organic \a-pō-ˈtēk\Organic Apoteke's story begins with Dr. Nitasha Buldeo. Dr. Buldeo's vision to provide the most healthful, luxurious and effective skincare was inspired by her grandmother's legendary skin remedies, which were based on an unusual fusion of ayurvedic, traditional African and Native American wisdom. Just sit and think about that for a second. Comprehend the vastness of what those three cultures have historically brought to the realm of skincare - are you getting the potential vastness of that wisdom? Whew ... mind blowing. As a young girl, Nitasha helped tend her grandmother's herb garden and watched as she prepared therapeutic remedies for a wide range of skin conditions. Inspired by her grandmother's wisdom and her effective formulations, Nitasha went on to study how and why they worked.
Along the way, she discovered that the petrochemical base creams were inconsistent with the purity of the herbal compounds. We've been reading a lot about that lately, haven't we? Organic, natural, the ongoing discussions and battles of what is truly pure. You'll see it all over the blogosphere and in every reputable retail venue for healthy skincare. So in addition to isolating active ingredients and discovering synergies (idea of combined effort being greater than individual parts), Dr. Buldeo developed the ultimate organic base cream. In the process she unlocked the secrets of nourishing skin at a cellular level.
HOW IT WORKS
Organic Apoteke's products are cosmeceuticals: advanced formulations designed to deliver nutrients and nourishment to improve skin function and appearance. The two most important factors in the efficacy of cosmeceuticals are NUTRIENTS and NUTRIENT DELIVERY. Organic Apoteke's NUTRIENT DELIVERY SYSTEM is a revolution in formulation-science.
The key to its effectiveness is a proprietary multiple micro-emulsion technology designed to deliver nutrients to targeted layers within the skin. The skin is made up of oil-loving and oil-repelling layers. Delivering nutrients to the deeper layers, where they can really make a difference, requires working with the skin's natural system. Organic Apoteke's active complexes, "wrapped" in eight layers of botanical oils and floral waters, are designed to unfold into the skin, infusing it with nutrients as they pass from layer to layer.
So, let's summarize their claims at being 1) Effective, 2) Luxurious and 3) Pure
- EFFECTIVE: Organic Apoteke's formulations are fortified with active ingredients including proprietary pentapeptide complex to enhance the structure and health of the skin. Their cosmeceutical ranges for face and body deliver results using only active, effective ingredients.
- LUXURIOUS: They source only the finest ingredients from around the world and use them in generous quantities. All ingredients are fair trade and cruelty free. High percentages of opulent, exotic and active oils such as damask rose and carrot seed oil in superior formulations ensure luxurious and effective products without compromise. To give you and example, a 1.7 ounce bottle of Rejuvenating Face Cream contains the oil from four (4) pounds of rose petals. I was astounded when I learned this and am coveting my Face Cream even more knowing that.
- PURE: Their ingredients are not only effective but pure. They use certified organic botanicals and naturally occurring minerals - no parabens, petrochemicals, alcohol (what? no alcohol - yes!), TEA, DEA, urea or synthetic ingredients of any kind. The entire range is certified organic by Ecocert, the world's oldest organic certification body, having the strictest, most exacting standards.
Ok, my beauty divas, I know this has been long-winded to get to the actual review of the skincare itself, but I was truly amazed at the history and concentrated efforts behind this company. I wanted to share it with you so you, too, may have a better appreciation of what Organic Apoteke brings to their products. This is commitment at its best!
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Rejuvenating Range
Buttermilk Cleanser - moisturizing cleanser that leaves skin soft and smooth while dissolving make-up and impurities; organic rose oil soothes the senses, balances dryness and improves skin's ability to retain moisture; each of the products from this range have a very "ayurvedic" quality about them in the way they appeal to the senses; you can feel the nature in these products and smell the rose throughout - the cleanser is certainly no different; it's a light, gentle, liquid-gel-cream type texture with amazing benefits. 1.7 oz - $34.95
Rasayana Rejuvenating Serum - a revolutionary serum of Rasayana Complex (derived solely from organic botanicals) draws upon nature's most potent skin-firming extracts to visibly reduce appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age/brown spots; penetrating emulsions carry the precious nutrients to the deepest layers of the skin; clinical research trials have demonstrated effective reduction in visible signs of aging; this is the product termed "Facelift in a Jar" by Grazia Magazine; it's very potent, very strong smelling, and definitely effective. 1 fl oz - $89.95
Rejuvenating Face Cream - the "ooo la la" of the range for me; rich in vitamins and antioxidants this is again sort of gel-cream (but perhaps a bit lighter) in texture, which helps to keep skin looking young and radiant; the organic rose oil (again, a whopping 4 pounds of petals used to create a 1.7 oz bottle) soothes, hydrates and most definitely appeals to the senses, their proprietary pentapeptide complex (derived solely from organic botanicals) leaves skin feeling smoother, firmer and healthy - vitamins A, C and E fortify and nourish. 1.7 oz - $44.95
Other products in the Rejuvenating Range include their Balancing Rose Toner, Rejuvenating Face Mask, and Rejuvenating Eye Cream, all of which are fabulous. The three products I chose to expand upon above are simply what I consider their three (3) core/essential products in this range. You may also try the whole range in a lovely travel/trial sized kit, Rejuvenating Starter Kit, which includes mini versions of all of the rejuvenating products in an adorable cloth-cotton bag.
Organic Apoteke also offers a facial range for normal to oily (or blemish proned) skin in their Active Range, which acts to balance, detoxify and clarify skin (although as noted on their website, both the Rejuvenating and Active ranges may be used on any skin types); a Body Range, which includes cleansing gels, hydrating oils and body creams in scents of Rose, Citrus or Lavender; soaps, bathbombs, giftsets and their own line of purely organic, alcohol-free perfume (this is my next purchase for sure).
Can you tell I'm just a bit excited about this find? Love it! Organic Apoteke may be found at Henri Bendel, some Whole Foods Markets, Fred Segal Santa Monica and online at Organic Apoteke.
