Boscia Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel

When almost all of my skincare products ran out last November, I had a series of huge Sephora orders and purchases.  One of the items that I ordered from their website was the brand new face cream from Bosica, the Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel.  I believe that Kose was the first skincare line to use black tints in their products and about a year ago, I saw that Boscia was following suit.  The original black mask from Boscia must have done very weel for the company since over the past few months, a whole facial line of black products have emerged, with the face gel being the latest one.

I should have bought this product in the summer, I wanted to it so bad when it came out and then when I bought it, I realized that I wasn't thinking and that I bought a face gel for the winter (not the greatest idea for my skin).  I used it a few times in early November and really liked it but by the beginning of December, my skin was too dry for it to provide full hydration.  Needless to say, I have put this product aside for the moment and plan to start using it again in May. 

Sephora gives a full product description of the product.  "A cooling moisturizer with an ultra-light gel texture.  This hydrating gel refines skin texture and brightens and clarifies the complexion while minimizing the look of pores, both instantly and over time.  This gel contains a range of powerful ingredients.  Artichoke leaf extract improves elasticity to help tighten pore walls.  Charcoal absorbs excess oil and impurities as it detoxifies.  Glycolic acid helps clarify skin and smooth rough texture.  Vitamin C helps brighten skintone and minimize fine lines as it defends from free radical damage." 

This product is housed in what is now my favorite type of container.  I first ran into this type of container when I used Kate Somerville face products and I am glad that other companies are beginning to adopt this type of packaging.  Instead of dipping my fingers into the jar, there is a top on the jar that is pushed down and automatcially dispenses the perfect amount of product to use all over my fave.  This is great for products that contain Vitamin C or any other type of natural or organic ingredient since it helps to keep the formula stable and will allow it to last longer.  When products with this type of formulation are exposed to the air, they begin to degrade and breakdown very quickly, rendering the product useless after several months time.  I hope this is where the packaging industry is going to go over the next few years...

The product itself is a lightweight gel with a black tint and a bit of gold shimmer in the formula.  The formula absorbed quickly and easily into my skin, with no residue left at the end.  It leaves a bit of a tingling feeling after application and this didn't bother me the first few times that I used it but began to as my skin got drier and drier as the weather changes.  It left my skin soft and smooth, no complaints there but this formula just isn't enough in the winter months.  It helped to brighten and clarify my skin, applying this over Clarin Vital Light Serum enhanced that formula and really lit up my skin. 

This gel is best for warmer weather months for me, I am just putting it to the side at the moment since I need a stronger face cream.  I could see this product working very well year round for someone with normal or oily skin and I would recommend to anyone with one of these types of skin.

photo courtesy of Boscia

Boscia Willowbark Breakout Treatment

A few months ago I wrote up the Murad Acne Spot Treatment and praised how gentle it was on my skin.  Instead of making the healing look worse than the blemish itself, that formulation worked slowly but surely and cleared up my skin without creating a dry, red mess.  I finished up my tube of that and decided to try another acne product that is also formulated without benzoyl peroxide or other drying ingredients.  Which is not the easiest task, most of the ones in Sephora contained at least one of the ingredients that doesn't work well with my skin.  I decided to concentrate my efforts on the skincare lines that have earned the Sephora seal for being natural and ended up quickly finding a product in the Boscia line of skincare.

The Willowbark Breakout Treatment really intrigues me because this is the first anti-acne product that contains active plant ingredients that help combat the blemished areas.  "A botanically-based spot treatment for acne blemishes.  Botanical willowbark helps provide relief from breakouts effectively and safely, even for the most sensitive skin.  This unique anti-irritant calms inflammation while soapberry peal cleans and purifies.  A combination of jojoba leaf and Vitamins C and E work with other effective ingredients to help reduce redness, control oil, maintain a clear complexion, and combat free radicals.  Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin."  This product is ideal for use twice a day in order to be most effective.

This acne treatment is even less irritating than the Murad formula, which I really like.  My face showed no signs of irritation even when I got product way outside of the blemished area.  This product is not for you if you want a quick fix for a blemish, it took an average of three to four days for the healing process to be complete.  As with the Murad formula, this product excelled at reducing the redness faster than the blemish itself, it made the whole area less noticeable and much easier to cover up.  This might no hold true for everyone, I have reactions to many traditional anti-acne ingredients and the reaction most often manifests in dryness and major redness.  I have already stated that my biggest skincare concern is redness so I would much rather have a formula that takes longer to fully work but doesn't destroy my skin in the meantime.

I really liked the results that I got from this product and I would recommend it but only for others with skin like myself.  This product is very effective for those of us with more sensitive skin and not a ton of breakouts.  however with how slowly this product works, I cannot see that it would be effective for someone with moderate to severe acne, I think that a more traditional formula would give them much better results.  This product is best for those of us who only get the occasional hormonal or stress-related breakout, not for someone who puts acne at the top of their skin issues.

My last thought on this product: I recommend the smaller version of this product.  I made the mistake of buying the large pump bottle instead of the pen.  Well, the large bottle pumps so much product out that I apply it to blemishes and then still have at least half of the pump left.  I imagine that the pen would get rid of this issue.  It is good thing that this product is not irritating since I have often ended up with it all over the blemish and the areas around it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15

Since I finished up my stint with the Entre Derm Face Creams, I went out to find another one that is also appropriate for the warmer weather.  This time of the year, I am looking for a lightweight hydrator that is recommended for combination skin.  I need something that helps to control oil in my T-Zone but stills provides adequate moisture for my cheek area.  And if I can find something that is made for sensitive skin and contains more natural ingredients, that is a plus.  Boscia was my choice this time around for skincare and the sales associate at Sephora was great with telling me all about this brand and recommending me the correct product.  This isn't a line that I normally gravitate towards but I wanted to try something different and see all the products that this Japanese line has to offer. 

Boscia is one of the few lines that has removed all preservatives from their skincare and has created their own blend for skin that is beautiful and never irritated by chemicals.  I found some information on the Sephora website about the background of this company and the background around their ground breaking product line.  "Boscia has long believed that stress, sun damage, lack of sleep, diet, exercise, and hormonal fluctuations all tell a story that comes to light on the skin.  Therefore, they strive to help clear the picture and reduce the need for makeup to cover flaws.  If the goal is healthy, eye-catching skin - the kind that's luminous, dewy, and naturally even-toned - then the conduit should be equally healthy skincare.  Using a patent-pending combination of botanicals, Boscia's preservative-free formulas function with this healthy objective in mind.  They have long-lasting antibacterial properties that rejuvenate chemically fatigued skin to bring back its natural glow, while combating aging in the most gentle, proactive way possible."

My choice from this line is the Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 moisturizer, one of the day creams in this line.  "An ultra-light moisturizer with SPF 15.  Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 controls shine, refines pores, provides continual moisture, and fights signs of aging.  This skincare essential multitasks by protecting the skin against harmful UVA/UVB rays, external pollution, and environmental stress.  It is packed with oil moderating botanicals that offer both anti-bacterial benefits and intensive hydration.  Pores and lines are minimized, leaving a smooth, healthy look and feel.  This formula is 100% preservative free.  Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin."

So far, I have been using this product for about 2 and half weeks and I haven't any type of complaint.  the texture is smooth and is a bit thinner than many of the creams that I have worked with.  I can't comment on the anti-aging benefits of course but the pore minimizing benefits are very much present.  The lotion lays down a smooth finish and helps to reduce the appearance of pores and makes it easier to avoid foundation (in the warm weather I tend to give up on it) and just spot conceal problems areas of my face.  The matte effect lasts from the morning until about mid afternoon, I do need to begin touching up with Blotting Linens (Boscia, of course!) around lunch time and will continue throughout the day.  I don't get all day wear from this product, which is one of the few downfalls from it.  If my skin was oilier, I would need a whole separate primer to minimize oil.  The product is great for balancing the oily and dry areas, but doesn't help to reduce the appearance of any redness. 

My absolute least favorite part of this product?  The SPF 15!  Why can't we have either a SPF 30 or no SPF at all so I can really layer with my own sunblock.  I know that SPF 15 is fine for incidental sun exposure but for a product that is made for sensitive skin, SPF 15 normally is not enough.  This company targeted this product for more sensitive skin types so I would thought that they would have put a much better SPF in this product.  I love the preservative-free formula and the texture of this product but the lack of proper SPF really annoys me with this product.

Even though my comments about the SPF aren't exactly complimentary, I actually like this product and the stand that the company takes on preservatives in their skincare.  Based on the SPF, I would be more interested in the line for night creams and other facial products like face washes and masks.

Boscia Blotting Linens

The past few days the weather has been in the mdi to high 70s and the humidity factor is off the chart.  Practically overnight, my skin went from being dry after applying face lotion to any oily T-zone that hasn't needed lotion in a day.  In addition to my skincare and makeup, I use another product to help with the oilness in this area.  This product is the Boscia Blotting Linens, an easy touch-up for oily areas throughout the day.

Sephora categorizes this product as, "Handy blotting sheets for easy touch-ups".  A few more details from the company are, "Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens absorb excess oil and banish shine without disturbing your makeup.  These 100% natural linen, preservative-free facial blotting papers will keep you looking matte and lovely, all day long.  Their compact holder slips easily into your purse, pocket, or desk drawer."  They are ideal for all skin types including sensitive. 

This product comes in three versions: Green Tea, Lavender, and Original formula.  I purchased the Green Tea formula from Sephora because this is one of the ones that was recommended for sensitive skin.  The Original formula is suitable for all skin types.  Both the Green Tea and Lavender are recommended for senstive skin.  The Green Tea formulation is oil control for sensitive skin.  The Lavender version is formulated for calming and balancing sensitive skin. 

I am very happy with the Green Tea version of this product.  One blotting linen is more than enough to sop up all the oil on my T-Zone area and it has never irritated my skin so far.  I like that it doesn't remove my malkeup and leaves a smooth, oil-free finish on my face.  I keep this product in my purse at all times, the small package is easy enough to slip into a clutch so I really can carry this everywhere. 

I love the Green Tea version of this product however, I must say that I am interested in the Lavander version  and how different the "calming and balancing" aspect of that product will be on my skin.  Since this product is not absrobed into the skin, I can't see how effective this could be.  I am wondering if contains essential oils that can control pH or heat in the skin...

photo courtesy of Sephora