I like the ideas behind Kahina Giving Beautyand I was excited when the marketing director of a natural skin care and supplement distribution center asked me to try it. The line features handpicked ingredients by women in Morocco, specifically very high quality Argan oil. The line boasts ethically and sustainably sourced raw materials; certified natural and organic formulations that incorporate organic materials whenever possible; recycled and recyclable packaging; and donations to the Moroccan women who work to provide the raw materials. This sounded great to me, so I shelved my Dr. Hauschka for 10 days to give the line a try.
For 10 days I used Kahina Facial Cleanser, Toning Mist, Brightening Serum, Eye Serum, and Facial Lotion. I am 39-years-old with combination skin, a fair complexion and freckles.
I read and reread the ingredients as I am an ingredient hound and must know absolutely what I am putting onto my skin. Here is what I found.
The Review
The Cleanser is in a base of aloe vera leaf juice and argan oil, containing bamboo and papaya, which I like. The first thing I noticed was the scent. Yum. It smells of neroli and chamomile. 1 point for Kahina.
The Toner is sticky and advises to avoid contact with your eyes. It is a base of aloe vera juice and rose water with rice seed extract, white tea and glycerin. Pretty good ingredients, but very sticky. 1 point against.
The Brightening Serum is also a base of aloe vera juice, argan oil and glycerin. It smells of rose geranium and frankincense, which I love. It also contains some potent, nourishing ingredients like spirulina and shea butter. It’s also sticky and cautions to avoid spraying into the eyes.
The Eye Serum is a base of water, argan oil and glycerin. It contains the powerhouse sea buckthorn and carrot oil combo I love for sun repair and anti-aging. It smells like ylang ylang and neroli, yum but again TOO STICKY! Take the glycerin out of everything for goodness sakes!
The Facial Lotion is a base of water and argan oil, with glycerin, shea butter, alcohol and beeswax. It smells like honeysuckle. It is light and non- sticky.
I also received a tiny dram, each, of Argan Oil and Prickly Pear Seed Oil. These high quality oils absorb easily into the skin with no residue or stickiness! I enjoyed these very much.
The Verdict
Kahina Giving Beautysmells delicious, has quality ingredients and is definitely ethical, but very sticky! I would recommend this line only to those who can stand having sticky glycerin on their faces all day. If you really want to try something, go for the pure oils.
Shar Veda is an Ayurveda Lifestyle Counselor & Health Educator, Yoga Therapist, and herbalist living in Ashland, Oregon. She works with at risk teen-aged girls and offers compassionate health and lifestyle counseling anywhere in the world via Skype and or the good old-fashioned telephone. Shar has had the great gift of studying with leading teachers in Ayurveda, Yoga, and herbalism for nearly 20 years. However, it was her adopted grandma, Doe (English-American and Blackfoot Native), who instilled within her profound appreciation for the supreme power of loving touch, healing arts, and world family. Visit her website for a video, full bio, and photos or find her on Facebook!