Ava Zhan, the founder of Earthwise Beauty, never ceases to amaze me. She’s a brilliant formulator, an aromatherapy expert, a flower essence therapist, and an herbal tea maker. I even found out recently that she used to be in book publishing and published award-winning books in New York City! Is there anything this woman can’t do? Lol. I had the pleasure of working with Ava (and her team — hi Joslin, et al.!) this past year, and I have to say, Ava is one of the most sweetest, honest, and genuine people that I’ve ever met! It still boggles my mind at the fact that she’s mostly self-taught. She is so knowledgeable and well-versed when it comes to ingredients and her creativity and expertise shines through in her formulations.
After Ava’s stint as a book publisher in NYC, she created Earthwise Beauty, and then moved to the Pacific Northwest. That was over ten years ago! I had only discovered Earthwise Beauty about a couple of years ago when her products were being offered at the Aqne Pharmacy. I had never heard of her brand at that point, but I was instantly drawn to Earthwise Beauty’s quirky-retro packaging and their use of unique ingredients. The first product I decided to try was Ambrosia del Cerrado Liquid Moisturizer and Toner. It was like nothing I’d ever tried before — I loved it! I then tried a couple more products (Frightening Green Face Mask and Chamomile and Lavender Deeply Hydrating Face Gel [now discontinued]) and I was hooked. Thanks to the generous samples offered on their website, I was able to try all of their other products and order the full-sizes of my favorites (which are the ones I’ll be reviewing in this post). I love how all of Earthwise Beauty’s products are so unique — it’s like they each have their own distinctive personalities!
What sets Earthwise Beauty apart from the rest is that they use hard-to-find, unique, exotic ingredients. Ava only sustainably sources the freshest, purest, unprocessed, and unrefined ingredients and the quality of the ingredients is definitely noticeable in her products. It’s a bit odd to describe skincare as “fresh,” but when you open an Earthwise Beauty product, you’ll immediately notice how fresh the product looks, smells, and feels (on your skin). Because all of Earthwise Beauty’s products are so pure and fresh, it is recommended that you refrigerate them in order to preserve the actives and to keep them fresh. This may seem excessive, but at a minimum, I would definitely refrigerate the serums and the pre-moistened masks. Trust me, it’s worth it!
What I love most about Earthwise Beauty is how effacious their products are. They’re potent, yet gentle enough for almost all skin types. I also love that many of their products are aloe-based. I have had great success with aloe-based products and find them to work wonderfully for my acne-prone skin. Even though Earthwise offers products for specific skin types, I find that all of their products work just fine for me. I will sometimes use a coconut oil-based product (like Tangerine Skies Facial Oil), but I know not to apply it with a heavy hand as I know that too much coconut oil is comedogenic for me. Now, on to the products!
CLEANSE
The Marshmallow Suds Face Cleanser* is the only liquid face cleanser in Earthwise Beauty’s arsenal at the moment. (They did offer another liquid cleanser that I really liked, Scarsborough Fair, but it was recently discontinued.) Marshmallow Suds is ultra-gentle and is suitable for those with sensitive skin or have skin issues like eczema. It gently foams to create a soapy, milky lather, and contains many calming and soothing organic herbs like soothing and softening marshmallow root, healing calendula petals, and anti-inflammatory chamomile flowers.
I primarily use the Cleanser at night (as I don’t usually cleanse my face in the morning), and I find that it cleanses very well — my skin feels soft, silky, calm and almost squeaky-clean, but never too dry or tight. The face wash has a unique scent that my friend Arjun and I often describe as “buttered lobster” or sometimes I get apple cider (yes, really!), but the scent is actually due to the mix of German chamomile, Moroccan chamomile (blue tansy), and lemon balm. Either way, I don’t mind the scent! I think the variance in the scent has to do with how evenly dispersed the contents / ingredients are when you use it (I usually give it a good shake before I use it). Nevertheless, it’s a great cleanser. You only have to use the tiniest bit as a little goes a long way! ($58)
Ingredients
Herbal infusion {distilled water, Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) root*, Calendula officinalis (marigold) flowers (* or organic from our gardens), Matricaria recutita (chamomile) buds*}, water, Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*†, cold-press Prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters*, cold-press aloe barbadensis juice*, vegetable glycerin (from non-GMO soy)*, 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, glucono-lactone (from non-GMO corn), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) oil*, Matricaria recutita (German blue chamomile) oil*, organic Tanacetum annuum (blue tansy/Moroccan chamomile) oil, Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) oil*, citric acid, tocopherol (vit. E). *Certified organic. †Certified Fair Trade.
TONE / MIST
The Cistus and Moonlight Facial Mist* is a truly special facial mist. This multi-faceted hydrosol is formulated with the cistus essential oil (which is a variety of rock rose that grows in the wild in Spain and Portugal) and is known for its skin firming properties. Ava actually sources the cistus directly from an artisan distiller in Portugal that painstakingly cuts the plants by hand. Once she receives a shipment, she waits for the next full moon to infuse the “Portuguese beauty water” under the moon overnight. The moonlight is believed to amplify the healing properties that correspond to the yin (or feminine element), such as beauty, female intuition and insight, gentleness, and patience. I love that the Mist is enriched with gemstones like Rainbow Moonstone, Mangano Calcite, Clear Quartz; and flower essences, like Pacific Northwest Pink Phlox and Alaskan Monkshood; which in turn effectively turns the Facial Mist into an aura mist. I’ve just recently gotten into different types of therapies like these so I appreciate all the thought and care that Ava puts into her products.
In addition to its skin-firming capabilities, the cistus has a slew of other great skin benefits: it’s naturally antibacterial (also anti-viral and anti-fungal), anti-acne, pore minimizing, and is excellent for reducing signs of aging. A touch of cold-pressed organic whole-leaf aloe juice has also been added to the Facial Mist for its skin-reparative and cooling properties.
The Cistus and Moonlight Facial Mist is incredibly refreshing and cooling. I use this both AM and PM after cleansing (if applicable), and I like to spritz this very liberally. One of my biggest pet peeves is when mists spray me with too much product — this one doesn’t! The nozzle disperses an even, fine mist. After using the Mist, there is a visible improvement in my skin — it feels hydrated, firm, smooth, and pores look tightened. The Mist has a unique scent that is kind of hard to describe — it’s resinous, sweet, and almost honey-like. I wasn’t fond of the scent at first, but it grew on me after a few uses, and now I love it. The only negative thing I have to say about the Mist is that it needs to come in a bigger size! The 2 oz size is convenient / great for travel (or if you want to toss it in your bag for a mid-day refresher), but I tend to go through it very quickly, so a larger size would be lovely! ($38)
Ingredients
Wildcrafted Cistus ladanifer (rock rose) hydrosol (Portugal), cold-press whole-leaf aloe barabensis juice*, 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. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
TREAT / SERUMS
As mentioned above, the Ambrosia del Cerrado Face Serum Liquid Moisturizer and Toner* was the very first Earthwise Beauty product I tried, and is what started my love affair with the brand. Ambrosia del Cerrado is a cross between a hydrating toner and a moisturizer with the intent of delivering lots of moisture without a waxy or overly emollient feel. It’s great for times when the skin is dehydrated but you want a moisturizer with a breathable, light feel. If you have very oil skin then you can certainly use this during the warmer months as your only moisturizer (as I think it would provide enough moisture) but I typically use this as a hydrating serum year-round.
Ambrosia del Cerrado is like sunshine in a bottle! The Serum’s yellow hue is bright and cheery and the Serum has a delicious light tropical-guava scent. It is somewhat watery in texture (but not runny), is quick-absorbing, and has a silky finish. Like many of Earthwise Beauty’s other products, this one is also aloe-based! In addition to aloe, Ambrosia contains some other fantastic, exotic ingredients, such as:
– Pequi fruit oil: rich in vitamin C, betacarotene (which the body converts to vitamin A), and vitamins B1 and B2, all promoting firm, supple, even-toned skin
– Buriti oil: great for anti-aging and for improving the appearance of brown spots and scars
– Moringa pod oil: further aids moisturization and delivers an incredible range of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients
Since this is aloe-based, I don’t mind using a generous amount — I usually use a half dropper-full each time. I like to use Ambrosia both AM and PM right after I mist with the Cistus and Moonlight Mist. My skin loves this stuff and eats it right up! It feels quenched, hydrated, nourished, and healthy — brilliant! ($40)
Ingredients
Cold-press aloe barbadensis whole-leaf juice*, sustainably wildcrafted cold-press unrefined Caryocar braziliensis (pequi) fruit oil, sustainably wildcrafted cold-press unrefined Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruit oil, sustainably wildcrafted cold-press unrefined Moringa oleifera seed oil, polysorbate 20 (naturally derived), potassium sorbate (natural food-grade preservative), natural non-GMO tocopherol (vit. E from sunflowers), xanthan gum, ascorbic acid (vit. C), citric acid. *Certified organic. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
The next two serums are like my “ride or dies”! I used both of these together religiously for several months straight (when I first discovered them) and they completely transformed my skin! When several people I knew commented on how great my skin looked, I knew these were the real deal. These serums can be used separately, but I love using them together. When paired together, boy, are they a force to be reckoned with!
Earthwise Beauty’s Carrot-A-Day Face and Eye Serum (Classic) is the first serum of the aforementioned dynamic duo! Carrot-A-Day is another aloe-based serum that has a thick gel-like texture. It is cloudy in color with a light yellow tinge. Carrot-A-Day has a fresh, sweet carrot scent with a hint of spearmint — really refreshing (and this is coming from someone that doesn’t like any mint scents!).
What’s great about this Serum is that it is completely non-comedogenic! Carrot-A-Day is technically oil-free as the essential oils that are in it are more extracts than oils — which makes this a fantastic Serum for acne-prone skin. Minimally-processed aloe is the main ingredient, followed by the main active, carrot seed oil, as the Serum’s name indicates. Betacarotene-rich carrot seed oil is highly effective for skin tissue regeneration, and sun damage prevention and correction. It also helps fade dark spots and brightens your overall complexion. The Serum also contains German blue chamomile for it’s anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties, as well as, helichrysum (Italian everlasting) for its anti-aging, and scar and spot reduction capabilities. A touch of spearmint offers cooling and de-puffing properties.
Both AM and PM, after I use Ambrosia del Cerrado, I apply a healthy dollop of Carrot-A-Day all over my face and neck. The thick gel texture feels so incredible when I smooth it over my skin. It’s refreshing and cooling — just divine! It feels even better when you apply it right out of the fridge! (It’s recommended that you refrigerate the Serum, which I normally do, but I find that it holds up pretty well in case you forget / don’t.) Right away, my skin feels hydrated, plump, supple, and radiant. After extended use my skin is so smooth and even-toned and the appearance of dark spots and any hyperpigmentation have vastly improved. I just look and feel phenomenal when I use this Serum. If you want that ‘glow,’ you definitely need to try Carrot-A-Day!
I know at one point Ava was thinking of discontinuing this as the Sensitive version works for all skin types, but I really hope she keeps it! Carrot-A-Day Classic will always be one of my “holy grail” serums — it’s just that good! I actually prefer the Classic version much more than the Sensitive version (more on this below). ($52)
Ingredients
Cold-press aloe barbadensis leaf*, Daucus carota (carrot) seed essential oil*, natural non-GMO tocopherol (vit. E from sunflowers), Helichrysum italicum (Italian everlasting) 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}, Marticaria recutita (German blue chamomile) oil*, carbomer, ascorbic acid (vit. C), Mentha spicata (spearmint) oil*. *Certified organic. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
The second serum of this dynamic duo is the marvelous Nap in the Meadow Face Serum! I originally tried this when it first came out and it was like “love at first use.” The Serum is lightweight, quick-absorbing, and virtually oil-free! It is also aloe-based which makes it another fantastic option for those with oily / acne-prone skin. It is light-blue-green and cloudy in color, and has a liquid-y, dew-like texture. The scent is incredibly calming with its mix of floral essential oils like yarrow, German blue chamomile, and lavender — but it also has a hint of sweetness to it. In addition to aloe, Nap in the Meadow is formulated with some other fantastic ingredients:
– Turmeric CO2 supercritical extract is non-irritating and provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
– Yarrow oil has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema, and also helps heal acne and balance excessively oily skin
– Helichrysum (Italian everlasting) revitalizes skin tissue and is beneficial for wrinkles, sagging skin, other signs of skin-aging, scar healing, and sunburn
– Elderberry extract provides an incredible dose of antioxidants to delay skin aging and reverse UV damage
– Galbanum aids with skin tissue repair and scar healing and prevention
– Copaiba balsam resin has fantastic acne-healing properties
What makes Nap in the Meadow so special is that it delivers a broad range of benefits in a single product: deep hydration, strong anti-inflammatory action, antioxidants, anti-aging benefits, acne-reducing, tissue repairing, and sunburn / sun damage repair. The Serum works fantastically on its own, but I love using this along with Carrot-A-Day. I truly believe that these Serums go hand-in-hand, and when used together, you get the most fantastic results! I like to use this right after I apply Carrot-A-Day and what I notice most after using this Serum is how hydrating it is and how much it helps with my skin’s overall appearance. My pores are visibly minimized, it helps with my acne-scarring, and it makes my skin super-smooth.
Ava recently reformulated Nap in the Meadow to remove the preservative Polysorbate 20 (as there were concerns that it is created with carcinogenic ethylene oxide and can subsequently be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane), and replaced it with a cleaner, natural substitute, Potassium Sorbate. The change in formulation did not impact the effectiveness of the Serum, as the actives are still the same. It is recommended that you refrigerate Nap in the Meadow, as well, but I find that it holds up nicely in the event that you don’t. ($50)
Ingredients
Cold-press 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) essential oil*, xanthan gum, ascorbic acid (vit. C), wildflower essences†. *Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted. ††ECOCERT/COSMOS approved and Australian Certified Organic. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
As I mentioned earlier, Ava created a milder version of Carrot-A-Day called Carrot-A-Day Face and Eye Serum Sensitive* for those that are allergic to or find some irritation with the Classic version’s Honeysuckle preservative. She has replaced the Honeysuckle with the same natural preservative, Potassium Sorbate, that is in Nap in the Meadow. Rest assured, the actives are all the same as the Classic version so it works just as effectively! I actually tested out a couple bottles of the Sensitive version and I can confidently say that I saw the same results as the Classic version. From my observation, the only differences I notice between the two, are that the scent didn’t seem as strong even though it has the same amount of carrot seed oil it in, and the consistency is a lot thinner. The texture is akin to the texture of Nap in the Meadow — liquid-y and dew-like. What’s interesting about Carrot-A-Day Sensitive is that even though I keep it refrigerated whenever I’m not using it, the color ends up morphing into this light pinkish-brown color. What I think is causing it is the oxidation of the ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The actives seem to just as potent and the Serum still works pretty well, but maybe the formula is not stable enough or the wrong type of vitamin C was used (I’m speculating here as I am not a formulator). With that said, I still prefer the Classic version. I love its thick, gel-like consistency better and the vitamin C seems more “stable” — it stays fresh and doesn’t oxidize like the Sensitive version. ($50)
Ingredients
Cold-press aloe barbadensis juice*, Daucus carota (carrot) seed essential oil*, natural non-GMO tocopherol (vit. E from sunflowers), Helichrysum italicum (Italian everlasting) oil*, Marticaria recutita (German blue chamomile) oil*, Mentha spicata (spearmint) oil*, caprylyl capryl glucoside (naturally derived), potassium sorbate (natural food-grade preservative), xanthan gum, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, ascorbic acid (vit. C), citric acid. *Certified organic. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
MOISTURIZE / FACE OILS
The Ruby Facial Oil is one of my absolute favorite face oils! I’ve literally gone through bottles of Ruby at lightning speed. It’s extremely lightweight and has a luscious guava-passionfruit scent — it’s so addictive! Because the face oil is lightweight, it’s perfect for oily / acneic skin types and is especially suitable to use in the Spring and Summer. The Facial Oil reminds me so much of Ambrosia del Cerrado because it contains so many antioxidant-rich exotic, tropical oils — pequi and guava oils give the skin a lovely glow; buriti, pequi, and rosehip oils provide skin firmness; and raspberry, rosehip, and cranberry oils help with skin elasticity. The addition of turmeric CO2 extract and whole-plant celery CO2 helps reduce inflammation of the skin. Ruby has a vibrant orange color but is non-staining.
I can honestly use this oil year-round, but when my skin feels like it needs a little more moisture (like in the colder months), I like to use a face balm, like Tigress on top. I use this both AM and PM after I apply Nap in the Meadow. Ruby absorbs pretty quickly, and I like that it is hydrating but never leaves my skin feeling oily. My skin definitely feels firmer, more elastic, and glowy. ($100)
Ingredients
Organic cold-press unrefined Psidium guajava (guava) seed oil (India), organic cold-press unrefined Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seed oil, cold-press unrefined Vacinnium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined organic whole-fruit Rosa canina (rosehip) oil, cold-press unrefined Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) seed oil*, cold-press unrefined Rubus ideaus (raspberry) seed oil (organic whenever available), organic cold-press unrefined Caryocar braziliensis (pequi) fruit oil, wildcrafted cold-press unrefined Moringa oleifera seed oil, cold-press unrefined Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil* (India), organic cold-press unrefined Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) fruit oil, Curcuma longa (turmeric) root Supercritical CO2 Select* extract*, vit. E (from certified non-GMO sunflowers), organic Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) seed CO2 Total extract, organic Apium graveolens L. (celery) CO2 Total extract, wildcrafted Acacia dealbata (mimosa) flower absolute (artisanally extracted in Grasse, France). *Certified organic.
In the colder months, I like to incorporate the Ferns and Moss Face Serum into my routine. I often use Ruby in my AM routine and then I will use Ferns and Moss at night. Ferns and Moss is thicker, more lush, and more moisturizing. It’s geared towards dry / mature skin, but works well for acne-prone skin as it is mostly non-comedogenic. It’s a gorgeous amber color and smells earthy — I primarily get the tamanu oil that’s in it. This face oil may look “basic,” but true to Ava-fashion, it’s comprised of a ton of exotic, skin-healing oils:
– Andiroba oil hails from the Amazon, is medicinal, and comes with a long list of healing properties — from detoxing and antibacterial to skin-rejuvenating
– Copaiba balsam is also from the Amazon and is highly anti-inflammatory, anti-acne, antiviral, and has soothing properties
– Madagascar tamanu oil penetrates deeply to heal wounds without scarring and rejuvenates the skin, and it is also antibacterial
– Seabuckthorn berry oil is great for youthful, firm skin
– Manquetti mongongo is amazing for its nourishing, wrinkle reducing, and anti-aging properties
– Moringa is a superfood that provides skin with much hydration
Ferns and Moss is deeply nurturing and is fantastic for skins in need of serious repair, moisture retention, and cell regeneration. It’s incredibly skin-healing and works wonderfully for any skin issues that you may have, like scarring; dry, chapped skin; and even eczema. The beauty of this face oil is that it is slow-absorbing and penetrates deeply to moisturize and heal skin. I find it incredibly nourishing and really lush — which is why I like to use it at night for maximum absorption and to let the face oil work its magic overnight. (One thing to note is that the face oil is not meant to give you instant results.) After using Ferns and Moss for an extended amount of time, my skin feels plush, supple, nourished, and stronger. This face oil is a must for the colder months! ($110)
Ingredients
Organic unrefined cold-pressed Carapa guianensis (andiroba) seed oil, organic unrefined cold-pressed Moringa oleifera seed oil, organic unrefined cold-press Schinziophyton rautanenii (manquetti mongongo) seed oil, organic unrefined unfiltered cold-press Calophyllum inophyllum* (tamanu) nut kernel oil, wildcrafted Hippophae rhamnoides (seabuckthorn berry) Supercritical CO2 Total extract, Calendula officinalis CO2 Total extract*, wildcrafted Copaifera officinalis (copaiba balsam) essential oil, Ferula galbaniflua (galbanum) essential oil*, virgin cold-press unrefined golden Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, wildcrafted Evernia prunastri (oakmoss) absolute. *Certified organic.
MOISTURIZE / FACE MOISTURIZER
The Marigold Fields Face Moisturizer* is a fabulous face moisturizer — this is far from a traditional lotion-based face moisturizer as it is actually aloe-based! It’s almost like a cream-gel and is lightweight and somewhat mousse-y in texture. The color of Marigold Fields is similar to Ambrosia del Cerrado but is a tad darker. It has a light tropical scent that smells almost like a mix between banana, pineapple, and marigold flowers — it may seem like an odd blend but I promise it smells good!
Marigold Fields is very gentle, soothing, and even hypoallergenic. It’s nutrient-rich and provides a ton of moisture — perfect for those with dry skin or skin types that always seem to be lacking in moisture. It’s richness may be too much for individuals with combination / oily skin to use every day, but I personally don’t find it to be too rich for me. This “super-moisturizer” (as Ava calls it), contains some beautiful, moisture-rich reparative botanicals such as calendula petals double-infused in extra-virgin olive oil (which may contribute to the Moisturizer’s “richness”), Roman chamomile oil, and pracaxi oil (commonly called “The Miracle Oil”) which is fantastic for treating hyperpigmentation, scarring, and has strong moisturizing properties; and virgin golden jojoba oil prevents moisture loss and protects the skin’s surface from environmental factors.
As mentioned above, I don’t find Marigold Fields to be too rich for my skin, and actually prefer to use it during the Spring and Summer! I would typically use the Moisturizer in the AM and PM on top of the Carrot-A-Day and the Nap in the Meadow Serums. Marigold Fields is super-hydrating and I felt that the moisture held up pretty well all day. My skin felt smooth, supple, and deeply nourished. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a moisturizer that is not “oil-based.” I would definitely suggest you refrigerate Marigold Fields when not in use! ($52)
Ingredients
Cold-press aloe barbadensis whole-leaf extract*, Calendula officinalis (marigold) flowers (* or organic from our gardens) in Olea europaea oil (extra-virgin olive oil)*, virgin cold-press unrefined golden Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, cold-press organic unrefined Pentaclethra macroloba (pracaxi) pod oil, cold-press organic unrefined Caryocar braziliensis (pequi) fruit oil, natural non-GMO tocopherol (vit. E from sunflowers), 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}, polysorbate 20 (naturally derived), carbomer, ascorbic acid (vit. C), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) oil*, Cymbopogon flexuosus (lemongrass) oil*, wildcrafted Nymphaea caerulea (blue lotus) absolute. *Certified organic. Aloe certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC) for purity and content.
MOISTURIZE / FACE BALM
Earthwise Beauty recently released their first face balm, the Tigress Face Balm, and it does not disappoint! It’s absolutely gorgeous and it’s everything I thought it would be — and more! I love that it’s geared towards acne-prone skin and is completely non-comedogenic. Tigress is lightweight, soft in texture, and is a greenish-toffee color. It has a unique spicy-tropical scent which I find so addictive! The Face Balm contains some unique skin-healing and regenerating ingredients from around the world, such as Ucuuba butter, Kokum butter, Sapote oil, Babassu oil, green coffee bean oil, Spikenard, frankincense, and Usnea lichen extract.
– Ucuuba butter is super-healing and addresses a plethora of skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis; it also renews collagen and promotes skin tissue regeneration
– Kokum butter is a pore-minimizing astringent and is rich in vitamin E
– Sapote oil is known for its highly antimicrobial properties (and is more like a butter in texture)
– Babassu oil is another butter-like oil that is a lightly astringent emollient for dry to severely dry skin
– Green coffee bean oil has a similar pH to our own skin and is rich in phytochemicals, which is fantastic in the caring of acne-prone and oily skin
– Spikenard essential oil is a gentle, yet powerful skin regenerator that is known for helping stubborn skin issues, particularly acne, psoriasis, and eczema
– Frankincense essential oil is great for anti-aging and helps diminish wrinkles; reverse sun damage, loss of skin firmness, and age spots; and also helps reduce inflammation
– Usnea lichen extract has a ton of antimicrobial properties, it dries up acne breakouts, and speeds up healing
Tigress is super-soft, buttery, and melts instantly on contact. It absorbs quickly without leaving any residue behind. A little goes a long way, so I only use a very mall pea-size amount. I like to use this over a face oil, and since it just came out, I’ve only had the opportunity to use this in the Fall and Winter. The Face Balm penetrates deeply and is extremely healing — my acne has gotten better overtime and my scarring is less noticeable; my pores look smaller, and my skin hasn’t been as oily. My skin also feels soothed, calm, and moisturized. After using Tigress for quite some time, my skin definitely feels firmer and smoother. Love! ($100)
The last I heard, Ava is working on several new balms to include, Yasuni (which is near completion), so I cant wait to see what she comes out with!
Ingredients
Cold-press unrefined Garcinia indica (kokum) kernel butter†, cold-press unrefined Virola surinamensis (ucuuba) seed butter†, cold-press unrefined whole-fruit Passiflora edulis (passionfruit) oil*, cold-press unrefined Attalea speciosa (babassu) kernel oil†, cold-press unrefined Pouteria sapota (sapote) kernel oil†, cold-press unrefined Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil*, cold-press unrefined organic Rosa canina (whole-fruit rosehip) oil, cold-press unrefined Coffea (green coffee) bean oil*, vitamin E (from certified non-GMO sunflowers), supercritical co2 select Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizome extract*, Boswellia carterii (frankincense) oil†, Nardostachys jatamansi (spikenard) oil† (Nepal), Pinus edulis (pinyon pine) oil†, Helichrysum italicum (Italian everlasting) absolute (France), Usnea (old man’s beard) lichen CO2 extract (Helianthus annuus [sunflower] seed oil, and polyglyceryl-6 caprylate [emulsifier], and polyglyceryl-3 palmitate [emulsifier] and Usnea barbata lichen extract*. *Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
MASK
Detoxifying face masks are my favorite types of masks and Earthwise Beauty’s Frightening Green Face Mask* is one of my faves! It’s a frequent repurchase of mine as it is premoistened (for the lazy girl in me), has a great rosemary-eucalyptus-sage scent, and does a great job in the purifying / detoxifying department. Frightening Green is a dark army green-grey color and is formulated with potent ingredients that work incredibly well for acneic, blackhead-prone, or oily skin. French green clay helps draws out impurities and toxins from the skin, while gently drying up breakouts; finely ground rosemary and thyme heals acne — rosemary also firms, decongests, and diminishes wrinkles; witch hazel tones, refines pores, and purifies; and finally, kelp and juniper berry helps remove lymph and water stagnation. Ava has also included a dose of natural fruit acids (derived from pineapple, passionfruit, and white grape), which help exfoliate, brighten, firm, and diminish scars and brown spots overtime.
I try to use Frightening Green at least once or twice a week or whenever I’m dealing with hormonal breakouts and / or congestion. I typically like to start with a clean face, so I cleanse my face with a cleanser like Marshmallow Suds prior to applying the Mask. Frightening Green is one of those products that needs to be stored in the fridge (to keep it from drying out), but I love how cooling it feels after its been refrigerated. I typically apply a thick layer on my face and my upper neck and keep it on for about 30-40 minutes. If you keep the Mask on for that long, it can get a bit dry, but it’s nothing that a mist or hydrosol can’t fix. Frightening Green is one of those masks where you’ll definitely see instant results. I can literally feel the French clay sucking out all the impurities, drying out my breakouts, and shrinking my pores. The natural fruit acids gently exfoliate my skin which leaves it looking smoother and brighter. After rinsing off the Mask, my skin feels calm and baby-soft. Redness, inflamed skin, and ugly breakouts be gone! ($50)
Ingredients
Montmorillonite (French green clay), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) hydrosol*, raw cruelty-free unfiltered honey, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf* and oil*, Thymus vulgaris (thyme) leaf*, Laminaria digitata (kelp)*, potassium sorbate (natural food-grade preservative), water, Passiflora quadrangularis (passionfruit) extract, Citrus medica limonum (lemon) extract, Ananas sativus (pineapple) extract, Vitis vinifera (white grape) extract, Eucalyptus globulus oil*, Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool (thyme) oil*, Juniperus communis (juniper) berry oil*. *Certified organic.
STEAM
I’ll be honest, I don’t use facial steams as much as I should, but when I do, I really enjoy Earthwise Beauty’s Aphrodite Facial Steam and Selene Facial Steam. I usually alternate between the two.
The Aphrodite Facial Steam is Ava’s first / original facial steam and was made specifically to help moisturize, soothe, nurture, and repair skin tissue. The Facial Steam includes a special mix of herbs, such as: comfrey, which is excellent for repairing skin tissue; marshmallow root, Ava’s favorite herb for moisturizing, soothing, and softening the skin; water horsetail contains several key minerals and is particularly high in silica; calendula is soothing, calming, reparative, and anti-aging; gutu kola is known for improving many serious inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema; chamomile is soothing, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory, and has stress / anxiety-relieving properties; linden flowers relax the nervous system, and are also lightly emollient and conditioning for the skin; helichrysum (aka Italian everlasting) is a top anti-inflammatory herb; Puerh tea offers nurturing and anti-inflammatory benefits and is also lightly astringent; and finally, cornflowers provide healing properties to wounds and other skin issues, and helps reduce inflammation. Phew!
That is quite an impressive blend! Ideally, I would like to do a Facial Steam at least once or twice a week. I typically put four to five heaping tablespoons of Aphrodite in my large May Lindstrom Clay Steam Vessel, pour in boiling water to fill Vessel up halfway, and steam my face for 20 minutes or so until the water gets somewhat cool / luke warm. I then repeat the process by adding in more boiling hot water and steam for another 15-20 minutes. I love to meditate during this time, making sure I pay attention to my breathing — breathing in and out deeply. Within a couple of minutes I feel calmer and much more relaxed — pure bliss! I can feel the Steam opening up all my pores and my skin feels plump, revived, and refreshed afterwards. It’s also fantastic for opening up nasal passages / air ways when you are feeling sick or congested. A pro tip is to save the steamed water to use as a nice hair rinse — you just have to store the used water in the fridge (for up to five days) until use. ($42)
Ingredients
Calendula officinalis (marigold) flowers (* or organic from our gardens), Helichrysum arenarium (everlasting) flowers (* or ^), Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) root*, Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) flowers*, Tilia europaea (linden tree) flowers and leaves (* or ^), Centella asiatica (gutu kola)*, Equisetum laevigatum (water horsetail)^, Centaurea cyanus (cornflowers) (* or ^), Symphytum uplandicum (comfrey) leaves (* or organic from our gardens), Camellia sinensis (puerh tea) leaves. *Certified organic. ^Responsibly wildcrafted.
The Selene Facial Steam is the other facial steam that Earthwise Beauty offers. This one is great because Ava specifically chose a blend of herbs that are excellent for healing acne, reducing inflammation, and cooling and soothing the skin. I love this Steam in particular because it features my favorite herbal tea flower — chrysanthemum! Chrysanthemum is delicious to consume as a tea, but externally, it is highly-cooling, anti-inflammatory, and skin-firming. Some of the other herbs Ava included are: white yarrow flowers, which is incredibly skin-healing as it is an anti-inflammatory and reduces acne; mullein flowers soothes, softens, and comforts the skin; and cornflowers have skin-healing properties and helps reduce inflammation. I use the Selene Facial Steam in the same manner as I would with Aphrodite, and love the reparative effect that it has on my skin. ($32)
Ingredients
Achillea millefolium (white yarrow) flowers†, Chrysanthemum indicum flowers (organic whenever available), Centaurea cyanus (cornflowers)†, Verbascum sinuatum or Verbascum densiflorum or Verbascum thapsus (mullein) flowers* or †, Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaves (organic whenever available), Plantago major (plantain) leaves†. *Certified organic. †Responsibly wildcrafted.
MOISTURIZE / BODY SERUM
The Pacific Northwest Body Serum* is the only body care product in Earthwise Beauty’s collection at the moment but it is something special. Ava chose medicinal and nutrient-rich ingredients for the body oil to heal, repair, soften, hydrate, firm, and smooth the skin. The formulation includes whole-fruit rosehip oil (rich in vitamin C and is known for its skin elasticity, scar-reducing, and even-skin tone properties); cranberry oil (antioxidant-rich with vitamin E and is extremely hydrating, lightweight, and fast-absorbing); wild mullein leaves (dried in the sun and then infused in extra-virgin olive oil for its skin nourishing, wrinkle-reducing, elasticity-enhancing, and softening properties); bacuri butter (an anti-inflammatory, and is super-healing for skin disorders like eczema and dermatitis); and Indian tamanu oil (which heals skin tissue deeply).
Ava created the Body Serum to not only moisturize and heal the skin, but the oil is energetically warming, nurturing, centering, and grounding. On an emotional level, the oil heals the first chakra (safety, stability, childhood) and the heart chakra (trauma, wounds in the heart) — she even places each batch of the body oil in their ponderosa pine forest to be charged by the earth and the energy of these trees.
Ava’s care and creativity comes across in the Body Serum as she chose ingredients that appeal to all the senses (well except for taste and hearing, lol). The Body Serum is a gorgeous amber / copper color; it has a lush, substantial, smooth texture; and the scent is really lovely. It has a nice balance of woodsy and sweet, and is exactly how I imagine the Pacific Northwest to smell like (I haven’t visited the PNW yet, but I will hopefully soon!). The scent is warm, inviting, calming, and grounding. The woodsiness of the scent comes from the ponderosa pine, artisanally-distilled white pine, silver pine, giant fir, balsam fir, and black spruce oils, grounding cedar oil, and finally, lichen absolute provides a mix of tree bark, mosses, and dry earth. The sweetness is comprised from spring and summer wildflowers, rare Indian rose, wild pink (Wood’s) roses, cranberry, white yarrow, and yellow Canada goldenrod.
I like to use this Body Serum before I go to bed as it is incredibly calming, relaxing and grounding. I can’t talk to its skin-healing capabilities as I don’t use the oil consistently enough, but I can say that it leaves my skin super-soft and hydrated. I find that for a thicker body oil, it leaves a nice sheen (it’s non-staining), but absorbs fairly quickly. I don’t really like body oils that are excessively oily, and this one is nice because it’s like a dryer type of oil. If you like woodsy, earthy scents, then this Body Serum is for you! ($100)
Ingredients
Extra-virgin cold-press unrefined Olea europaea (olive) oil* and Verbascum thapsus (woolly mullein) leaves (* or wildcrafted), cold-press unrefined Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil*, organic whole-fruit Rosa canina (rosehip) oil, Calophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) nut kernel oil*, wildcrafted Moringa oleifera seed oil, wildcrafted Platonia insignis (bacuri) seed butter, Vaccinum macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil*, Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) oil*, Picea mariana (black spruce) oil*, wildcrafted Pinus ponderosa (pine) oil, Pinus strobus (white pine) oil*, Pinus sylvestris (silver pine) oil*, wildcrafted Abies grandis (giant fir) oil, Pinus balsamea (balsam fir) oil*, Rosa bourbonia absolute or organic hexane-free Rosa centifolia (rose Moroc) absolute, organic Apium graveolens L. (celery) CO2 Total extract, wildcrafted Cedrus atlantica (Atlantic cedar) oil, Achillea millefolium (yarrow) oil*, virgin cold-press unrefined golden Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, wildcrafted oakmoss absolute (from the lichen Evernia prunastri, IFRA compliant/nonsensitizing). *Certified organic.
Final Thoughts
It’s no secret that Earthwise Beauty is one of my favorite brands. I appreciate all of the thought and care Ava puts into all of the products, from her use of unique, exotic ingredients — to her meticulous, creative formulations — to how her products also heal you on a emotional, energetic, and spiritual level. I am constantly impressed by how potent, yet gentle, and effective her products are and the freshness of them –Earthwise Beauty is the real deal! Although several of the products that I reviewed were gifted to me by the brand, every product (with the exception of the Carrot-A-Day Face Serum Sensitive), I have repurchased several times over — that’s how good they are! People that are new to Earthwise Beauty often ask me what my “Top 5” product recommendations would be. I personally would recommend that they start with the Marshmallow Suds Face Cleanser, Ambrosia del Cerrado Liquid Moisturizer and Toner, Nap in the Meadow Face Serum, Ruby Facial Oil, and the Frightening Green Face Mask. The reason why I chose these products is because they work for all skin-types and they are generally well-tolerated by people. I haven’t heard of many issues (or any, at all) from people regarding theses products. They’re gentle, potent, effacious, and their scent profiles are lovely and unique!
If you’re interested in trying any of these products (or any of their other ones), the promo code “ecochicbeauty” gets you 15% off your entire order at Earthwise Beauty. You can use the promo code as many times as you’d like as it never expires! Enjoy!
* Generously gifted by Earthwise Beauty
Disclaimer
Earthwise Beauty kindly provided several products (all the products denoted with a “*“) for consideration, however all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains a promo code as stated above.
