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The True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil actually comes in a version for normal to dry skin, which is the Renew one I am talking about today, and a version for normal to oily skin called Clear Pure Radiance Oil. Both differ slightly in ingredients, but as I have only tried one, I can’t really comment on the differences in texture.
Before we get into the review: I don’t really use facial oils in my regular routine, so for one to win me over it would need to be perfection – if you regularly use and love facial oils, you might reach a different conclusion on that one than I will.
What the True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil claims
Our best-selling face oil that helps target signs of aging and is clinically proven to outperform a leading anti-aging moisturizer.
Facts about the True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
Prize and size
One dropper bottle contains 30 ml and is available for 110 $ on the website here. As facial oils are used by the drop, that is actually quite a bit of product to go through. The bottle is in the signature dark brown glass all True Botanical products have in common and looks very posh.
Texture and smell
The first thing I noticed when opening the bottle was the beautiful, reddish brown color this has. While I am not particularly fond of the warm and earthy scent, it isn’t as bad as other facial oils I have tried in the past.
How to use the True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
Depending on your skin type, you can use facial oils in the mornings as last step before sunscreen or at night as last step in your routine, but unless you are really, really dry I don’t think this one lends itself to morning use. Put a few drops in the palms of your hands and then press them on your skin or mix them into your moisturizer right before application, both will work.
While the oil initially (and unsurprisingly) feels oily on the skin, that subsides quickly as it absorbs, leaving the skin smooth, but not greasy.
Ingredients of the True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil
emo, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil* aox|emo, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil* aox|emo 0 0–3, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil emo, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil* emo, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil* aox|emo|h, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil emo, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil* so|emo, Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip) Seed Oil* aox|emo, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil emo, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil* so|emo 2 3, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil* aox|emo, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Seed Oil h, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Seed Oil emo, Passiflora Incarnata (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil emo, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil aox|emo 0 0–2, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Seed Oil emo, Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Leaf Extract, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Leaf/Twig Extract, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetiver) Root Oil perf, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil 
aox|perf|amic, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil so|h|perf, Abies Sibirica (Fir) Oil perf, Haematococcus Pluvialis (Astaxanthin) Extract* aox, Nannochloropsis Oculata (Algae) Extract h, Pinus Densiflora (Red Pine) Extract aox, Porphyra Umbilicalis (Red Algae) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract* amic, Linalool perf, Citronellol perf, Geraniol perf, Farnesol perf, Benzyl Alcohol pres|perf|solv|vc, Citral perf, Eugenol perf, Benzyl Benzoate solv|perf|amic, Limonene perf|solvHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
The product is composed of 24 different oils – it contains all the big names like Grape Seed, Avocado and Argan, but also lesser known ones like Papaya or Passion Fruit – as well as a few plant extracts including different algae. If your skin is sensitive, it is worth noting that there are several fragrant essential oils present that include common allergens like Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene and the likes. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare dangerous?)
More info: How to read the skincare ingredient list in your products
Does it live up to its claims?
As far as I can tell, it does.
Every moisturizer, and also every facial oil, will help the skin retain moisture and so target fine lines and dehydration. Quite a few of the oils do have antioxidant properties, so will again help ward off damage to the skin. But if it outperforms a leading moisturizer (in what?) I really can’t say.
How does it compare to…
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
I don’t use many facial oils, I already told you that in the beginning, but the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil was the last one I tested that was allowed to stay in my rotation. I don’t think I will be able to finish it before it goes off, as I use it sparingly and only when I feel I need it, but I like the texture and the scent. It also has a Vitamin C derivative that might offer additional benefits for the skin. (More info: The benefits of Vitamin C in skincare explained)
You can read my full review of the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil here.
pixi Overnight Retinol Oil
If I trust a product to target signs of aging, it is most likely a product containing a retinoid, so I wanted to compare True Botanicals version to this Overnight Retinol Oil from pixi. If you are serious about addressing signs of aging (and it works for your skin), using retinol is a good idea. This is one of the richer oils, more nourishing than the True Botanicals one, and I don’t think the retinol concentration is very high. (More info: Retinol explained – Your comprehensive guide to retinoids) To be fair, I would suggest something else as retinoid and not an oil when asked for my opinion, but if you have your heart set on an oil, this one would be an option.
You can read my full review of the pixi Overnight Retinol Oil here.
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Another oil that contains retinoids, but no retinol – yes, it sounds a little confusing. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, which is a Retinol Ester, and while being much more gentle, it is also way weaker in effect. Price-wise it is up there with the True Botanicals version, which is why I never considered repurchasing this one. I just want more bang for my bucks.
You can read my full review of the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend it to?
While oils do contain skin beneficial ingredients and the True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil has an impressive blend, I am not convinced they will offer enough benefits for my skin to earn a permanent place in my routine. As I said in the beginning, if you love a facial oil, this is certainly a very luxurious choice, but I will certainly not repurchase. It is definitely aimed at more mature skin types, but despite there being a version for oily skin as well, I can see this work on all skins except the really oily ones.
Shop True Botanicals skincare here
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