Who says luxury skincare is reserved for designer brands??  Meet Skin Alchemists Apothecary, an eco-luxe brand out to make a difference!

Using raw ingredients, potent extracts, and beautiful botanicals, Skin Alchemists' plant powered formulas are something to be marveled at.  Their stunning range consists of six products currently, including an exfoliating scrub, facial oil, massage candles, cleansing oil, and face balm.  Each formula is like a spa retreat in a bottle, and offers a moment of peace and relaxation even during the most hectic of times.


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No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad.  You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.


Pure, potent, plant based potions – that's the philosophy of Skin Alchemists. Founder Theresa works to bring you an experience that is unique and indulgent, handcrafting micro batches to ensure freshness and the ultimate efficacy. Everything within the range is created using proprietary formulations that are “conjured using the highest grade, nutrient-rich, raw ingredients, each purposefully chosen to deliver an intended result.”

And those results?  Well, each product has its own intentions.  Let's take a look at the core skincare range:

Sesenne Facial Elixir:
Perhaps the star of the show for me, Sesenne is a powerhouse of 26 all natural elements.  The aim of this beauty is to nourish, repair, calm, brighten, and rejuvenate, all while not weighing down the delicate facial skin.

Within this vegan friendly facial elixir you will find cell-reviving rose otto and rose de mai, jasmine and myrrh which soften and improve texture, and wrinkle-fighting frankincense and cocoa which help improve elasticity. You'll also discover skin illuminators like carrot seed, geranium and lime, plus nature's own retinol – cacay seed oil, rosehip, chia seed, pumpkin, blackseed, prickly pear, and sea buckthorn! Each works to heal and renew your complexion both on the surface and from deeper within.


"I distilled the most potent ingredients from the rainforests of the Caribbean to bring you this sophisticated blend of 24 skin-loving elements in vitamin cocktail which repairs, nourishes and rejuvenates skin, while calming sensitivity and revealing a lifted, brightened, glowing complexion."



The Gorgeous Soldier Nourishing Body Exfoliate:
I received The Gorgeous Soldier from Skin Alchemists in a beauty box edit last year, and while I was unsure about the salt scrub at first, it quickly grew to be one of my favourite exfoliating products.


The formula looks entirely compact in the jar, totally unlike any salt-based exfoliant I have used before.  This is largely due to the high coconut and cacao seed butter content which makes this a smooth, slightly dense (but not heavy!) creation that is more similar in consistency to a mask than a traditional scrub.  However, once you scoop some out and start to use it, it gives a gentle but effective buffing that is out of this world.  Plus, it smells INCREDIBLE - like rich creamy chocolate.  Skin Alchemists' always manages to create mouth watering aromas, but this may just be one of my favourites as it is so lush and moreish.

"A decadent chocolate potion of plant oils and nutrient rich butters, hand blended with ground coconut shell to exfoliate dead cells and environmental debris. This nourishing balm gently buffs away dry skin restoring optimal hydration and undeniable luminosity."

With antioxidant rich raw cacao that is high in magnesium, vitamin C and the fatty acid Omega 6, unrefined cocoa butter, and Red Alaea sea salt that contains over 70 minerals including volcanic clay that is high in iron, The Gorgeous Solider from Skin Alchemists is both the height of decadence and a measure of sensibility.  The ingredient list isn't built on fads or fashionable hits, but is designed to be effective, beneficial, and to offer long lasting results.

This luxury scrub is so nourishing that I often found myself not needing a lotion or oil afterwards, making this not only my top pick for best salt based body scrub of 2018, but also a wonderful all-in-one treatment!  My skin always feels so soft, silky, and taken care of after application, more than most of the other body microdermabrasions I have tested, and my skin was not irritated at all by the scrubbing.  In fact, it is always better for it!

The Gorgeous Solider is perfect year round, and since a little seems to go a long way, the price isn't actually all that much.  One jar lasted me about twelve months, and that was with generous amounts used each time.  This is on my repurchase list, and to be honest I may not ever want another scrub as this one is just so darn good.

Ingredients: Sodium chloride (Hawaiian Red Alaea Sea Salt), *Cocos nucifera oil (Virgin Coconut Oil), *Theobroma cacao seed butter (Cocoa Butter), *Macadamia ternifolia seed oil (Macadamia seed oil), *Orbignya oleifera seed oil (Babassu Oil), *Prunus amygdalus dulcis seed oil (Sweet Almond Oil), *Simmondsia chinensis seed oil ( Golden Jojoba), Cocos nucifera shell powder (Coconut shell powder), Helianthus annuus seed oil (Sunflower seed oil), Tocopherol (Plant derived Vitamin E), *Theobroma cacao seed powder (Raw Cacao powder), Vanilla planifolia fruit extract (Vanilla extract)



Humble Warrior Complete Cleansing Oil:
Looking for a cleansing oil that is gentle, effective, and can battle skin fatigue?  Welcome Humble Warrior, Skin Alchemists' answer to all your cleansing needs!


"The Humble Warrior Complete cleansing oil is the optimal first step to any daily cleansing regime. Its “oil pulling” for your skin in a masterful blend of large and small molecule oils which provide the perfect combination for detoxifying the skin by lifting hard to remove make up and cleansing pore debris."

This oil based cleanser is like silk in a bottle.  Humble Warrior glides across the skin so easily, making this the perfect product to double for a facial massage.  A few pumps is all I need, as this applies like a dream and requires no pulling or tugging - just a delicate touch, light as air.  Ideal for the delicate skin on the face and decolletage!

Filled with healing ingredients like omega rich hemp seed, restorative andiroba seed, protective praxaci (an oil high in behenic acid which acts as a barrier against environmental stressors), and balancing marshmallow root extract and black cumin seed, Humble Warrior is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Every session your skin has with this plant powered blend will work to soften, smooth, hydrate, defend, replenish, dissolve fat deposits, and totally reset your complexion.  It tackles stubborn makeup without a problem (including my mascara!), but doesn't sit heavy on your face.  It does need a muslin or a second cleanse to fully remove, or you can turn this into a multi-tasking hero by leaving the excess and skipping your oils and creams!

I like to use Skin Alchemists' Complete Cleansing Oil in my night time routine, as this is when I have the time for a peaceful moment usually.  The calming aroma of lavender, sandalwood, neroli, ylang ylang, and cyprus washes ovee your senses, relaxing your mind just as it soothes your skin.  It's by no means an overpowering smell, but rather a featherlight scent that teases, lingering in the background and quietly working to restore a sense of balance and order.

Humble Warrior isn't just for cleansing either.  You can turn this into a hair mask for deep conditioning, an anti-frizz treatment for smooth and shiny locks, a massage oil, a body moisturizer, a beard softener...  Whatever you think of, you can try!  Skin Alchemists has created an all-in-one super formula that can help reduce waste, cut down on clutter, and highlight the magic and might of nature.  How amazing is that??

Ingredients: *Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, *Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil,* Camelina sativa seed oil, *Althaea officinalis(marshmallow) root extract, Carapa guaianensis(andiroba) seed oil, *Cannabis sativa(hemp)seed oil, Pentaclethra macroloba(Praxaci) seed oil, Cucurbita pepo(pumpkin) seed oil , *Nigella sativa(black cumin) seed oil , *Lavandula angustifolia(lavender) oil, Cananga odorata leaf(ylang ylang) oil, **Linalol, Citrus aurantium (neroli) flower oil, Myroxylon balsamum pereirae(peru) balsam oil, *Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) oil, Santalum album(sandal)wood oil, **d-Limonene**Benzyl Benzoate, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, **Geraniol


Lady Helen Facial Nectar:
One of the few products in the core range I have not yet tried, Lady Helen is a therapeutic balm designed to uplift the mind, prompt cellular renewal, protect against environmental stressors, and defend against moisture loss.

The facial nectar includes sixteen plant and botanical extracts, including:

"Ylang Ylang to help restore calm and ease emotional anxiety in the mind whilst improving skin elasticity, Rose water to maintain the skin's ph balance and controls oil production, Sea Buckthorn and Rosehip CO2 extract to help slow the aging process and repair skin on a cellular level and Hyaluronic Acid to maintain optimal hydration."

photo from Skin Alchemists

Lady Helen is meant to be a go to potion for those wanting to plump and tone their skin, rejuvenate their complexions, and maintain natural moisture levels and increase hydration.  Plus, it brings a dose of positivity thanks to all the gorgeous oils within the balm.

Skin Alchemists' Lady Helen sounds so stunning, and I can't wait to move this from my wishlist to my skincare routine.  I have a feeling it will be a bit too heavy for my skin type, but as I have discovered recently thanks to my experimentation with balms, as long as I use just a minimal amount I can reap the benefits.  I think this could be a wonderful evening ritual and set me up for a happy and confident day after a restful night's sleep.

Have you tried this facial nectar yet?  I would love to hear about your experience and how you use Lady Helen in your skincare routine!

Ingredients: *Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Golden Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil, Glyceryl Caprylate, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaca) Seed Butter, **Linalool, Xanthan Gum, Sodium levulinate, Sodium anisate, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, *Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, *Nigela Stavia (Black Cumin) Seed Oil, *Rosa Canina (Rosehip CO2) Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, *Hippophae Rhamnoides(Sea-buckthorn CO2) Oil, **Geraniol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, **Farnesol, Avena Sativa Kernel (Arctic Oat CO2) Extract, Tocopherol, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, **Eugenol, **Isoeugenol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, **Limonene, **Citral, Potassium Sorbate, **Benzyl alcohol *sourced from organic farming |**components of essential oils |100% natural




This is a range that epitomizes eco-luxury, as every balm, oil, and scrub is dripping in plant based decadence.  Every single product from Skin Alchemists approaches beauty not just from an outward or surface level, but a holistic view that takes mind, body, and spirit into account.  The ingredients are chosen with intention, ensuring that the skin is pampered just as much as mood, and the aromas are exceptionally crafted.

I also appreciate that the price point is relatively reasonable, especially when you consider that many "luxury" skincare ranges offer tiny sizes for exorbitant costs (and often pretty standard ingredients too!).  And when it comes to the level of skill, effort, love, and quality, I am more than happy to save up and splurge.

Plus, Skin Alchemists recently introduced "love bites" - mini versions of their creations so you can trial before committing to the full bottle.  These are all really generous sizes, more travel friendly editions than traditional "try me" pots, as each will last for about a month or more.  This means you get to really see how your skin reacts and responds rather than having to take a leap of faith!

If you are searching for a brand that is something different, something truly special, then Skin Alchemists is one that you should add to your routine.  Nourishing, healing, and able to provide a spa-like treatment at home, their products are pure luxury and will have you feeling like you are at a tropical resort every time you use them.  And you have to admit, we could all use a retreat like that every now and again, right?