I recently wrote a post about one-ingredient skin care, where I featured some of my favorite all-natural picks, and today I wanted to share my thoughts on three more beauty products from NOW Foods.
I first discovered the company because their supplements came highly recommended by several fitness blogs I follow. Until very recently I had no idea they even carried skin care, not to mention their own line. As it turns out, the range is so wide, I quite frankly got lost trying to pick a few things to try, but there’s one ingredient that I just can’t go wrong with.
I say this all the time, but Vitamin C is one of my favorite actives in skin care! It’s always effective, and I notice the results pretty fast [in concentrated formulas it often only takes one week]. NOW Foods sent me three products from their Vitamin C line to try:
- NOW Solutions Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Lotion
- NOW Solutions Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Moisturizer
- NOW Solutions Vitamin C & Oryza Sativa Gentle Scrub
The first product I tried was Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Lotion, which was designed for dry and dehydrated complexions. The formula, rich in Vitamin C, Sea Buckthorn seed oil, Shea butter, Coconut oil, Olive oil, Vitamin E, Cucumber, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Hyaluronic acid, and Marine collagen, works tirelessly to bring comfort to skin in need of deep hydration, and also offers some anti-aging properties.
I would describe the texture as a gel-like cream, that spreads easily, even over the driest of spots. It does leave slight white streaks if you apply too much product, but they get absorbed by the skin pretty quickly. The fragrance is strong, but not chemical: if you like smelling like fresh citrus [in this case, like ripe oranges with a hint of sea buckthorn], then you’re in for a treat, as it’s a very pleasant scent that does not trigger my migraines.
Ingredients: De-ionized Water, Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Leaf Gel*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Shea Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glucose/Glucose Oxidase/Lactoperoxidase (natural preservative), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Cetearyl Alcohol/Cetearyl Glucoside, Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea europaea), Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Marine Collagen (fish-tilapia), Allantoin, Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) Extract, Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), d-alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) (from soy), Niacinamide (Niacin) (Vitamin B-3), Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Orange-Grapefruit Aroma, Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid. *Certified Organic.
Vitamin C & Oryza Sativa Gentle Scrub was the next product I tried. Honestly, the whole “gentle scrub” thing sounds like an oxymoron to me, because very few physical scrubs are really gentle on the skin [or maybe mine is just extra finicky]. This one definitely had some larger grit in it, but to my surprise it did in fact feel gentle and not scratchy at all. I normally use physical scrubs once a week, but I think my skin would be fine even if I used it every other day.
Straight out of the tube this scrub appears to have whipped texture and looks like off-white body lotion. The exfoliating particles are invisible at first, because they’re suspended in a thick moisturizing paste, so you only feel them when you actually start massaging it into the skin. The beads are made with rice bran [yay, no plastic microbeads!], known for its brightening and skin balancing properties; and the creamy part includes Vitamin C, Niacin and Aloe Vera to brighten, soothe, and prevent irritation. While the body lotion was recommended for dry skin, this scrub is definitely a champ when it comes to managing my combination complexion, with its enlarged pores and random oily patches. It also has the same lovely sweet orange fragrance, but it’s not as pronounced.
Ingredients: De-ionized Water, Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) Leaf Gel*, Oryza sativa (Rice Bran Beads), Avocado Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Vegetable Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol/Cetearyl Glucoside, Glucose/Glucose Oxidase/Lactoperoxidase (natural preservative), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Citrus Bioflavonoids, Niacinamide (Niacin), d-alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vegetable Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Orange-Grapefruit Aroma, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate and Citric Acid. *Certified Organic
Lastly, my favorite of the three – Vitamin C & Sea Buckthorn Moisturizer, which is uh-maaazing for combination skin. No, seriously, it couldn’t be more perfect for this hot summer weather! It contains all of the components that I look for in a lightweight daytime moisturizer: Vitamin C, Aloe vera, and Niacinamide, with addition of Vitamin E and Sea Buckthorn seed oil.
The formula has gel-cream texture that spreads easily, and feels featherweight on the skin once absorbed. Whether it’s a silicone primer or a physical sunscreen, I had no problems layering it with any other products – no caking or flaking issues whatsoever. And of course I am already a fan of that delicious sweet orange fragrance [similar scent strength to body lotion], so using this moisturizer was also a sensory pleasure.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glucose & Lactoperoxidase & Glucose Oxidase (natural preservative), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Cetearyl Alcohol & Cetearyl Glucoside, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil (Extra Virgin), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Seed Oil, Niacinamide (Niacin), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) (soy), Orange-Grapefruit Aroma, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. *Certified Organic
I think it’s safe to say that I’ve been quite impressed with NOW Solutions skin care so far, but in this particular trio I highly recommend trying the moisturizer, because it’s a real gem for combination skin. In fact, I liked it so much, that I easily incorporated it in my routine and by now already used up half the tube. Luckily, if I wanted to get a replacement it wouldn’t break the bank – NOW Solutions products are very affordable, and are within the “drugstore” price range.
Have you tried using products with Vitamin C? What are some of your favorite skin care ingredients? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
