A Double Whammy Review of Two Products by Oz Naturals- Retinol Serum and Ocean Mineral Facial Toner

Truth be told, I've tried a number of different products by OZ Naturals and have loved every one of them. When they sent me a bottle of their retinol serum and their facial toner, I was, of course, excited to try each of them.

OZ Naturals is based out of Florida and was started by a licensed esthetician (like me! There's hope for met yet!) Here's what they have to say about themselves:

OZ Naturals products are backed by science, while utilizing the power of nature. We’re setting a new standard for the skin care and anti-aging industry.

OZ Naturals is committed to the highest formulation standards, using only natural and organic active ingredients. Our product formulations undergo extensive clinical testing, and always over-deliver on their claims. OZ Naturals products are produced in smaller batches, under secure and sterile conditions in an FDA certified facility, to ensure optimal potency and freshness.

Made in the USA, our skincare line has quickly become a trusted brand for those looking for highly effective products that deliver outstanding results.

Pretty basic. Pretty good. Like many current skincare lines, they tend to focus on natural skincare that truly works- which might mean adding a few not natural ingredients here and there. And I'm okay with that. After all, this is 2015. With today's technology, we're able to make products work better when used in conjunction with other ingredients that may or may not be limited to natural ingredients only.

First, let's discuss OZ's ocean mineral tonic. Lately, it seems like most toners are moving towards a spray bottle type packaging. This is because its refreshing, easy to use, plus  you can throw it in your bag and use it throughout the day. Many of these toners are supposed to be wonderful makeup setters, so you can spray it over your makeup later on in the day to help freshen things up. OZ's facial toner is not exception.

Here's what they say about their toner:

This toner is a dermatologist grade skin treatment, and is intended to be used as the base layer for your serums and moisturizer. Spray face, neck, and decollete both morning and night...and anytime in between as a highly effective, anti-aging refresher!

This tonic spray also prepares skin for makeup application, and should be used throughout the day to refresh the skin and makeup as well.

The active ingredients in this spray will heal and restore on their own, as well as support a synergistic relationship with anything layered on top of it. Organic sulfur acts as a healing solvent, driving ingredients deep into your cells and creating permeability, for nutrients to move in and toxins to move out.

Glycolic acid, amino acids, ocean minerals, vitamin c, and active plant extracts work miracles with dry, sun damaged skin.

This treatment spray is results driven. Expect to see results within the first seven days of DAILY use.

Full Ingredients List:

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Ocean Minerals, Deionized Aqua (Water), Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera), Glycolic Acid, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), aprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract (Sea Fennel Wax), Matrixyl 3000, Silk Protein Amino Acid Blend (Sodium L-Pyrrolidone Carboxylate, Sodium Lactate, L'Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, L-Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid, Glycine, L-Alanine, L-Serine, L-Valine, L-Proline, L-threonine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine, L-Phenylalanine), Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Colloidal Silver, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber Hydrosol), Wildcrafted Panax Ginseng (Ginseng), Wildcrafted Ginkgo Biloba (Ginkgo), Organic Glycyrrhiaz Glabra (Licorice), Organic Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile), Organic Altahaea Officinalis (Marshmallow), Organic Echinacea Purpurea (Echinacea), Organic Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Organic Viola Tricolor (Violet), Organic Spilanthes Acmella (Spilanthes), Wildcrafted Stellaria Media (Chickweed), Organic Sambucus Nigra (Elder Flower)

Long list.. but not awful. Witch hazel helps to remove dirt and debris that may be left on the skin after cleansing.. plus, it's an astringent, so its good with preventing breakouts. Ocean minerals are our second ingredient, which is nice and refreshing. Other great ingredients include vitamin c, ginseng, cucumber, green tea, licorice extract (helps with brightening), elderflower, and a ton of other delicious herbs. It also includes our fun, familiar properties such as matrixyl 3000, MSM, and aloe. Yum!

I do like that this product comes in a spray bottle because its super easy. However, there's a small part of me that misses using a traditional toner, one that I need to spread on a cotton pad and wipe around my face. I know, I know.. I'm sort of wasting product by placing it on the cotton. SO TRUE. However, I don't know.. there's something really satisfying in seeing the dirt on the cotton pad afterwards. Whatever, its not like I can't still do the cotton ball thing.

The spray is nice, short spurts, making it incredibly difficult to overuse this product, which I love. The scent.. is not the best, but not the worst either. I don't know. I think it smells like witch hazel and ocean minerals for sure, which maybe just isn't the best smell.

After using this product for a few weeks, I'm very much into it. The glycolic acid and witch hazel do a great job of toning my skin and preventing breakouts. I'm not super into using this product at night, however. At night, I prefer a more hydrating toner.

Overall, this product is wonderful for daily use. It will work wonders during the summer time. Over the winter months, I make sure to hydrate my skin well afterwards, or use a hydrating toner at night.

You can purchase OZ Natural's facial toner mist for $17.49 for a 4 ounce bottle here on amazon.

And now!! Onto the lovely retinol serum..

Which I am definitely, definitely all about. I have used loads and loads of different retinol serums and lotions. Some work, some I don't notice the difference. Some feel weird, some feel heavy. THIS ONE IS PERFECT. It is a thicker, gel-like consistency than other retinol serums I have tried, and it absorbs super quickly. Plus, it has astaxanthin in it to help with hyperpigmentation. hat the heck is astaxanthin? Right, I had to google that too.. it's actually a carotenoid found in shellfish (whoa, right!? Wasn't expecting that). This may come as a disappointment to you vegans and vegetarians out there. I know, I'm sorry, but I have to be honest about the ingredients! Anyway, its supposed to be amazing with sun damage and hyperpigmentation. To read more about astaxanthin, check out this Huffington Post article about its benefits.

Gotta love OZ for making their ingredients list readily available:

deinonized aqua (water), organic aloe barbadeniss leaf (aloe), cassia angustifolia seed polysacchardie (botanical hyaluronic acid), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), pentylene glycol, phospholipids, retinol, polysorbate 20, potassium phosphate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, organic simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil), triticum vulgare (wheat germ oil), astaxanthin, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), organic camellia sinensis (green tea), wildcrafted resina propoli (propolis), organic centella asiatica (gotu kola extract),organic equisetum arvense (horsetail extract), organic taraxacum officinale (dandelion) extract, organic geranium maculatum (wild geranium) extract, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, ethyl hexyl glycerin.

So, this retinol serum still contains your standard 2.5% retinol, but also contains loads of other great stuff, including our now infamous astaxanthin. Other key ingredients include wild geranium, aloe, hyaluronic acid (to help hydrate! YAY!), wheat germ oil, green tea, gotu kola, horsetail, and dandelion.

Again, all about this serum. Like, probably my favorite retinol serum thusfar. You can purchase it on amazon for $24.99.