Florena was founded in 2014 in Italy, with a fresh and innovative approach to beauty; committed to the use of natural ingredients and sustainability, Florena’s vegan formulas are created, at the very least, with 99.46% natural origin ingredients. In fact, Florena is the first fermented skincare brand to land in Europe – so I couldn’t wait to try it! Florena’s mission is to create the highest-quality skincare with a strict emphasis on sustainability – and that’s exactly what they’ve done, achieving a COSMOS natural certification from the Soil Association.
“Florena has been several years in the making to find the perfect blend of 99% natural origin ingredients, fermented actives and indulgent textures, all wrapped up in sustainable packaging, to give consumers the latest innovation in natural skincare. As we grow Florena in its first year on the UK market, we are delighted to partner with Escentual as one of the UK’s leading online beauty destinations and look forward to delighting Escentual’s customers when discovering the power of Florena Fermented Skincare.” Sarah Bagnall, Florena Senior Brand Manager.
Luckily for us, in 2021 Florena crossed the Tyrrhenian sea to launch in the UK and I couldn’t wait to give it a go. I didn’t know much about fermented skincare myself before this launch, but let me tell you, I’m now obsessed! If, like me, you want to learn more, then I’ve put together this guide to Florena to tell you all about this unique process and this must-have sustainable skincare brand. Read on to find out why it’s caught my attention….
What is Fermented Skincare?
Fermentation sits at the heart of Florena; you’ll probably have heard of this process in foods, like yogurts, but what is fermented skincare? Basically, fermentation is a natural way of breaking down a substance in order to create a concentrated formula that has a higher efficiency.
The fermentation process goes back thousands of years. Used since the time of Cleopatra, fermentation originated to prolong the conservation of food. Florena has brought together the ancient benefits of the fermentation process and incorporated it into our modern day beauty routines, allowing efficacy, sustainability and sensoriality all come together in one.
Benefits of Fermented Skincare
So, that’s what fermented skincare is, but you might be wondering, well what’s the point in it? Well, Florena utilises this natural process of fermentation as a natural booster, to create nutrients for the skin and get the most out of the natural extracts they select. The technique enhances Florena’s formulas for 10x more essential fatty acids, omega 6 and omega 9 than their non-fermented counterparts. For example, Florena’s olive oil contains an astonishing 50 x more fatty acids than unfermented olive oil; this process means their skincare collection contains powerful antioxidant functions, which fight free radicals and strengthen the skin’s barrier for a stronger healthy complexion.
The Fermentation Process
• Ingredients are chosen for their natural properties and main benefits.
• Natural fermenting agents are added to start the fermentation process.
• The ingredients ferment at different speeds, so each one is left for as long as necessary.
• Once complete, the ingredients are filtered to select the transformed extracts.
• The transformed active ingredients are added to Florena’s 100% natural formulas.
So, now you know about fermentation, what about Florena’s products? With so many beautifully natural and pampering products, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily for you, I’ve tried each and every one so I’ve created this guide to talk you through what makes each eco-friendly formula special and why I think you’ll love them as much as I do…
1. The Brightening Oil
I just had to start with this gorgeous Illuminating Oil; the elegant elixir contains real pink petals for a truly spa-like experience. But it’s not all about looks, the innovative blend of fermented helichrysum and safflower oil contains powerful renewal properties that help to restore the skin’s radiance. The Illuminating Facial Oil has a tropical cocktail of ingredients including almond, coconut and avocado oils for a silky soft complexion that radiates a beautiful glow.
The best thing about the facial oil has to be its versatility; the non-greasy droplets can be used either alone or you can add it to your favourite face cream to give it an illuminating boost! If you find your complexion looking a little dull and lacklustre, the brightening oil is an easy step to achieve a healthy and glowy finish.
2. The Regenerating Oil
On the topic of facial oils, the Florena oil range has to be every blogger’s dream, and the Regenerating Oil is no expectation. It’s just as pretty as the Illuminating offering as it’s packed with natural white petals for a touch of elegance to any shelf – it’s certainly Instagrammable! Aside from being stunning, the oil is a revitalising boost of nourishment for your skin. The efficient blend of helichrysum, argan and safflower oil work together to leave you with a healthy looking, hydrated complexion. But that’s not all! The Florena face oil also contains a delicious complex of almond, coconut and passionfruit oils that quickly absorbs, leaving skin softer and rejuvenated.
Similar to the Illuminating Oil, the regenerating companion can be popped into your moisturiser or face mask to supercharge your routine with these powerful natural actives.
3. The Hydrating Day Cream
If you have dry, dehydrated skin, then the Hydrating Day Cream is the one for you. As a dry skin sufferer, I know the feeling of bone dry, painful skin at the end of the day, but this Florena moisturiser has definitely helped me tackle this! The nourishing texture locks in moisture for 24 hours, while retaining a lightweight comfortable feeling, which I just love.
Not only is it nice to use, but it also contains an innovative composition of fermented olive, coconut and avocado oils for a soft to touch feeling that illuminates a healthy glow. The dermatologist-tested formula is made from 99.47% natural origin ingredients, so you can rest assured that this formula uses the best of nature to nourish your skin. . But what I love the most is that the compact size isn’t just travel friendly; its minimal design actually saves three 400ml fizzy drink bottles of plastic per jar! It’s ideal for anyone looking to be more sustainable with their skincare, plus it looks so cute!
4. The Nourishing Night Cream
The Nourishing Night Cream is an indulgent vegan moisturiser that protects and replenishes your complexion as you get your beauty sleep; it’s the perfect partner to the 24H Hydrating Day Cream. Also made with 99.47% natural origin ingredients, the overnight cream highlights the antioxidant properties of fermented olive oil and camellia sinensis that strengthen the skin’s barrier. Plus, added coconut and avocado oils blend for a silky, soft texture that leaves skin feeling nourished.
Similar to its daytime companion, the night cream is housed in an environmentally-friendly jar; the condensed packaging is perfect for any jet-setter with its ideal hand luggage size.
5. The Moisturising Face Mask
Sitting back and enjoying this nourishing face mask enveloping your skin is what self-care dreams are made of. My dry skin is obsessed with the 24H Moisturising Face Mask; the natural vegan formula locks in hydration for a moisturising boost that leaves skin soft, smooth and supple. Harnessing the power of traditional Chinese medicine, the face mask contains camellia sinensis flower and olive oil for their rich antioxidant properties that protect the skin from external aggressors.
I loved how soft and comfortable my skin felt after applying the thick hydrating texture, and the five minutes of blissful pampering was a plus too!
6. The Antioxidant Night Cream
This is another night cream which gets to work while you get your beauty sleep, as this is actually the time that your skin is hard at work repairing itself – and the Antioxidant Night Cream gives this process a boost! The rich anti-ageing cream contains everything you need to build an antioxidant shield around the skin; infused with vitamin E, omega 6 and omega 9, the vegan formula strengthens the skin barrier for a younger-looking complexion. After a long day of exposure to external aggressors, such as damaging pollution and UV rays, the nourishing texture cocoons the skin overnight, so you can wake up to skin that’s plump, youthful and protected.
7. The Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream
The lightweight Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream is a must-have for anyone concerned with ageing skin, lines and loss of firmness – its dermatologist-approved formula reduces the appearance of wrinkles in just two weeks!
The moisturiser splashes the skin with a dose of natural hydration using 99.47% natural origin ingredients; the vegan complex contains a hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid, honeysuckle and olive oil for a visibly plumper complexion. Plus, the airy, delicate texture absorbs effortlessly without leaving a greasy finish – making it the ideal cream for comfortable all day wear. I love how pampering and sensorial it is, while the anti-ageing benefits make it ideal for anyone with mature skin looking to tackle the signs of ageing.
8. The Firming Face Mask
When life gets hectic, there’s nothing I love more than sitting back for a five minute pamper, which is why I love the Florena Firming Face Mask. As you apply the mask, the rich creamy texture hugs the skin, while powerful anti-ageing properties work in the background to firm your complexion. If that wasn’t all, Florena utilises their fermentation powers to enrich the cream mask with supercharged antioxidants that help to fight off free radicals that may cause further ageing, so you can enjoy a self indulgent treat that is both relaxing and effective!
My top tip is to bring the mask down onto the neck for a lifted jowl line, which can be an area some people notice starts to show the signs of ageing.
9. The Gentle Cleanser
Now, If you struggle to find a natural cleanser that’s kind to your skin, you’ll love the Florena Cleansing Milk. The soft and nourishing cleansing milk glides across the skin, leaving it soft and smooth without stripping those essential natural oils.
And don’t be fooled by the word ‘gentle.’ Yes, this soothing cleanser is extremely kind to even the most sensitive skin, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices on efficacy! The hardworking face milk harnesses powerful cleansing power that removes even the most stubborn makeup, without the need to rub and pull at your skin. So, we can say goodbye to waterproof makeup and hello to natural, hydrated skin.
10. The Refreshing Tonic
Achieving the perfect balance of hydration and freshness in your toner can be a challenge, but it’s one that Florena has taken on by the horns with their Cleansing Tonic. The natural and sustainable tonic offers complete versatility – it gives skin a cooling dose of hydration while removing traces of makeup for a comfortable, fresh feeling. Plus, the 99.59% natural origin ingredients have a sweet floral scent of jasmine petals that fill the senses as you cleanse; I love the uplifting and elegant aroma. If you’re not a fan of milk cleansers or heavy-duty toners and want a gentle and balancing formula that doesn’t dry the skin out, then you’ve found your perfect match with this one.
11. The Eco-Friendly Cleansing Bar
Last but not least, this sustainable alternative to liquid face wash perfectly sums up Florena’s values; it’s natural, sustainable, pampering and effortless. The Cleansing Bar is enriched with 100% natural origin ingredients and works into a nourishing foam that drenches the skin in natural fermented jasmine and angelica oils.
If you’re looking to be more eco-conscious with your skincare, this vegan facial cleanser is the perfect starting point. It has a natural PH balance of 5.5, which is the same as your skin, meaning it provides a gentle cleanse while maintaining skin’s balance and without stripping anything away. The solid bar is jam-packed with skincare actives and omegas that makes your skin feel soft and nourished, while the sumptuous foam and natural uplifting scent makes for a truly sensory cleansing experience that’s pampering as well as effective.
I think this would be perfect for travelling, whether that’s abroad, camping or at a festival, as it’s easy to use and easy to transport!
