Osmia Skincare - Natural Balance Facial Serum | Black Cumin, Rosehip, Lavender, + Geranium Oils | Soothe, Hydrate, Smooth | Clean Beauty For Healthy Skin (0.5 fl oz | 15 ml)

I, above all else, look for "clean" ingredients when purchasing makeup and skincare products. This Balance Facial Serum, along with their Restore Serum, is my first experience with the Osmia brand. I am always on the lookout for new brands to try that prioritize good ingredients and was intrigued by Osmia.Osmia describes their ethos on their website: "Using an only-the-essentials approach to optimal skin health, Osmia products are made with the highest quality natural ingredients—always consciously-sourced, and organic whenever possible. All Osmia products are made WITHOUT the following ingredients: parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, ethoxylated ingredients, synthetic color, and synthetic fragrance."I appreciate that Osmia makes their products in Colorado. I go out of my way to support brands that choose to manufacture domestically.Here is the full list of ingredients in this Balance Facial Serum for your consideration:olive squalane, caprylic/capric triglyceride (steam-fractionated coconut oil), aleurites molaccana (kukui) oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) oil*, macadamia integrifolia (macadamia nut) oil*, rosa rubiginosa (rosehip) seed oil*, vitus vinifera (grapeseed) oil*, butyrospermum parkii (shea) oil*, schisandra sphenanthera (schisandra fruit) CO2, euterpe oleracea (acai) oil, Osmia Balance Blend [essential oils of lavandula angustifolia (lavender)*, pelargonium x asperum (geranium)*, cananga odorata (ylang ylang)*, anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile)*, myrtus communis (green myrtle), pelargonium graveolens var. roseum (rose geranium)*, santalum spicatum (Australian sandalwood)*, and saliva sclarea (clary sage)], nigella sativa (black cumin seed) oil*, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) CO2*, non-GMO mixed tocopherols*=CERTIFIED ORGANIC39.2% certified organic ingredientsMy first impression of this facial oil was informed by its packaging. It comes nicely presented in a cardboard box with floral design and pertinent information. The serum itself is in a clear frosted glass bottle with subtle white printing. The pump dispenser is functional at dispensing just the desired amount of product and the clear plastic cap helps keep it leak-free for travel.I've been using this serum as an addition to my morning and evening skincare routines after cleansing to damp skin, as Osmia suggests. It has a golden color and rich consistency that feels a bit greasy initially but is quickly absorbed by the skin. It has a subtle natural botanical scent that is very pleasant. This serum leaves my skin feeling very nourished. It also layers wonderfully with my other skincare and makeup products.

If your face needs a lot moisture, give this a go …but for me…it made my face feel more oily and I am very acne prone and this just made me breakout. Usually this brand has pretty good products but I think this should be geared toward people needing more moisture

Ugghh... I really wanted to love this. So far, I've really liked products from Osmia, despite the high prices. I have acne-prone, oily skin that's been sensitized from prescription tretinoin. Since this is marketed specifically for "oil control" for "Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Normal" skin, I was ECSTATIC. I cannot believe I missed seeing that coconut oil was a top ingredient. I haven't had a breakout in a long time due to excellent skin care. This stuff felt soothing, and absorbed easily. After a couple uses, I broke out. I again looked at the ingredients, and coconut oil was the 2nd ingredient! Now, most skincare companies know that people oily, combination, or sensitive skin are commonly acne-prone, too. So why they used coconut oil, which is very comedogenic, as a top ingredient, is beyond me. Plus, the price tag for a half ounce of something with coconut oil, a cheap ingredient, that high on the list is just ridiculous! I love the other ingredients, or I'd give this even less stars. Take away the coconut oil, it's 4 stars. Lower the price by at least half, it's an easy 5 stars.

This is a lovely oil-based serum. I have very dry, sensitive skin and it tends to become dehydrated and rough very easily. I was hoping this product would help calm my skin and smooth away the roughness. And it does. This serum feels rich but is light-weight and I use just a tiny little bit as it takes quite a while to become absorbed (more than an hour, I would say). After giving it some to be absorbed, it does have a silky, luxurious feel on my skin. It also has a fairly strong scent, apparently from the essential oils in the formulation. Not everyone will like the fragrance, but I really enjoy it and I find that it does linger for a while, but I don't find it overpowering at all. I mostly use this serum at night, and I follow up with a moisturizer. I do occasionally use it in the morning when I feel my skin needs a little extra pampering on days when I plan to be home. I haven't really noticed much of a change in sebum production (an issue on my nose and chin), but I do feel that my skin feels softer and more supple. The serum is in a small, heavy glass bottle with a pump delivery system. I really like this serum but it really seems more like a facial oil to me and the current price of $50.00 for less than half an ounce seems pretty extravagant. I appreciate that this product is made in the USA but after checking the full list of ingredients, I can't really say they justify such a high price...

Restore feels more like an oil than traditional serums, but it makes an excellent base after washing my face, and is one of the nicest serums I’ve tried. Unlike other brands, this formula is quickly absorbed and doesn’t leave an oily appearance. I use it instead of a moisturizer before applying make-up. A few drops per application is all that is needed to achieve good results, and the oil works best if applied to a slightly wet face. It blends very well with liquid make-up, helping spread it more smoothly and evenly. The end result is a natural look that I like very much—this serum adds hydration and leaves skin soft and supple. It’s an effective serum for middle-aged, dry skin like mine. I’m still prone to break-outs, but there’s nothing in this formula that causes skin issues (at least for me). This is the third Osmia skin product I’ve tried, and I’m impressed with them all.