When it comes to natural skincare, I’m sort of an “a la carte” naturalist.
I own and love many all-natural products and I really do want to go clean-all-the-way, but my OTC stash of Neostrata, Avene and Roche-Posay (amongst others) has kept me from fully converting… Until now.
I think I may have found the perfect, completely natural skincare line in County Apothecary, an innovative collection formulated in Prince Edward County by its founder Carol Dickinson (more on her interesting lightbulb moment later).
County Apothecary’s point of difference? Purslane. This leafy green is one of the world’s most nutrient-dense vegetables and a serious multi-tasker – it can be eaten raw or cooked, as a dried herb or even taken as a dietary supplement.
Its nutritional properties are impressive – it has more omega 3s than most fish, is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium and more – but it was purslane’s topical uses that won me over.
I have tried all of the County Apothecary products and, hand on heart, can say that all are superlative.
The Pure Cleansing Bar is a great product to start with and, at $12.95, is wallet-friendly too. It’s fragrance-free, very gentle but effective. It left my skin so soft, I kept on caressing my face (I think Evan thought I was losing my mind and/or developing some kind of weird tick).
Another superstar is the Glacial Nutrients Mask. I love mixing up the superfine clay powder with a bit of water and The Serum (just a few drops) and brushing it on (it comes with a complimentary application brush).
After that, more applying of The Serum, which is a bit pricier at $64.95, but a worthy investment – only three drops do the trick for face and neck. It’s loaded with purslane concentrate, rosehip seed oil, meadowfoam oil and lots of other unguents that impart a natural glow.
Founder Carol Dickinson is more than pleased with the feedback she’s been getting since she launched the brand a year ago, but she’s not surprised at the power of purslane. Suffering from acute eczema for years, she was frustrated that dermatologists and prescriptions were useless at solving her painful condition.
When she moved to The County in 2016 her front yard had a covering of small green leaves she didn’t recognize. A quick internet search revealed them as purslane and another revealed its remarkable healing properties. Not one to waste time, Carol picked a bunch of leaves, mashed them up into a paste and applied it to her eczema – the soothing was immediate and the results were lasting. The lightbulb moment arrived.
“I got to work right away,” says Carol. “I discovered purslane and its tremendous benefits for skin, yet found there were very few products that contain it as a key ingredient. I wanted to use it to create a concise, yet simple, supercharged skincare line for all skin types and all ages.”
She has expanded the brand to include four Superfood Blends to add to drinks (I love the Opulent Blend for Skin and Body), Extract Combos of dried purslane to add to food or to brew as a tea and even packets of purslane seeds so you can grow your own.
“I really can go on about this wonder plant,” she says. “It contains vitamins A, B and C, six times more vitamin E than spinach, seven times more beta-carotene, 10 times more melatonin than any other fruit or vegetable tested, more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy plant known on earth and probably more than most fish oils. Purslane is low in calories and fats and rich in dietary fibres and minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium.”
This lip balm is so good and I love that it’s infused with real mint - wherever you are, it makes you feel like you’ve just brushed your teeth.
It has certainly made all-natural skincare easy for me. I find I’m bypassing my French Girl Pharmacy brands and reaching for my purslane. No more “a la carte” sampling for me; County Apothecary purslane is now the only course on my beauty menu.
BONUS: Enjoy 15% off the purchase price with discount code: CHRISTY
