I recently had the opportunity to try a variety of skincare products from up and coming the company, Verikira Naturals.  As the name implies, all products they distribute are 100% natural.  The line was created by a woman who had been diagnosed with a complex muscle illness.  In her search for a healthier lifestyle, she developed Verikira Naturals.

Since I was a child I have had dry skin, I am very fair and “me + over perfumed lotions” is not an equation that mixes.  When I read some of the rave reviews on this new line, I had to try it to see if the hype was true!  When it comes to skincare products, I am not an easy win for any brand.  I use a menagerie of products that I stand behind fairly firmly.  It follows that when I try something and like it, especially with all of the products flooding the market nowadays, it is a rare occurrence.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty behind the Verikira Naturals line, and start with some product reviews.

And the winners are…

Spicy Citrus Walnut Body Scrub

What they claim

As you gently exfoliate with fine crushed walnut shells, the Scrub foams and cleanses. Excellent for all skin types. This body scrub is made with Organic Lavender Hydrosol to soothe skin irritations and help inhibit inflammation; Organic Jojoba which contains protein, minerals, and a waxy substance that mimics collagen and our human sebum (the natural coating our body produces to protect the skin and keep it supple); and Organic Aloe to help improve hydration. This scrub is soothing and healing to all skin types. Scented with Essential Oils of Lemon, Lime, and Ginger for a refreshing experience.

What I found

Absolutely my favorite Verikira Naturals product.  Ladies – we all know how hard it is to find a good body scrub.  One that doesn’’t leave your skin too greasy.  One with a fine, smooth grit.  One that goes a long way in terms of application, and lasts forever.  One that does not have an overpowering smell.  Well, this is it!  The grit seems to be made from the finest sand you could ever set foot on; it feels so luxurious.

You may be saying to yourself that “at $38 a jar it better feel luxurious” but, trust me ladies, this product is well worth the cost.  The aroma alone made me feel so relaxed; …like I was at a spa.  It’’s all natural too!  No chemicals!  I can even shave my legs before I use it and get NO stinging.

As far as body scrubs go, this one has far surpassed any others I have tried.  I used it in combination with their Spicy Citrus Herbal Body Lotion (see below), and my dry irritated skin was soft, smooth, and irritation free after only a couple of days!

Spicy Citrus Herbal Body Lotion – Paraben Free

What they claim

Great for all skin types. 87% Organic content consists of herbal extracts such as Organic Green Tea, which contains compounds that have an antioxidant effect; Blue Green Algae to help skin store moisture and improve elasticity; Organic Nettle Leaf, rich in minerals and plant hormones to help stimulate the skin and improve circulation; Organic Chickweed useful against skin irritations and inflammation; Organic Slippery Elm, which is emollient and has a slight astringent property; and several others that aid, soothe, and refresh the skin. Scented with Essential Oils of Lemon, Lime, and Ginger for a refreshing experience.

What I found

This was the first product I tried from Verikira.  The consistency is unlike any moisturizer I have used before.  As opposed to a normal lotion, this was very runny.  It definitely made me question its ability to moisturize.  What I found though, was that it felt more oil based than normal moisturizers. Not greasy, just lighter.  It was as though they had cut out all of the junk additives that other moisturizers use, and just kept the good stuff.

While some people were overpowered with the smell (it does have quite a strong lemon smell; as one person across the room from me put it,  “Why do I smell lemon joy?””), it definitely dissipates a minute or two after you apply it.  It continues to amaze me that these products can be as fragrant as they are and do not irritate my skin!  The company gets a major Bravo from me for that alone.

Once I got used to the unique consistency, my indifference became an affinity for this moisturizer.  Potential cons are– the strength of the fragrance (to some) and the quantity, which does not seem like it will last too long for anyone who uses moisturizer on more than just their hands.  I recommend using this after you have showered using the Spicy Walnut Body Scrub.  The combined effect trumps the results of using either one on its own.

Vitamin C Toner

What they claim

The antioxidant levels of this toner bring an ideal balance to a skincare regime. Great for all skin types. Blended with Essential Oils of Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine, Litsea, and Neroli to help fight against aging.

What I found

Growing up, my mother always instructed me to shy away from toners.  She thought they were a waste of money and didn’’t do anything.  I’ve tried a few in my time (Chanel, Estee Lauder, Clinique, etc…) and came to the conclusion that the burden of adding yet another product to my routine outweighed any advantages that could come from using it. I immediately felt different with this Vitamin C Toner though.  I have used it as recommended (after the Verikira Green Clay Face Cleanser), as well as with some other cleansers that I have.

My conclusion is that it works well with anything and is a great standalone product.  This toner visibly reduced the size of my pores (the older we get the larger they seem to get right?) and made my skin feel very firm.  I use this product about twice a day now, because I just love the way it makes me skin look and feel.  Of course, the fact that I know any tingling isn’’t due to chemicals helps too.

The Runner-ups…

Lip Smoother & Plumper Lip Balm

What they claim

DMAE, combined with antioxidants (Ascorbyl Palmitate and Vitamin E), can help with thin or aging skin around the lips. This compound can plump up the lips to make them look fuller. Antioxidants are believed to remove the free radicals that have been associated with skin cancer and premature skin aging due to sun exposure.

What I found

I’m always willing to try a new lip balm, especially one that claims to plump!  This product goes on very smooth and feels silky on my lips.  It also doesn’’t have that tingly feeling that many other lip plumping concoctions do.  Unfortunately, like most other lip plumping concoctions, this Lip Smoother & Plumper Lip Balm didn’’t do much plumping!

I also found that it’s one of those lip balms that you have to reapply very frequently, or else your lips feel dry.  I do continue to use it, because I love the way it feels and the scent of it after I first put it on.

If you are looking to try something new that offers a smoothing effect, give this a whirl.  At $7.00 a pop, what do you have to lose?

Green Clay Face Cleanser

What they claim

Vitamin C Esters, Vitamin E, and Green Clay create a synergetic blend that helps fight off the assault your skin encounters on a daily basis from free radicals.

This cleanser is made with French Green Clay derived from volcanic deposits, which is the richest in mineral compositions and the most drawing of all clays. It has a high mineral content, rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

This cleanser will gently, yet effectively stimulate and increase the lymph flow and circulation; enabling oxygen and speeding the elimination of wastes. Blended with Essential Oils of Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Mandarin, Tangerine, Litsea and Neroli to help guard against aging.

What I found

So, at first I really liked this product.  Using something totally natural to cleanse my skin made me feel good.  That, of course, doesn’t really have anything to do with the effectiveness of the Green Clay Face Cleanser.  So before I made any definitive conclusions, I needed to use it for 2 weeks.

At the end of the two week period, I had a few breakouts, and was not too happy with the way my skin was looking.  Was 2 weeks a long enough trial period?  Maybe not, but I think we can all agree that when you start seeing breakouts on your face after trying a new product, the last thing you are going to do is keep using that product.  I discontinued use of the Green Clay Face Cleanser and went back to my Dermalogica product.  My skin cleared right up, and felt a lot less oily.  Everyone’’s skin is different, so while this product did not work for me, it may work quite well for others.

Would I recommend Verikira Naturals?  Sure.  I am definitely interested in trying some of their other products. If I had to choose only item from their line though, it would without a doubt be the Spicy Citrus Walnut Body Scrub. This is a must, so go out and buy it so you can fully appreciate what it is I am talking about.

I am guessing that their Aromatherapy line, which includes Reed Diffusers and Soy Candles, is pretty fantastic as well, given the amazing scents of some of the products I have tried!

With Verikira you can always be certain that you are getting a product of the best quality; whether it is the right one for you or not.  And if it’s not the right one, then share it with a friend!  They will be coming out of the woodwork.