Skincare review: Boscia

I was first introduced to Boscia when my mother-in-law, who works at Sephora, handed off a sample of the Willow Bark Breakout Treatment. It’s a lightweight gel that goes on clear — not heavy or sticky like some other acne treatments. I wasn’t familiar with the company so I looked it up and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Boscia products are preservative free and botanically based. They also rate a low 2-4 on the Skin Deep Database.

>Boscia was created by Fancl Corporation, which is based in Japan. The products contain organically grown jojoba leaf, a powerful antioxidant, and willowherb, an anti-inflammatory. All products are free of preservatives, synthetic colorants and fragrances, mineral oil, animal products, and phthalates.

I told my mother-in-law I was interested in trying more, and she let me borrow her Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil, a lightweight cleanser that smelled faintly of eucalyptus and mint and left my skin feeling soft and clean. She also gave me a sample of the Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15, which is a decent lightweight moisturizer. But I really wanted to see how the products fared at controlling oil, so I picked up the Travel Kit for normal-to-oily complexions. (Boscia also offers a normal-to-dry Travel Kit and a Clear Complexion Kit for battling breakouts.)  The normal-to-oily kit retails for $45 and features travel-size bottles of the Purifying Cleansing Gel, Balancing Facial Tonic (a spray!), Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15, Recharging Night Moisture, and a pack of Green Tea Blotting Linens.

A word on blotting papers: My oily skin needs midday blotting and powder application, or else I start to feel like a grease pit, which isn’t good for my complexion … or my concentration. For years, I have used the non-waxy brown type of paper napkins for blotting — they absorb oil magnificently, and I  always pick up some extras whenever I go to Chipotle, Panera, or Starbucks. I tear them into thirds to get more use out of them, but it’s still not the most eco-friendly practice.

Boscia’s Blotting Linens are made of 100% natural acacia leaf fiber and green tea, which sounds pretty darn natural to me. They come in a slim little packet that fits anywhere, which is definitely better than cramming a wad of napkins in the bottom of your purse. And they’re available infused with a variety of plant extracts, including vanilla and lavender, which are my two favorite scents. It’s just a question of whether you want to shell out the $10 for a pack of 100, or stick to free napkins from the coffee shop.

The first day I used my new Bosica products, I noticed an immediate difference in my skin. Even after applying moisturizer, my skin felt clean and fresh.  It actually felt like I wasn’t wearing any products at all, which was a first for me. In fact, my skin actually felt a little … dry. But in a good way. Not in a tight, itchy way, but in a wow, my skin doesn’t feel like a grease pit way. By midday, I still get a bit of a sheen, which the blotting papers and a little powder take care of nicely.

Pluses: The products are lightweight and smell fresh and clean.  I love that Boscia is readily available at my local Sephora, inside the JC Penney’s just ten minutes from my house. Product diversity is outstanding: Boscia offers cleansers, toners, exfoliators, and moisturizers targeted toward different skin types. The wide array of treatment products includes formulations for anti-aging, breakouts, pore minimizing, age spots, sun care, plus lip and eye products, masks, and even supplements. And Boscia gets extra points for the spray toners.

Boscia is also now offering a rewards program where you can earn one point for every dollar spent. When you accumulate 300 points, you automatically receive a $30 rewards certificate towards your next purchase. Unfortunately, it appears that points are awarded only for online purchases and not for in-store purchases. Hopefully that will change in the future.

Minuses: Not many. The two daytime moisturizers both contain SPF, and I would prefer an option with fewer chemicals.  Also, the products are a little pricey. ($27 for one ounce of moisturizer; treatments and eye creams run $25-48.) But a little bit goes a long way.

Bottom line: I love this skincare line. I’ve never used anything else that feels so lightweight and fresh on my oily skin. And I can’t think of anything I could possibly need that the extensive product line doesn’t offer.  I’m still working my way through a few other products, but when it comes time to replenish, I’m definitely buying more Boscia.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”