Product Review: Earthwise Beauty Black Locust Firming Concentrate

Earthwise Beauty is one of those brands whose products are not only transformative but are also experiences to use for all of the senses. I have already reviewed what is perhaps their most beloved product, Nap in the Meadow face serum, and it continues to be a key component to my routine. But now, I am eager to share with you about what I feel is the most powerful and luxurious product of the range-- the Black Locust Firming Concentrate.

The Black Locust Firming Concentrate is one of the newer products in Earthwise Beauty's curated range and is the brand's powerhouse "anti-aging" (though it does not have any ingredients that would give me cause for concern to use at any age) skin firming and renewal product. Featuring the bakuchiol, what many Green Beauty experts are calling nature's answer to synthetic retinol products (in that helps to firm, repair, and tone the skin but without the initial irritation or risk of increased sun sensitivity that can come traditional synthetic retinol products) it is aimed to address many skin concerns especially for those with dry or maturing skin including smoothing wrinkles and protecting against loss of firmness and elasticity. Because this product is so gentle, however, I believe it is a great answer to those of us who want to start on a preventative aging regime without a heavy-duty retinoid product that might be more than a younger skin needs as well as those who may have more mature skin but dislike the thought of more conventional anti-aging products or might have had negative experiences with retinol in the past. The product itself is a rich, velvety, yet somehow not overtly or overly heavy-feeling oil that melts effortlessly into the skin after a light massage. The base of this oil blend predominately seabuckthorn oil, which is abundant in several compounds of Vitamin E to help build up and cushion the skin barrier and give the oil a really deliciously creamy texture when applied to the face.

However, to keep it from feeling potentially too heavy, brand founder Ava says on the website description, acai berry oil works to lighten up the formula and guard against clogged pores while lupine seed oil address sagging skin and inflammation along with a powerful cocktail of calendula and chamomile extracts (chamomile and calendula being a commonly featured across most, if not all the items in Earthwise Beauty), These last two ingredients along with the Indian champaca flower give this oil a gorgeous earthy, fruity-floral smell almost like black cherries mixed with something more floral and nutty and mossy. It makes me feel super grounded, calmed, and renewed. As an aromatherapist, Ava Zhan prizes the healing effects of not only how her products perform on the face, but also what they might bring to the user's energy. And for me, she certainly succeeds here.

As I have been using the Black Locust Firming Concentrate at night--sometimes layered with my other moisturizing and hydrating products and sometimes all on its own-- my skin has become noticeably more even-toned and acne spots and scars now appear much lighter and fade more quickly. My skin has great bounce and cushion and flakiness and any signs of dehydration have gone considerably down. I can only imagine how this product will continue perform overtiem and as I get older and deeper wrinkles do begin to form. This is a pleasure to use, and I think it will only become more of a staple down the road and I think could be a welcome, special, and luxurious addition to anyone's routine. This product has the perfect combination of being very gentle yet powerful-feeling on the skin, but with no sting or burn and signs of irritation. Yet, I totally feel a palpable firming to the face with every application. And though the product is sold in comparatively small sizes when stack up against other products, trust me when I say one drop per application is all you need to apply around the face and even down the neck and decolletage to get a palpable effect.

If you are interested in trying out the Black Locust Firming Concentrate, you can purchase it on EarthwiseBeauty.com. A full size is a 0.5 oz bottle is soldfor $86 USD and a smaller 0.17 ml bottle is also available for $36 USD.