Hi friends!
Back to skincare today. I was certainly not aware of the cult following that the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum had in the beauty community – particularly amongst editors and retailers – until I received a sample of it this summer. I had bought some skincare as a gift for my mother in Onda while I was on vacation, and the salesperson kindly slipped a perfume-sized sample of the Botanical Serum into my bag. I found tons of rave reviews of the product online…and then I saw the retail price. Get ready for it…for 30 ml of product…it’s $185. Thud. Yep, you read that right!
What in the what?? Well, I absolutely had to test out the sample to see why in the hell anyone would pay nearly $200 for one skincare product! So I’ve been using this every other night in my routine for a month now, and I’m ready to share my experience with you guys.
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WHAT IS VINTNER’S DAUGHTER ACTIVE BOTANICAL SERUM?
Just a quick note here: there is A TON of info about this product on the Vintner’s Daughter website. I’ve just included the main blurb below. If you’re truly interested in this product I’d really suggest reading through everything on the website, linked below.
Active Botanical Serum is a powerful, multi-correctional face oil infused with 22 of the world’s most nutrient-rich botanicals. At the heart of Active Botanical Serum is our Phyto Radiance Infusion, which starts with whole plants sourced from conscious growers around the globe and takes three weeks to complete.
Our potent concentration delivers optimal ratios of healing phytonutrients, balancing minerals, free-radical fighting antioxidants, strengthening phytoceramides, nourishing fatty acids, and brightening vitamins to renew, repair, protect, and tone the skin.
Added to this infusion is a targeted group of cold-pressed botanical oils and essential oils of the highest-grade to further amplify the performance of Active Botanical Serum.
THE TEXTURE
This product isn’t a traditional serum in the slightest, as the name would suggest. It’s a golden-yellow facial oil that’s not thick or greasy in the slightest. Actually I’d say it’s quite thin-bodied, which makes it extremely absorbent on the skin.
THE APPLICATION
The brand tells you to apply this oil in a specific way that they call the “Push/Press method.” You squeeze 5-6 drops from the dropper onto your palm, rub your hands together, and then press and push the oil into your skin. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to replicate that since I was working from a sample in a small glass tube without a dropper. Instead I dotted about 5-6 dabs of the oil all around my face, and then either gently rubbed or pushed the product into my skin.
As I briefly mentioned above, I use this every other night in my routine right after I cleanse my skin, but before I apply moisturizer. Vintner’s Daughter does claim you can use this both morning and night. I did apply this once in the morning before my makeup, and it was lovely. It didn’t disrupt anything on top and actually I think it made my makeup apply better!
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THE SCENT
This is packed to the brim with 22 botanical and essential oils, so I won’t mince words – the scent is strong! Like, it may turn you off cause it nearly turned me off initially! The smell definitely lingers for a few minutes after you apply the oil too. But to be fair most products that contain essential oils are quite fragrant. Don’t be confused though, that does not mean this product is “fragranced.” You’re only smelling the natural oils here. I’m very used to the smell now and it doesn’t bother me anymore.
THE FEELING
While this is a thin-bodied oil, it still manages to feel luxurious somehow! My skin feels hydrated and soothed after application, plus the glow it gives is amazing. It has never broken me out or caused any redness or irritation of any kind. (Keep in mind I have dry, dehydrated skin that can be reactive at times.) Best of all, when I wake up the next day my skin still feels beautifully soft.
I do think there is some validity to the whole “Push/Press method.” My skin feels much more hydrated and nourished when I press the product into my skin, rather than rub it in. I don’t know the science behind this at all, so it’s a bit weird to me! But I’m telling ya it’s true!
Check this out from The Cut: This $185 Natural Face Oil Became a Cult Beauty Favorite
THE VERDICT
Unfortunately I do really enjoy this product. It makes my skin look and feel wonderful. I will be sad when my sample runs out for sure, but I just cannot fathom paying that much for one skincare product, no matter how many oils you throw in it! Even the smaller 5 ml bottle is $65.00 – not exactly affordable!
I could understand that if this product cut down your skincare routine (i.e. eliminated steps), the cost may be more manageable to some people. But personally I have quite a simple 4-step routine (cleanse, eye cream, serum/oil, moisturizer), so this isn’t exactly saving me any time.
If you’re interested in a real deep-dive on the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, I highly recommend checking out Stephanie Nicole’s video on YouTube (linked below). It’s long one but very, very detailed.
Would you buy the Active Botanical Serum? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
NOTE: all images in this post are courtesy of Vintner’s Daughter’s Instagram account.
PIN IT!
If this could renew and repair my skin to make me look like I’m forever in my early 20’s then I might fork over the money for this. 😀
Ha! That would really make it worth it, wouldn’t it? The fountain of youth can be yours for only $185! 😆
😂😂😂
Great that you were able to try such a high end product. I think with good skincare higher prices are more “stomachable” …..afterall without good looking skin all the makeup in the world doesn’t matter….if you like it so much …splurge!!!! 🙂
Very true – good skincare leads to good makeup! I don’t mind a splurge every now and then, but this one scares me 😆. Maybe I’ll put it on my Christmas wish list 😉.
Wowza, I’ve never heard of this but that price tag is outrageous. I could never spend that much. It reminds me of the Go-To Face Hero Face Oil I’ve been using, I’d be so curious to read a comparison of the two!
Wonderful review, as always, Erica! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks girl! I know, right?? I don’t even think I could ask for it for a Christmas gift either. I’ve never heard of that oil before, I may have to investigate. Do you like it?
I have been using it more for my eczema because it works so well to soothe & hydrate it. I only used it on my face once & it was lovely but, it’s the only thing working for my eczema so I don’t want to waste it on my face, you know?
Interesting. I’m going to look this up because I do get eczema from time to time. It’s always good to know what works for other people. My derm recommended CeraVe from the drugstore, and it definitely helped with my last flare up.
It’s way more affordable than this serum but, really, really sounds similar. I’ve never tried CeraVe since they aren’t CF but, I’ve also heard a lot of others say it works wonders, too.