Desert Essence

Desert Essence consists of four lines with unique identities: Personal Care, Age Reversal, Spa Series and Organics. Some products from these lines include: Baby Lotion, 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil, Aroma Essence Dry by Nature Deodorant, Age Reversal Face Cream, Sunscreen Towelettes, Foaming Bamboo Face Scrub, Cinnamon Burst Toothpaste, and Vanilla Chai Hand and Body Lotion.

Like many wrinkle treatments, Desert Essence’s Age Reversal line strives to provide a topical alternative to painful and potentially harmful cosmetics injections. In order to do this, its Age Reversal Face Cream contains a popular hexapeptide that is thought to help reduce the sort of tiny facial twitches that over time can lead to lines.

While amino acid peptides are an excellent start in the fight against wrinkles, the importance of adequate moisture cannot be overlooked. Whereas Age Reversal Face cream contains standard emollients like Shea Butter, more advanced treatments include Hyaluronic Acid, which not only acts as an excellent water-binding agent but actually helps to remove the debris from skin cells, keeping the skin looking smooth and bright.

Desert Essence falls into the same trap as many cosmetics companies by assuming that consumers are familiar with certain ingredients when in fact most are not. For this reason, it is extremely helpful when companies post clear information on active ingredients on their website. While it does provide some specifics on its Organics line, those who are interested in the Age Reversal line must make their best guess as to what each product contains.

Perhaps the company did not make providing a full list of ingredients a priority because it assumes that most consumers will be purchasing Desert Essence products at their local retailer, since they are not available through the company website.

• Includes a line of Vegan cosmetics
• Age Reversal products contain peptides

• Products are not available through the company’s website
• Wrinkle cream does not contain Hyaluronic Acid
• No free samples available

Organic goods are more popular than ever, but consumers should not assume that just because a skin product contains natural plant essences that it is necessarily better for the skin. Some essential oils can even irritate sensitive skin as much as artificial fragrances, so consumers may want to look for products that offer a free trial sample for evaluation.

While Desert Essence takes credit for bringing Tea Tree Oil and other extracts to the United States, it unfortunately does not help to expand consumer awareness of botanically based cosmetics. Without a clear understanding of how certain ingredients function, consumers cannot be confident that they will see the desired results.