Sequoia Beauty was founded by herbalist and skincare specialist, Laurel Shaffer. Laurel understands that what we put on our body is just as important as what we put in it and she creates products that cater to your skin's needs and are healing to your body as a whole as well.
Sequoia Beauty is an organic flower and herb based skincare line, with an emphasis on local ingredients. All of the plants are organically or biodynamically grown and are either grown in Laurel's own garden or sourced from local farmers in the bay area of California. All of the oils used are organic, raw, cold-pressed and un-refined. Because of this, they have more color and scent than most other oils, which means they have more vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. Instead of water, Laurel uses hydrosols (floral waters), which are also raw for maximum healing benefits. As for any kind of preservatives, only a few a the products contain natural, non-gmo, non-toxic preservatives, such as radish root filtrate and potassium sorbate.
ALL Sequoia Beauty products, contain herbs that stimulate collagen production, promote cell regeneration and reproduction, tighten and firm pores and cells, are anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, promote anti-inflammatory pathways, repair and prevent sun damage, encourage detoxing and waste elimination on a cellular level, as well as heal and repair damaged tissue, and much more!
You can imagine my excitement then, when Laurel was kind enough to send me some of her lovely products to try! Here is what I received and my thoughts on each:
1) Honey Berry Enzyme Mask - This mask (which I also have been using as a face wash and it is amazing!), contains ingredients which work well with most skin types. Besides honey, which is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, healing and hydrating, it has royal jelly - a bee secretion high in vitamin B and is anti-aging as well as anti-oxidant. It also contains raw blueberries and strawberries, both of which are naturally exfoliating, and strawberries are high in skin brightening vitamin C and naturally occurring, acne fighting salicylic acid. You only need the smallest amount and your skin is soft and hydrated after rinsing it off!
- Ingredients: Raw Honey*, Raw Royal Jelly*, Raw Strawberries*, Raw Blueberries*, and White Grapefruit Essential Oil* *Each ingredient is organic, raw, and local to the bay area.
- Price - $30.00 for 2oz
2) Almond Mineral Exfoliant - Being acne prone, it's hard to find an exfoliant that doesn't make my skin worse, but SB's Almond Mineral Exfoliant is the perfect fit for me! The almonds and oats are extremely soft and very gentle on even the most delicate skin. It is ultra nourishing, almonds being high in skin hydrating vitamin E. Chamomile and Marshmallow soothe and soften the skin, while Nettle being high in vitamins and minerals, nourishes skin cells. Essential oils of Rose and Rose Geranium tighten and restore the skin. You can mix this with water or a toner and can even leave on as a mask. I've been alternating this with the Honey Berry Enzyme Mask and my skin couldn't be happier! :-)
- Ingredients: Almonds*, Oats*, Chamomile*, Nettle*, Red Clover*, Marshmallow*, Rose*, and Rose Geranium* *These ingredients are certified organic or biodynamic, raw, and local to the bay area.
- Price - $24.00 for 2oz
3) Firm and Tighten Toner - It says that it is for dry, mature or normal skin, but my oily skin loves this just as much! Rose Geranium and Rose hydrosols attract and hold moisture as well as diminish fine lines. Lemon Balm is anti-oxidant and also anti-inflammatory, making it great for both mature and acne prone skin. Non-alcoholic and non-drying Witch Hazel is both firming and tightening and Helichrysum and Calendula are healing to damaged skin cells. The Cleavers plant stimulates the lymphatic system, and essential oils of Rose Geranium, Sandalwood, and Bergamot are healing as well as appealing to the senses. This toner both hydrates as well as leaves my skin oil free!
- Ingredients: Rose*, Witch Hazel*, Aloe*, Calendula*, Rose Geranium*, Helichrysum*, Lemon Balm*, Cleavers*, Chickweed*, Licorice*, Gotu Kola*, SB Flower Essence*, Leucidal**, and Essential Oils of Rose Geranium*, Bergamot*, Sandalwood*, Carrot Seed*, and Palmarosa* *These ingredients are certified organic or biodynamic. **Leucidal is a probiotic preservative made of radishes, approved for use in organic skin care.
- Price - $32.00 for 4oz
4) Sun Damage Repair Serum - Although I don't have sun damaged skin, I do have hyper-pigmentation and scarring from acne. The ingredients in this serum have been working wonders on healing that damage! I've only been using this for about a week, but my skin is remarkably and noticeably smoother, brighter and clearer! Scarlet Pimpernel flower is known to reverse freckles, sun spots and rough, sun damaged skin. It also contains Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip, Calendula, Comfrey, Horsetail, and Gotu Kola, all of which help to reverse years of damage caused by the sun. Chamomile and Marshmallow soothe and soften the skin, and Beta Carotene and vitamin C heal and brighten the skin. Essential oils of Sandalwood, Carrot Seed, and Helichrysum all work to regenerate and heal sun damaged (and in my case, acne scarred) skin. And like all SB serums, this one contains plants linked to sun protection, such as Red Raspberry Seed, Carrot Seed, Cranberry Seed and more. This serum needs to be used to be believed!
- Ingredients: Certified Organic, Raw and Unrefined Oils of Jojoba*, Rosehip*, Sesame*, Almond*, Sea Buckthorn*, Red Raspberry Seed*, Grape Seed*, Tamanu*, Sun Damage 11 Plant Proprietary Blend**, Rosemary Extract*, and Essential Oils*.
- Price - $46.00 for 1oz
5) Purity Face and Body Balm - Made for dry, mature or normal skin, but especially valuable for sensitive, dehydrated or damaged skin. It is extremely concentrated, so you only need the tiniest amount! There is no water in this product, which means no emulsifiers or preservatives, just "pure 100% raw, organic, un-refined goodness!" Purity contains Tamanu oil, which is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, making it a good choice for those who suffer from eczema or psoriasis (as well as acne!). It also has Rosehip Seed oil, which is ideal for sun damaged skin. I like to use this moisturizer at night, under my eyes, on my lips and anywhere else I need extra hydration or healing. It's very light weight and absorbs deeply in the skin. It doesn't break me out and I wake up with soft, not greasy skin.
- Ingredients: Unrefined Shea butter*, Tamanu oil*, Rosehip seed oil*, and our essential oil blend* which includes Neroli and Sandalwood. *Each ingredient is certified organic, raw, and unrefined. Please note unnrefined oils smell like products of our Earth, because they are.
- Price - $28.00 for 2oz
Final thoughts - I really loved everything that I was sent from this line! For me, it's been very difficult to find a brand that is healing, hydrating, and doesn't break me out, but Sequoia Beauty seems to cover all of those as well as healing my scarring! I think part of the reason I am having such great results is that Laurel uses whole plants in her formulations, rather than just extracts, so you get all of the plant's healing benefits. You also need to use very little of each product to see results, which makes the line very cost effective as it will last you longer. I also love the fact that the serums contain natural sun protection in addition to all of the other benefits they provide. I can't say enough good things about this brand and I am so very grateful that I found it, and even happier to have been able to try it. I know I will continue to use this amazing line of products! :-)
Peace and Love,
~Sabrina
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