Moxie Reviews™

Need a muti-tasking moisturizer that is organic? Check out the product that was sent to me for review:

Defend, by Purelement Naturals

1.7 f. oz./50 ml

This is packaged in violet glass to protect Defend from UV rays.

Purelement Naturals Defend retails for $48.00 and is available at www.purelementnaturals.com. 

Of course, no product would be reviewed here if they were not cruelty free. “Absolutely no animal testing” is the statement.

Purelement Naturals has the ECOCERT seal:

Here is a link to Ecocert’s website and the process they go through to certify a cosmetic – http://www.ecocert.com/en/natural-and-organic-cosmetics

Purelement Naturals is a skincare company that was formed in 2010 by Andriana Valentino that both develops and distributes, all-natural and organic skincare products infused with pure essential oils. Purelement Naturals started their line in June 2011 with organic body butters, organic argan oil, serums, scrubs, and lip and body treatments. However, after feedback from her clients, and seeing the terrific results from argan oil, Andriana decided to make that the main focus of her company. Defend was reformulated and released last month (April 2012).

I’ve tried and really love other argan oils that I’ve reviewed. What intrigued me about Defend was the fact that it is six different pure essential oils that are infused with 100% certified organic argan oil. You probably already know that Argan oil is obtained from the argan tree, which is indigenous to Morocco. This is the foundation of Defend because of the high volume of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Defend is a moisturizer that promises to, ”tighten, clarify, hydrate, and protect skin. Additionally, Defend regenerates skin cells, evens out complexion, improves elasticity, softens skin, and reduces inflammation and redness.”

Ingredients in Defend:

Argan oil: This 100% certified organic oil is high in EFAs, squalene, and Vitamin E

Bergamot: This organic ingredient clears skin infections

Carrot Seed: Revitalizes and moisturizes dry skin

Frankincense: This balances oily skin, smoothes and defends against wrinkles

Geranium: This organic ingredient is anti-inflammatory, helps to control redness and uneven skin tone

Lavender: This organic ingredient is a cell regenerator, it combats wrinkles and is effective against acne

Myrrh: This cleanses, tightens, and rejuvenates the skin

Defend may be used by applying one to two drops to face in the morning and at night. Defend may be used on your face, body, hair, and nails.

Defend may be used by all skin types, and the shelf life is 3 years.

Andriana, the Owner of Purelement Naturals has kindly agreed to respond to some questions about herself and her company.

Andriana, is Purelement Naturals the first company you’ve owned?

No, Purelement Naturals is my third and by far my favorite company out of all the businesses I have started. 

How/why did you start Purelement Naturals?

I’m beyond passionate about essential oils and helping people attain beautiful skin in a natural, healthy, and safe way. I’ve always preferred a more natural way of doing things from eating to skincare to cleaning my house. In 2010, I was introduced to essential oils through my business partner/boyfriend’s mother. I’ve used essential oils before, but not to the extent that I do now. His mom showed me how to use the oils internally for medicinal purposes and I started researching how to use them for my skin. I became addicted to the aroma, the way they made me feel, and the way they made my skin look. I started whipping up body oils, body butters, lip balms, scrubs, anything I could with essential oils. I set out on a mission to create skincare products that were non-toxic and effective, and started using my family and friends as guinea pigs. My mother was the one who turned me on to argan oil and I was floored when I saw what this oil did to my skin. Naturally I started blending it with essential oils and coming up with blends for specific skin issues. First I had a few different blends of argan oils that were definitely good, but come 2012, I reformulated Defend into a mega-moisturizing and multi-tasking powerhouse.  

Your product bears the Ecocert label. Why was that important?

It’s really important to me to have the best organic certification process for my products.  The skin is the largest organ in our body and absorbs absolutely everything we put on it, so we have to be careful what we put on our skin. I’ve become so aware of what I put into and on my body and I simply can’t put an unnatural or toxic product on my skin. I think when people see that a product is certified organic whether it’s through Ecocert or another organization, this gives the consumer a sense of trust in a brand. They see that the product is what it says it is…certified organic.

 

Ecocert’s certification process is stringent and that’s what I like about them. They are a well known certifying organization and put products through rigorous testing. I am confident about using a product with the Ecocert logo.

Purelement Naturals bestselling argan oil blend, Defend, was reformulated and released last month. If this is not top secret information, how did you make Defend even more effective?

Originally Defend had only three ingredients: argan oil, frankincense and lavender. This was a great formulation, however, I wanted to create a product that addressed many issues and something that was suitable for all skin types. After a lot of research and testing, I found six powerful essential oils that worked really well together to provide multiple benefits. The thing about Defend that I think is so appealing is that it does so much, and it’s just one simple product that requires only 1-2 drops per application, not to mention the long shelf life. Frankincense and lavender work really well together to combat wrinkles, soften scars, and regenerate skin cells. By adding geranium, myrrh, carrot seed, and bergamot, I created a product that not only moisturized, helped combat wrinkles, and regenerate skin cells, I created something that clarifies, hydrates, evens out complexion, softens skin, and reduces inflammation and redness. Defend is unique, powerful, natural, and an easy product to integrate into your skincare ritual. Argan oil and essential oils are a true gift packed with powerful nutrients and really transform skin into a thing of beauty.

One of our core values is to be transparent and a responsible company. We want our customers to know exactly what’s in the product they are putting on their skin. We tell you what each ingredient does so you can make an informed purchase decision. If you compare our ingredient label to that of a mass-marketed skincare product, you will see a whole bunch of words you can’t pronounce and I’m 99% sure you don’t know what role that ingredient plays in the product. I think consumers are becoming more aware of what they are putting on their skin and that is a really great thing. Our skin is the largest organ in our body that protects us and also absorbs the good and the bad. Putting a product on your skin that is 100% pure and nourishes your skin is the only way to go in my eyes.

Defend is suitable for all skin types. How do you encourage those that are afraid to try an “oil” on their face?

Oil actually dissolves oil. I think people should give argan oil a fair shot. I haven’t heard one person being displeased by putting argan oil on their face. All of my customers keep coming back for more and are believers in argan oil and essential oils. Once someone sees what argan oil does for their skin, they stick with it. I understand people being hesitant about putting oil on their faces, but once they see that argan oil isn’t greasy and that it soaks into the skin, they see how it works. Of course if you overdo it, you will look shiny and greasy, but if you follow the instructions and just use one or two drops, you’ll be good to go. I rarely wear makeup anymore. I LOVE the way my skin looks from using argan oil and honestly, I don’t want to hide it under makeup. I’m big on natural beauty and having clear skin builds confidence and I think more women out there should show their skin off.

There are no preservatives in Defend. Do people ever ask how it’s possible to have a product be effective without any preservatives?

Actually, the essential oils act as natural preservatives since they have so many anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties.  Products can definitely be effective without preservatives. Defend is a really powerful and effective product due to the combination of essential oils and how their chemical constituents work together. 

Stay tuned as Purelement Naturals will launch a men’s version of Defend this summer!

Disclosure: Defend was provided for review. All links are for your convenience only!

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