The Organic Pharmacy skin care – Green Monday review
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Serums, cleansers and masks that have us shouting “oh boy!”
The best part of being a wht writer is the opportunity to test all kinds of lavish, pricey lines I would otherwise never try. The worst part is falling in love with said lines, the kind of crazy love that borders on obsession. Like I’ll do anything to afford these products, rather than give them up when the tester runs out. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, love hits me hard.
All I have to say is I will skip eating for a week rather than give up The Organic Pharmacy’s Antioxidant Face Firming Serum; a concoction so different, so effective, I’ve almost convinced myself there is actual magic in its tall golden column.
The Organic Pharmacy is a British company that offers healthy, organic options in every imaginable category for every customer. While I could fill my entire post by listing their products, I’ll just say that this company offers something for every man, woman and baby and their skin, hair, body, home and sweet tooth (hello handmade raw chocolate!). They even offer a vitamin/supplement line.
This Green Monday we’re taking a look at The Organic Pharmacy’s skin care range, which uses highly active extracts in luxurious, effective formulas that are, of course, entirely organic. The categories they offer include cleanse, hydrate, repair, moisturize, anti-aging, masks and lip & eye.
I fell hard for their Antioxidant Face Firming Serum ($130). The serum smells like oranges, which makes sense since it is chock full of citrus, including sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit, as well as powerful Alpha Lipoic Acid. The packaging is as lovely as the product on the inside; the serum is housed in a tall glass bottle with a chrome pump. It looks like it means business, and it does.
Nicknamed “the instant face lift oil” this serum has replaced my entire nighttime arsenal. I wash my face and apply four drops of golden serum (instead of my usual heavy night creams) to my skin. That’s it.
In the morning, I blend two drops of the serum with my usual daytime moisturizer and apply it that way. At first, I worried that this simple product wouldn’t be enough, especially in cooler winter temperatures, but my skin is clear, glowing, and generally balanced.
I also tested Carrot Butter Cleanser ($63.95) and its companion Organic Muslin Cloth. The balm-like cleanser is infused with antioxidant carrot and calendula as well as decongesting rosemary and soothing lavender. With a thick consistency almost like a lip balm, it’s unlike any cleanser I’ve ever used. Instead of foaming, it melts on contact with the skin.
This is where the Organic Muslin Cloth ($7) comes in. After applying small amount of the cleanser to dry skin and letting it dissolve grime and make-up, the cloth, soaked in hot water, removes the cleanser and leaves the skin moisturized and radiant.
It even removes eye makeup. In general I prefer foaming cleansers that have a lot of cleaning power, so I didn’t really love the balm formula. But if you’re looking for a very moisturizing cleanser, you won’t find a better one.
The other products we received sound equally enticing:
Collagen Boost Mask ($117.95)
This aloe and seaweed gel mask is packed full of antioxidants that aim to show instant results by lifting, tightening and brightening the complexion. Active ingredients include alpha lipoic acid, DMAE and CoQ10 as well as anti-aging herbs of horsetail, ginseng and propolis.
Antioxidant Face Gel ($86)
Designed to be used with my beloved Antioxidant Face Serum, this light gel is rich in herbal extracts with anti-aging properties and is appropriate for all skin types. It not only lifts the skin but also minimizes pores with ingredients such as marine algae, sea minerals, nutrients, collagen boosting herbs and cosmeceutical vitamins.
Expression Treatment ($77.95)
The newest addition to The Organic Pharmacy’s anti-aging line, this targeted treatment cream (packed full of sodium hyaluronic acid spheres and a powerful Peruvian herb called acmella oleracea) is aimed at reducing lines on the forehead and around eyes and mouth. It also contains a peptide that stimulates collagen synthesis, resulting in firmer, smoother skin.
Testers, were you as impressed with Organic Pharmacy as I was?
Melissa loves road trips, bargain shopping, drive-in movies, lip gloss and rock ‘n’ roll. She lives in Baltimore with her precious pup Zeus.
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
Wow, great review! This line sounds amazing. I have my eyes on the serum, but it’s gonna have to go on my waiting list to save for it!
@turboterp – What a great review. I really want to try something from from this line. Even the name “Organic Pharmacy” really draws me in. I am a big fan of natural ingredients.
WOW! This is one lovely company. “The Organic Pharmacy” has gotten my undivided attention! Great review and lucky you, @turboterp! The Antioxidant Face Firming Serum sounds wonderful as does the Carrot Butter Cleanser. I use a Muslin Cloth and love it.. not always but I do like the way it cleans my face. The Collagen Boost Mask also looks amazing!!! Can’t wait to hear what the rest of you ladies that tested this line thought!
I’m looking forward to the other testers’ reviews, too! I’m sure it’s obvious, but I give this fabulous line 5 big stars!
Wow that serum sounds incredible – you ARE a lucky girl!! And how fun was that cleanser and cloth! That’s a good idea to soak even any old cloth in hot water to wash off the cleanser…think I’m gonna try it tonight! Great review!!
I was lucky enough to test out the Antioxidant face gel. The label promises radiant, glowing skin & it delivers. It also delivers porelessness. Woo-hoo!
So, I noticed after the first time I used this that my face pretty much instantly looked tighter and pores seemed nonexistent and my skin looked like it had a glow to it. First. Time. I used this for a few days in a row as instructed–a.m. and p.m. I didn’t have the serum to partner with this, so maybe I wasn’t getting enough moisture or what, but I found that this didn’t cut it for me at night–I absolutely need a more moisturizing product on my combo skin and I’ve had bad reactions (i.e. breakouts) from overdoing products with active ingredients. I modified my use and started using this strictly in the a.m..
This stuff is PERFECT for daytime wear under foundation. I basically use this as a primer–a highly potent, anti-aging, non-breakout-inducing primer (standard primers don’t like me). It makes my skin poreless, seems to keep oil at bay, and makes my skin glow. So, I have figured out a way to fit this in my budget by skipping use at night and using this under my makeup. I still get the benefits and makeup looks SO MUCH BETTER. I went off label even more and used some of this on the tops of my winter-damaged hands–after the initial sting of the citrus (this stuff smells like oranges, I could huff it all day), my hands plumped up and looked softer and smoother. Ditto on my chest area.
Overall, I’m fairly impressed with this brand that I’d never heard of before. I’m kind of shocked they didn’t fall into my radar sooner. While I’m bummed at the price tag, this brand is still getting 5 stars from me!
oh man I want all of these products! Everything sounds so luxurious and lovely.
Melissa, you lucked out on this review! I am a huge fan of oils for the skin, but being an oily gal, I am usually trepidatious. However…I am so sold by your review that I want to run out and try the Antoxidant Face Friming Serum oil!
I need to skip a few dinners out as well, but your endorsement proves that it is worthwhile. Great company and great review!
Oh, wow I had never heard of this line before. Everything sounds awesome! I am totally going to check it out. Great review!
I got to try the Collagen Boost Mask. They had me with the front of the box, which had printed on it “powerful anti-aging for radiant glowing skin”. SOLD! And I’m glad I believed the hype, because it’s true.
Forget any idea you may have of mask. This is a thin liquid that you apply and leave on. Applied over clean and exfoliated skin, you wait 10 mins. then continue with your moisturizer. It says it’s ideal for a twice weekly treatment or a pre-party prep. Being one to love the ritual of getting ready for a big event, I was happy to add something else into my line up.
It’s main ingredient is Aloe, followed by herbs (Calendula, yay!) and essential oils (rose hip, grapefruit, orange, amongst others). Happily for my oily skin, I don’t feel a trace of the oils in it at all. It absorbs instantly, and my skin felt smoother, looked brighter and all around healthier. I always compare really good products to that look your skin has after a facial – this did it. Oh, and the scent is perfection, like fresh squeezed OJ.
The price is a bit shocking. $117 causes me pause for sure. But considering the bottle is large (1.65 oz) and you only use it twice a week – I think it’s worthy of saving a bit and investing in it.
This is the kind of line that I just want to try everything. 5 stars for the Collagen Boost Mask, and well done Organic Pharmacy for making green products that are so amazingly luxurious!
A balm like cleanser? Oooh, that’s interesting! I’ve been super sick for the past week+, so the skin around my nose and mouth is super chapped and dry. I’m hesitant to use my normal cleanser because it’s so sensitive. In a case like this the cleansing balm would be a great option to have! Great review @turboterp !