I.D Swiss Botanicals, described as being a disruptive new brand within my stash is quite different to other products I have used. From their Swiss heritage and created by Cedric Rimella, the belief lies within plant based formulas and science as the aim is to harness the full potential of natural ingredients with what are referred to as being unique neuro-active properties which work to improve the health and appearance of the skin.
One of those ingredients which plays a major role within this brand is Cold pressed hemp seed oil extract, which is scent free, and it is believed it reaches our endocannabinoid system, leading a variety of physiological processes throughout the body, thus helping to better coordinate messages between the body and the brain.
I have been kindly gifted a huge selection of products from the brand to try and over the past few months, I have been working my way through them. There is a choice of oils, serums, creams, masks and my favourite discovery - a powder! Whatever your concern - redness, anxiety, dehydrated skin or even the need for a primer, you will find a little bit of everything right here.
Starting with my favourite product, the Skin Stress Balancer Soluble Powder Serum! This is a 100% natural, fragrance free product and its job is to protect and reinforce the skin by helping to modulate its response to daily stresses. Whether you live in a big polluted city, have a powerful job or busy home life, stress takes its toll on the skin and this is where Skin Stress Balancer comes into its own. Its job is to protect and strengthen the skin by helping to regulate its response to daily aggression's - UV, pollution, lifestyle, tobacco, pesticides by limiting inflamm'aging or as many of us use the term premature ageing of the skin.
A dry serum, which is not something I had come across until now, but the reason it is dry is because I.D Swiss Botanicals believe that with this product you buy efficacy, not water, as water is used in almost all cosmetic products, the belief is that Skin Stress Balancer benefits from the water of the products already in your bathroom, allowing the formula to not contain any preservatives. Designed to be used alongside another product, you simply add 2-3 doses of the powder with a small amount of your favourite water-based beauty product, so everything from creams, serums, BB & CC creams, gel-creams, beauty essences, gels, elixirs, masks, hand creams, body creams, body milks, body lotions and mix them together.
Then we move to the serums and starting with Deep Hydration Serum Rich in Hyaluronic Acid and its job is to provide a thirst-quenching boost to plump the skin.
As well as the inclusion of a super high concentration of CBD to enhance the effects of your neurocosmetic routine, you will find Hyaluronic Acid to help protect the skin from dehydration, Pine Extract from Swiss stone pine that is known for reducing inflammation and protecting skin effect. Marine Biotech Active which is a natural active ingredient produced by plankton through a process of bio-fermentation. Its job is to give your skin a smooth and fresh complexion. On the skin this Serum is every bit as rich as you would expect it to be, but it absorbs really quickly leaving behind incredibly moisturised skin and for me, the scent of Pine, which runs throughout all of the products is simply delightful.
The next product is the Radiance Moisturiser Rich in Vitamin C & Vitamin E and this serum is formulated with Kakadu plum extract, vitamin C serum, and cold-pressed hemp seed oil, a unique blend of antioxidants that deeply moisturises and balances your skin's microbiome for a healthy glow all day long.
I really like the texture of this serum, it is lightweight without being too runny and on the skin, whilst there is no scent of hemp, there is once again that fresh pine scent that is dominant and once the serum has absorbed into the skin, there is no oily or greasy residue left behind. What I have found with this serum is that it works so well on its own if you don't intend to add a moisturising cream. You can also re-apply this serum throughout the day if your skin is feeling dehydrated.
As part of your evening routine there is the Nourishing Night Cream Rich in Hyaluronic Acid & Shea Butter.
This night cream works to accelerate the cellular regeneration as you sleep giving skin that is fresh and glowing in the morning. With its unique formula, this night cream is enriched with cold-pressed hemp seed oil and hyaluronic acid. The Hyaluronic Acid Protects the skin from dehydration by retaining water, then we have Gum biosaccharide 1 which provides soothing, moisturizing, reconstituting and restructuring effects to the skin, Organic Shea Butter which is rich in fatty acids and unsaponifiable matter displaying nourishing, softening and soothing properties. Hyaluronic acid.
When it comes to oils, I have two of the three available from I.D Swiss Botanicals - No Stress Elixir Oil and No Breakout Elixir Oil.
The No Stress Elixir Oil is for use orally and as we all know, stress is and can be a common cause of a whole host of skin conditions - dryness, inflammation and breakouts.
Again, in keeping with the brands ethos of Brain to Skin, No Stress Elixir uses a powerful botanical elixir based on the stress-regulating properties of CBD and with the 6% CBD from this elixir, it works alongside the following ingredients:
- organic cinnamon oil - Cinnamon oil if known for its nerve-soothing abilities,
- organic rapeseed oil - Rich in vitamin E and Omega 3, rapeseed oil has antioxidant properties for radiant skin.
- organic peppermint oil - Not only improves your digestive system, it also has recognised effects on the nervous system and the menthol contained activates a cell receptor common with CBD.
As it is for use orally, the advice is to use No Stress Elixir Oil in the morning for an active start or in the evening for deep relaxation, however, you can also use it whenever you feel stress, aches or fatigue. Starting with 5 drops which you place under the tongue and wait a few seconds before swallowing. I have just started to use this oil, so will report back in a few weeks time.
The second oil is the No Breakout Elixir Oil+ and this one is described as being a neurocosmetic innovation for hybrid use and is recommended for those with oily combination skin.
You can use No Breakout Elixir Oil+ in two different ways. Firstly as a topical treatment and for this you would need to apply 1 drop of oil to clean skin directly on the area you wish to treat or mix several drops of oil with your daily moisturiser. Or, as with the No Stress Elixir Oil and take it twice a day with around 5 drops per dose. When it comes to a list of ingredients, for this Elixir, there are just five:
- Hemp seed oil and Extract - Derived from the seeds of the hemp plant it is rich in Omega 3 and 6 and works to promote skin regeneration. It also has an anti-inflammatory properties and helps to regulate sebum.
- Evening primrose oil - This oil consists of approximately 70-74% linoleic acid and 8-10% gamma-linoleic acid and it works to promote skin balance and also to regulate sebum production.
- Tea tree oil - Mainly known for its anti-bacterial properties, tea tree oil helps to reduce inflammation and acts on brown spots.
- Safflower oil - Known as the “4,000 year old herb”, this oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid which helps to fight against imperfections and improve the complexion of the skin.
My personal preference when using this is to mix it with my moisturising cream, especially when I am feeling a bit run down around that time of the month when my skin tends to be quite unhappy.
The final product to share with you is the Relaxing Neurocosmetic Sheet Mask and it is designed to help to reduce signs of fatigue, reinforce the skin’s radiance and prevent dehydration.
Made from 100% organic cotton, this mask is designed to be used on skin that has been freshly cleansed and ideally for around 30 minutes, which for me is the perfect amount of time I can manage to sit still and not fidget! As you might have guessed by now from this brand, it is packed full of natural ingredients
- CBD Beauty Complex™ - Swiss CBD and organic hemp oil which keep the skin hydrated, plump and moisturised
- Kakadu plum - Superfruit with a high Vitamin C content and rich in antioxidants. It helps to reduce signs of fatigue and boosts skin radiance.
- Extract of Pine - which is known to reduce inflammation and protect the skin.
- Caprylic triglyceride - This is a blend of fatty acids that help to replenish the skin's surface and prevent it from dehydration.
As soon as this mask is applied to the skin, it is immediately soothing and thankfully isn't dripping in serums and oils. It has that wonderful Pine scent which I have alluded to in other products from this range, a scent which I find really pleasant and it leaves my skin feeling really soft and smooth to the touch.
Without question, this is an exciting brand who looks at the relationship between the skin, the ingredients with use and their connection to the communication between our body bringing together that connection between the power of plants and nature.
The best part, you can find every single one of these products on sale via Feelunique!