When the Hawaiian island of Kauai – home to abundant tropical goodness like coconut, hibiscus, jasmine, orchid, pineapple – is cited as the primary source of inspiration for skincare, you can hedge your bets that au naturale properties are paramount. 

Enter Herbivore Botanicals, the minimalist Instagram-friendly (236k followers and counting) PETA-certified vegan skincare brand, who are so committed to working with nature in its purest form that its products will temporarily cease to exist if nature doesn’t deliver on request.

The brand has been propelled up the beauty ranks to line the cabinets of beauty editors from its humble beginnings with a soap-making starter kit in 2011. Naturally we were intrigued to find out what all the fuss was about, so we test drove three of their cult products: the Lapis Balancing Facial OilCitrine Body Oil and Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Cream.



Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Cream 
Loaded with antioxidant, antibacterial and hydrating properties, the Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Cream in millennial pink is your answer to plump skin – and a glowing and glass-like slightly dewy finish. Rose water maintains the skin’s natural pH (of 5.5. as we know) and calms irritated skin; salicylic acid-rich aloe water detoxifies and prevents blemishes; white tea extract protects the skin from pigmentation; rice extracts brightens dark marks, and linoleum acid-rich kukui nut oil rich keeps wrinkles at bay. It’s a sell-out for a reason!



Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
With its saturated, inky-blue exterior, the Lapis Balancing Facial Oil can look a bit daunting, but fear not… the property of blue tansy, azulene, that gives it its rich colour, is in fact an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory acid that is having its time in the spotlight for its ability to reduce redness and balance oily skin without drying it out. And if that wasn’t enough, the oil boasts olive-devised squalene which acts as a barrier to keep the skin aptly moisturised; aforementioned kukui nut oil for nourishment at a deep level; jojoba oil for aiding with the absorption of other oils, and jasmine samba oil which works to increase the skins elasticity.



Citrine Body Oil
In fruity orange blossom, rosehip and neroli, the Citrine Body Oiis a rich concoction for the scenes that smells like a trip to the tropics. Better yet, its blend of pure botanicals regenerate, hydrate and moisturise. Trans-retinoic acid and omega 3,6, and 9-enriched rose hip oil regenerates and repairs damaged skin; meadow-foam oil works to form a protective barrier around the skin, and neroli oil softens wrinkles, reduces veins and stimulates new growth in cells. 

Instagram filters at the ready. Shop the full Herbivore Botanical range below: