Spotlight on Schaf Skin Care (+ Giveaway!)

Hi, everyone! Y'all know I'm a sucker for a bold blush or a bright lipstick, but if you're a regular reader of the blog, you'll also know that I have a serious weakness for skin care. There are few things I enjoy more than pampering myself with a face mask or testing out a new cream or serum. Over the past couple of years I've really delved into the world of green beauty, as the notion of treating my skin with pure, safe, straight-from-nature ingredients is incredibly appealing. What I've learned along the way, however, is that just because a product is natural, it doesn't mean it will be compatible with my sensitive, acne-prone skin. Quite the contrary, several essential oils and extracts I've tested have made my skin quite angry. Not wanting to shirk natural skin care completely, I continued my quest to hone in on green beauty products that are natural, gentle, and effective for my finicky skin. So when Schaf Skin Care offered to send a few goodies my way, I was eager to jump at the chance! 

Schaf is a local Canadian brand (yay!) that aims to create natural products that are high-performance, gentle, and free from unnecessary ingredients such as synthetic chemicals, irritants, and fragrances (e.g., parabens, SLS, mineral oil, phthalates, petroleum, GMOs, and animal byproducts). Each product is a blend of natural and organic ingredients designed to cleanse, hydrate, and protect all skin types. Their products focus on promoting healthy, youthful skin via formulas that will lead to visible results without aggravating delicate skin types. Plus, they are all Eco-Cert certified and cruelty-free. Not much more to ask from a skin care line in my books! 

While I can definitely be a sucker for elaborate, luxurious packaging and an extensive product range, I really admire that Schaf chooses to keep things simple and focus on quality of product over quantity or excessive packaging. Their range features only five products (a cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream, scrub, and shave cream)- all a basic skin care routine needs, really- and the packaging is minimal and chic. This suggests that they've really put their energies into mastering their formulas, rather than on appearances or unnecessary variety. It is what's in the bottle that counts! The price point is right too- ranging from $25-$45, Schaf products are totally reasonable, especially in the realm of green beauty where things can get a bit exorbitant. 

Now let's take a closer look at the products!

The first product I tested was Schaf's Nutritive Daily Moisturizer** ($45 CAD). It promises light-weight, oil-free, yet nourishing hydration with both hyaluronic acid and peptides for a boost of anti-aging properties. It also includes natural ingredients such as avocado, grapeseed, pumpkin, and shea to further protect the skin from environmental damage. The product is also vegan, which I appreciate!

My thoughts on this moisturizer? It's a hit! It's exactly as promised, providing satisfying and plumping hydration without any hint of heaviness or greasiness. It layers and mixes very nicely with other serums and oils and wears wonderfully under makeup. Plus, it hasn't irritated or broken me out one bit, which is an ultimate win for me! There is nothing sexy about the scent or texture, but the performance is tops. And again, that's what's most important! 

Next up we have Schaf's Nutritive Daily Eye Cream** ($40 CAD). This eye treatment promises to smooth and reduce the look of fine lines, while hydrating, firming, and replenishing the eye area. Like the Moisturizer, it includes peptides, but also features Coenzyme Q10, an anti-aging powerhouse that works to stimulate collagen production safely and naturally. It is also vegan and aimed at all skin types.

The verdict? It has really impressed me so far! Like the Moisturizer, there is nothing sexy about the texture or scent. It is a basic yellow-toned mid-weight cream, but man does it perform! One of the key things I look for in an eye cream is that it hydrates and plumps my eye area without causing concealer, eyeliner, and mascara to slip and slide throughout the day. This does the job wonderfully! It wears exceptionally well under makeup with its completely non-greasy texture. I've been using it regularly for a few weeks now and I have to say that the fine lines around my eyes are looking less visible, my skin, more plump. Yay for noticeable results! 

Here are the Moisturizer and Eye Cream on the back of my hand, so you can get a sense of the consistency of each: 

(L-R); Schaf Nutritive Daily Moisturizer and Schaf Nutritive Daily Eye Cream

Given my initial love of the brand, I'm thrilled to announce that Schaf has provided me with one of their White Lava Purifying Scrubs** to give away to one lucky reader! 

This gentle exfoliator (with a value of $30 CAD) is designed to condition, balance, and smooth the skin with all natural particles of white lava and ground apricot seeds (no micro beads here!). It also works to plump the skin, is vegan, and is suitable for all skin types.

If you're interested in winning this little lovely (I mean, who wouldn't want to scrub their face with lava?!), simply enter via the Rafflecopter widget below!!

Again, this giveaway is for One (1) Schaf White Lava Purifying Scrub. The giveaway is open internationally and all readers aged 18+ are eligible to enter. False/giveaway account entries will be disqualified. The winner will be contacted on February 8th, 2016 via email and/or social media. If this winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.

Be legit, people, and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Overall, I am so happy to be acquainted with Schaf, as my sensitive skin has been completely enjoying their products. My experience with the brand has reminded me that what my skin loves most are simple, gentle formulas that perform without any bells and whistles. It is a goal of mine this year to stick with skin care that really works, and Schaf has already been an integral part of that resolution! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and best of luck with the giveaway! xo

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**Starred products were sent my way as PR samples for consideration and review. All opinions expressed are 100% authentic and my own!