Vegan Skin Care Review: evanhealy Rituals
The depths of evanhealy’s knowledge of the skin and our inner health are evident in their range of wholesome products. From our skin’s breathability and the cellular movement of nutrients, right through to our structured protective layers, evanhealy has considered everything when designing a wide variety of plant-based skincare.
Since 1999, evanhealy has invested in extensive research on the dynamics of our skin, our sweat, and sebaceous glands, and looking at how, together, they form a thick lipid coating. In other words, evanhealy has copious wisdom on the magic of oil and water.
Oil and Water is the ultimate principle of the evanhealy brand. They focus on how oil and water work with our skin and the molecular structure and spirit of beneficial plants.
evanhealy’s scientific research on the skin has been well documented and the brand has mastered how to correspond to the hurdles of everyday life with their natural plant-based remedies.
Their products are designed to balance acidity and alkalinity of our acid mantle, which is the skin’s barrier against disease.
The hydrolipid barrier allows the skin to self-regulate, eliminate toxins, and keeps the skin hydrated. evanhealy really struck gold with this element of skin research. The acid mantle is regularly disrupted by the likes of exfoliation, retinols, peels, and even with basic soap and water.
evanhealy’s products were formulated with the aim of retaining a healthy lipid layer by means of alchemic plant extraction, organic ingredients, and a holistic approach from harvest to packaging.
evanhealy’s skincare products are designed to mimic the hydrolipid layer with nutrient-rich organic oils and plant waters. The ingredients within the formulas are so rich that only one or two daily applications are needed.
Using their famous water and oil combination, or the HydroSoul and Facial Serum is enough to combat the effects of our environment, our skin’s exposure to harmful toxins, and overall malnourishment.
History of the evanhealy Brand
Evan Healy is a holistic aesthetician and she has spent decades of her life delving into the science and spirit of aromatic plants and our skin. She studied aromatherapy, homeopathy, and the ancient practice of Ayurveda, giving her a cutting edge in optimal skincare.
After her mother was scalded on holiday on the Tahitian Islands, a French medical doctor wrapped Evan’s mother’s arm in a gauze that had been saturated in aromatic plants. One week later, the burn was completely healed and Evan developed a keen interest in the dynamism of essential oils.
In 1984, her passion for holistic care continued and Evan was experimenting with organically grown plant-based skincare products, some of which ended up in her father’s thriving natural food store in San Diego.
The ‘evanhealy’ brand was launched in 1999 and Evan has stood by her holistic strategy to skincare by mixing her experience as an aesthetician, her connection with nature, and her invaluable knowledge of healing plants.
Beauty and health are only part of evanhealy’s mission. Vitality and spirituality are an essential component of the range, looking beyond the external organ and into the strength of our inner health.
The message of the brand is clear…
“Our skin is a messenger, our skin is a teacher and our skin can tell us whether or not disharmony exists both inside and outside of our bodies.”
evanhealy treats the skin as the barrier between our inner and outer worlds.
We can diagnose ourselves with hormonal imbalances and digestive issues through our largest and only visible organ and evanhealy rightfully compares our skin to earth’s soil.
Both are a triple-layered microbiome that exchange nutrients and gasses between the inner and outer world.
How is evanhealy Different from Other Skin Care Brands?
evanhealy cares about the wellness of the skin as well as our inner health. Their skincare range maintains integrity at any cost making every bottle a diverse and nutrient-rich product that is full of spirit. Every application offers a nourishing kiss of self-love.
Not only do Evan and her team continue to research the science, inner well-being, and the vitality of the ingredients, when compared to other skincare brands, evanhealy chiefly regards longevity and overall wellness.
Long term collaborations with cooperative suppliers and family-run farms are one of the many reasons to support the brand.
Non-GMO and Earthy
Genetically Modified (GMO) plants that are drenched in harmful pesticides strip the life force of the crop as well as the soil in which it flourishes. Some plants can grow molecularly deformed and to unnatural dimensions as a result of GMO sprays and mutations. The biological structure of GMO plants is consequently harmful and unnatural.
Imagine soil as the skin of the earth, if the soil is tainted, so is the crop. Crops absorb toxins in the growth process through photosynthesis and from obtaining nutrients from the surrounding soil.
The same can be said of our skin. Any skincare that uses plants that are laced with pesticides or are modified for growth, will seep into our skin as soon as we apply the treatment. When our skin processes toxins, our largest organ is left overworked and lifeless as a result. Not to mention potential damage to our internal system.
The amount of effort that evanhealy goes to in order to eliminate toxins is admirable. Their products truly reflect the natural spirit of the earth. evanhealy only uses healthy and non-treated plants in every part of the production process. They stand by the rule that we must nourish ourselves the same way as we nourish our Mother Earth, with care, with spirit, and with love.
Beauty Within
Unlike a lot of other skincare brands, anti-aging isn’t the priority with evanhealy. In fact, evanhealy as a brand promotes a strong acceptance of who we are and focuses on self-care and self-love.
evanhealy believes anti-aging goes against nature and their poetic metaphor on beauty through the ages is definitely worth noting:
“Is there not the same exquisite beauty in the quiet decay of Autumn as there is in the blossoming abundance of Spring?”
True wealth is health and evanhealy’s approach really fills the heart space with joyful contentment.
Free from Further Toxins
evanhealy refuses to include GMO and Non-Organic ingredients in their long list of skincare commodities and it is worth noting that most of the brand’s products are free from preservatives. Most products are self-preserving, and others, including the milk and gel cleansers and the daily moisturizers, do contain necessary preservatives.
There are also no parabens, no artificial fragrances, no sulfates, and no silicone in every one of their products.
Animal-Friendly
A very important factor in any product we review at Round The World Magazine is the subject of veganism and testing on animals.
One of the golden advantages of evanhealy’s products is that none are tested on animals and most of their range is vegan.
For information, the following evanhealy products are not vegan (they include beeswax)
- Whipped Shea Butter for Lips
- Sheer Tint Sun Stick
- Wild Carrot Nourishing Eye Balm
Organic and Handcrafted
If all of the benefits above are not enough, evanhealy is also a certified Organic brand meaning only organic wild-crafted plants and mineral-rich clays are used as well as sustainable harvesting practices.
Every Oil, Serum, and the HydroSoul are certified organic.
Each step of the production in evanhealy’s products is handcrafted. From the field and forests where the plants are abstracted for oils, serums, and HydroSoul sprays to the final packaging, an intimate connection is maintained with all of the wonderful plant ingredients.
The prana of the plant is considered which elevates its vitality and therapeutic benefits.
Whole Essential Oils
Did you know that essential oils and the extraction process to which they adhere to is sometimes harmful?
Did you know there is a difference between Lavender Angustifolia essential oil and Lavender with Linalool/Linalyl Acetate?
It’s important to check the ingredients of essential oils, and the best kind for our skin is what is known as ‘Whole Essential Oils’.
The less beneficial essential oils are abstracted from the plant by means of isolates which ultimately destroy the molecular structure of the plant. These essential oils are quick to make and are cheap to buy. They are often used for the fragrance alone.
The common ingredients of the less beneficial essential oils are often listed as Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, or Parfum.
evanhealy uses Whole Essential Oils which offer the true source of the plant. All of the oils used in Evan’s products reflect the land in which they were given to us and by abstracting the oils in a careful distillation process, the molecular structure, the plant’s wisdom, and the nutrients are obtained.
We’d much prefer the whole essential oil entering our body through the skin without any harmful isolates of broken molecular (and unnatural) compounds.
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Other brands that use aromatic isolates are often equally as fragrant but they lack the dynamic power of the complex molecules that exist within a pure whole essential oil.
In other words, other brands are abstracting fragrances from plants in a harsher and quicker way and they are destroying an optimal transfer of the well-being benefits for a lower production cost.
evanhealy sources all of their essential oils from a European Farm Cooperative and small family-run distilleries around the world making them a proud supporter of local and family businesses and fair trade.
Supporting Ancient Traditions
During the distillation process of the plants used in evanhealy’s products, the true spirit of the plants is sustained from harvest to bottle by means of ancient botanical alchemy.
The plants used for aroma are harvested at peak hours at the point where the plant’s nutrition is optimal and at the moment, it is packed into alembic copper stills.
A long artisan methodology is then underway, distilling with lower temperatures which ensure the extraction of optimal hydrosol and whole essential oils.
The use of copper in the distillation process offers beneficial properties to the skin and our overall well-being.
Empowering Tribal Villages
evanhealy has proudly been purchasing Shea Butter from Kperisi Village in Northern Ghana. This move has helped secure better lives for over a hundred women in the village as well as providing 350 school uniforms for their children.
evanhealy funded the purchase of a grinding mill and milling shed for their organic Shea Butter where it is hand-harvested and transformed into a creamy rich butter, free from hexane which is a toxic solvent.
Supporting Women’s Cooperatives
evanhealy proudly purchases their Argan oil from a collective of 22 women’s cooperatives called the L’UCFA (L’Union des Cooperatives des Femmes del’Arganeraie). evanhealy eventually settled for one of those cooperatives as their regular supplier of Argan Oil, known as Al Amal.
The evanhealy team visited the Cooperative in Morrocco and funded the planting of 400 Argan trees which is a wonderful investment for the future of the cooperative and for the brand.
For maximum freshness and medicinal benefits of the Argan oil in the skincare range, the Argan fruits are handpicked and processed during harvest from June to September. Instead of making the oil in bulk for the remainder of the year, the Cooperative and evanhealy take great pride in storing the dried fruits and pressing them into an oil as and when needed for the remainder of the year.
Supporting the women’s cooperatives and the indigenous Amazigh women are vital for sustainability, not only from the workers who extract the oil but for the health of the consumers.
evanhealy’s patience in the production process exposes other means of abstraction of fragrance and oils, for example, an alternative and cheaper Argan Oil extraction process is done by means of exerting the Argan seeds from goat droppings.
Supporting Small and Local
One of evanhealy’s missions is to support small and family-run farms across the world. The brand purchases its hydrosols from 11 family farms and distillers in Washington State, USA.
Their Rose Petal HydroSoul is bought from a family farm in Bulgaria after declaring the scent as the most enchanting they could find.
Their Frankincense HydroSoul is harvested in Somaliland and distilled in Vermont, USA.
evanhealy’s Hawaiian Sandalwood HydroSoul is wildcrafted and distilled from trees harvested at a family-run restoration project.
The evanhealy Rituals
The Skin Care rituals are designed to contain travel-size or trial samples of the HydroSoul (30ml), a Cleanser (30ml), the Oil Serum (4ml), a Moisturizer (5ml) and a Clay Mask (5g).
In their ‘Kits and Bundles‘ section, you can find the following Skincare Rituals:
- Oil and Water Skin Ritual
- Oil and Water Balancing Ritual
- Oil and Water Calming Ritual
- The Daily Camling Ritual
- The Daily Balancing Ritual
- Balancing Ritual
- Calming Ritual
- Purifying Ritual
- Spring Skin Ritual Box
Each Ritual targets different skin types including dry, oily, or combination.
The starting point of any of evanhealy’s Skincare Rituals is to be ‘clean’. Having the skin completely stripped of dirt and toxins is the first goal.
We tried three of evanhealy’s rituals. We were given a box for each ritual which is designed for different skin types or skin issues such as blemishes and scars.
The evanhealy HydroSoul Facial Tonic
HydroSoul is evanhealy’s spin on Hydrosol which is defined as plant water that has been abstracted by distillation. HydroSoul was the chosen name for the facial spray as it represents the soul of the plant.
Endless research on the plant extraction process has not only allowed evanhealy to produce one of the purest plant waters available, but the brand also considers this as the most transformative element of a skincare ritual.
Hydrosols are incorporated in every evanhealy product because of their remarkable effects on the skin.
The difference between Hydrosols and Essential Oils are down to the compounds of the plant.
Hydrosols are the water-soluble elements and Essential Oils are the fat-soluble compounds.
Hydrosols contain a small dose of essential oils that are more fragrant and absorb into the body very quickly with a little help from the plant water molecules.
Hydrosols contain cellular water from the plant and their main function within skincare is to tone, hydrate, and balance the pH.
When combined with the Rosehip Oil Serum, the Hydrosol anchors into the skin which offers an immediate burst of moisture and hydration.
When using the HydroSoul, it transforms the efficacy of the skin, creating a smooth hydrated glow that is almost instant.
The HydroSoul spray is suited to every skin type unless you have an allergy or a scent preference.
evanhealy has everything covered and all ingredients are listed on their packaging.
When using the HydroSoul, evanhealy recommends combining it with the Oil Serum for maximum nourishment.
They also claim that the HydroSoul amplifies every one of their products including the cleansers, moisturizers, and face masks.
Using the HydroSoul is also a great way to saturate the face and neck at any random time throughout the day and it can even be used over makeup. The more you use the HydroSoul, the more luminous the skin appears.
evanhealy’s HydroSoul comes in many yummy scents including Rose Geranium, Lavender, Lemon Thyme, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Heart of Summer, Douglas Fir, and Blood Orange.
The evanhealy Rosehip Seed Oil Serum
evanhealy offer a variety of oils and oil blends, such as Pomegranate, Neem, and Argan, and oil from the Rosehip Seed is one of their favorites. The brand uses a cold-pressed Chilean Rosehip seed oil.
The seeds inside the fruit of the Rosehip plant are extracted without heat which ensures all of the rich nutrients are preserved.
We offer a variety of oils and oil blends, such as Pomegranate, Neem, and Argan, but Rosehip is one of our favorites for all skin types
The silky oil is tremendously rich in natural pro-vitamin A and EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) containing 80% gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. The Rosehip Seed Oil has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of the Chilean Andes and they have been using this oil for centuries as a treatment for burned and/or compromised skin.
The Rosa Rubiginosa or Rosa Mosqueta, or the Dog Rose, is the plant of choice for evanhealy’s Oil Serum as it is a resilient and adaptable plant with the highest amount of nutrients in all of the plant oils.
Some of the listed nutrients of Rosehip include Omega 6 (supporting skin barrier function), Omega 3 (heat pacifying for nourishment and protection), Phytosterols (Supportive of the lipid barrier), Trans-Retinoic Acid, Pro-Vitamin A (supporting aging and acne-prone skin) and Lycopene (helps with harmonizing the skin with the sun).
Rosehip Serum also works to fade hyper-pigmentation (brown spots and blemishes), minimize and soften the appearance of scars, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
evanhealy has considered every single step in the process of oil extraction from the Rose Hip fruits.
The Rosehip workers in Chile ship the oil in airtight containers as soon as it is extracted.
This process ensures that the oil has no contact with air until the containers are opened in evanhealy’s San Diego production office.
The oil is then added to the products and packaged up for shipment. It may only be a matter of days or weeks that the products sit on shelves inside a retailer. This helps to keep the oils as beneficial as possible.
evanhealy has visited the Rosehip farm in the Southern Andes to ensure the oils are mineral-rich and untainted as well as analyzing sustainability and fair trade.
The benefits of using Rosehip oil are so extensive, it’s easy to see why evanhealy include it in their serums and eye balms as well as part of their daily skin rituals.
Rosehip Oil is lightweight making it easy to penetrate the skin. When the oil is applied, the skin feasts on a profile of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.
The Rosehip Serum should be applied alongside the HydroSoul Facial Tonic. The suggested application is to use 2 – 3 pumps of the Oil Serum and blend together with the HydroSoul on the hand before rubbing into the T zone area and the cheeks.
For drier skin or extra protection, a Day Moisturizer can be added on top of Serum.
The evanhealy Clay + Mask
As with ancient traditions, evanhealy uses nourishing oils, hydrating plant waters, and mineral-rich clays in their face masks.
The clay masks are designed for sensitive, gently active, and congested skin conditions. The masks can be used as a natural exfoliating alternative to harsh acidic treatments.
The masks are designed to clean out the pores and absorb excess oil, leaving skin looking clear, clean, and refreshed almost instantly after use.
With only three ingredients, evanhealy claims this is enough to support the rhythms and physiology of our skin, based on the inclusion of antioxidants and nutrients.
Simplicity prevails.
The ancient and simple ingredients used for the face mask supports long term skincare, love for the planet, and taking our skin to its highest potential.
Clay is alive and it is abundant in natural silica, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Clay emits and generates electromagnetic energy and is a century-old remedy appropriate for all skin conditions.
The science of the clay masks is tried and tested and the mechanics of the molecules within the clay are said to loosen up clogged pores and emit toxins without dissolving the protective epidermal layer.
evanhealy Ritual Reviews
Every one of evanhealy’s Rituals we tested contained a clay mask, cleansing milk, a facial tonic, an oil serum, and a moisturizer.
The idea of each evanhealy Ritual is to follow their guidance for a period of 14 days.
For each ritual, the recommended steps are:
- Step 1 – Use Cleansing Milk 1-2 times a day or when needed.
- Step 2 – Use the Clay mask 2-3 times a week.
- Step 3 – Pump 1-2 drops of the Oil Serum onto the palm of the hand, use more or less whenever necessary.
- Step 4 – Spray 5-7 squirts of the HydroSoul Facial Tonic onto the oil in the palm of the hand.
- Step 5 – Combine the two by rubbing both palms together.
- Step 6 – Press the mixtures onto the face, focusing on the cheeks, forehead, and chin.
- Use the Daily Moisturizer in dry areas.
- Step 7 – Finish with a final spray of the HydroSoul facial tonic on the face if needed.
The Balancing Ritual
This ritual is formulated for all skin types especially dry, oily, or a combination.
Each product within the Balancing Ritual contains restorative essential oils such as soothing rose geranium and carrot seed.
After using the products within the Balancing Ritual for 14 days, we could certainly feel, smell, and see the vitality of our skin almost immediately after we started.
After the first day, we broke out in a couple of spots around the nose area where we were already prone to blemishes. We persisted and decided to apply the products onto the forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck.
The spots on the nose disappeared after one day and we put this down to surface toxins breaking out with the help of the RoseHip Oil and HydroSoul’s combined powers.
The scent of the Rosehip Oil combined with the HydroSoul Facial Tonic is dreamy. It’s a grounding smell of earthy flora and it is not at all not overpowering.
The HydroSoul water really hydrated our faces and there was no sting to the eyes when applied near the eyelids and around the eye area.
The Balancing Ritual coincided nicely with a sunny spell and the 14-day routine started with a mild sunburn. The burn eased almost immediately after the application and we had no dry skin whatsoever.
It was only on day two when we got our first compliment of looking luminous.
It is certainly true that the organic ingredients are rich in anti-oxidants, we never had a blemish until after we stopped testing the product.
Within the Balancing Ritual, we used the clay mask on day 3 and we were astonished at how smooth the skin became when we washed off the mask. We used the mask 5 times during the ritual and still had some leftover!
Only a small amount is needed and the cool creaminess felt charming after a long day of skin fatigue.
We really like the flexibility of the evanhealy Ritual. Despite the guidelines for the suggested application, you can use it as much as you wish throughout the day or week.
By the end of the Balancing Ritual, five people had commented on changes to our facial radiance!
The Calming Ritual
The Calming Ritual is part of evanhealy’s Blue line.
This one is designed for all skin types, especially sensitive, irritated, and reactive.
The ingredients within the Calming Ritual feature cooling and pacifying essential oils of Lavender, Immortelle, and German Chamomile.
This ritual was amazing for use in harsh weather. We tested the Balancing Ritual right at the heart of the Winter to Spring transition in Canada.
After experiencing skin irritation such as sunburn and dry patches, the Calming Ritual offered a healing kiss.
The scent of the products is discreet and delicate making this one ideal for sensitive skin.
We didn’t break out in any blemishes at all during the Calming Ritual, instead, we boasted smooth silky faces that were as soft as marshmallows.
We would recommend this ritual to those that are looking for a delicate, organic, and ethical plant-based skin routine.
The Purifying Ritual
As expected, the Purifying Ritual is a delicious concoction of tea tree, lavender, and sea buckthorn which works with all skin types, especially blemished, congested, oily, and/or teen.
The Purifying Ritual features incredible botanicals of tea tree, thyme, lavender, and sea buckthorn.
We used this ritual with a focus on dark shading under the eyes as well as a couple of reddish blemishes in the cheek area.
The Purifying Ritual was a miracle. After four or six days, the dark under-eye circles faded to a point where they were barely visible and after day 11, they were gone.
The purifying products within the ritual also took care of ‘spider web veins’ caused by prior sun damage.
We’d describe the scent and feel of the products in the Purifying Ritual as clean, light and healing. It was as though we were coating our faces with something our skin craved.
If pregnancy occurs in the background of taking or within a month after its cancellation – there will be a significant risk of severe malformations of the organs and systems of the fetus.
This Ritual is great for a complete facial reset, we felt extraordinarily clean and taken care of at the end of the 14 days and we’d likely use this again for a regular skin detox.
Conclusion
We have literally fallen in love with the evanhealy brand, right at a time where we were actively seeking new vegan skincare.
From reading the stories on how Evan uses ethically sourced products, the delicate extraction process, to applying the yummy oil on top of a HydroSoul saturated face, we can honestly say we have found our skincare brand.
Splendidly scented, abundant in nutrients, organic, non-GMO, and wonderfully formulated with participation from family farms all over the world, it’s very difficult to find a comparable brand on the market.
Perhaps pointing out that the brand itself is (almost) an acronym of Heavenly is something of a sign from the cosmos.
To find out more about evanhealy, visit evanhealy.com
This blog is very useful to me
Hi Pilla,
We’re pleased that you relate to this article.
Best Wishes,
Nicola