In a booming green beauty market, what most sets Sola Skincare apart, to me, is that their products incorporate not only Western plants and herbs, but also less common traditional Chinese herbs and ingredients. One of Sola's founders is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and that extensive knowledge base is evident in a lot of the company's formulations.
I've been trying out two of Sola's products over the last couple months and I'm eager to share my thoughts on them. Also, make sure you read to the end to enter to win some Sola Skincare goodies for yourself!
Balancing Face Oil
Sola's Balancing Face Oil* blends together healing plant oils and Chinese herbs to balance and nourish the skin. Argan, tamanu, camelina, sweet almond, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed oils serve as a hydrating and healing base for zhen zhu mu (mother of pearl), dang gui (Chinese angelica root), zhi mu (anemarrhena root), sheng di huang (Chinese foxglove root), and ru xiang (frankincense resin) -- ingredients known in Chinese medicine to improve micro-circulation, clear heat and inflammation, and provide important vitamins and nutrients to the skin. The blend also includes antioxidant vitamin E and soothing and regenerative carrot seed, lavender, and sandalwood essential oils. The oil absorbs well and sinks in pretty quickly, making it great for both morning and night use.
To my nose, the herbs are definitely noticeable and the oil is a little pungent. If you've used Chinese herbs before, or even just walked into a Chinese medicine or herb shop, the oil smells, to me, like a concentrated version of that. It's earthy, herbal, and just a little bitter. Not necessarily my favorite scent in the world, but it doesn't linger beyond the first couple minutes, and the performance of the oil is definitely worth getting used to the scent.
My cheeks are prone to clogged pores and congestion - something I've talked about many times before - and I saw a noticeable difference in that area right from the first use. I applied the oil before bed and woke up with cleaner-looking, less noticeable pores on my cheeks, and all over glowing skin. An oil, obviously, can't actually change your pore size, but this blend keeps them least looking tighter and more refined. Over time, I've also noticed my skin becoming more even in tone, and started seeing less redness after several weeks of using the Balancing Oil too!
I've tried a lot of oils in these last five years blogging and the Balancing Face Oil would rank right up there in my top 5.
Lavender & Adzuki Cleansing Grains
The Lavender & Adzuki Cleansing Grains* are also a solid product, though they didn't quite incite the immediate swooning reaction of the oil. Made with only oats, adzuki beans, and lavender, the Cleansing Grains offer gentle cleansing and exfoliation without being harsh or overly abrasive, or effecting the moisture balance of the skin.
Dry, the grains have a delicate lavender scent, but once moistened, I more so notice the earthiness of the adzuki beans coming through. The grains work well on their own, just mixed with a little water, and I also like mixing them into another cleanser for an added boost. Either way, my skin is left feeling calm, clean, and super soft!
GIVEAWAY
I've teamed up with Sola Skincare to give one of you a Sola Sampler Set! The set includes mini sizes of almost all of Sola's products -- the Balancing Face Oil and Lavender & Adzuki Cleansing Grains that I tried, as well as Sola's Rose Hydrosol, Calendula & Rose Cleansing Grains, Coconut Deodorant, Bare Bum Balm, and Soft Skin Balm.
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| Photo Credit |
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Press sample
I'm so excited to try the Balancing Face oil! I have mild rosacea and am hoping this can remove the 'heat' from my face!
ReplyDeletethe face oil and the deo
ReplyDeleteI'm always on the hunt for a good natural deodorant so I'd be really excited to try that!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try the Rose Hydrosol.
ReplyDeletethe deodorant!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the Lavender & Adzuki Cleansing Grains.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try the balancing face oil, it sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteFace oil sounds amazing
ReplyDeleteFace oil sounds amazing
ReplyDeleteId love to try the balancing face oil
ReplyDeleteI have tried a few of Sola's products and have been blown away by the results, would love to try the rest of their products!
ReplyDeleteThey are awesome products - had no idea about the cleansing grains - I must try them!
ReplyDelete