I can’t tell you how many times a month I get an email that says: “I want to try SHINE for my dark spots, but I’m afraid it will break me out. Help!”
These aren’t teenagers; they’re women of all ages. That’s because acne is always a concern, regardless of age.
And we’re all a little afraid of face oils, aren’t we? Some customers are even afraid of WINK, because it’s an oil.
Thankfully, the beauty community’s perception of oils is quickly changing from scary to necessary, because oils are necessary for skin’s health. However, when your skin produces excess oil (sebum), it can result in acne. Additionally, some oils are more or less comedogenic than others–meaning some will definitely cause acne, while others won’t. So how can we know the difference?
The standard rule is for those with acne-prone skin to avoid high oleic carrier oils.
If you’re still saying huh?! and our acne-approved oil guide didn’t help either, keep reading.
Today I want to introduce you to a facial oil that is perfect for those with any skin type–and especially great from those with oily or combination skin: Herbivore’s Lapis Facial Balancing Oil.
First Impressions: Herbivore Lapis Facial Balancing Oil
Herbivore is one of those skincare companies you just can’t resist; clean, luxurious ingredients, beautiful modern, minimalist packaging and a cool founding team to boot–they really have it all.
One of the very “millenial” things that Herbivore does is infusing gemstones and crystals into every blend.
Lapis contains Lapis Lazuli–the blue Egyptian stone–as well as blue tansy and Azulene (from the blue tansy). The liquid is truly blue. It carries a scent that I can’t quite put my finger on, but I attribute it to the blue tansy.
For $72 you get 50ml. It’s expensive, but it’s definitely a luxury item. The experience of using Lapis is.. indulgent, to say the least.
Expectations and Ingredients: Herbivore Lapis Facial Balancing Oil
As for how and if it works, let’s talk about the expectations set by Herbivore. They claim that Lapis is a facial oil for oily skin:
Facial Oil for Oily Skin? Often times when we over-wash our skin and do not moisturize thoroughly, it overcompensates by producing more oil and sebum leading to oilier skin and clogged pores. Our facial oils are made with 100% natural and pure plant oils that will thoroughly hydrate your skin without clogging pores so that it can stop producing excess oil and find the balance it needs. In short, yes, oily skin needs moisture too and is often dehydrated, leading to dry patches and the overcompensation of oil and sebum.
Great. So far, so good.
As for expectations:
Concentrated Moisture. In contrast to traditional cream moisturizers and lotions which tend to be high in water and emulsifying agents but low in effective ingredients, our facial oils contain no fillers and are formulated with only effective natural ingredients. They absorb easily to get moisture, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants into your skin. Additionally, they form a natural lipid barrier to lock moisture in and protect against dryness and heat in the environment.
Again, fantastic. I truly formulate all of my own products following the sample principles, so I am down with everything they’re saying and it really does ring true chemically.
I’m falling more in love with Herbivore, already!
Wear & Tear: Herbivore Lapis Facial Balancing Oil
When it came to actually using Lapis, it was perfect. Almost too perfect. The balancing oil did just that: it balanced and moisturized my skin, so that in the morning my skin felt perfectly moist without being oily.
I was starting to feel some jealousy creeping in.
They had perfect packaging, a luxury price point, and set very good expectations on what the product could do.
They had to screw up somewhere, right? I mean I am over here falling in love!!
Onto ingredients:
Full list of ingredients: Amaranthus Squalane Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Capric Triglycerides (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Nut Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Tanacetum annuum (Blue Tansy) Leaf Oil, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Absolute, Rosa Damascena (Moroccan Rose) Absolute.
And it all started to make sense to me.
I’m not saying this formulation isn’t perfect.
It is the essence of perfection.
Lapis’ #1 ingredient is Squalane derived from Amaranth, which I discussed in depth on a previous blog about squalane and how/why we began to include it into WINK’s formulation. Squalane is TRULY the most amazing ingredient you’ve never heard of!
Squalane, paired with Jojoba oil, for amazing penetration, then fractionated coconut oil (which I could do without), kukui nut oil, vitamin E, blue tansy, jasmine and rosa damascena (a main ingredient in REWIND).
This formulation LITERALLY sounds like WINK with a side of SHINE and REWIND.
Lapis is a deeply penetrating, balancing mix of Vitamin E and necessary-for-healthy-skin, non-pore-clogging essential fatty acids. It’s made with quality ingredients and continued, dedicated use will show the results of these hand-picked, high-quality ingredients.
A dream.
Takeaways: Herbivore Lapis Facial Balancing Oil
I’m ready to run to the top of the nearest hill and scream, “I LOVE HERBIVORE AND I DON’T CARE WHO KNOWS!!”
Smitten.
I love this brand, their packaging, formulations and everything they stand for.
Lapis is an amazing, luxurious addition to my nightly routine (following my new-found cystic acne sniper by NERD skincare) and a truly amazing, one-of-a-kind skincare find.
Personally, I cannot wait for the newest brands of beauty to take hold of the market! If Herbivore is any reflection of what’s to come, I have very high hopes for the future of skincare.
Oh, did I mention they’re in Sephora?
Go Herbivore!
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