One of the best things about being a writer is the perks! Recently I obtained the complete line of CARE by Stella McCartney and I've been hooked ever since. With a logo like "Everything my skin needs and nothing it doesn't" I'm tempted to believe it... especially when it each item is package in slick airless tubes, enrobed in silvery cylinders that assemble like dove-tail joins.

While I am a sucker for cool packaging, I am equally a sucker for a stand up product. Conveniently enough, the nine-piece set that's sitting on my bathroom counter, is probably the most expensive collection of beauty products that has ever graced that spot; 5ml of moisturizer retails in Canada for $88!

Specifically I wanted to talk about CARE's three elixers that are available to customize the product line's 3 moisterizers. The Calming & Soothing Elixer, Nourishing Elixer and the Radiance and Youth Elixer are three magical potions designed to calm irritated skin, to nourish and to firm tired skin.

I have used the line exclusively for about 3 weeks now and in that period I have noticed my skin's increased ability to retain moister as the colder winds set in. I prescribe each elixer as needed, sometimes skipping the moisterizing process entirely - especially when using the emollient Nourishing Elixer.

The reasoning behind the line's undeniable effectiveness originates from the exclusive use of organic ingredients with essential nutrients - and naturally boast them in greater amounts than what you'll find in conventional skincare offerings. That's the case for vitamins, antioxidants, trace elements, and essential organic elements such as amino acids and fatty acids, which help maintain the skin's vital functions. (Thank You Sephora's Website for the Info).

In addition, each product is ECOCERT - an rigid certification that confirms that the production and marketing rules and regulations for organic agricultural products have been respected throughout the entire manufacturing process. In short, ECOCERT is an international designation that has deemed CARE by Stella McCartney to have met the specific standards for a truthfully organic product.

Some of the benefits from the line include:

• 100% INGREDIENTS FROM NATURAL ORIGIN
• 100% ACTIVE INGREDIENTS CERTIFIED ORGANIC
• PRODUCTS CERTIFIED BY ECOCERT
• PRODUCTS NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS
• NO GENETICALLY MODIFIED INGREDIENTS
• NO PETROCHEMICALS
• NO CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES
• FRAGRANCE COMPOSED WITH 100% ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OILS
• RESPECT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
• NO SILICONES
• NO PARABENS

Specifically, the Nourishing Elixer is by far my favorite. A small eyedropper-esque tool emerges from the container with a potent serum that smells heavily of oregano - in fact, the entire line smells like oregano! With 3 or 4 drops all that's necessary to provide your skin a rich combination of 100% organic natural oils.

The Nourishing Elixer is a smoothing serum complete with nigella sativa (packed with essential fatty acids like omegga-6 and omegga-3; fights free radicals; resists aging process; reverse effects of sun damage; water retainer.), soybean (high in vitamin E; leaves a smoothing sensation to the skin)

A 100 percent organic blend of natural oils, this well-rounded, smoothing serum is a magical mix of soybean, nigella sativa, and musk rose rich in omega 3 and essential fatty acids to help firm and revitalize the skin.

I use this before bed to help maximize my skin's overnight healing process so I can wake up looking like I just had a mini facial. It evens out my skin tone and I love it for that!!

The Calming Soothing Elixer I prescribe when my skin looks stressed, distressed, blotchy and ragged. I'll use this mostly a day or two after a facial when my skin is starting to break out. A pump or two of this creamy concoction is all I need to reduce inflammation and calm my skin down. The effective ingredients include chammomile (reduces inflammation), arnica (reduces bruising and swelling), licorice (anti-acne; mild sunscreen; skin whitening and anti-oxident).

Yes, it still smells like oregano to me.

Finally, the Radiance Youth Elixir, billed as Youth in a Bottle, delivers a mildly instant pick-me-up with a unique blend of red, pink and grean teas. Interestingly enough, I never realized that tea can have a positive effect when used from the outside in instead of from the inside out!

Red tea is one of the most powerful protective natural antioxidant know. Containing Vitamin C, E and Carotene, this one ingredient aids in new skin health by assisting your skin to naturally shed dead skin cells.

Green tea is a powerful antioxident and anti-free radical that reduces wrinkles, skin sag and hyper pigmentation as well as acting as a mild sunscreen.

In all, I use the Radiance Youth elixer when I feel like I look like an old hag! It brightens my skin, it recaptures a youthful glow and it is most effective to use morning and night on a back to back basis.

I never mix the elixers, they work incredibly well on a one on one basis before I apply the CARE 5-Benefits Moisturizer and after the Toning Floral Water.

I recommend CARE by Stella McCartney, I think it's a unique product that is both effective and natural. It has helped me to rethink my skincare line and to trust in the effectiveness of natural ingredients. In fact, with the small single doses of each product it suggests that the product line might be even more potent then conventional over the counter skin care products. The results I've seen have been miraculous! Over the past 3 weeks I've watch my skin be reborn, purging and repairing itself.

However, the best testament comes from one of my friends who declared that I looked 6 years younger than my actual age.

Yes, I like CARE.

I like it a whole friggin' lot!