FAQ's
Are your products cruelty free?
Yes! We do not test our products on animals and all our ingredients we source are cruelty free.
Are your products safe to use while I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
We encourage all pregnant or breast feeding customers to consult a health care professional prior to using any new products.
Are your products vegan?
Yes. We do not use any animal- or animal by products in our formulations.
Do your products contain nut oils?
Yes. Please read the ingredients prior to use. If you are concerned we encourage all customers to consult a health care professional prior to using any new products.
Note that some nut oils may cause an initial breakout to occur. Usually this will resolve within 1 week. If you continue to have any irritation please discontinue use and consult your health care professional.
How does Marula Oil compare to other oils?
Marula oil contains a very high level of oleic acid (omega 9 monounstaurated fatty acid) which is naturally found in your sebum. It’s this high oleic acid content that makes it slightly heavier than other oils, while still being easily absorbed to effectively hydrate your skin. It also helps to protect your skin by reducing inflammation, improving skin smoothness, promoting wound healing, and it even offers a little natural sun protection.
Marula oil also contains high levels of sterols (a type of lipid) which help to detoxify your pores and protect your skin by strengthening the natural lipid barrier; linoleic acid (omega 6 monounsaturated fatty acid); vitamin E; and vitamin C; all of which help to scavenge free radicals in your skin helping to make your skin look more youthful.
Marula oil has been traditionally used by women in Africa as a beauty oil rubbed onto their faces, hands, feet and on their stomachs when pregnant to reduce stretch marks. It has also been used to soothe chapped skin, burns, and soften scars. The marula tree symbolizes a women’s fertility, softness and tenderness.
What are the benefits of Camu Camu?
Camu Camu berry has been shown to contain one of the highest natural levels of vitamin C in nature (comparable to 30 times that of an orange and higher than Açai!). This potent level of vitamin C makes it an excellent free radical scavenger, effectively helping to repair DNA damage and helping to prevent the signs of ageing.
The Camu Camu berry is also a natural source of many bioactive compounds such as: amino acids (valine, leucine, and serine); minerals (sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and copper); fatty acids (steric, linoleic, and oleic); organic acids; and polyphenols. These remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make Camu Camu Berry Extract an excellent antiaging ingredient which helps to keep your skin looking and feeling younger.
What are the benefits of Kigelia africana?
Kigelia africana is known as the sausage tree in Southern Africa due to the large sausage shaped fruit that hangs from it. Traditional African healers have used its bark, roots, leaves and fruit to treat many ailments over the centuries. In particular, the sausage fruit extract has been used to treat skin conditions such as blemishes, redness, blisters, sores, ulcers, eczema, and even for firming the skin of the breasts. These uses have also been scientifically proven and there is ongoing research into its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-tumour activity. One of the compounds found in the extract, noviburtinal, has been shown to have a cytotoxic effect on tumours and is being trailled as a potential treatment for skin conditions such as melanoma.
These wonderful natural qualities of the Kigelia africana fruit extract make it an excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, firming, and anti-ageing skin care product.
What ingredients don’t you use?
All Luxe Botanics products are free from undesirable ingredients, such as parabens, phthalates, sulphates, DEA, petrochemicals, formaldehyde, triclosan, phenoxyethanol or cosmetic fragrances.
What is the shelf life of your products?
All products have a shelf life of 1-2 years due to the botanic and natural ingredients used. Please refer to the expiry date label on your product.
What ritual do you recommend?
Everyone has their own skin type – no two are alike and your skin has different needs every day. We encourage all customers to take the time to truly understand your skins needs and tailor your routine accordingly.
Here’s a suggest ritual to get you started, just remember to adjust to your individual skins needs:
Morning:
- Cleanse: Single cleanse with Camu Brightening Cleanser.
- Treat: Kigelia Clarifying Serum for problem skin days or Camu Brightening Serum for dull skin days. Follow with 2 drops of Marula Hydrating Serum for dry skin.
- Moisturise: Kigelia Clarifying Moisturiser for combination skin or Camu Brightening Moisturiser for dull skin.
Night:
- Pre Cleanse: Gently massage around eyes, face and neck. Rinse with warm water and a muslin cloth.
- Cleanse: Single cleanse with Camu Brightening Cleanser.
- Treat: Kigelia Clarifying Serum for problem skin days or Camu Brightening Serum for dull skin days. Follow with 2 drops of Marula Hydrating Serum for dry skin.
- Moisturise: Camu Brightening Moisturiser or extra Marula Hydrating Serum used as an overnight treatment.
Luxe tip: Our serums can be layered and combined as needed to suit your skin.
Where can I find out more about botanic and natural ingredients?
A good place to start is the Environmental Working Group site’s consumer guides http://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides
These are comprehensive and will show you the research for each ingredient as well as a rating based on safety and toxicity. You can also search for your favourite products to see how they rate.
Where are your products manufactured?
The products are manufactured in the USA and comply with the most stringent international standards.
Marula Oil
Our Marula oil is extracted from the nut of the organic, wild grown Marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) in Kenya. The fallen marula fruit is collected by local Kenyan women, dried, cold-pressed and filtered to capture the natural nutrients. There are no chemicals or heat used in this process. Through supporting these women, and providing them with an independent source of income, we are enabling them to feed, clothe and educate their families and even start a small business of their own.
Kigelia africana Fruit Extract
Our Kigelia africana Fruit Extract is harvested by the local community in Malawi and sent into the town where the fruit pulp is separated, dried and processed. The proceeds are paid to the local community association which either invests in social projects or back into the forest in the form of tree planting activities. Our Kigelia africana Fruit Extract is certified organic by the UK Soil Association.
Camu Camu Berry Extract
Our Camu Camu Berry Extract is harvested from the berry of the Camu Camu bush (Myrciaria Dubia) which fruits every year November to March in the Amazonian region of Brazil.