address on an internal level, nothing and I mean nothing we apply topically can stop a cycle that is coming from within. So, with that said, I started taking a supplement (next blog post on this!) to address detoxing my body, re-balancing from within, focusing on handling stress more effectively. My inflammatory response calmed down remarkably by September and I’ve been using these products throughout. What I can say is that while the immense outbreak was happening, the EWB products helped tremendously with speeding up my healing and in reducing the scarring left behind by the deep, cystic breakouts that had covered my entire face (including eyebrows, eyelids, earlobes, neck, and scalp!). It was horrifying to say the least… And now that i have that situation under control, I’ve been using these products for 2.5 months with relatively clear skin and the occasional blemish here and there, particularly around my time of the month. So, I can share that my skin went from looking like something straight out of a horror movie to being balanced, with no hyperpigmentation, and the old acne scars are healing at dramatically fast rates. I feel confident leaving the house without makeup for the first time in many years. and I can share some of my recent Bare Faced Selfie photos at the end of this post.
Photo courtesy of: earthwisebeauty.com
I cleanse morning and night with this lightly foaming, jammed packed with nutrients/healing oils/essential oils, lightly fragrant cleanser that will never strip the skin and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, plump, and nourished before I even apply any serums! It’s the way my 2 year old son’s skin feels all the time because he has that amazing baby-skin that is naturally flawless and vibrant! This cleanser does contain a coconut oil based cleanser and usually I would avoid anything with coconut oil like the plague as a chronic acne-sufferer, but I’m so proud to report that this cleanser does not clog my pores AT ALL and if anything, it seems to calm any inflammation I have while completely wiping out any redness I have on my face (although, ever since I started using all EWB products, I honestly wake up with no hyperpigmentation or any form of “ruddiness” that I thought I would never be able to get rid of because I come from a line of women with oily skin and ruddy complexions!). One or two pumps is all that’s needed in the morning.
At night, I do find that I need a few extra pumps to get my mineral makeup off and I also use a cleansing mitt with water prior to cleansing to ensure all makeup is removed thoroughly (I’m not one for packing on the makeup, though—I strive for a natural, skin-like look, but this is a very gentle cleanser). The 3.4oz size will last for ages because such a small amount is needed! I love that the pump in the beautiful glass bottle emits the perfect amount of product so you can gradually build to the desired amount for your particular needs. The bottle even includes an adorable little cap to keep the opening sanitary.
Taken from Ava’s description: “Marshmallow root soothes and softens, calendula petals heal the skin, chamomile flowers calm inflammation, and pumpkin seed oil helps prevent acne. The wash is scented exclusively with pure aromatherapy essential oils of German chamomile, Moroccan chamomile, and lemon balm. This soothing unisex cleanser, we hand-mix organic castille soap with a dose of strong-brewed calendula flowers, marshmallow roots, and chamomile flowers, as well as unrefined cold-press pumpkin seed oil and jojoba seed oil. The blue tansy and German blue chamomile oils we use are a very dark, midnight blue color, which is one way to ensure that they are the highest grade available (lower-grade oils are thinner and paler blue or almost green in color). These deep blue oils are super anti-inflammatory, calming, soothing, repairing, and antiviral. The combination of blue tansy, chamomile, calendula, and violet leaf results in a light, relaxing, green fragrance.”
Retail Price: $60 for 3.4 oz
Ingredients
Herbal infusion {distilled water, Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) root*, Calendula officinalis (marigold) flowers (* or organic from our gardens), Matricaria recutita (chamomile) buds*}, water, saponified Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*†, cold-press unrefined Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seed oil (organic whenever available), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, cold-press whole-leaf Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, vegetable glycerin (from non-GMO soy)*, saponified Olea europaea (olive) oil*†, potassium hydroxide (but none remains in final product, after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin), Cannabis sativa (hemp) oil*, natural ECOCERT preservative {glycerin, Leuconostoc (radish root) ferment filtrate, Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, Lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) extract, Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) bark extract, gluconolactone}, guar gum, gluconolactone (from non-GMO corn), organic Tanacetum annuum (blue tansy/Moroccan chamomile) oil, Matricaria recutita (German blue chamomile) oil*, Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) oil*, Ferula galbaniflua (galbanum) oil*, organic Viola odorata (violet) leaf absolute, citric acid, tocopherol (vit. E from non-GMO sunflowers).
*Certified organic. †Certified Fair Trade.
All absolutes are hexane free whenever available.
Cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted.
Original Packaging: Photo: @completenaturalclarity
New Packaging: Photo courtesy of earthwisebeauty.com
I use this lovely product as both a Toner and Aura mist after cleansing and throughout the day as needed. It also works beautifully over top of makeup to refresh the skin and give a very natural, dewy, skin-like finish! Cistus & Moonlight is a Cistus Lidanifer Hydrosol/aloe blend with a touch of Cistus Lidanifer essential oil that is taken to a whole new level with the addition of wildflower essences and crystal essences of moonstone, mangano calcite, & clear quartz. Cistus hydrosol is reported to be anti-aging, pore-minimizing, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-acne, and calming to the skin.
I can’t express how much of a genuine, therapeutic joy it is to apply this mist and I feel it’s a bottle made with love and filled with so much promise, like all EWB products! This is a cellular, spiritual, multidimensional experience that trickles down on so many levels and engenders light; the kind of light that fills the darkness of comparison, vanity, and insecurity.
The new bottle after the rebranding of EWB gives the perfect, graceful mist that isn’t forceful or overwhelming in any way, which is why it’s such a joy to use throughout the day for many purposes!
A bit more about the benefits of the included gem essences taken from Ava’s description: “
Rainbow moonstone gem essence: regulates hormones and mood swings, recommended especially for women and for mothers; strongly enhances a woman’s yin qualities, especially receptivity and patience. Softens harsher moods. On a physical level, moonstone essence is used for premenstrual and menstrual tension.
Mangano calcite gem essence: a unique heart-comforting essence for healing a painful past and emotional wounds. Makes one feel safe and loved in the present, no matter what the past was.
Clear quartz gem essence: clears old, toxic, stale, unhealthy energies. Lifts fatigue and lethargy. Clears the head. Quartz amplifies natural medicines and makes them potent for longer periods of time.
Alaskan monkshood flower essence: an invaluable essence for people who are shy, reclusive, fearful, anxious, or feeling emotionally weak, small, or vulnerable. Monkshood helps one maintain clear energetic boundaries and eases fears, including irrational fears. Promotes acceptance of one’s introverted side.
Pacific Northwest pink phlox flower essence: enhances one’s innate gentleness and sweetness, helps one achieve quiet, lightness, and softening, and promotes blissful sleep.”
Retail Price: $40 for 3.4 ounces
Ingredients:
Cistus ladanifer (rock rose) hydrosol* or † (Portugal), cold-press whole-leaf Aloe barabensis juice*, Cistus ladanifer (rock rose) essential oil†, potassium sorbate (natural food-grade preservative), wild Aconitum delphinifolium (monkshood) flower essence, wild Phlox longifolia (pink phlox) flower essence, rainbow moonstone gem essence, mangano calcite gem essence, clear quartz gem essence.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Photo courtesy of earthwisebeauty.com
Ruby Oil is considered a very light-weight facial oil safe for oily/combo, acne-prone skin, but is also appropriate for all skin types, from acne-prone and oily to dry, sensitive, and sun-damaged skin. I’ve lovingly dubbed Ruby Oil as GLOW IN A BOTTLE because I literally never understood what it meant when people said their skin appeared to be “glowing from within” UNTIL i tried Ruby! With even one application of Ruby, you will wake up to skin that is simply radiant, healthy, and fresh! When I wear Ruby oil during the day, I have to triple check that I’ve washed all of my makeup off because I just cant believe how my skin glows from within…. It’s like magic housed in this tiny bottle! So, what’s in it? Let’s get into it… Ava truly summed it up the best in her product description, so forgive me for merely copying and pasting her succinct description, but why reword it if it’s perfect as it is? “we focused on antioxidant-rich oils, many of which carry their own sun-protective qualities (for example, the buriti and pequi oils). Others are wrinkle-reducing and sun-damage-correcting (raspberry, buriti, rosehip, primrose), and there is a large group of noncomedogenic oils particularly recommended for skin types prone to congestion (milk thistle, guava, rosehip, cranberry). Glow is enhanced with pequi and guava oils, skin firmness improved with buriti, pequi, and rosehip oils, skin elasticity enhanced with raspberry, rosehip, and cranberry oils and sunflower-derived vitamin E. Turmeric CO2 extract and whole-plant celery CO2 reduce inflammation.”
It’s funny, I was hesitant to try Ruby at first because I remember having disastrous experiences with pure Tamanu oil even though that particular oil is touted for being wonderful for acne prone skin, however, I reached out to Ava to ask if my skin might respond differently because the Tamanu oil is blended with other healing oils that create a synergistic effect and she believed it was worth a try for this very reason. (That’s another thing I love and respect about EWB. Ava is so helpful and responsive to any and all questions her customers or potential customers may have.) And because she formulates her own products without outsourcing to a lab/chemist, she truly understands how her products work on many different levels. This is why I love and advocate shopping small and giving back to small businesses who pour their very heart into the creation of their products). I digress, though… Ruby Oil has a very unique scent from the fruit oils combined with the celery CO2 and it wasn’t my favorite scent at first, but it’s grown on me more and more to the point that I crave it and look forward to using it during the day. All of EWB blends have this marvelous ability to ground me, as if I’m sitting indian style in the middle of the forest with the sound of a cascading waterfall in the background! The end result is that Ruby oil does NOT break me out and works wonders with healing post acne scarring and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles (I’m 32 and I have a 2 year old….so those lines are forming with a vengeance and the more I stay on top of my skincare routine, the further at bay those lines will be).
Retail price: $54 for .5oz $100 for 1oz or $28 for a .17oz sample bottle. Sample sizes are VERY generous and will last quite a long time if used daily, so you can definitely get a true sense of whether or not you’d like to invest in the full size by ordering a sample.
Ingredients:
Organic cold-press unrefined Psidium guajava (guava) seed oil (India), cold-press unrefined Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined Vacinnium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined whole-fruit Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, cold-press unrefined Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) seed oil* or †, cold-press unrefined Rubus ideaus (raspberry) seed oil (organic whenever available), cold-press unrefined Caryocar braziliensis (pequi) fruit oil†, cold-press unrefined Moringa oleifera seed oil†, cold-press unrefined Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil (India)*, cold-press unrefined Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruit oil†, Curcuma longa (turmeric) root Supercritical CO2 Select extract*, tocopherol (vit. E from non-GMO sunflowers), organic Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) seed CO2 Total extract, organic Apium graveolens (celery) CO2 Total extract, Acacia dealbata (mimosa) flower absolute† (artisanally extracted in Grasse, France).
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
All absolutes are hexane free whenever available.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Photo courtesy of earthwisebeauty.com
Ferns and Moss Face Serum is a thicker serum than Ruby, so I have to use it sparingly for my oily skin, but I wanted to include it here because it is a PHENOMENAL oil for healing scarring, hyperpigmentation, skin texture, plumping skin to make pitted scarring appear less noticeable, and it gives a good dose of punches to any active blemishes on the skin. This oil would be ideal as a daily oil for dry skin types who are also acne-prone. This serum has the following anti-acne, healing oils: ” Andiroba oil has a long list of healing properties, from detoxing (removes puffiness) and antibacterial effects (heals and prevents acne) to skin rejuvenating powers (increases the levels of collagen); and copaiba balsam, with its unique sweet scent and well-documented anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, antiviral (helps with cold sores), and foremost soothing properties.” Additional star ingredients include: Tamanu oil, seabuckthorn berry oil, calendula, and “Manquetti mongongo, a relatively unknown as of yet botanical oil from Africa, is thick and rich for amazing nourishing, wrinkle reducing, and anti-aging benefits.” Ferns and Moss is a wonderful anti-aging oil that heals, repairs, and is ultra moisturizing for even the driest of skin-types!
I use a drop or two at night mixed with Yasuni balm in my NAP sandwich. I also love to add a couple of drops in my mask routine!
Retail Price: $56 for .5oz $110 for 1oz $28 for a .17 sample glass bottle. I’ve had my sample size for 4 months now and it’s still going strong because I only use one or two drops at a time and still see such amazing results! For dryer skin, you may use your sample more quickly because you’ll be using more drops at a time, but you’ll still get a true sense of what this product is capable of.
Ingredients:
Cold-press unrefined Carapa guianensis (andiroba) seed oil†, cold-press unrefined Moringa oleifera seed oil* or †, cold-press unrefined Schinziophyton rautanenii (manquetti mongongo) seed oil†, organic cold-press unrefined unfiltered Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil, Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) oil* or †, Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn berry) Supercritical CO2 Total extract†, Calendula officinalis CO2 Total extract*, Copaifera officinalis (copaiba balsam) essential oil†, Ferula galbaniflua (galbanum) essential oil†, virgin cold-press unrefined golden Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, Evernia prunastri (oakmoss) absolute†.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
All absolutes are hexane free whenever available.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Photos by @completenaturalclarity
Yasuni Face balm is an ulta-light balm designed for sensitive skin-types in mind due to the fact that there are no added essential oils. Before I learned about the NAP sandwich method discussed above, I had trouble getting Yasuni to fully absorb into my skin because I’m really THAT oily. However, once I started using the NAP sandwich method, I apply Yasuni mostly at night and wake up to the softest, most even-toned skin that I’ve been dreaming of for years and years (pretty much since I hit puberty, ha ha). I also find that when applied sparingly, Yasuni is a WONDERFUL primer for makeup; mineral makeup in particular! Many cream based moisturizers don’t mesh well with mineral makeup, especially if they leave a sticky residue behind. Yasuni dries down to a velvety soft, smooth texture that mineral makeup clings to beautifully, increasing the coverage, the wear time, and meshes as one with the skin so that it looks as though there is no makeup on the skin at all. I scoop out a small amount of Yasuni with a spatula (you’ll have to find your ideal amount depending on your skin-type or needs at the time), I purposely left a scoop on the side of the jar in the photos I took above so that you can get a sense of the consistency–it’s more of a dry, dense balm than a soft, melty balm. Once I scoop it out, I rub it between clean hands to warm up the product so that it becomes liquid butter and then I press it into my skin: face and neck. I try to make this a consscious, soothing, meditative experience to enjoy the full sensory experience in a mindfulness intent. Then I top with two pumps of Nap in the Meadow face serum.
I love that Yasuni also is very multipurpose: I apply it on dry spots where I have bouts of eczema, along my neck and decollete, and around my eye area to seal in the nutrients of Passion Eye serum. Yasuni is also unique in that it contains plant oils that are designed to have exfoliating properties and work similarly to a natural Retinol. I find that some form of exfoliation is key to keeping my acne at bay and Yasuni does a wonderful job at that without the dryness and peeling associated with traditional retinol. I’ve also noticed that when I wake up in the morning, my skin is not oily at all, which is usually not the case when I’ve applied other balms (I usually wake up with an oily residue from the balm sitting on top of my skin, but NOT with Yasuni).
For further details on how this product works, here is an excerpt from Ava’s beautiful description: “
the star feature of this balm is its enzymatic mild exfoliation from fruit oils alone. The açai oil exfoliates and resurfaces the skin similarly to a retinol product, but being a fruit oil, it doesn’t overexfoliate or cause redness or intense peeling. Even more retinol-like action is supplied by the buriti oil, which is exceptionally high in betacarotenes. The enzymes keep sebum oil production in check, so oily skin types become more balanced and are not shiny at the end of the day, and the appearance of blackheads is greatly reduced over time.
The deep green, whole-fruit açai fruit oil we’ve sourced is also the acne sufferer’s dream come true: this very light, extract-like oil heals and dries up acne due to its enzymes and high vitamin C content, and unlike most other effective acne ingredients, it is nonirritating. The açai oil’s anti-acne action is supported by the astringent kokum butter (cold extracted from mangosteen kernels), which helps to minimize pores, speed healing of acne breakouts, and promote skin firmness.”
Ava has two balms in her line for oily, acne-prone skin: Yasuni and Tigress. I’ve thoroughly sampled both, but if I had to choose between the two, I would choose Yasuni for how it heals and balances my skin with it’s mild exfoliating properties, which I find is integral to an effective skincare routine designed for chronic acne-sufferers. The exfoliation prevents the pores from becoming clogged and helps to stop the cycle of acne.
Retail Price: $110 for 1oz or $26 for 0.2oz sample jar
Ingredients:
Cold-press unrefined Theobroma grandiflorum (cupuaçu) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Garcinia indica (kokum) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Platonia insignis (bacuri) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Astrocaryum tucuma seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Euterpe oleracea (açai) fruit oil†, cold-press unrefined non-GMO Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil (organic whenever available), cold-press unrefined Rubus ideaus (raspberry) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined Coffea arabica (green coffee) seed oil†, cold-press unrefined Sclerocarya birrea (marula) seed oil*, tocopherol (vit. E from non-GMO sunflowers), cold-press unrefined Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruit oil†, Sambucus nigra (elderberry) fruit extract.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Photo by @completenaturalclarity
Truth be told, for many years I was content using the same bland moisturizer on my face around my eye area and calling it a day. As the years passed and those fine lines became more evident, I started trying many different natural eye creams. Most did absolutely nothing beyond what a regular face cream would do! The delicate area under my eyes is very prone to being dry and I have some veins that cause discoloration that worsened after my son was born.✨Passion Eye Serum came into my world and after 3 months of using it day and night, my whole eye area has never looked better! It’s as if the damage left behind from the stress of the past 3 years just melted away with each use. This is the type of product that needs more than a few uses to get a true sense of what it’s capable of. A sample size won’t show much (other than checking for sensitivities), but rest assured, because the full size will last a very long time because such an Itty bitty amount is needed. For extra moisture at night, i like to layer Yasuni Balm on top and it really seals in all the magical goodness that makes up this serum.✨Like all other EWB products, Passion Eye Serum is truly unique in that it not only contains multipurpose oils to address puffiness, under-eye darkness, fine lines, and dryness such as: green coffee bean oil, andiroba oil, seabuckthorn berry, rosehip, tamanu, amaranth, and passionfruit oil. To make this blend even more special, Ava added skin-healing gemstone essences of lapis lazuli, Ruby, and Brazilian clear quartz that have been infused into the serum and then placed in the forest to be charged by earth and sun! 😍 Each gemstone has its own benefits, too that help amplify the properties of the oils used. Every single time I use one of Ava’s products, I can feel the love and positive intention that went into its creation. And that fills me with a sense of connection to the world, nature, and everyone in it. Skincare can be so much more than “skin deep” and that’s why I can’t recommend Passion Eye Serum and Earthwise Beauty as a brand enough.
Retail Price: $38 for .17oz (This will last forever! a tiny drop is all that’s needed)
Ingredients:
Cold-press unrefined Amaranthus hypochondriacus (amaranth) seed oil*, organic cold-press unrefined Coffea arabica (green coffee) seed oil, cold-press unrefined Carapa guianensis (andiroba) seed oil†, cold-press unrefined Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined Astrocaryum murumuru (murumuru) fruit butter†, cold-press unrefined whole-fruit Passiflora edulis (passionfruit) oil*, cold-press unrefined whole-fruit Rosa canina (rosehip) oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn berry) Supercritical CO2 Total extract†, cold-press unrefined Calophyllum Inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil* (India), tocopherol (vit. E from non-GMO sunflowers), ruby gem essence, clear quartz gem essence, lapis lazuli gem essence.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Above Photo showing the dry masks from left to right: Catharsis & Sungod
Lovely photo of me wearing a combo of Catharis & Sungod mixed with witch hazel & two drops of Ferns & Moss Serum (I find it to be hilarious that my son is unfazed by my Swamp Lady face on masking days!)
Bare Faced Selfie after masking (not too bad for someone who had cystic acne covering every part of my face 3 months ago!)
Catharsis is a simple, 5 ingredient face mask designed to detox the skin, curb inflammation, speed healing, and firm the skin. I love it for instant results because it minimizes my pores and makes my pitted scarring appear less noticeable from the firming properties. It’s also a phenomenal spot treatment on its own when mixed with water and dabbed on active blemishes and left on overnight. It may not be the prettiest to look at, but it is effective! I’ve been with the same man for almost ten years now, so I’m fine with looking like the creature from the black lagoon for a bit if it gets the job done! Catharsis is a dry mask so the mixing possibilities are endless and I love getting creative! I plan to do a follow up post with different recipes I’ve been playing around with, so stay tuned!
Retail Price: $30 for .7oz $18 for .15oz sample glass jar
Ingredients:
Aloe barbadensis leaf powder*, Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf powder* (India), organic Spirulina platensis powder, organic broken-cell Chlorella vulgaris powder, Citrus sinensis (orange) peel powder*.
*Certified organic.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, cold process, handcrafted, small batch, no fragrance added.
Sungod Face mask is another dry mask that is designed to heal the skin steadily over time with each treatment. The star ingredients of wildflower pollen, calendula, comfrey, goldenseal rhyzome, and pomegranate act to “rebuild skin tissue that is compromised, damaged from environmental factors, sensitized, or unhealthy. The extraordinary range of nutrients in Sungod comes from roots, mushrooms, adaptogenic herbs, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and mineral-rich Celtic salt.
Benefits:
Wildflower pollen: contains amino acids, enzymes, rutin, phospholipids, vitamins, and minerals. It is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, and immune-boosting; it is protective against radiation, and it strengthens capillaries.
Calendula is Ava’s number one skin-healing and skin-beauty plant, hands down. It helps bring every imaginable yet undesirable skin condition to a healthier state.
Comfrey is an important herb for many Western herbalists and flower essence practitioners. Its special gift is tissue regeneration. Calendula and comfrey are also two of the most effective herbs to help skin that is highly sensitive to topical products and ingredients.
Goldenseal rhizome is the anti-acne component of this mask (along with the raw Celtic salt) with its antibacterial, antiviral, puffiness-reducing, and astringent properties.
The superfruit pomegranate supplies vitamins A, C, and E and also aids in sun-damage repair.” (Paraphrased from earthwisebeauty.com)
Whenever I feel a flare-up of breakouts coming on, I immediately reach for my Sungod/Catharsis combo and my skin is immediately calmer after the mask is removed. These masks do dry down very quickly and they can be tricky to remove if left on for too long once they’ve dried down, so I recommend spritzing regularly with Cistus & Moonlight face mist and/or water or witch hazel to keep the mask from hardening.
Retail Price: $40 for .7oz or $18 for .15oz sample jar
Ingredients:
Wildflower pollen, Solum fullonum (multani mitti, fuller’s earth) clay†, Calendula officinalis (marigold) flower petals (organic or *), Aloe barbadensis leaf*, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) petals (organic or *), Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) seed*, Hydrastis Canadensis (goldenseal) rhizome (responsibly wildcrafted or *), Symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf (wildcrafted or *), Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruit juice*, Grifola frondosa (maitake) mushroom (organic or *), Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizome*, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) root (organic or *), Lentinula edodes (shiitake) mushroom (organic or *), Celtic salt (France)†**.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
** Nature et Progres certified.
Certified cruelty free, handcrafted, small batch. Contains humanely gathered wildflower pollen collected by bees.
Retail Price: $26 .2oz glass jar
Ingredients:
Cold-press unrefined Allanblackia floribunda seed butter†, Cold-press unrefined Ximenia americana seed oil†, cold-press unrefined Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) seed oil* or †, cold-press unrefined Theobroma grandiflorum (cupuaçu) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter* or †, cold-press unrefined Trichilia emetica (mafura) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined Platonia insignis (bacuri) seed butter†, Sambucus nigra (elderberry) fruit extract, tocopherol (vit. E from non-GMO sunflowers), Vanilla planifolia (vanilla) extract*.
*Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
Certified cruelty free, vegan, handcrafted, small batch.
Coupon Code CLARITY10 saves you 10% off-no minimum order! SHOP earthwisebeauty.com
That about sums it up for this epic Brand Spotlight blog post that came to almost 8k words in total! I hope this post inspires you to find a skincare routine that resonates with you on more than just a surface level… Beauty is so much more than skin deep. It’s the way that we see the world, see ourselves, relate to one another, and how we evolve as human beings. Skincare is one way to feel confident, capable, and to feel our very best on both the inside as well as the outside. I hope you found this post helpful and I’m always available for any questions you may have! Be sure to follow me on instagram if you aren’t already, @completenaturalclarity
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For more, updated Earthwise Beauty Reviews, check out these posts!
Black Locust Firming Concentrate: My HG Face Oil for Acne, Scarring, & Aging https://completenaturalclarity.com/2019/02/01/earthwise-beauty-black-locust-facial-concentrate-my-hg-facial-oil-for-acne-aging/
Nap in the Meadow Face Serum Review for Acne-prone, Aging Skin, Scarring & Hyperpigmentation with Before & After Photos!
https://completenaturalclarity.com/2019/08/03/earthwise-beauty-nap-in-the-meadow-face-serum-review-for-acne-prone-aging-skin-scarring-hyperpigmentation-with-before-after-photos/
Earthwise Beauty has a sister Flower Essence company & their Essences have been a game changer in my life for Stress relief, anxiety, depression, & Sensory/developmental concerns with my son!
Flower Essence Reviews!
Spring Meadow Aura Mist
https://completenaturalclarity.com/2019/09/30/spring-meadow-aura-mist-flower-essence-blend-for-stress-anxiety-relief/
Sun Infusion Flower Essence Review for Depression, SAD, & Low Mood:
Sun Infusion Flower Essence Review for Depression: Pacific Northwest Essences
I can’t thank EWB enough for inspiring me, supporting me, and lifting me up during trying times with their kindness, generosity, and truly exceptional line of handmade, vibrational skincare that rekindled my faith in green beauty for problematic, acne-prone skin! This is the first blog post I’ve felt truly called to write and share with the world in months because I’d like to encourage each and every one of you to find your skincare haven where you feel like you’re coming home with every single application. There’s nothing more beautiful than being at peace within ourselves.
Love & Light,
Julie
NaturalClarity for more tips on Holistic Wellness & share this post if you found it helpful!
Thank you for this awesome, in-depth post! I’m curious what the “super thick night time lip balm” is that you refer to, and the benefits of using witch hazel in the dry masks. Any info is appreciated, and thank you again!
Hi, Michelle! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post & hang out with me for a bit! 😊 I included a link to the Night time balm I use, which is Red Apple Lipstick’s Rallye Balm. That’s the vegan option I love for layering on a super thick balm that heals the lips overnight and seals in moisture. In regards to the witch hazel in dry masks, it’s not something I do all the time, but rather from time to time I’ll choose witch hazel over water for dry masks because witch hazel has astringent properties that help to reduce my pores, allow the ingredients of the mask to really seep into my skin, and to further clarify the skin. Witch hazel is usually recommended for oily skin types for these reasons. It’s also a cheap ingredient to have on hand for DIY toners & mask additions! I hope that helped and that you’re having a peaceful week so far! 🙏💖✨