I love reading TIA and discovering new cutting-edge products. I am often drawn to certain skincare lines and completely uninterested in others. And while there’s obviously some winning combination of packaging, marketing, ingredients (and Marta’s review), I tend to think there are also some intangibles in the equation. Avitalin happens to be one of those lines that intrigued me from the start. To me, Avitalin is a really special brand of skincare, and I imagine each product being passionately researched, specially formulated, and delicately mixed. I’m not sure why I have this image – but I do, so I took a leap and purchased Avitalin’s Radiance Growth Factors Complex ($100 in the shop). A product that is, quite frankly, out of my typical price range.

The good thing about this complex is that a small amount goes a really long way. It has a nice “slip” to it, allowing just a small amount to easily spread across your face. The scent, while somewhat strong, is amazingly earthy and quite lovely. When I say “earthy,” don’t think hippy or patchouli-ish – think aromatherapy. I love it. Marta does a great job of breaking down the interesting list of ingredients in her review, so I won’t get too detailed about that. I will say two things: there is absolutely nothing nasty in here and I don’t know what deer antler velvet does but I can say that the ultra-fancy, all-raw health food store around the corner from me sells a tiny bottle of it for $95. According to them, people SWEAR it gives them amazing energy and vitality.

All of that being said, since I’ve been using it my skin has looked wonderful – clear, healthy and vibrant. I noticed that when my skin looks healthy and bright, the fine lines around my eyes don’t really bother me. I don’t obsess over the little imperfections when my overall skin looks and feels happy and nourished.

Let me also add that I’ve been using a small sample of the Vitality Phytocell Complex ($68 in the shop), and not only does it feel so nice on my skin, but it smells delightful. Sort of like a magical woodland forest… like I said, there’s an intangible something special about Avitalin, and I’m so glad I discovered it.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Phospholipids, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, 6-Furfurylaminopurine (Kinetin), Deer Velvet Extract, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor BT), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Salix Nigra (Black Willowbark) Extract, Leuconostoc (Radish Root) Ferment Filtrate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Fragrance (Essential Oils)