When it comes to skincare, there are so many brands to choose from that you could use a new one everyday and never run out of options. But after sampling the Astara Skincare line, which works for all skin types, we aren’t sure you’ll ever want to try anything else.

This company seems to have hit the nail on the head in every area of botanical skincare – all while using reusable packaging and cruelty-free products. Astara products include a full face and body regimen that includes antioxidants, flower essences, raw organic plants and sea extracts to help repair and hydrate the skin. And they do all of this while avoiding the use of harsh chemicals, artificial colorants, chemical preservatives, synthetic fragrance and chemical sunscreens wherever possible.

Now for the good part … from the facial cleanser to the serum and the body lotion, you cannot go wrong. The products are broken down into four basic skincare categories - cleansing, reviving, replenishing, and repairing. The cleansing category has three main products - a botanical cleansing gel, a daily refining scrub, and a toner.

Our favorites include the Botanical Cleansing Gel, the Daily Refining Scrub, the Green Papaya Nutrient Mask (there are several masks in the line), and the Astara Age Defying Complex. The gel and scrub are both gentle yet hardworking products that will leave your skin feeling clean and never dry. As for the Green Papaya Nutrient Mask, well let’s just say that this product is a celebrity favorite for a very good reason: after one application you will have a healthy and glowing complexion. The company’s Web site, at www.astaraskincare.com, says this product soothes and nourishes with aloe vera, algae extract, other plant extracts and essential oils. We say if you have a big event, this is the go-to mask, because it will leave your skin looking better than ever. The Astara
Age Defying Complex – our favorite serum in the line – is said to stimulate cell renewal, and bring hydration and oxygenation to the skin. The site says “this serum also helps improve the skin’s elasticity by strengthening the intercellular fluid, which is the “cement” of the skin.” We say this (used in combination with the Astara Radiance Renewal Intense Moisturizer) helped minimize our forehead lines. And for that, we will be lifelong users.

Astara products are available online at www.astaraskincare.com, as well as at high end resorts, day spas, and salons.

History: In 1995 Astara’s CEO Sunny Griffin, a former supermodel, realized a lifelong dream by moving to Telluride, Colorado. Two years later, after seeing the effect the extremely dry air of high altitude caused her skin, Sunny created the Astara Skincare line. According to Sunny, Astara formulas are made from only the finest botanical ingredients, and are designed to feed your skin at the cellular level with the purest, cleanest, most highly effective natural foods, for deepest rejuvenation, repair, and protection.