Best Places to Buy Frankincense Resins and the Best Frankicense Essential Oils of 2024

This is long post.  If you don't have time to read my musings about frankincense, but just want some recommendations on where to buy it, skip to the end.  You're busy, I get it.  But if you have time to read some of what I have learned about frankincense over the years, please enjoy this post and read it all! It might make you think more about who you buy from and how much you buy. 

Where does Frankincense Come From?

• Boswellia trees have a wound defense mechanism that produces a sap that turns into resin.  This resin is Frankincense, and is further turned into other prized products.

 Where do Boswellia Trees Grow?

• Over a dozen Boswellia tree species grow naturally along these third-world areas (see Figure 1, image D for a super cool map) of Africa and Asia.  In Africa, these trees are family-owned, family-operated, and family-harvested. As a result of some things going wrong (see below), some people believe that many of the Boswellia species are in danger.
• Did you know that a few Boswellia trees are growing successfully in Arizona and Florida by individuals who love the species and are trying to preserve them?
• Perhaps they could also be grown in the deserts of California, Texas, Mexico, Brazil, Corsica, and South America!

How is Frankincense harvested?

• Hardworking, third-world persons face the harsh elements (including hiking and climbing long distances) to travel to the places where the Boswellia trees grow, and then strategically cut the trees to trigger the Boswellia trees to send their sap to fix their wounds.  
• Then they wait (often camping nearby) for the frankincense resin to be hard enough to collect.
• Then the collection begins.  
• With their precious resin collected, these persons sell it individually or combine their harvest with others sell it as a community, co-op, ect. to big suppliers (or sometimes direct buyers).
• Then the resins often go through many sorting and trading hands before they end up on your doorstep.   

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

• Fair trade practices are ignored or implemented improperly.
• Exploitation of women sorters.
• Tree mismanagement (either improper tree care or overharvesting)
• Thieves (harms both people and trees)
• Drought
• Animal foraging and trampling
• Pest infestation (burrowing beetles)
• Deforestation
• War
• Can you think of anything else that might go wrong? Comment below.

doTERRA; An Example of Fair Trade Gone Wrong!

So, doTERRA is a mega-producer of essential oils.  They do try to care about fair-trade and sustainability.  But frankincense is one oil that they just plain messed up in, and they messed up so bad, for so many years, that I predict they will forever rue the day they partnered with a crook.  I'm not going to go into all the details (maybe I will in later post).  You can read more about it here.

Basically, doTERRA handed over a huge sum of money to Asli Maydi company with the charge to fairly pay all those involved in the harvest and sorting of the frankincense resins of Somaliland, build and maintain a hospital, and some schools.  Then they posted all sorts of claims about fairness and sustainability and traceability on their website. 

What really happened is that the Asli Maydi owner (Barkhad Hassan) was actually a crook who mishandled the money, the trees, the people, and the charity builds.

And while the sadder-but-wiser doTERRA is trying rectify the situation, how can you fix YEARS worth of mismanagement, poor trade, and exploitation of people and trees?  doTERRA is in over their heads and not truly repairing or back-paying any of the harvesters or sorters.  Why?  Because surprise, surprise, that information wasn't properly documented in the first place because they put their trust in corrupt people to do it for them!

Trade Smaller and Better

While I wish I could say that this doTERRA fiasco is the exception rather than the norm, how are we to really know.  The most important parts (harvesting and sorting) of the trade are basically untraceable and unregulatable IF your are buying mass quantities of resin.  Truly, the only way to trace better is to trade on a smaller, more personal scale.  And that drives up the price.  But if the price isn't driven up, then who is really paying for the true price of frankincense?  It's the caretakers, harvesters, and sorters who truly pay the most!  They truly have earned a fair wage.  It is time to start paying it.

So as we forward into my recommendations of where to buy frankincense, I plead with you to:

• Buy with awareness of the trade and the species and a purpose.
• Use your purchase of frankincense sparingly.

Now getting back to what brought you here is the first place, buying frankincense.

The Best Frankincense Resin Sellers of 2024:

Boswellness:  My number one recommendation to buy the frankincense resins of Carterii and Frereana is Boswellness.  Boswellness is actually making a difference in Somaliland, and has been even before doTerra dominated the Somaliland market.  That is something that Somaliland desperately needs after doTerra's corrupt EX-supplier Barkhad Hassan massively ripped off any tribe of Somaliland that he traded with, and then fled the country.

Apothecary’s Garden: Dan Riegler is a thousand times more knowledgeable and in love with frankincense than I will ever be!  He sells 17 different types of frankincense resins.  If your looking to expand your resin collection past the typical Carterii, Frereana, and Sacra, then Dan's the man!  He also is one that freely shares his knowledge of how to use these resins.

Mountain Rose Herbs: For frankincense resins of Sacra.

The Best Frankincense Essential Oils of 2024:

I need to preface this by letting you know that if you are buying frankincense for any illness related to inflammation, you would be better served to utitlize the whole resin, as the essential oil does not retain any boswellic acids.

The only companies I am including in this showdown are Plant Therapy, Revive, and Edens Garden (they offer free shipping and can compete with Amazon).  These calculations are based on the gc/ms reports of what they currently have in stock.  For a time, I was wary of Revive, but they are now being tested by Robert Pappas once again, so are back on my good side.  Other companies that I would trust include Nature's Gift, Eden Botanicals, Kokokahn, Desrosiers International, and Rocky Mountain Oils.

Frankincense Serrata Winner: Tie between Edens Garden and the organic version Plant Therapy.

Frankincense Carterii Winner: Tie between Revive (not the certified one) and Edens Garden.

Frankincense Sacra Winner: Revive

Frankincense C02 is another realm entirely, and I don't know how to effectively judge those.  But the one from Edens Garden had 20.38% Serratol, which is jaw-dropping and almost scary medically.

the best lavender essential oils of 2023

I use lavender essential oil quite a bit and although it's not my favorite scent or oil, I believe from reading journal articles that lavender is one of the most tested and proven therapeutic essential oils.  It's also a great base for many blends.  When I ran out of my doTERRA lavender oil (I don't purchase from doTERRA anymore for ethical reasons), I became obsessed with finding THE best lavender essential oil.  Oh, how many articles and GCMS reports I poured over!  I don't want to be the only one to benefit from all that research, so this post was born.  Enjoy!

I would trust ALL of the following lavender essential oils to be pure, unadulterated, undiluted, and high quality.  Seriously!  I combed through their description and GCMS reports, compared prices, and production dates.  No, I have not tried all of these, but I would be happy to have any of them.

best lavender essential oils budget picks ($1.00 or less per ml as of July 2023)

• Plant Therapy Organic Lavender from Greece/Bulgaria (May 2022)
• Simply Earth Bulgaria Lavender (March 2023)
• Revive French Lavender  (March 2020)
• Davina Wellness Bulgaria Lavender (October 2020)

very best lavender essential oils overall

• Edens Garden Bulgarian Lavender
• Revive Organic Greek Certified Lavender

noteworthy picks

• Rocky Mountain Lavender from Greece/France (Mar 2023)
• Kokokahn high altitude French Lavender from Provence, France
• Nature's Gift High Altitude Wild from Provence, France (Feb 2023)

fun lavender sets

• Edens Garden lavender 3 set or go crazy with the lavender 6 set
• Revive lavender trio

Ever wondered how to make sense of those big words on GCMS reports?  Hopefully, the following guide will help you.  I'm not an expert chemist, but I am an expert consumer and I don't click "buy"  on essential oils without feeling good about it.  The following are key things to look for in lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) GCMS compound percentages:

• Linalool:  Normal range is 25-40%.
• Linalyl acetate: Normal range is 25-45%.
• Lavandulyl acetate:  Normal range is 2-4%.   Super low percentages of lavandulyl acetate could be a red flag for adulteration. Super high quality, unique lavenders have higher than 4%, but this is not typical.
• Terpinen-4-ol:  Normal range is 2-6%.  Terpinen-4-ol supposedly provided immune support.
• Beta carophyllene: Look for 2% or more to benefit skin
• Camphor: 1% or less
• 1,8-Cineole: 1% or less
• Borneol: 1% or less

Lavender is often adulterated with the cheaper and lower quality lavadin which is usually higher in camphor, or with synthetic linalool or synthetic linalyl acetate.

I would love to hear about your experiences with lavender oil and specific brands!

Sans Pareil Nilotica Shea Butter Review

UPDATE:  Lab results are in and most of the values look great.  Free Fatty Acids are borderline at 3.5% and unsaponifiable matter is not even measured.  My view is that if you are set on getting shea nilotica that you can purchase from San Pareil or Viva Naturals (I used to not recommend Viva but they do have a fresh batch in and so it might not be rancid like the batch I initially got).  If you are okay with West African shea butter, then I suggest you go with one of my recommended brands since West African shea butter is not as pricey as East African (Nilotica) shea butter.

UPDATE:  I don't know what the laboratory analysis is for this brand of shea butter, so I am unsure as to whether or not it is truly superior quality.  All of its physical properties indicate that it is high quality, but lab results are important.

Okay, let's start off with a brand of rare shea butter that is well-sourced, put together, transparent, and currently well-priced--Sans Pareil Shea Butter.

Source:  Uganda
Processing Method: Cold-pressed
Ethics: Fair-trade & Sustainable
Butter Aesthetics:  Cream Colored & Smooth
Performance:  Highly Absorbable & Light Outer Protective Layer
Brand Aesthetics:  Transparent, Traceable, and Top-Notch
Buy at: Sans Pareil Naturals Website or Amazon

Sans Pareil Shea butter is from Uganda.  Ugandan shea butter, or East African shea butter, or Nilotica shea butter, is from the species Vitellaria Nilotica.  Nilotica shea butter has more oleic content than western shea butter from the species Vitellaria Paradoxa.  This means it is smoother and melts faster.

Regarding their processing methods, San Pareil reports:

Best Shea Butter: The Ultimate Shea Butter Review

A sampling of the shea butter I have tried

Before reading my micro reviews on shea butter brands, please consider the following:

1. Shea butter quality varies from batch to batch.  Region, rainfall, and processing methods are all significant quality factors.
2. Brands of shea butter can switch their supplier and this effects quality.  For example, Naissance (wonderful company) recently switched suppliers and unfortunately, the new batch does not have good Free Fatty Acid results but their previous supplier's batch had phenomenal lab results.
3. Fresh high quality shea butter should look, feel, and smell a certain way.  It should be light ivory beige, have a fondant-like texture, and smell slightly earthy, nutty, sweet, or smokey.
4. Laboratory analysis is the only way to confirm that a batch is high quality with solid levels of unsaponifiable matter. 

Just because I recommend a certain brand right now, the next batch of shea butter that they get in might not be up to quality standards.  And vice versa! ;)  That being said, a brand that values high quality shea butter AND understands how it should be processed AND understand the value of laboratory testing SHOULD ensure that all the shea butter they distribute is truly high quality.  I'm still searching for such a brand.  ;)  If you have found one, please comment!

Now for the mini reviews!  Once again, this review only pertains to the batch that I ordered.  I recommend you do your own research on the brand's current batch of inventory before ordering.

Review KEY:
Smile = Recommended

Frown = NOT recommended

$! = Pricey  

Stikethrough = No longer in production
FFA = Free Fatty Acids
Unsaps = Unsaponifiable Matter

Brands I have tried:
Ancient Health Remedies ☹ Excessive FFA 7.12% WWW supplier
Anjou Naturals
Beuna Skin ☹$!  Unresponsive company.
Bulk Naturals Etsy --waiting on lab analysis--
Dr. Ferrin's ☹ Company unresponsive & WWW seems to be supplier.
Green Leaf Naturals ☹ No lab testing available
Karitex 😊☹ My first batch was great with smooth, light nutty sweet scent.  BUT the second batch was smelling rancid and plasticy.  I transferred it to a new container and let it sit, then melted it and cooled it in the freezer.  It helped the smell.  This batch was also too soft/oily for me.  Super sad beause is is fair trade, certified organic, with excelly labs.  FFA 2.5-3.5% and Unsaps 7-10% YEAH!  Can also buy bulk on their website.
Kate Blanc Cosmetics Borderline FFA 3.46%.  Unsaps not measured.
Naissance:  A favorite brand of mine BUT their new supplier's unrefined butter has FFA 6.45%.  However, the clay refined butter labs are great with unsaps at 5%.  Company is fair trade.
Nubian Heritage ☹ Very rancid.
PURE by Rachelle Parker ☹ Company won't provide analysis.
Rise N Shine ☹ FFA too high 4.48%
Sans Pareil Naturals 😊 Very fresh batch of Shea Nilotica. Borderline FFA 3.5%

SheaTerra Organics $! --waiting on analysis--
Slice of Nature (East Shea Oil)
Smell Good 😊 So far the only company with satisfactory lab analysis that has low levels of FFA and Peroxide, with moderate levels of unsaponifiable matter 4.06%. Most economically priced and claim to be fair trade.

Superior Shea: 😊$! Fresh 2018 batch with Unsaps 5.63% and low FFA 0.96% with strong smell.  Fair trade for sure.  But shipping makes it $22/lb which is steep.
Viva Naturals ☹ Jar was nearing exp and rancid. However, since then they have bought a new batch of shea nilotica and I am considering a purchase.  It would be identical to Sans Pareil Naturals because Guru Nanak is the manufacturer.

Zavebe ☹ Awfully rancid.

Brands that I've looked into (this is mostly for my own records):

Afrikinky Shea Butter: Waiting on labs. GSA member. Company unresponsive.
Alaffia: They don't test every batch, and their lab averages for FFA are btwn 1.07-8.56% and Unsaponifiable Fraction averages are 2.21 – 4.18%.
Anthony's Goods: Completely unresponsive
Baraka: Canadian company with really good lab readings.  Just wish unsaponifiables were higher than 2.06%
Better Shea Butter:  They only do cosmetic testing, which doesn't show unsaps.
Bramble Berry: Cold-pressed Refined Unsaponifiables 6% No returns.
Bulk Apothecary: Unsaps not measured on unrefined but refined Unsaps are 5.8 and FFA 0.20%
Coastal Scents: Doesn't do testing.
Daolus: Unresponsive, Nigerian, GSA member, waiting on labs.
Essential Depot: FFA too high 7.2!
FairTale Ghana: $! Very fair trade. Awesome labs but unsaps not measured.
From Nature with Love: Refined but consider the Unsaps 6.6% and FFA 0.010%.
Good Earth Spa: FFA 5.45% too high!
Green Factory: Waiting on labs.
Key West: Does not test their shea.
Mary Tylor Naturals: Labs really good. Unsaps possibly above 4% but not sure about the latest batch.
Liberty Natural Products: Good unsaponifiable matter levels 6-9% but current stock is pretty old although they regularly monitor their expiration dates.  I will most likely be ordering from them in the future.  Search "shea butter" and click on special yellow for the highest Unsaps.
Lotion Crafter: FFA too high 7.2%, unsaps not measured.
Naturise Good lab readings except low unsaponifiable Matter 1.4
Rustic Escentuals: High FFA 6.06% Unsaps not even measured

Shea Butter Source:  Canadian company that seems awesome but I have no labs. Have to buy a big box.
SheaGrowers:  Good labs, but unsaps not measured.
Sky Organics: Company unwilling to share lab results.
Soap Expressions Candlewic: Sold by gallon. Refined. Unsaps 5.8.
Village Shea Butter: Waiting on labs.
Yellow Brick Road: Company unresponsive with results.
Zaturals: FFA too high 5.04%.  Unsaps not measured.

If you are a company wanting to send me shea butter for review, please contact me using the form to the right.  I do have high standards and will require a copy of your (or your supplier's) lab results, also called Certificate of Analysis.  You can't sell shea butter as Grade A or Grade 1 without proof to back it up.

Why I love shea butter:
Shea butter has transformed my skin.  It's not that shea butter makes my skin flawless..it's that it makes my skin feel so healthy that I just don't enjoy the feel of makeup on my skin.  Which is really really odd for this make-up loving guru to say...because, hello, makeup is so fun!  But the bluntness in me cannot deny the change shea butter has made in my life.  I love good shea butter from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.

Jadience Vitality Anti-Aging Serum Review and GIVEAWAY

I'm super excited because this post is both a review and a GIVEAWAY.  Woohoo!

Today I am going to be reviewing the Vitality Anti-Aging Serum from Jadience Herbal Formulas.

This 1.75-ounce bottle of serum goes for $32.58 on Amazon right now.  Jadience sent me a bottle to review and is also going to send one lucky reader a bottle of this Vitality Anti-Aging Serum.  So don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this review.

I had never heard of Jadience until I became obsessed with finding skin care products that were completely pure and natural.  So who is Jadience?  They are an East-Asian company based in San Diego (all of their products are made in the USA).  Jadience roots their products in Traditional Oriental Medicine, particularly herbology and the ancient belief of the healing and beautifying power of Jade.  All of their skin and body products contain Jade powder.  They strive to "open  the door  to  the healthiest, most youthful, and most  rejuvenated condition possible without adverse side-effects, which often stem from improperly formulated products."

According to Jadience, this serum can:

• strengthen the skin
• rejuvenate the skin
• nourish the skin
• promote cellular regeneration of the skin

These four things can help your skin look young and refreshed.  This is what the Vitality Anti-Aging serum looks like.

Here is the ingredient list, followed with an explanation of why they used certain ingredients:

Ingredients: Herbal Extracts: (Angelica Root, Licorice Root, Euphoriae, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, White Peony, Ginseng, Wild Pansy, Szechwan Lovage Root) Aloe Vera, Water, Glycerin (Plant sources), Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum (Fermented Sugar), Green Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis), Natural Lemongrass Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate & Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Jade Powder

Angelica Root & Radix Polygoni Multiflori provide deep hydration and reduce the signs of aging. Euphoriae, White Peony, & Szechwan Lovage Root provide anti-aging properties and rejuvenate skin cells. Green Tea Extract (Camellia Sinensis) is a well known anti-oxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage....Jade has purifying and harmonizing properties.

This is a picture of my hand before and after applying this serum:

After two weeks of using this serum for 2x/day on my entire face, I have come up with this list of what I like about this serum:

• It is all natural.
• The herb extracts are wild-crafted and made fresh for every batch.
• It absorbs super fast.
• It makes my skin feel really soft, smooth and nourished.
• When I use this, I need less moisturizing oil.
• It smells nice.
• For a serum, it is fairly priced and I think the bottle will last a long time.

Here is what I don't like about this serum:

• It is hard for me to see or document any extreme difference in fine line and wrinkles.
• The bottle is too narrow and easy to knock over (I know, "picky, picky").

One thing that gives me pause in recommending this serum is that I don't see a huge difference in my skin from using this.  But then again, I am not super wrinkled anyway.  Perhaps continued use will give me more noticeable results.  However, the company says that I should be feeling and seeing a difference after a week.  This leads me into the second thing that gives me pause in recommending this serum; the return policy.

Even though the post description says things like "we guarantee you will see and feel the difference" and "we promise you won't be disappointed", when I emailed the company about the return policy, they said that their items on Amazon will adhere to the Amazon return policy.

Amazon return policy says, "You may return most new, unopened items sold and fulfilled by Amazon.com within 30 days of delivery for a full refund."  I personally find a major conflict between the item description hinting at a satisfaction guarantee and the reality of Amazon's policy which only allows unused returns.  I did voice my concerns and they said that they hope that consumers will contact them in the event that they are not pleased with the product.  They would also appreciate a rating and review on Amazon.

Bottomline:  I think this product is good because it is natural and highly nourishing, but it is somewhat of a gamble ordering a $30+ product without a firm satisfaction guarantee in place.  You can order this Vitality Anti-Aging Serum on Amazon.

I am grateful to Jadience for providing me with this unique opportunity to try this Serum.  And NOW, here is the GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Acure Facial Toner Review

My life has gotten a bit crazy, so I am cutting back to one or two posts a week.  But that won't stand in the way of this review; Acure Organics Facial Toner.

This 2-ounce bottle of facial toner goes for $12.99 and will probably last me 2 months, with 3-4 squirts per usage.  The squirt bottle makes it easy to use...no messing around with cotton rounds/balls.  You just spray and let it soak in your skin!  This is the only toner available from Acure Organics, so I am assuming that it is suitable for all skin types.  This is what Acure Organics says about this toner:

Acure Organics Argan Oil Review

2019 UPDATE:  While I still do love Acure Organics Argan Oil, my favorite place to buy Argan Oil is my local Trader Joes (if I remember right, it is about $7 for 1.7 oz).  And my favorite way to use Argan Oil is to mix it with Unrefined Shea Butter for a luxurious face cream.

ORIGINAL POST
Have you been afraid to use oil as moisturizer?  At first, I was leery of using oil as a moisturizer because I have combination skin that leans towards oily and battle hormonal breakouts.  But I am becoming converted.  Today I will be reviewing Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil.

Moroccan Argan Oil

Knick-named “liquid gold”, this 1-ounce bottle of certified organic Moroccan Argan Oil sells for just $12.99.  Note:  I got mine half price because I ordered the Glamorganic Goddess Beauty Kit.

Acure Argan Cleansing Towelettes Review

Today will be reviewing one of the Acure items contained in the Glamorganic Goddess Beauty Kit.  I have been happy with almost all the items contained in this kit and so impressed that Acure is donating ALL of its proceeds to help one sweet blogger with her cancer treatments.  But you can buy these wipes by themselves.  They sell for $6.99 for 30 wipes.  Right now they are on sale Buy-One-Get-One-Free.  But please read the review first before buying them because I personally did not like them.

Unscented Argan Cleansing Towelettes:

Acure Unscented Towelettes

Let me just come right out and say that I had such high hopes for this product.  Sometimes I am so exhausted at bed that the whole nighttime skin care routine has NO appeal to me.  Remember that post where I talked about diaper wipes being the one and only step in my skin care?  Yeah, well sometimes that old girl wants to come back with a vengeance.  :)  I was SO excited to have something that I could quickly use before hitting the hay.

Acure Organics Facial Cleansing Gel Review

Featured today is the Facial Cleansing Gel from Acure Organics.This Facial Cleansing Get is in a 4 oz. tube and sells for $9.99.  I used this for one week straight to get its full effects and am currently using it now.

Pic from Acure and hearts added in Powerpoint

This cleansing gel is for combo to oily skin.  Okay, let me just dive right in with what Acure Organics says about this cleanser:

This gentle cleanser works on two levels–it washes away dirt and oil as well as removes makeup to leave your skin radiant and refreshed. An antioxidant dense cleansing complex that maintains your skin’s natural acid mantle, activates new cell growth and helps you look younger and feel better. Fair Trade Organic Olive Oil and Organic Chlorella Growth Factor provide the ultimate cell boosting blend. Wash away those worries (and worry lines)!

Here is what I love about this cleansing gel:

What is Acure Organics REALLY Like?

So, as you know, the next brand that I am reviewing is Acure Organics and I already posted about how to get 50% off an entire order.  You must be asking, what is Acure Organics and why is Abi so obsessed with them right now?  Before I go on singing their praises, you should know that I am not being paid to say this and I didn't get anything for free.  I am just so amazed with this company, its products and its ethics.  And I wanted to share my opinion with you.

I hadn't heard of Acure Organics until reading a blog in which the writer was struggling with cancer for the second time.  She was thanking Acure Organics for launching something called the Glamorganic Goddess Beauty Kit, in which 100% of the proceeds would go to support her breast cancer treatments.  ???  Wow...I mean, what kind of company would do that for a specific person? That is so much more personal than donating to an organization (which also is good).  All this really pulled at my heart strings.  Plus the kit also was an amazing value, so I thought about it for a few days (that's just my personality) and ultimately bought a kit.  I am so glad I did because I found an amazing brand that sells pure, natural, and organic products at an economical price.

Further study on this company has revealed that they:

Acure Organics 50% OFF discount code

Well, the natural skin care series continues.  Up next is Acure Organics.  I have tried a few products from Acure Organics (contained in the "Glamorganic Goddess Beauty Kit") and have been impressed enough with this economical brand to recommend them to you.  Specific reviews will follow in future posts.  But I wanted to let you know about this frugal find.  On the Acure Organics Facebook page, in their photo album is this picture from September 10, 2015:

Snippet from Acure Organics Facebook Page

Annmarie Neroli Toning Mist Review

If you are new to my blog, then let me catch you up.  I am doing a series on facial skin care.  Annmarie is the first brand I am reviewing.  Annmarie skin care is organic/wildcrafted and made with LOVE (it says so on the ingredients).  Today is actually the last Annmarie product that I have to review for this series, before moving on to other brands.  It has be thrilling to get to know this brand.  I have felt so pampered!  Here are the post links to the other Annmarie skin products that I have reviewed.

Dead Sea Facial Scrub (my most favorite)
Purifying Mud Mask (my third favorite)
Anti-Aging Serum (my second favorite)
Aloe-Herb Facial Cleanser
Herbal Facial Oil

Now on to the review!

Neroli Toning Mist
This 50 ml bottle ($27.95) will last you approximately 400 pumps (2+ months).  I used about 3 spritzes morning and night.  It is good for all skin types.  It contains only ONE ingredient: pure neroli (orange blossom) distillate.  It has been my exclusive toner for two weeks, all thanks to Annmarie.

Annmarie says that this mist can:

• restore pH balance
• hydrate and soothe
• refine pores
• enhance mood
• be an aphrodisiac (think Goddess of Love)
• drive serum nutrients deeper into skin

Let me tell you this:

Annmarie Herbal Facial Oil Review

If you haven't read any of my other reviews of Annmarie skin care products, then you should know that the Annmarie company makes organic, wildcrafted skin care with ingredients straight from Mother Earth.  For me, their line is also a double bonus of aroma therapy because these products are saturated with completely pure and natural scents that just occur naturally.  Thanks to Annmarie for sending me a bottle, I get to tell you about one of the face moisturizers.

There are four moisturizing facial oils in the Annmarie line, each focusing on a different skin type....sensitive, normal/combo, oily/acne, and mature.  They do not make facial lotion for for a couple of reasons, detailed here.  Annmarie believes that pure, unadulterated oils work best for moisturizing the face.

Annmarie Herbal Facial Oil for Normal and Combination Skin

This 15 ml bottle for $37.95 will last about 115 pumps.  I usually only use half a of pump morning and night, so this would last me between 3-4 months but Annmarie gives a estimate that it will last a little over a month.  Sounds like YMMV.

Like the cleanser, it also took me a while to become friends with this oil.  I am just used to lotion.  I quickly learned that facial oil has its own set of rules.  A very tiny bit of facial oil goes a LONG way.  I was using too much (a full pump) at first and it felt way too stifling on my face.  The less I used, the better it felt on my face.

Annmarie Aloe-Herb Facial Cleanser Review

As we continue on with my natural skin care series, I have another Annmarie product to tell you about today.  Annmarie skin care products have been meticulously formulated with organic and wildcrafted ingredients from Mother Earth to cleanse and nourish our skin.  As discussed in previous posts, these products cost more than your standard drugstore skin care, but less than super high-end skin care.  Thank you to Annmarie for sending me the Aloe-Herb Cleanser, which we will be looking at today.  Oh, and I wanted to mention one more thing before I start the review.  Annmarie has an awesome Facebook page and blog.  The posts cover a variety of topics from food recipes to meditation to DIY face care in positive and uplifting (never in your face) ways.

Okay, now moving on the the review.  I have used the Aloe-Herb Cleanser as my cleanser both morning and night for two weeks.  It took me a while to start liking this cleanser but now we are on better terms, although I still feel like it isn't quite "there" for me as a cleanser.  But that doesn't mean it won't work out for you.  It could be perfect for you, depending on your skin care needs, particularly if you have very sensitive skin.

Annmarie Aloe-Herb Facial Cleanser

This 100 ml bottle of cleanser ($44.95) will last 570 pumps or 2+ months.  I only use about 3 pumps each use so it would last me about 3 months.  It is suitable for ALL skin types, but especially sensitive or dry skin.  Annmarie says:

"It is pH balanced to enhance your skin's natural acid mantle and protect its moisture barrier for clean and silky-soft skin....This unique blend of oil and extracts contains essential fatty acids, similar to those produced by your skin. It's rich in antioxidants like vitamin E to help prevent and repair free radical damage."

Annmarie Anti-Aging Serum Review

Today I would like to tell you about the Anti-Aging Serum that I have been trying, courtesy of the skin care company Annmarie.  Annmarie skin care products are loving made with organic and wildcrafted ingredients from Mother Nature, like clays, aloe vera, and essential oils.  These products are a treat to use.  I sure feel like I am pampering myself when I use them.

Annmarie Anti-Aging Serum:

This 15 ml bottle ($49.95) is suitable for ALL skin types, including those with rosacea and sensitive skin.  It will last approximately 128 pumps  I have been using this serum for two weeks morning and night to get the full effect of this serum.  I only need 1 pump per dose, so at this rate it can last me about two months.  But being the thrift girl that I am, I think that I will hereafter use this as a night serum (or even an every other night serum) to make it last as long as possible.  If this serum is way out of your budget, then Annmarie has some DIY Anti-Aging Skin Care Recipes on her blog.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT???

Annmarie Purifying Mud Mask Review

If you read my last post, then you will already be familiar with the skin care brand, Annmarie.  If not, then let me quickly say that Annmarie skin care products are organic/wildcrafted and made with LOVE (it says so on the ingredients).  Today we will be taking an in-depth look at the Purifying Mud Mask.  It has been my exclusive mask-friend for two weeks, all thanks to Annmarie.

Annmarie Purifying Mud Mask

This is a 50 ml jar for $39.95 that should last 4+ months, depending on your skin type/usage.  This is for ALL skin types.  Oily skin types use 2x/week, normal 1x/week, and dry 1x/month.  I am treasuring my jar!

Annmarie says:

Annmarie Dead Sea Facial Scrub Review

Have you ever heard of Annmarie Gianni Skin Care?  I hadn't until I started trying to find the ultimate skin care company and was reading an article (can't remember where) and the author said that Annmarie was very diligent in sourcing her ingredients.  I contacted the company to learn more and long story short, they ended up sending me six of their products to try out.  How generous and brave is that!?!  I will review all of their products in coming posts, but I first wanted to let you know the one thing that stands out about all of Annmarie's products.

Using Annmarie skin care is the ultimate aromatic experience.  It is hard to describe but when I use them I breathe more deeply.  I try to place the scent, and think, "now what does this remind me of".  I guess I am a dominant smell person. ;)  So thanks Annmarie for filling your products with pure ingredients and scents that I am not afraid to breathe!  Okay, now on to the review.

Annmarie Dead Sea Facial Scrub

This a (50 ml) jar for $39.95, which should last about five months (or 28 scoops).  This is for all skin types EXCEPT those with sensitive skin.

This scrub looks like a gray mess but it smells intensely