Julia DiNardo

Since 1980, Repêchage has been on the beauty scene with the mission to include the best, most pure, natural ingredients to address a variety of skin concerns. Today, the company has grown to a large manufacturing facility and lab in nearby Secaucus, NJ, and continues to live up to it’s mission with an expanded line of offerings that include makeup, body, and facial care.

A very verbal lover of all things olive oil-related, I tested Rêpechage’s Hydra 4 Day Protection Cream, $38, which includes Olive Oil and Olive Leaf Extracts, Quinoa Oil, Carrageenan, amongst other ingredients, to deliver moisture and protection from free radical damage, as well as to soothe, regenerate and oxygenates cells. Nice! I liked the way it lightly went onto the skin and was absorbed, yet seemed to quell my sensitive, reactive skin without any issue.

I also ditched my usual face wash for the brand’s T-Zone Balance Cleansing Complex, $27, which includes St. John’s Wort and Green Tea Extract for purifying, soothing and toning properties alongside anti-inflammatory benefits. Practically as gentle as my Cetaphil, it adds a few extra nourishing skin components to my usual regimen.

Paraben-free and not tested on animals, I can really get behind the Kanshi line of products, a brand started by Rêpechage, based on traditional African ingredients that are as wonderfully aromatic as they are effective. I tested the Kanshi Deep Cleansing Cucumber Facial Masque with Peppermint, $25, made of cucumber oil, sea silt, kaolin clay, and peppermint, for a rejuvenating and relaxing skin treatment that resulted in a luminous, oil-free complexion.

Although the masque was certainly my favorite, I also tried the Kanshi Instantly Refreshing Foot Spray, $10, post-soak, and found it to hit the spot! It soothed my tied feet with its Triple Mint without making my feet too tingly, while the Horse Chestnut ingredients works to  improve circulation, and the Lemon Myrtle finishes the job for natural anti-microbial effects.

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Astringent, $4.99, might be something you remember from seeing in your childhood or bathroom cabinet (I sure do); it’s one of those products that you can pretty much use to treat anything and everything. The Dickinson’s brand, which was established in the late 19th century, brings the dilution of the witch-hazel shrub to cleanse, treat, tone, and refresh skin. Deep clean your skin, remove excess oils residue, and feel great without overly drying yourself out, and avoid bad chemmies and ingredients that can cause an adverse reaction. The brand also has a Foaming Face Wash, which has the witch-hazel to cleanse and regulate skin in a non-irritating fashion, makeup it great for all skin types.