Ann Bee's Naturals is a small, family owned business making natural, non-GMO, eco-friendly products in Fair Hill, Maryland. Ann Barczewski was inspired to start the company when she was unable to find daycare for her special needs daughter and transitioned to staying home with her. The company, which began as a natural soap line in 2011, now includes over 100 products, including soaps, skincare, and bath and body items. One of my favorite things about blogging is being able to feature smaller, independent companies making great, natural products, so when Ann reached out to me back in September, I was very happy to accept her offer to review some products. After some deliberation, I settled on the Seabuckthorn Rosehip Salve and Moroccan Silk Neroli Sandalwood Oil.
Seabuckthorn Rosehip Salve
Multi-purpose salves always come in handy and I've found a multitude of uses for this one since getting my hands on it. Along with organic seabuckthorn and rosehip oils, this 100% organic salve also contains organic extra virgin olive oil - infused with organic chamomile, lavender and calendula - and organic unrefined beeswax. In the tin, it has a pretty solid balm consistency, but it's not at all waxy and the warmth of your fingers easily melts it into an emollient butter that's easy to apply. It takes a couple minutes to fully sink in to the skin, but it's pretty light and not overly greasy. The salve has an orange hue from the seabuckthorn and rosehip oils, but it rubs in clear and doesn't stain or color the skin at all. It's great on dry skin and I love using it as a cuticle butter. I've also used it in place of an eye cream, and while I didn't notice it having much of an effect on my dark circles, it did a good job hydrating and depuffing the area. It also contains no essential oils so its scent comes only from the other ingredients. To me, it just smells like a good, high quality, olivey olive oil.
Moroccan Silk Neroli Sandalwood Oil
I've used straight argan oil in my hair for years, so Ann Bee's Moroccan Silk Oil, a blend of argan and macadamia oils scented with neroli and sandalwood essential oils, was one of the first products to catch my eye. In addition to the oils, it also contains cruelty-free Tussah silk, which is rich in proteins and amino acids that condition and protect hair from moisture loss, while simultaneously strengthening and repairing the hair cortex. I've never used a hair product with silk before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and while I cant say I've noticed any results that I can attribute specifically to the silk, the oil leaves my hair feeling soft and touchable and works well to tame frizz. Depending on the day, I sometimes find the scent a little overpowering, but if you're a fan of neroli, you'll love how this smells. The sandalwood gives it a smidge of earthiness, but the predominant scent is definitely neroli.
The oil can also be used as either a face serum or body oil, though I've yet to try it on anything more than my hair.
The Bottom Line
I'm a fan! Ann Bee's Naturals' products have great ingredients and are very affordable too. Both of these ring in at under $15, and a little goes a long way, so I've barely made a dent in either one. Whether you're looking to support a smaller business or just looking for some great products to try, this is a line worth checking out!
* Press sample
If you read my winter skincare routine, you already know that I've added Pai's Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil to my nightly routine. Rosehip oil can be extracted from either the seed or the fruit of the plant, and Pai's oil contains both types. It's also extracted using CO2 supercritical extraction, which is supposed to deliver the complete and concentrated properties of the plant much better than simple cold pressed oil. According to Pai, this method also extends the shelf life of the product from cold pressing's six months to a full two years. Rosehip oil is high in vitamin A and has been proven to be effective on scars, sun damage, fine lines, and stretch marks. I've mentioned before that I have two small lines on my forehead and they're what I was mainly hoping to target with this product. Keep reading to see how they fared!
Product Description
Pai BioRegenerate™ Rosehip Oil is rich in concentrated Trans-Retinoic Acid, an essential fuel for the skin's natural repair function.
Rosehip is the ultimate skin multitasker. With regular use, it conditions the skin, improving skin firmness and elasticity.
Refines appearance of damaged skin and fine lines.
High levels of Trans-Retinoic Acid delivers Pro-Vitamin A to the skin without causing irritation.
Most concentrated Rosehip Oil on the market today.
Ingredients
rosa canina (rosehip) seed extract*, rosa canina (rosehip) fruit extract*, mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e)
*Certified Organic by the Soil Association
Price
$35 for 1 fl oz
My Thoughts
I've tried applying the oil as an all over face oil, but I prefer to focus it just in certain areas of my face. Like I said, I have those two pesky fine lines on my forehead and also some redness and what I think are broken capillaries around my nose. Most nights, I put a single drop on the back of my hand and with clean fingers, just dab it onto those two spots. When I've applied the oil all over my face, it sinks in pretty quickly, but in focusing it on such small areas, the skin in those places ends up more saturated, so it takes longer to absorb. I've only been using it at night, so it's not an issue - I apply it before bed and it's completely absorbed by the time I wake up.
To me, the oil smells like a souped up, super strong cup of rosehip tea. That said, I've had three other people smell it and they all claim it smells kind of like chocolate. Personally, I don't smell chocolate at all, but there you have it.
In terms of results, I'm having a hard time judging if it's made a difference on my fine lines. They aren't terrible to begin with and I find they're more and less visible at different points in the day anyways, depending on how hydrated my skin is. Right after I wash my face, for instance, even before I apply any toner, oil, or moisturizer, they're barely noticeable, and then throughout the day, they become more visible as my skin gets a little drier and makeup starts to settle into them. If I had to guess, I'd say that yes, the lines have gotten smaller in the month I've been using Pai's rosehip oil, but it's hard to say for sure. I can say with a lot more certainty that the oil has definitely helped with the redness and broken capillaries around my nose. These are something I pay attention to concealing every day and I've definitely noticed there is a lot less to cover up since I've been using the BioRegenerate Oil.
The Score
8/10
The Bottom Line
Pai is a great brand that really seems to care about making effective products without compromising on ingredients. I love that their entire line is targeted specifically for sensitive skin and that the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil is certified organic. I wish it had made a more dramatic difference with the lines on my forehead, but it's very possible they just need more time. The oil has definitely improved the redness and broken capillaries around my nose and I'm going to continue using it. I'll keep you all posted - hopefully I'll have more to report back on after using this product for longer!
