Edible Beauty’s Skin Food Beauty Boosters

Feed your skin! (20% Promo Code Below)

Edible Beauty, a botanical and wild-crafted brand out of Australia is very near and dear to my heart. They were one of the first brands I discovered when I made the conscious decision to clean my beauty routine and I have been a loyal fan ever since. I was fortunate to come across Edible Beauty when they launched some of their products on Sephora.com and I was thrilled to find that these botanical skincare products were just as effective and enjoyable as the chemical-filled alternatives. Since first discovering this luxurious brand, I have tried virtually every ritual and have many favorites, including:

Edible Beauty was the first brand to follow me on Instagram, and now the first brand to kindly send me their rituals to review; a responsibility I do not take lightly. I am beyond grateful to Anna, the founder, for sending me three of their four skincare boosters offered and equally excited about the results!

These lovely boosters are Edible Beauty’s newest launch and are intended to be the perfect addition to any routine to boost a range of skincare results! They can be used alone, or even layered with another booster which is really fun for skincare lovers like myself.

Turmeric Beauty Latte – Clear & Brighten

This booster is the thinnest of the three and has a very slight turmeric scent that quickly dissapears upon application. A potent mixture of Turmeric, Snow Mushroom and Licorice Root helps to reduce pigmentation and inflammation.

Note: I am always looking to brighten my complexion from years in the sun & pregnancy that have left my skin with a lot of discoloration and now, melasma. I always have realistic expectations, and have always figured that laser (like IPL) is my only real option for lightening up any discoloration. So when Anna sent me this booster, I was happy to try it, but kept my expectations to a minimum.

In my true indulgent fashion, I use about 1/2 a dropper of this booster religiously morning & night as a first booster in my routine and after only two weeks have seen amazing results! See before & after pictures above!

Botanical Actives

Turmeric Extract is rich in curcumin, a potent antioxidant which has been used as an ancient beauty ritual for lightening and brightening the skin. Curcumin also inhibits acne causing bacteria on the skin and has been shown to be 36 times stronger than azelaic acid, an irritating chemical used in acne treatments. Its anti-inflammatory properties also mean that turmeric can soothe painful cystic breakouts and calm redness.
Licorice Root contains the active ingredient, glabridin that interrupts the enzymes that activate melanin production, making it a natural skin whitening agent. It prevents future hyperpigmentation while improving existing dark spots on your skin. Licorice Root is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling and redness for a clear and calm complexion.
Snow Mushroom known as the “beauty mushroom” the Tremella mushroom has been used for centuries as a youth-preserving mushroom due to its unique polysaccharide and antioxidant profile.  Polysaccharides found in the mushroom have remarkable water retaining properties, with the ability to hold nearly five times more water than hyaluronic acid. Tremella’s polysaccharides also stimulate the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the most important “super antioxidant” enzymes in the body. SOD helps to protect and regenerate the skin as well as effectively prevent wrinkling and sagging of the skin. It has shown to be effective in preventing oxidative damage to skin cells as well as increasing the body’s production of its own powerful free-radical defence mechanisms.

https://ediblebeautyaustralia.com/collections/boosters/products/turmeric-beauty-latte-clear-restore

Probiotic Radiance Tonic – Calm & Restore

This booster is slightly thicker, and feels much like a hyaluronic acid serum. It has a clean, almost fresh-water scent and is intended to restore the skin’s microbiome. This serum is full of probiotics and nourishing ingredients like Jojoba Milk & Birch Leaf and the results are protected skin that is plump and hydrated. This is especially important for someone like myself who enjoys exfoliating often and uses a lot of active skincare products.

I really enjoy using this booster at night after the Turmeric Beauty Latte. I had a brief eczema flair-up after over-exfoliating one evening, and this serum was extremely repairing to my skin. My skin felt instantly soothed, and the next morning was significantly calmed.

Botanical Actives

Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Ferment Filtrate, restore skin PH and acid mantle reducing skin sensitivity and strengthening the skin barrier. This probiotic strain also attacks bacteria which sit on the skin’s surface causing blemishes.
Wildcrafted Emu Bush, native to the Australian Northern Territory, it contains potent antioxidants including chloregenic acid which protects the skin from break down and ageing along with phenolic acids which have an antioxidant action stronger than that of vitamin E. This makes this wildcrafted extract effective at skin restoration and repair.
Birch Leaf, is a powerhouse ingredient for calming and treating sensitive and irritated skin. It is prized for its ability to reduce inflammation, purify and hydrate skin. It contains 17 amino acids, minerals, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants and vitamins, all of which are beneficial for your skin.

https://ediblebeautyaustralia.com/collections/boosters/products/probiotic-radiance-tonic-clear-restore

Glowing Skin Smoothie – Protect & Smooth

Full of antioxidants, vitamins and omegas, this booster is truly like a smoothie for your skin, intended to offer protection from UV’s and free-radical damage as well as offer retinol-like benefits to even skin tone and texture.

This serum feels like the most active of the three that I tried. It has a slight fruity fragrance and tingles slightly upon application (which I enjoy). I like layering this booster in the morning after the Turmeric Beauty Latte to offer protection to my skin during the day, and since the texture of my skin is already pretty smooth, using this serum helps to keep my complexion from becoming rough by encouraging cellular turnover.

Botanical Actives

Broccoli Extract, a natural alternative to retinol, encouraging youthful and even skin texture and tone. Sulforaphane found in broccoli extract, helps to shield the skin from environmental pollution in addition to strengthening the skin barrier.
St Mary’s Thistle, or Milk Thistle is rich in silymarin, an antioxidant that can helps to slow the ageing process by fighting free radicals that attack skin cells, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Silymarin also helps support skin’s ability to manage photo-ageing, which results in a loss of skin firmness and elasticity along with age spots – the result of too much exposure to UV rays. It slows oxidative stress, supporting delicate skin cells. Milk Thistle is also made up almost exclusively of fatty acids, which offer lightweight but effective hydration, so parched skin cells become plumper and skin appears more luminous.
Kale Extract, provides an abundance of skin-loving vitamins including pro-vitamin A, vitamin B, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and phytonutrients. This leafy green not only detoxifies and protects the skin, it tightens pores, promotes collagen production, increases cell turnover and prevents free radical damage. Vitamin K found in Kale has a wonderful ability to tighten the skin, thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles. 

https://ediblebeautyaustralia.com/collections/boosters/products/glowing-skin-smoothie-smooth-protect

Final Thoughts

All of these serums feel silky, absorb quickly and provide results! I was never expecting to see the amazing reduction in pigmentation after just two weeks of using the Turmeric Beauty Latte and I am so happy with the outcome.

If you are wondering which one to purchase, I recommend going with the one that addresses your personal skincare goals. Whether you are looking to reduce pigmentation, repair your skin’s barrier or rejuvenate the texture of your complexion, you can’t go wrong trying one (or all!) of these effectively beautiful boosters from Edible Beauty.

Promotional Code: Receive a 20% discount off your purchase with code Erika20

Remember, you are appreciated and worthy of self-care and love.

XOXO,

Erika

Please comment below! Have you tried any rituals from Edible Beauty? Which products are on your wish list? Please share your thoughts!

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Me Time Botanicals

As Charming as an Afternoon in Charleston!

Imagine taking a stroll through Charleston, South Carolina, on a beautiful spring day; the air is fresh and the sun is shining as it dances and flirts on the sidewalk amongst full, leafy green trees shimmering in the breeze. The scent of neroli and sweet roses fills the air as you make your way to the local farmers market to sample raw unfiltered honey and drink a refreshing glass of tart berry-lemonade. After enjoying a nice full lunch, you end your afternoon by stopping at a local cafe to enjoy a richly aromatic coffee and fresh blueberry scone.

This is what it feels like to indulge in the rituals from Me Time Botanicals, and for me, is the essence of founder, Kara’s line.

Stemming from the need for “Me Time”, Kara attended ‘Formula Botanica’s Organic Cosmetic Science School’ and began crafting her rituals by hand, beginning with her Morning Perk Eye & Facial Serum. Inspired by local and sustainable ingredients in Charleston, South Carolina, Kara explains her sourcing beautifully:

I tour a local coffee roaster, visit a sustainable and cruelty-free apiary to speak to local beekeepers, reach out to berry farmers to get inspiration. My favorite part is to hear their passion shine through as they teach me about their product. This propels me to create something truly special for Me Time Botanicals and your rituals. 

Kara, Me Time Botanicals Founder

I had the pleasure of trying a few of Kara’s rituals and in the process I felt like I was getting to know Kara and her delightful hometown.

Phyto Tonic Facial Mist $18

Meaning “plant derived” this facial mist smells so good and is super uplifting to my spirit! The scent is like candied roses and neroli and instantly refreshes me skin and mood. The star ingredients, white rose, neroli and frankincense distillates help restore the skin by encouraging cell turnover and coconut fruit extract and jasmine help to nourish the complexion.

Tip: This mist is perfect to dampen my face before applying the Berry Bright Exfoliating Mask, as an essence before using the Morning Perk Facial Serum and as a mood booster throughout the day. In my true style of indulgence, once I start spraying this facial mist, it is really difficult to stop.

Berry Bright Exfoliating Mask $30

This lovely mask is as delicious (yes, I said delicious) as it sounds! The scent of berry lemonade is intoxicating and if a little drips down onto my lips, the taste is equally as yummy! The visible pieces of horsetail and nettle, infusing the honey, further add to the sensory experience.

The star ingredient in Berry Bright Exfoliating Mask is our locally sourced raw honey that I pick up directly from an educational center called Bee City just a few short miles from Charleston where local schools and families can spend the day learning about sustainable beekeeping, honey, and gardening. Their honey comes from the local wildflowers, blueberry bushes, & palmetto trees.  The hives are never treated with chemicals or pesticides, the honey is unadulterated and the bees are truly loved. 

Kara, on the sourcing of the raw honey used in her Berry Bright Exfoliating Mask

Tip: I really enjoy wearing this mask for over 30 minutes to an hour when I have the time! I mix the jar well before application and the exfoliating action is definitely noticeable. Before washing it off I practice facial tapping with dry fingers which feels especially awakening around the eye orbital area and mouth! Washing it off further activates the scent, making my mouth water all over again!

Morning Perk – Caffeine & Blueberry Seed Eye + Facial Serum $25

Like a soft, berry-scented coffee, this oil-serum is extremely moisturizing and comforting on the skin. The locally roasted, fair-trade, organic coffee infused in this serum is hand-picked by Kara from Charleston Coffee Roasters right in Charleston and is made using antique roasters to get the most out of the beans, and into the serum! Using this at night, I wake up in the morning with my skin feeling perfectly hydrated and it is absolutely suited for use during the day as well (not too oily)!

Tip: I prefer removing the roller-ball so that I can pour a generous amount into my palm to spread all over my face, neck and chest in the evening. I enjoy taking a moment to massage this oil-serum deep into my skin, paying special attention to my under-eye area to awaken and refresh my appearance during the day.

100% Organic Beeswax & Coconut Oil Bath Candle $5 – seasonal only!

Final Thoughts

The passion behind Kara’s formulations are evident during the experience of her rituals. From locally sourcing her ingredients to hand pouring, labeling and batching each jar, Kara really wants every woman to enjoy a special moment of “Me Time”.

After getting acquainted and indulging in Me Time Botanicals, I realize the brand is perfectly named, lovely and affordably priced. Great for a little indulgence or as gift for a girlfriend or loved one, there is really no reason to hesitate in giving this delightful, natural, indie-brand a try!

Remember, you are appreciated and worthy of self-care and love.

XOXO,

Erika

Please comment below! What is your favorite way to indulge in “Me Time”?

How Important is Cleansing, Really?

My A.M. Cleansing Routine

Lately, I’ve been witnessing the rising trend of ditching facial cleansers in the morning in lieu of splashing one’s face with water. Does anyone else find this ritual bizarre? To me, this is about as normal as brushing one’s teeth without toothpaste, or taking a shower without soap.

I happen to think that cleansing my face, especially in the morning, is the most important step that sets the tone for the rest of my (skincare) day!

Our skin does a lot while we sleep including increased cellular turnover; it is also the bodies largest organ and the requirements of our skin can change daily based on hormones, diet, etc. For these reasons, I like to listen to my skin when I wake up to understand what it needs.

Is my face feeling tight? Is it rough? Does my skin need a double cleanse? Extra exfoliation? Or can I just use a gentle cleanser? When I tailor my cleansing routine to my skin’s daily needs, the results I achieve are a more healthy and vibrant glow.

My Morning Routine Options:

My skin feels tight: Exfoliation followed by a gentle cleanse or mask.

My skin feels normal: Gentle cleanse or active cleanse.

My skin feels rough: Exfoliation followed by an active cleanse or mask.

My Favorite A.M. Cleansers:

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser $42-$82

This gritty cleanser is a holy grail ritual for me. It has an aloe-base so it rinses really clean and leaves my skin feeling fresh! The scent is also bright and awakening! With 11 active ingredients, it polishes, refines, decongests & plumps the skin. Using this first thing in the morning on dry skin really helps to soften my complexion if I wake up and my face feels tight.

Osea Ocean Cleanser $48

I have written about this cleanser in-depth in a previous post and absolutely love how potent it is with algae extract and lactic acid. My skin LOVES lactic acid! It does a fabulous job of keeping my skin smooth which sets the perfect canvas for the rest of my skincare regimen and make up. Tip: This would be what I consider an “active cleanser” with its powerful ingredients that work deep to exfoliate the skin.

Nuori Vital Foaming Cleanser $35

I discovered Nuori when I traveled to Denmark with my sister last fall, and I love how this unique brand boasts freshness (Nuori recommends using their products within a few months of batching to get the most effectiveness from their ingredients). This foaming cleanser is uber gentle and has a beautiful floral-citrus scent. Full of humectants and pomegranate enzymes, it leaves my face feeling undisturbed yet cleansed and soft.

Earthwise Beauty Marshmallow Cleanser $60

Earthwise Beauty has captivated my heart and this cleanser had me instantly smitten! This small-batch, organic, unrefined cleanser leaves my skin silky-soft and clean. A little goes a long way and the formula is full of calming and soothing ingredients like calendula & chamomile flowers, marshmallow roots, cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil and jojoba seed oil to nourish my skin and keep it clear.

Final Thoughts

Gone are the days of using Cetaphil to cleanse, and I don’t think I will ever forgo cleansing to simply rinse my face with water in the morning. I enjoy a variety of cleansers depending on my skin truth each and every day. Giving myself options allows me to truly listen to my skin and give it what it needs to achieve a more smooth and glowy complexion.

Remember, you are appreciated and worthy of self-care and love.

XOXO,

Erika

Please comment below! What is your favorite morning cleanser? Have you ever tried just splashing with water? What are your thoughts?