Facial moisturizer by Sensuous Beauty - review by Pleasure Piratess

Sensuous Beauty Divine Facial Moisturizer in Neroli and Sandlewood is step three of a three part process that is meant to be a "light, aromatic blend that balances, uplifts and helps skin regenerate. Moisturize daily to keep skin healthy, pliable and protected from environmental pollution and free radicals. Especially good for troubled and sensitive skin".

This moisturizer can be used with either a morning or night routine by both men and women. While the branding is a bit more targeted toward the female population, the scent is a combination of natural elements that is easily at home as a masculine aroma.

The moisturizer is dispensed from the brown glass bottle via a pump lid that delivers the perfect pea-sized amount of creamy moisturizer from the spill-free lid. The confection is the same viscosity as regular lotion, but once rubbed into the skin you feel that it's a bit oilier than a standard moisturizer.

It's not sticky by any means, and the oiliness does soak into the skin within about five minutes of applying. If you like to apply your moisturizer in the morning, just allow those few extra minutes before applying your first coat of foundation so it applies smoothly. If you don't normally wear foundation or powder, you may find that it leaves your skin a bit on the shiny side.

The nice thing about the scent of this moisturizer is that the combination of sandlewood and neroli (which is the oil produced from the blossom of a bitter orange tree) is that it is not overly feminine. This is actually a beauty product that can be shared by both sexes! The aroma is very natural, and almost woodsy. While it is noticeable to the person wearing it (it is right under your nose, after all), it is actually a very light scent. So much so that even with just a bit rubbed onto the hand, it is only detectable when your hand is within an inch or two of your nose.

The moisturizer rubs easily on the skin and requires only a small amount- perhaps 1-3 pumps to fully coat the face and neck, depending on how thick you like your layers. While the initial oiliness may seem a turn off, it does soak in fairly quickly. And more importantly, if you apply make-up a few minutes after application it helps foundation and blusher to stay in place longer! Even when used at night, the effects are long-lasting, and you wake-up with well hydrated skin.

Sensuous Beauty Divine Facial Moisturizer is synthetic and paraben-free. The ingredients are completely natural and would only raise sensitivity or allergy concerns if the user happens to be susceptible to the extracts used (as opposed to sensitive to harsh chemicals). The ingredients are provided by the manufacturer. The probable use/mechanism of action is provided by me based on commonly known uses:

Distilled water- water-based moisturizer that hydrates
Almond oil- nourishes dry skin and wards off wrinkles, impurities, and dead cells. It also improves complexion, reduces dark under eye circles and improves the overall texture of your skin.
Organic aloe vera gel- Good for sensitive skin, moisturizes and soothes.
Beeswax- thickening agent, emulsifier, and humectant. It has wonderfully emollient, soothing and softening properties and helps the skin retain moisture.
Shea butter- helps restore skins elasticity, and helps to protect naturally from chemicals and the suns harmful rays.
Carrot oil- rejuvenating and regenerating oil that is used to improve the complexion, as it helps to remove toxic build-up in the skin and eliminates excess water from the tissue. It also stimulates cell growth in epidermal skin cells and is therefore an excellent ingredient to use in products aimed to rejuvenate tired, aged, dehydrated and damaged skin, as well as traumatized skin.
Vitamin E- anti-oxident that moisturizes and helps to fade and prevent scars from acne, and reduce wrinkles.
Grapefruit seed extract- antiseptic and cleanser that reduces wrinkles.
Essential oils of sandlewood- assists the skin in promoting hydration and moisture while creating a calming and harmonizing effect, while reducing tension. It is also an astringent toner and antiseptic.
Essential oils of neroli- neroli oil helps to regenerate skin cells and is a rejuvenating oil useful to prevent ugly scar tissue, promote a smoother skin, fighting stretch marks and broken capillaries.

At first I started using this only at night because that's when I usually moisturize. However, I actually prefer to use this in the morning because it really extends the life of my make-up. Normally I notice it starts to fade off my skin in 4-6 hours, but with this, I find it lasts 10-12 hours.

I have noticed since I've been using it for a few weeks that my skin is consistently more hydrated, even on the days when I forget to apply it. I don't know that it has helped with "wrinkles"; I don't really have any yet, but the fine lines that I usually notice first thing in the morning don't appear quite so prominent and fade more quickly than without the moisturizer. I definitely like this moisturizer and will be purchasing the others in the line as well.