Herbivore Emerald Hemp Seed Deep Moisture Glow Oil Review

Have you ever been excited about a product you bought it the day it was released, only to be disappointed by it? Yup, that’s my entire relationship with Herbivore in a nutshell. 

I love the idea behind the Herbivore brand. I love that they’re clean, natural, use recycled glass and minimal plastic, and their products! They seem like a dream, don’t they? 

I should’ve known it was too good to be true when I tried their Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme. It was an oily, thick mess, and one day, I opened the jar only to find black mold in it. What a terrible joke Herbivore played on me. 

But I refused to give up and persevered onwards. When Herbivore was still a new brand, they only had a few products in their lineup, and I tried every single one of them. Over the years, back before I knew better, and when I was still buying into Herbivore’s hype, I tried all of their facial oils. It’s about damn time I review them, right? 

Enter Herbivore’s Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil. The first problem I noticed right away but refused to accept: the oil’s colour is nowhere near what the Herbivore’s photos look like. If you go on Herbivore’s website, the photo is a deep, gorgeous green. My oil looked like a watery, pastel green that over the year, changed to a blueish-green. The colour aside, I was still excited to use it. 

The oil is supposed to be nourishing and fantastic for dry and dull skin, adding a glow to the skin when used. Plus, hemp oil is good for the skin and known for its calming effects. 

What a disappointment this oil was. I should note before I begin the review that Herbivore (like Drunk Elephant) has a cult following. If you buy into their hype, I guarantee you’ll like their products. If you don’t buy into the hype and gimmicks, their products are mediocre or okay, at best. But that’s like every brand and our reviews, right? They’re subjective. I just noticed on Sephora’s site that some reviews were written in a heavily subjective voice by people that love the gimmicks and hype. 

I used these products when I loved Herbivore so this review is a balance between my past self that loved Herbivore and my present self that doesn’t care about the brand anymore. Even though I don’t care about Herbivore, I hate to admit this, but I still want to love their products and buy into their hype. I’ve even tried a few of their newer products too! But each time, Herbivore disappoints me. And yet, I’m still tempted by them. Does that make me foolish or a masochist? 

The Specifics:

Brand: Herbivore 

Claims: “Deep moisture meets flash absorption in this skin calming and seriously moisturizing blend of Omega-fatty-acid-rich and skin-soothing Hemp Seed Oil plus Adaptogens including Shiitake Mushroom and Ashwagandha Root.” (x) 

Ingredients: Squalane, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Caprylic /Capric Triglyceride (MCT/Fractionated Coconut Oil), Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Leaf Extract (and) Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake) Extract, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Borago Ocinalis, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Proprietary Blend of Pure Essential Oils and Absolutes, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract (and) Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract (and) Amino Esters-1 (ex Mimosa Tenuiflora) (and) Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract (and) Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract (and) Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract (and) Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract (and) Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract (and) Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract (and) Corallina Ocinalis Extract.

Affordability: I paid $63.00 CDN for 30ml/1oz. Herbivore is not an affordable brand, by any means. I wouldn’t mind paying that price for a facial oil if it was effective. This oil was not worth the price tag (just like a lot of Herbivore products), especially when the third ingredient is Caprylic /Capric Triglycerides (which I consider to be a filler and comedogenic, despite it being emollient). The first ingredient is squalane, while good for the skin, is cheap and yet again, not worth the price tag. 

Condition of my skin: Some days my skin is dehydrated, and other days, it’s in good condition. I have combination sensitive skin with dry cheeks and an oily t-zone. 

Skin prep: Double cleanse, toner, serums (optional), and eye cream. 

How do I use this product?: After double cleansing and using a toner, I would sometimes use a serum. I’ve both used serums under the oil and without them too. 

Smell: A light grassy hemp scent. 

Texture: A thicker facial oil, similar to the viscosity of Rose Hip Seed Oil. 

How does it leave my face?: I’m on the fence about this oil. While it left my skin glowy, I know it was because the oil didn’t fully absorb and just sat on my face. This oil, unlike what Herbivore says (“flash absorption”), doesn’t sink into the skin. It just sits there, and you end up looking like a greasy (glowy) mess. 

How does my face feel afterward?: The oil doesn’t sink into the skin, so of course, my skin was greasy and glowy. My skin felt soft, but that was it. The next morning, my skin didn’t appear radiant or glowing and looked normal. 

Does it meet its claims/results?: Not really. It didn’t soothe my skin, did nothing for my redness, nor did it absorb into my skin. Regardless of me gently rubbing the oil into my face, it became a thin film on my skin. 

Love or hate?:  I don’t want to hate this oil, but I certainly don’t like it. It wasn’t fun to use, it did nothing for my skin, and it was overpriced. What I truly hate about this oil (and about brands like Herbivore) is that they have a hefty price tag while using fillers such as Caprylic /Capric Triglycerides. Caprylic /Capric Triglycerides is not good for oily/combination skin (it’s comedogenic) as it can cause blackheads and the fact that this is marketed towards those with combination skin is a no for me. 

Repurchase: Heck no. 

Recommend: No. I do not recommend this oil. There are better facial oils on the market that address sensitized, red, dry, and combination skin types. Unless you’re dying to try this oil and don’t mind the price tag, I would stay away. I know this review won’t sway those that swear by Herbivore but those on the fence about the brand and this oil, I hope you make an informed decision before purchasing it. 

Final thoughts: What a colossal disappointment. The Emerald oil was the last straw for me. I kept trying to love it, but it did nothing for my skin, other than leaving it oily and glowy (from the oil). This is a very basic oil that does not deserve the price tag. 

• doesn’t fully absorb into the skin
• leaves a light oily film on the skin
• doesn’t reduce redness 
• contains Caprylic /Capric Triglycerides
• fragrance-free
• good for dry skin
• minimal plastic

The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder Review

If you’ve been following my blog lately, you know my skincare routine involves many The Ordinary products. I’m a fan. Okay, I’m fanatical about The Ordinary. I could write post after post about my love for them and their products, how I use their products, etc. But I won’t bore you with that. 

I’ve tried almost all of their products and use most of them in rotation. It’s easy to overdo it and damage your skin by trying all of the products at the same time (trust me on this one, okay?), so start slow. Patience is key. 

I was most excited to try one of their Vitamin C products but they offer a large variety and I wasn’t sure where to begin. Vitamin C is fantastic for the skin. It’s an antioxidant (protects the skin from free radicals done by UV damage), good for pigmentation, brightens the skin, and fights signs of aging. It’s great for everything. 

I’ve previously tried Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum and hated it. I then cursed all Vitamin C products and refused to use them for years. The serum was an oily, oxidized mess. It was both wet and greasy at the same time, it oxidized to bright orange (for Vitamin C products, the efficacy wanes when the product turns yellow/orange), and it burned my skin. It was awful. 

Two years ago, I stumbled upon The Ordinary and saw the variety of Vitamin C products they offer. I decided to give Vitamin C another try. I first started with a low dose to ease myself into it. I tried one of their Vitamin C serums (Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%) and liked it. But after a while, I wanted something stronger. 

Enter The Ordinary’s 100% Vitamin C powder, the 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder. It’s a fine powder that must be mixed with a liquid to create an emulsion. It’s not for the faint of heart, and yes, it makes me feel like a chemist when I use it. It’s the most effective, non-filler Vitamin C product I’ve tried, and I refuse to go back. 

The Specifics:

Brand: The Ordinary 

Claims: “L-Ascorbic Acid powder that visibly targets the appearance of uneven skin tone, dullness, and signs of aging.” (x) 

Ingredients: Ascorbic Acid

Affordability: I paid $5.80 CDN for 1oz/30ml of powder. Honestly, this will last me a lifetime, considering you only use a 1/4 scoop (which they provide). Compared to other Vitamin C serums, this is affordable and worth the price tag. Don’t tell The Ordinary, but I would gladly pay more for this product. 

Condition of my skin: I’ve used this product on blemished skin, and it tingles. I recommend using it when your skin has no open scabs or blemishes. 

Skin prep: I double cleanse, use a toner and then use this product. Alternatively, I use a sheet mask after toning and then use this product. 

How do I use this product?: Since this is a powder, it must be mixed with a liquid. The Ordinary recommends starting with a 1/8 scoop and then moving up to a 1/4 scoop once your skin gains tolerance. I tried using this powder with facial oils and found it doesn’t sink into my skin as I would prefer. 

Here’s my fool-proof emulsion: 

• 1/4 scoop of powder (do not exceed 1/4 of a scoop)
• 3 drops of The Ordinary’s Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
• 3 drops of The Ordinary’s 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
• 2-3 drops of The Ordinary’s Amino Acids + B5
• 2 pumps of COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Use immediately! Don’t premix this ahead of time or make a large batch. This must be used as soon as you mix everything together. I place all of the ingredients in the palm of my (clean) hand and stir until amalgamated and no powder remains. Then I rub my hands together and gently pat this mixture all over my face and neck (not my eye area), and finish off my routine with a moisturizer. I know the efficacy of Vitamin C decreases when mixed with a water-based serum, but I found this recipe works well for me. 

On their site, The Ordinary lists what products can and cannot be used with this powder. Since this is strong, it can only be used with a handful of their offerings. Make sure to check beforehand what this powder can be used with. I stick with with their Resveratrol serum and am happy with the results. 

Smell: No scent

Texture: A fine white powder. When suspended with liquid, it disappears into the liquid. 

How does it leave my face?: This powder is magic. It instantly brightens my face and reduces the look of my pigmented spots. I will never get over how my face looks when I use this powder in my emulsion. My skin becomes bright and radiant. 

How does my face feel afterward?: The powder (when suspended in the emulsion) brightens my face, making it radiant. My skin becomes softer, more supple, and hydrated. It also smooths the texture of my skin. 

Does it meet its claims/results?: Yes! I rarely try a product that is effective and does exactly what it claims. The results were borderline miraculous. 

Love or hate?:  Love! Absolute adore this powder. That being said, I also think the ingredients in the emulsion boost the efficacy of this product. I also love the fact that this product is in a glass container with a metal lid. I think it’s better than using plastic and the container is UV protected packaging. I’m a fan of The Ordinary’s simplistic aesthetics, their glass bottles with minimal plastic, and no fragrance/fillers. This product is yet another example of simple but effective.

Repurchase: Yes. However, the amount of powder in the glass container will last me a long time. I doubt I will have to repurchase this product any time soon. 

Recommend: I cannot recommend this power enough. It’s effective, free-of fillers, layers well beneath other skincare products, makeup, and sunscreen. However, if you have sensitive skin, I recommend starting with The Ordinary’s other (lower strength) Vitamin C products and slowly work your way up to this one. This stuff is strong and for the first few weeks of usage, you’ll feel a slight tingle on your face. Don’t be worried, your skin will gain a tolerance to the product. If you’re on the fence about Vitamin C or are looking for a different Vitamin C product, I recommend this powder. 

Final thoughts: I’m so glad I dove back into Vitamin C and never fully gave up on it. After the failure and awfulness of the Drunk Elephant’s Vitamin C serum, this powder seems like it came down from the heavens. Am I being overly dramatic? Yes. But the results and how amazing my face looks after using this powder is borderline miraculous and impressive. Once again, The Ordinary has delivered impressive results! 

• wears well beneath skincare, makeup, and sunscreen
• doesn’t pill or cause other products to pill
• no fillers
• fragrance-free
• affordable
• effective
• in a glass, UV protected container
• comes with a scoop 
• must be mixed with liquids
• strong Vitamin C 
• doesn’t oxidize or lose efficacy in its packaging
• will last a while 

This Morning’s Skincare Routine

Products left to right:

• The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
• The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5
• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
• The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
• Homemade Green Tea + Witch Hazel Toner
• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
• Volition Oceanene Youth-Boost Gel

My routine: double cleansed, green tea toner, BHA Power Liquid on my nose, L-Ascorbic Acid Powder + Snail Mucin + Squalane + Amino Acids + Resveratrol emulsion on my face and neck, eye cream, Youth-Boost Gel.

Good morning!

Tonight’s Skincare Routine

Products left to right:

• COSRX Cica Toner
• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5
• The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane
• The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%
• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
• La Roche Posay Redermic R Eyes

What I did: Double cleansed, BHA Blackhead Power Liquid on my nose as a toner, Cica Toner all over, Amino Acids + Snail Mucin, Redermic R eye cream, Squalane + Alpha Lipoic Acid + Rose Hip Seed Oil, Ceramidin Cream.

Have a goodnight!