If I were to describe African Botanics in a single word it would be ‘exquisite.’ Beyond impressed with their intricate formulas, my skin has been thriving with every drop of these glow boosting potions for at last a few years now. Most recently, the eco-luxe authority launched Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Cream, a follow up to the superhero oil that I pretty much worship. Its latest innovation features only the purest and most powerful botanicals and addresses fine lines, uneven tone, loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation. Is it as good as it sounds? Better.
What is it?
Housed in a stunning black glass jar, the new Intensive Recovery Cream is surprisingly lightweight in texture. Hovering on the gel-cream territory, it has a pale seafoam hue and quite possibly the most intoxicating aroma. And speaking of… The scent is 100% natural as African Botanics does not do synthetic fragrance (or anything sketchy like that). Since the first ingredient is Jasmine Flower Water, the light floral notes are clean and mouthwatering.
What’s in it?
Setting itself apart in the green beauty space, this pristine blend highlights extracts of plants with extraordinary regenerative abilities, which allow them to survive in some of the most extreme temperatures and environments. Nocturnal flowers from ancient Baobab trees and hand picked at dusk Jasmine Grandiflorum are paired with Marine Micro Algae and peptides to protect, restore, and comfort stressed and damaged complexions.
Other ingredients on deck that get me excited: antioxidant rockstar Marula Oil (there is no better oil in my humble opinion), rich in linoleic acid Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, which thrives in the driest climate in South Africa (because we all know that the ‘rare’ melon extract Cindy Crawford uses in her skincare is actually derived from Charentais Cantaloupe), CoQ10, Vitamin C Ester, and Gotu Kola Extract. A true masterpiece, Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Cream is low-key posh and remarkable in its performance.
How to use it…
A fantastic follow up to the Intensive Recovery Oil, the new Fleurs d’Afrique cream is a great option for all skin types and can be used morning or night. I enjoy it both AM and PM, but tend to reach for the oil version at nighttime (because Retinol). During the day, I opt for the serum, cream, sunscreen, and omit the oil. That’s because my combination skin can only take so much. Those on the dry side, layer away! It absorbs beautifully. Your skin will glow after a single use. Speaking for myself, a month after using it, I am thrilled with a visibly brighter, healthier, and rested looking appearance. Another perk? No pores clogged.
At $350 for a 2 oz. jar, the latest African Botanics definitely qualifies as a splurge, but the Intensive Recovery Cream is very much a concentrate. Exceptional all around, think less is more on this one.
Available at africanbotanics.com, nordstrom.com. revolve.com and net-a-porter.com.
Ingredients: Jasmine Flower Water, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Trichilia Emetica (Cape Mahogany) Butter*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Soybean Fiber, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Millet, Hydrolyzed Pea, Verbena officinalis (Vervain) Extract, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Jasmine Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis (Microalgae) Extract, Resveratrol, Green Coffee Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Myrothamus Flabellifolius (Resurrection) Plant, Panthenol, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab)*, Citrillus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon)* Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii (Mongongo) Kernel Oil, Cyclopia Genistoides (Honeybush) Leaf Extract, Bulbinella Nutens Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Schinziophyton Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Copper Gluconate, Niacinamide, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile), Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Oil, Caffein, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C Ester), Saccharide Isomerate, Pearl Powder, Arnica Cordifolia Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Calendula, Diamond microspheres, Citrus Bergamia Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. *Wild-Harvested. Not tested on animals. Formulated without silicones, mineral oils, parabens, allergens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, PEGs and SLSs.
*press sample
Do you think I would be okay with this cream if their oil was way too intense? It felt like fire on my skin and felt like I was getting burned each time I put it on, no matter how much or little product I used.
I’m hesitant to try the cream follow up if it’s supposed to be similar to the oil.
Author
Hi Martin –
That’s a tough one. While I do think it’s less aggressive than the oil, I know quite a few of ingredients overlap in both formulas so it really depends on what is triggering the burning sensation. Could it be Retinol?