A new nut to know about

Every now and again a new skincare ingredient comes to light, and it makes me appreciate the beauty bounty that nature has to offer. Although all eyes have been on Asia in recent years (and unique Eastern imports such as snail slime and rice ferments), Africa is a newly-tapped beauty resource that has yet to disappoint.

Case in point: Nilotica. This nut-based oil is a close relative of shea butter, yet it has been found to have a higher concentration of oleic acid, which helps hydrate the skin, prevent moisture loss and protect against free-radical damage with antioxidants. Nilotica also happens to be the star ingredient in LXMI’s range of skincare products—and I had a chance to try two of them.

The first was the Crème du Nil, which has become my moisturizer of choice when I take a mid-day post-workout shower. Super-lightweight yet majorly hydrating, it leaves my skin soft, smooth and plump without interfering with any sunscreen or makeup I apply afterwards. In addition to LXMI’s organic nilotica from Uganda (which is extracted via a special process that yields a creamy texture and preserves its nutrient content), this hydrator also features hibiscus flower acids for gentle exfoliation plus vanilla for additional anti-aging benefits.

After seeing the skin-smoothing results after just one application of the moisturizer, I was excited to try the Deep Hydration Sheet Mask. Super-saturated with nilotica and a blend of nourishing, antioxidant-rich essential oils, it provides significant improvement in skin moisture, smoothness, plumpness while giving skin an overall healthy glow. Not only is it great as a pre-going-out pick-me-up since it creates a lovely canvas for makeup, the $8 price makes it both a splurge for your skin and a “save” for your wallet.

I’m definitely keeping an eye on the ingredients and products coming out of Africa, and I predict we’ll see a lot more options in 2019. Stay tuned for updates!