Hey there! Hope you’re all having a stupendous summer!
I have a confession to make. I’m obsessed with kombucha. Having had my share of digestive issues, I started using probiotics, organic ACV, etc. Then I “discovered” the wondrous brew that is kombucha. I’ll admit, the idea of it is pretty gross, especially if you google “SCOBY.” But it’s SO refreshing, and really soothing to my stomach.
Then, lo and behold, a package from Fresh graced our doorstep. Inside was the brand’s Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, along with their Instant Perfecting Mask and Firming Overnight Mask. OMG. This made my whole day so much more exciting!
The Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence provides eight benefits in just one formula: antioxidant and antipollution protection, reduced appearance of fine lines, increased luminosity, refined pores, improved elasticity, healthier tone and texture.
The star ingredient is kombucha, or fermented black tea, which has been proven to protect against pollution, which in turn can lead to a dulled appearance and accelerate the appearance of aging. An essence is intended to be the first leave-on step in your skincare ritual, and helps prep for more products, and increased absorption.
The essence is housed in a heavy, lux, frosted glass bottle. The top contains a little hole, so it’s easy to dispense just a few drops without the liquid pouring out everywhere. It has a light, fresh, tea scent that’s natural and very pleasant. The essence is the consistency of tea, so it goes on super easily and sinks in almost immediately. I don’t even waste it by using a cotton pad- I just shake a few drops onto my fingers then press onto my face.
My first thought was, “Where has this stuff been all my life…?!?!” This essence is every bit as wonderful as my beloved kombucha beverages. After using this stuff twice a day for a week, my skin looks brighter, clearer, and feels more smooth. The Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence is definitely a new fave!
The Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask is a hydrating treatment loaded with advanced antioxidants. The mask has a velvety, cloud-like whipped texture, along with an instant cooling effect. It quickly melts into the skin to refresh, soften, and improve skin texture to reveal smoother, more supple skin.
The mask is formulated with kombucha, black tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, and lychee seed extract to help improve skin elasticity and protect against damaging free radicals. The formula also contains firming polysaccharides to help smooth out the skin.
The mask can be used 2-3 times per week, before an event, or anytime you’d like an extra “boost.” Simply apply to cleansed, towel-dried skin, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse. Easy!
The mask comes in a glass jar, which looks great on my counter, and is simple to scoop product out of. The formula has almost a “matte” appearance if that makes sense- it’s not shiny like one would expect. It has a light, fresh tea scent, and feels very soothing. After rinsing it off, my skin feels very smooth and makeup goes on much more easily.
The Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask is an intensely hydrating treatment that’s left on overnight. The mask works to visibly firm and redefine skin contours throughout the night, achieving a more lifted and firm appearance in the morning.
The mask contains kombucha, black tea extract, blackberry leaf extract, and lychee seed extract, which help improve elasticity and prevent damage from free radicals. Belle du nuit extract helps soothe and rebalance the skin, peptides help firm and lift, and hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and hydrates.
The overnight mask is super easy to use. Simply massage a generous layer onto the face and neck. Use as the last step in your night time skincare routine, and leave on overnight.
Like the Instant Perfecting Mask, the Overnight Mask is packaged in a glass jar. This also has a light tea scent, and goes on very easily. I found that I need less of the Overnight Mask than the Instant Perfecting Mask, as it seems to spread a bit more easily.
The Overnight Mask is SO hydrating without feeling greasy. I sleep on my side (on my face- I know that’s bad…lol), and no problems staining my pillow or sheets. When I wake up and wash my face, my skin is hydrated, dewy, and my fine lines are plumped. For a double dose of glowy glam, I use the Instant Perfecting Mask in the morning right after rinsing off the Overnight Mask!
The only negative with the masks, despite looking fab, is the jar packaging. Products with antioxidants need to be packaged in a such a way as to minimize exposure to light and air, which can render the ingredients ineffective due to instability (Kaur, Kapila & Agrawal, 2007). There’s also the matter of introducing bacteria by repeatedly dipping one’s fingers into the product.
I get that jars are very popular and exude “luxury,” so I know why companies use them. With great products, I don’t let this dissuade me from use- I often just transfer the product to a different package, such as a travel bottle, and retain the original packaging for info. The Fresh masks are definitely worth it!
Overall, I’m super happy with the Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence and Black Tea Masks. With such a hot, harsh summer, and being outside so much, these products are going to be staples in my daily skincare routine. Check them out at Fresh or NORDSTROM.com, and get FREE shipping on ALL orders, NO MINIMUM!
Source:
Kaur, I., Kapila, M., & Agrawal, R. (2007). Role of novel delivery systems in developing topical antioxidants as therapeutics to combat photoageing. Ageing Research Reviews, 6(4). Retrieved July 24, 2018, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
