Kora Organics Recovery Eye Gel Cream and Purifying Day and Night Cream Empties/Review

In the spirit of keeping things totally honest on my blog (as all my reviews are!), I decided to write a combined empties/review post on two Kora Organics products I have used up, which are the Recovery Eye Gel Cream, and the Purifying Day and Night Cream.

Purifying Day and Night Cream: This was actually my second attempt at Kora's moisturisers. I had initially purchased the Soothing Day and Night Cream and had a terrible experience with it, but I was so convinced that I had just brought the wrong moisturiser for my skin type, I gave it away and brought the Purifying one. The first couple of nights I used it I noticed that my forehead and temples felt particularly tight after using the product, and it was as though the moisturiser was just sitting on top of my skin. Sure enough, over time my face was so dry it was flaking, and it felt so uncomfortably dry that even rosehip oil couldn't soothe it. It developed a rough texture and I think that because it was so dry, it had started to produce excess oil and my acne flared up terribly. I am so terribly disappointed in the quality of these moisturisers as I had heard rave reviews about them, and each one cost $60. I gave the Soothing cream to my friend, and resorted to using the Purifying cream as a body moisturiser to simply use it up.

Recovery Eye Gel Cream: This was actually my first experience with an eye product, so needless to say I had high hopes for this product. Unfortunately, this product failed to deliver. I used it every night for two weeks, and noticed that it was making my eye area tight and dry, and I was rapidly sprouting milia. Before using this product, I had two or three, but by the end of two weeks, I had at least ten. I ended up just using this product up anyway I could, avoiding my face.

In the end, I think I learnt from this experience that even if a product has rave reviews, you should still do your own research and try not to buy into all of the hype. I could have potentially saved myself a lot of money (haha!).

I purchased my Kora products from RY.com.au 

Review: Kora Organics Hydrating Mask

Kora Organics Hydrating Mask

For sensitive/ dry skin: Containing Noni Extract, Vitamins and minerals to restore essential moisture to the skin. This calming uniquely formulated mask cleans, rehydrates and protects the skin. KORA Organics Hydrating Mask refines pores, removes dead skin cells and promotes healthy tissue rejuvenation leaving the skin feeling replenished and rejuvenated.


Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Rosa damascena (Rose) Flower Water*, Glycerin, Olivoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, CI 77819, Silica, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Oil*,  Rosa eglantaria (Rosehip) Oil*, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Morinda citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract*, Xanthan Gum, Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Soy bean derived natural Vitamin E), Benzyl Alcohol, Carrageenan, Santalum spicatum  (Sandalwood)*,  Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood) Oil*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dehydroacetic Acid, CI 77288, Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli) Oil*, Rosa damascene (Rose) Oil*, Lactic Acid, geraniol** & citronellol**.
**From essential oils. *Ingredient from Organic Farming.
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED. NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS. VEGAN.
NO Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic fragrance, Synthetic colours, T.E.A., D.E.A., Glycols, Silicones, PEGS. Ethoxylate and Formaldehyde free.  

I have been using this mask in rotation with my other favourite masks. I apply it at night after cleansing my face and let it sit for as long as I have time for (ie: half an hour). After that, it hasn't set, but I like that as I don't like masks that leave your face feeling dry and stiff. It has a delicious scent and has a very soft texture. Once I wash it off my face is left feeling soft and hydrated, and any irritation is soothed. It hasn't improved my acne at all, which it isn't designed to do anyway (the purifying mask in their collection is designed for that), but it doesn't irritate my acne either which is important. It just does an awesome job  of hydrating. It is luxuriously priced but the ingredients are quality. I would recommend this mask for people with dry or sensitive skin. It leaves my skin feeling and looking healthy, but I am yet to turn into Miranda Kerr!

Price: $49.95 for 100ml
Head to RY.com.au to buy this mask!

Review: Kora Organics Balancing Rose Mist and Exfoliating Cream

This will be the first post of two or three, as I have tried many of the Kora Organics products (Balancing Rose Mist, Foaming Cleanser, Cream Cleanser, Eye Gel, Hydrating Mask, Blemish Gel, Enriched Body Lotion, Exfoliating Cream, Purifying Day and Night Cream, Rejuvenating Foot Balm, Soothing Day and Night Cream, and Tinted Day Cream). I love the ethics behind the company, and the fact that Miranda Kerr created the range! I have been busy and haven't had a chance to review the products until now. I hope my review helps you decide whether or not you want to try the Kora range!

Balancing Rose Mist

Suitable For All Skin Types - Enrich and Nourish

A replenishing and nourishing facial mist with the added benefits of organically grown Rose, Noni, Aloe and Hibiscus. This unique combination provides the skin with antioxidant protection known widely to assist in supporting the skin's own collagen production.

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Water*, Rosa centifolia (Rose Petals Pink)*, Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus)*, Morinda citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract*, Aloe barbardensis (Aloe Vera)*, Alcohol*, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Leuconostoc/ Radish Root Ferment, Malpighia glabra (Acerola Cherry Powder)*, Maltodextrin*, Sodium chloride (Macrobiotic Sea Salt), Potassium Hydroxide, Water (Aqua). *Ingredient from Organic Farming.PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED. NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS. VEGAN.
NO Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic fragrance, Synthetic colours, T.E.A., D.E.A., Glycols, Silicones, PEGS. Ethoxylate and Formaldehyde free. 98.99% of the total ingredients are from Natural Origin. 87.63% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming.

My thoughts: This mist smells so beautiful! I originally brought this product as my face was suffering from dehydration and needed something extra than just a moisturiser. I sprayed this product on my face after cleansing and before moisturising. However, my skin did not seem to particularly like it, as it is so sensitive, and it ended up drying it out more. So it got put back in the cupboard and forgotten about like all of the other unloved skincare products I own. That was until I read an interesting article about how rose water (the major ingredient in this mist) was good for healing stretch marks and scars. So I sprayed some straight onto the areas that I had stretch marks on, and after a week, my stretch marks seemed diminished? I love that I have found a way to make this product work. I also use it as a mist to spray and relax me at the end of the day. I would recommend you give this product a try, as although it didn't work for my face, it is still a beautiful product that no doubt has skin healing benefits.

Exfoliating Cream

Suitable For All Skin Types - For Face And Body - Purify and Renew

KORA Organics Exfoliating Cream contains a unique blend of organically grown Oat Flour and Bamboo to gently buff away dead skin cells helping to reveal a smoother, softer complexion. KORA Organics gentle and effective exfoliant is filled with Essential Oils to nourish and cleanse the skin and is gentle enough to be used on all skin types including sensitive skin.


Ingredients:  Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) Extract*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Olivoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil*, Bambusa arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Stearic Acid, Avena sativa (Oatflour)*, Morinda citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract*, Dicaprylyl Ether, Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Rosa eglantaria (Rose Hip) Oil*, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Soyabean derived Natural Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil*, Citrus reticulata (Mandarin) Oil*, Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) Oil*, Citrus aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus aurantium ssp bergamia (Bergamot) Oil*, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Lecithin (GMO free)*, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Sodium chloride (Macrobiotic Sea Salt), Beta Carotene, Olea europea (Olive) Oil, Aqua (Water) & limonene**. **From essential oils. *Ingredient from Organic Farming.
PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED. NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS. VEGAN.
NO Sulfates, Parabens, Synthetic fragrance, Synthetic colours, T.E.A., D.E.A., Glycols, Silicones, PEGS. Ethoxylate and Formaldehyde free. 98.32% of the total ingredients are from Natural Origin. 47.74% of the total ingredients are from Organic Farming

My thoughts: This creamy citrusy exfoliator has the most luxurious grainy texture, leaving your skin smooth and clean, without a hint of irritation. I can't use it on my face as mechanical exfoliators irritate my skin, but on my body its beautiful. Perfect for shedding winter and exposing sexy fresh skin, and preparing skin for fake tanning.

You can purchase both of these products from RY.com.au!  

My Skin and Hair Routine Exposed

I should probably start by telling you about my skin type. I have freckly, sensitive, prone to breakout skin, which used to be quite oily but since switching to natural products leans toward the dry side. My hair is long (long long long), brunette and is fairly healthy but I still suffer from dryness on the ends.

In the morning in the shower, I simply splash my face with some water. I never cleanse as I find my face gets too dry doing it twice daily. I hop out and apply my Lily Loves Pearl Hyper Hydrate moisturiser and most days, John Masters SPF30 sunscreen. On the rest of my body I rub Moogoo full cream moisturiser. I’m excited because I have recently discovered this and it has been the only moisturiser able to get rid of my keratosis pilaris completely! I use Harmonis Kiss deodorant on days when I am home, but I’m still not confident enough to use it going into town or at work, so I still use a toxic supermarket brand.

For makeup, I keep it simple. I use Bare Escentuals powder (not totally clean, I’m aware), Physicians Formula Mascara and a cheap eyeliner I picked up from a cosmetics store.

I usually wash my hair of a night time and sleep on it slightly damp, so it isn’t as frizzy and unmanageable the next day. I’ve found when I wash it in the morning it frizzes up and becomes knotty and unruly. I have to confess, I am still using a toxic conditioner. I’ve found it really hard to find an affordable toxic-free one that moisturises as well as this one. I also use Thursday Plantation’s shampoo but it seems they have had a recent reformulation and some of the ingredients now look suspect. So I fail. Anyone have some suggestions? I use coconut oil as a leave in conditioner for the ends of my hair, and sometimes as a mask.

Of a night, I use Kora’s foaming cleanser; the skincare brand of the famous Miranda Kerr, and it does a great job removing every last trace of makeup, sunscreen and pollutants on my face at the end of the day. When I have time, I apply a manuka honey mask to my face and relax. This has really helped with the dryness and has reduced my acne by 50%. I massage a few drops of Trilogy’s rosehip oil into my face, concentrating on the areas that are scarred and dry such as my chin, temples and forehead. I then rub my Lily Loves Pearl Hyper Hydrate moisturiser in.

Tada! xx

Review: Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser

I first found Kora Organics a few years ago when I heard Miranda Kerr had created it, and I quickly became engrossed with natural and organic skincare. I loved that the Kora Organics website listed every single ingredient, had positive reviews and videos showing you how to use each product. The foaming cleanser was the first product I ever bought.

Kora Organics’ products are proudly Australian Made and Owned, not tested on animals, and are vegan, which I love. They are also free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance and colours, T.E.A, D.E.A.,Glycols, Silicones, PEGS, Ethoxylate and Formaldehyde.

Kora Organics Foaming Cleanser

Description: KORA Organics Foaming Cleanser is a gentle, soap free, foaming cleanser formulated for oily to combination skin. It naturally and gently rids the skin of impurities. The Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Sandalwood protect the skin from free radical damage while leaving the skin feeling fresh, invigorated and clean.

Ingredients: Camellia sinensis (Green Tea)*, Rosa centifolia (Rose)Extract*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*, Coco-glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Oleate, Morinda citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract*,Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil*, Cedrus atlantica (Cedarwood) Oil*, Dicaprylyl Ether, Lecithin (GMO free)*, Lactic Acid, Sodium chloride (Macrobiotic Sea Salt) Aqua (Water). **From essential oils. *Ingredient from Organic Farming. 99.35% of the total ingredients are from natural origin, and 51.81% of the total ingredients are from organic farming. Certified by ECOCERT.

My thoughts: I have been using this cleanser for over six months now and still loving it. It lasts a long time (the first bottle lasted me 4 months used once daily, and the second bottle is still going..), and removes every trace of my makeup and zinc sunscreen, leaving my skin feeling soft and silky. It is gentle on the skin and feels like you are treating yourself to a facial every time! I never used to look forward to washing my face before this product. I recommend this.

To purchase this cleanser, head to RY.com.au