I’ve said this before. And I’ll say it again. As an ‘all natural’ beauty writer, there are very few skin care lines that can be classified as ‘all-natural’ with organic ingredients. One reason being, if they were they would go rotten not long after you open them. But what I notice is that it’s quite trendy today for cosmetic companies to claim that they’re ‘organic’. Mind, body and soul…oh I’m so bored with this rubbish.
Personally, I just look at the ingredients. Bet you’ve never heard of the herb Retinyl Palmitate, or Padimate 0, or ethylhexyl? Well that’s because they are in fact, chemicals.
So, when I came across the Boscia line, I had to give them credit. Like Nati Beltran Organics, these products are preservative-free with long-lasting anti-bacterial properties and come in sealed-in, bacteria-free, environmentally-friendly packaging. (Mind you, thank God I’ve got talons, getting that plastic wrap off was a bit of an ordeal.) Maybe that’s why Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel just won the ‘Healthiest Cleanser for 2003’ by Health Magazine. This is a skin care line that’s getting a lot of notice, and rightly so. Even more refreshing, wait till you see the prices…it’s the best value I’ve come across in years. Finally, a healthy, preservative-free skin care range that doesn’t just cater to the Hollywood stars who probably get it all for free anyway.
Just say ‘no’
Here’s a list of all the crap that’s not in Boscia products:
preservatives
alcohol
fragrance
color
animal testing
animal ingredients
The products are pH balanced and dermatologist tested.
Bocsia [pron: bow-she-ah] Boscia, define themselves as ‘beauty and well being through botanical science’. (Hmm, maybe that’s it-the fusion of bo from ‘botanical’ and ‘sc’ from science (I’m a genius!) These Japanese guys are honest. (Anyone see ‘Lost in Translation’? Fabulous). It’s not just all-natural ingredients. They combine the best of nature’s botanicals with the best of science to address all skin issues, protection, moisturization, regeneration and to fight the signs of aging. Even more comforting, as Marketing Manager Caren Conrad told me, Boscia’s founders are fanatical about their product and unwilling to ‘cut corners’. They have to be 100% sure ingredients are safe and effective before they will incorporate them into their all-natural formulas.
They believe that using harsh products (chemicals, etc), may work against your skin in time. They’re right. Your skin is an organ-the biggest one you’ve got. So think of your cream as food. Slather on creams with synthesized, toxic ingredients, your skin will suffer. It’s basic common sense, isn’t it?
That being said, I was very interested to see if Boscia lived up to its promise and to see if it was anything to write home about. I’ve been using the products, and I must say, I definitely notice that my skin is looking less tired, more radiant and lines are beginning to seem less visible. Maybe it’s because every boscia product contains 2 ingredients: 1. Organically grown jojoba leaf, an antioxidant that helps fight free radical damage caused by pollution and cigarette smoke. 2. Willowherb, an anti-inflammatory that soothes and calms troubled skin.
The Boscia Regimen
OK. down to the brass tacks.
Here’s the steps and choices you have.
Cleanse
Soothing Cleansing Cream
Purifying Cleansing Gel (the award-winning cleanser that’s best for oilier complexions)
Special
Moisture Replenishing mask
Clarifying Detox Mask
Smoothing Facial Polish
You don’t need to do this every day, just twice a week or less. I recommend the replenishing mask, but haven’t tried the others.
Tone
Balancing Facial Tonic
I love this. It’s so light and refreshing with essential lavender water and serine, an amino acid. Feels very light and doesn’t dry out your skin.
Treat
Restorative Amino 3-P Firming treatment I think this is one of the best age-defying treatments out there. It sinks into your skin immediately and it’s so gentle yet rich with nutrients.
Other alternatives include:
Willow Bark Breakout treatment (great for unclogging pores and controlling oil)
Enlivening Amino-AG Eye treatment
Antioxidant Recovery Treatment C
Moisturize
Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15
Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15
Recharging Night Moisture
Preserve yourself without preservatives
Here’s something that I found very interesting. We all want to preserve ourselves, especially our skin, for as long as we can. But surely there’s a better way to achieve that without resorting to injecting botulism from cows into our foreheads? Boscia offers us a safer yet effective solution. Looking for an alternative to retinol’s age-defying qualities, Boscia wanted something that achieved the same results without any irritation which retinol can cause. So they discovered that Palmitoyl Pentapeptide is just as effective. In fact, users experienced thickened skin at a rate of about 1.5 times faster. And no surprise, as the boss of breakthroughs, Boscia is the first company in the US to incorporate it into their formulas.
You can find this ppp dream-ingredient in a lot of their products, like the Restorative Amino 3-P Firming Treatment. I like this one a lot. It defends skin against damage and accelerates collage production for firmer, resilient skin. And you will see a difference. At $38.00, I think you can safely say this one is real deal.
Pop a beauty pill, it’s only natural
Beauty comes from the inside out right? OK, well then how about this. For only $14.99 you can take Boscia supplements that start working on your skin the minute you use them. For dry skin, like mine, try the Moisture Replenishing Therapy is the best. For oilier complexions prone to breakouts, take Clear Complexion Therapy and we can all take the Antioxidant Vegetable Therapy to get rid of toxins and pollutants our skin fights everyday.
Where can you pick ’em up? All Boscia products are available at Nordstrom stores, Henri Bendel in NYC, select Nordstrom stores and online at www.boscia.net or simply call 1-888-635-8884. For those lucky east villagers like myself, you can go to Miss Lou’s Herbs And Things on 436 East 9th Street, ph: 212-260-4085 Just be sure to give Jacqueline a call before you go. Opening hours can vary in this part of town!
And remember, since there’s even an expiration date on all Boscia products, keep them fresh by putting them in the fridge. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick up a pint of Boscia in the morning with your newspaper!
One day…
