Wednesday, February 17, 2016

African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil | Review

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

At long last, and after my teaser posts hereon Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (here and here) it is my privilege to be the first to introduce you to the latest category of antioxidant rich anti-aging beauty oils. African Botanics has single-handedly redefined this entire category with the introduction of their new Fleurs d'Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil. It officially launches on March 7, 2016, and it will be available exclusively from africanbotanics.com and net-a-porter.com.
From its very inception, African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil was envisioned  and conceived as a new type of antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory anti-aging oil– the likes of which did not yet exist. Unlike many luxury oils that add water to break down water-soluble actives, African Botanics opted not to dilute the oils, but instead utilized highly potent oil soluble actives. Furthermore, they source rare ingredients of the highest quality from remote locations, and the end result is a staggeringly unique beauty oil that easily rivals the most potent and effective anti-aging serums in the marketplace today.

According to African Botanics,

From a world of truly wild and remote locations far from all civilization and light pollution in the most southern hemisphere of Africa, there is an eternal beauty that endures all time.

Exotic night blooms, indigenous African desert and bush plants that have adapted to survive the challenges of their environment are harnessed and captured with a potent concentration of highly advanced marine biotechnology that is packed with anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing properties.

African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil is a highly concentrated luxury oil that is lightweight in texture and fast absorbing. The texture, is itself, ultra-silky and it leaves skin feeling like the softest cashmere conceived. It has an utterly intoxicating aroma that is a delectable fusion of the Jasmine Grandiflorum, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and Marula Seed Oil. It is a warm and earthy floral that delights the senses, calms the mind and nourishes the skin. During the entire experience of using this precious oil, one is reminded that it is unlike anything else previously imagined– let alone actually created. It is an oil to be savored, and the tactile and sensory experience is so exquisite that one immediately slows down to really relish the experiential component of this highly effective ultra-luxe beauty oil.
African Botanics asserts,

Fleurs d’Afrique infuses Africa’s night-blooming fragrant flowers from ancient Baobab trees and The Queen of the Night - Jasmine Grandiflorum, hand picked at dusk - making it ideal for skin exposed to urban stress, UV damage, pollution, harsh climates and is recommended for hormonal, mature, unbalanced, seborrheic and sensitive skin.
African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil utilizes a visionary delivery system that allows the ingredients to penetrate the skin deeply in order to effectively nourish the skin, to stimulate skin cell renewal, to restore and regenerate skin and to protect and heal. Furthermore, this unique formula softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while fading hyperpigmentation, and it reduces inflammation and redness.

According to African Botanics,

With a unique delivery system that penetrates deeply, this light multi-correcting phyto-elixir stimulates skin cell renewal, refines, protects and envelopes the skin with finest Damask Rose, regenerating Immortelle flower, restorative soothing plant extracts, free radical-quenching CoQ10 and a distinct African Oil Complex which forms a powerful essential fatty acid matrix of high levels of Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9 to fade and fight the signs of aging skin: fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, dark spots, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, redness, dryness and sagging skin.

Who is this made for: All skin types, including skin exposed to urban stress, pollution, harsh, dry climates, sun damage and is recommended for hormonal, inflamed, mature, unbalanced and sensitive skin.
My Experience:

I have used African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil twice daily for about 6 weeks, and I have noticed a remarkable shift in the quality and overall appearance of my complexion. Truth be told, I knew it was a very special facial oil after my first use, but the length of time that I have used this is phenomenal oil is proof positive that this is, indeed, no ordinary face oil.

I simply apply a few drops to my freshly washed skin, that is still warm and slightly damp, and gently press in and release the oil into my face, neck and décolletage, as recommended. Skin is immediately left with a gorgeous, pronounced luminosity and an ethereal glow. As previously noted, African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil sinks in immediately, but it neither leaves behind a greasy film, nor does it require a long wait before finishing up the skincare routine or applying makeup.

My skin is notably different in that the overall texture is more even in tone and the small areas of light hyperpigmentation have noticeably faded. My fine lines are softened and my skin appears more taut and lifted. Furthermore, it effectively encourages skin cell-turnover to eliminate dull and dry dead skin cells in order to reveal luminous fresh skin.

This oil balances skin, and has regulated my active T-zone while simultaneously fighting redness and inflammation during my monthly hormonal cycle. I also found it remarkable that it healed a hormonal breakout overnight because of its ability to regulate hormonal skin and radically reduce inflammation.

While I do not have particularly enlarged pores, I have noted that mine are now far less noticeable. Additionally, the pores that have always been prone to clogging on my nose and chin no longer appear congested.

African Botanics claims that African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil will leave skin, "luminous, more youthful with increased firmness, elasticity and clarity" and I can attest to the veracity of this statement. This lovely oil leaves skin soft, supple, hydrated and luminous unlike anything else that I have tried.
Directions: AM and PM apply on clean skin to balance, soothe and de-stress the skin while promoting rapid healing and repair. Sweep 3-5 drops over face, neck and décolletage, gently pressing in and releasing. Glide in gentle strokes along jawline up towards the ears, from the center of your face towards temples and from the base of your neck upward to boost circulation.
Concerns Addressed by African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil:
• First signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness
• Dullness, dry, aging skin with uneven skin tone and pigmentation
• Hormonal and sensitive skin. Inflammation, redness and irritation from breakouts, sun damage and environmental exposure
• Excess oil, acne-prone, seborrheic and unbalanced skin
• Enlarged pores and clogged pores
Select Ingredients Attributes & Advanced Skincare Technologies Utilized:

Jasmine Grandiflorum: Exotic, sensual and mesmerizing, Jasmine flowers grab the most attention during their fullest blooms at midnight. It takes about 8,000 hand-picked Jasmine blossoms to extract 1 ml of its essential oil. Studied and known for its ability to promote skin elasticity, increase skin's moisture content and cellular renewal while uplifting, calming and combating acne. Jasmine has antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic benefits and acts as a skin tonic for sensitive, hormonal, dry and irritated complexion.

Damask Rose: A hormonal skin balancer, Rose creates a feeling of calm and well-being. High in antioxidants, rich in vitamin C, it is excellent for reducing redness and skin inflammation. Rose possesses powerful healing, anti-aging and purifying properties since the ancient times.

Marine Microalgae Extract from Cylindrotheca Fusiformis: The sea has always been an immense source of precious materials, nutrients and inspiration to humanity as a whole. The origin of microalgae starts almost at the beginning of life itself. They are microscopic single-cell organisms that can survive independently, feed and multiply ensuring the functioning of major biological cycles and the maintenance of biodiversity on Earth.

• Strongly stimulates production of structural skin proteins. Rich in antioxidants, amino acids (EPA), Omega-3, minerals, sugars, carotenoids and peptides with incredible cell-renewal properties. • Offers soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits and is well-known for maintaining good skin condition and structure. Calms and plumps the skin. Healing and ideal for all skin conditions, from Rosacea to acne.

• A powerful anti-wrinkle active and antioxidant MARINE MICROALGAE acts to remove free radicals and helps prevent cell structure damage in the dermis layer. It stimulates the synthesis of collagen (a protein responsible for supporting skin growth and organisation) and elastin (helping to maintain skin elasticity, tone and texture).

Vitamin A: A potent antioxidant that converts to Retinol when absorbed by the skin, leading to increased collagen production and plumped skin.

Vitamin C: Brightens, tightens and repairs the skin. Protects, restores and increases the longevity of skin cells.

Coenzyme Q10: An antioxidant that aids in neutralizing free radicals and supports the building of Collagen and Elastin, both of which reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Helps diminish the appearance of discoloration caused by the sun damage.

Distinct African Oil Complex (Kalahari Melon, Mongongo And Marula): Forms an oil matrix that allows incorporation of high levels of Omegas 3, 6 & 9 to penetrate deep into the skin, helping to restructure and regenerate damaged cells.

Baobab: Superior concentration of Omegas 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids help maintain the integrity of skin cell membrane. High Vitamin C content (6 times more than an orange) assists with skin elasticity. Vitamins A & B firm, tighten and hydrate skin.

Active Botanicals: African Immortelle - Helichrysum, Calendula, Rosehip, Primrose: Rich in powerful antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and lipids which help smooth, heal, soothe, decrease inflammation and prevent irritation.

African Bush & Desert Plants: Utilizing a unique botanical maceration process that takes weeks, we harness the potency of African indigenous plants: Resurrection, HoneyBush, Bulbinella and Rooibos which help soothe inflamed, dry, irritated skin, relieving itchiness. These botanicals are rich in many antihistamines and are renowned for their reparative benefits, improving and correcting the appearance of even the most irritable, inflamed, sunburned and damaged skin.

Claims: Over a period of 2 months, the wrinkle depth decreases by 10.4%, and the wrinkle volume decreases by 12% when compared to the original skin condition. In just 24 hours builds 20% more collagen (Tests performed on active ingredient).
Ingredients: Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)* Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula)* Seed Oil, Jasmine Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Adansonia Digitata*, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Rosa Moschata (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyseride, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis (Microalgae) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Helichrysum Angustifolium (Immortelle) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Myrothamnus Flabellifolius (Resurrection) Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos)* Extract, Bulbinella Nutens (Bulbinella) Extract, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo)* Oil, Cyclopia (Honeybush) Extract, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Calendula Officinalis (Marigold) Flower Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Retinol (Vitamin A),  Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract. *Wild-Harvested. Not tested on animals.
Overall Assessment: This is, unquestionably, the anti-aging luxury oil that has set the bar so high that it will be a long long time before anything comes close to it. It is a peerless luxury oil that boasts supreme efficacy, is a delight to the senses, and it leaves skin luminous and nourished. Furthermore, it effectively heals inflamed and traumatized skin, increases skin cell turnover, bolsters collagen production, softens the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and leaves skin with a pronounced clarity and a youthful glow. Simply put, it does far more than simply leave skin soft, smooth, supple, hydrated and nourished. This visionary formula earns an A+++!

$250.00 for 1 oz. from African Botanics, Cult Beauty, Credo Beauty, Violet Grey and Net-A-Porter (Affiliate Links).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2016 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

25 comments:

  1. I wish this would be at SpaceNK so that I could try a sample. This sounds fantastic but since I've had issues with vitamin C in products and am allergic to roses, I am hesitant to purchase it without testing. Some products with these ingredients don't give my a problem while others do. There doesn't seem to be a way besides testing that I can determine which will be the case.

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    1. I really hope that Space NK stocks all of their new products because they are truly exceptional straight across the board!

      I suspect that you wouldn't be reactive to the Vitamin C since it is far enough down the list, but there is no way to know for sure unless you try it. The various roses are the 5th and 6th ingredients, and again there's no way to know whether your skin would become active without actually trying it. I am hoping that African Botanics will eventually sell travel sizes like TATCHA does– that way it will be so much easier to try them out before buying the full-size products.

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    2. Tatcha's travel sizes are pure genius! Not only are they perfect for testing out products, each one is refillable so no need to continue buying the smaller sizes once you find what fits your skin. In fact, I just ordered the travel size of the new-ish sunscreen today.

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    3. They really are pure genius. I just keep refilling them over and over again! Their sunscreen is really quite special!

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  2. I've just begun using facial oils and am loving the results so far. I've been eyeing African Botanics Neroli infused Marula Oil - apparently it's great for acne.

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    1. Facial oils are absolutely amazing for the skin, and there are so many different varieties. Their Neroli Infused Marula Oil has been among my very favorite oils for quite a while, and it definitely works wonders on combination skin. I have heard that people with acne have found good results with it, and this new Fleurs d"Afrique Oil is also excellent for acne-prone skin.

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  3. It sounds amazing, though I would worry that some of the ingredients would trigger on my sensitive skin.

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    1. It is amazing, Courtney! It is actually very healing, and works wonders on sensitive skin, and irritated skin prone to inflammation.

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  4. Wow, this sounds amazing. How strong is the fragrance of it?

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    1. It's kind of insane how amazing this oil is. The scent is neither cloying, nor in the least overpowering, and it does fade away altogether after about 15 minutes or so.

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  5. I'm a huge fan of face oils so I definitely want to try this!

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    1. Then you would absolutely lose your mind over this one, Jamie! It is a definite game-changer!

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  6. Ohmigoodness, you have convinced me, Helen, that Fleurs d'Afrique is a special oil indeed. I hope that this beautiful oil expands beyond net-a-porter so that I may someday get to try a sample. Their claims are very impressive. I know my skin could benefit from this one.

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    1. It really is, Allison! It is, by far, the most impressive antioxidant-rich anti-aging beauty oil that I have used, to date. It really is a very special oil, indeed! Yes, I agree, and hope that Space NK and other retailers will stock this wonderful oil. I hope that African Botanics begins to sell travel sizes like TATCHA does because that is such a great way for people to try luxury products to figure out which products are the best fit for their skin! I definitely think that you would love this face oil, and think that your dry skin would thrive using it!

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  7. I need this for sure! My skin is a PITA and I always look for new things to help

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    1. I think that you would definitely see results with this amazing oil!

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  8. Does it have a strong scent? That kind of thing is a trigger for me - I can't use stuff with very strong scents.

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    1. It's not too strong, and it fades away after 10-15 minutes. It's warm and earthy and stays pretty close to the skin before it fades away. I suspect that it would not be a trigger scent, but of course you would have to smell it to make that determination.

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  9. This sounds so incredible! Another perfect review, I must add.

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    1. Thank you so much for such high praise, Bailey! That means so much to me! It really is a masterpiece of a beauty oil!

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  10. Oh wow, sounds pretty amazing :-O

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  11. You sold me on the claims that it regulates hormonal skin, but the price tag is a bit steep. I would definitely be interested in trying a sample though!

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    1. It's definitely not an inexpensive beauty oil, but it really does a stellar job living up to its claims! I think the they are going to make samples at some point, but it won't even launch until next month! I think that you would really love this oil!

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  12. This sounds like it would work for my aging skin as well as my daughter's hormonal skin!

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