When it comes to skincare, I try to limit my exposure to additional chemicals since I’m still breastfeeding though at this rate, I feel like my daughter will be taking my boobs with her to college (apparently she’ll wean when she’s damn well ready and so help me if I have any say in it).  I was surfing on Sephora with a birthday giftcard burning a hole in my pocket  a couple weeks ago and saw the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil and decided to give it a try. I’m a fan of Argan, Seabuckthorn See Oil, and Coconut for my face, but lately my skin is just angry at me and has been dry and scaly and shaking its proverbial fist at me for not getting enough sleep or water.

When it arrived and I opened it, I definitely snickered at the description on the bamboo case it arrived in. I kid you not, this is what was on the sleeve:

Known as “puro milagro” or “the pure miracle”, only one croup of this rare Amazonian fruit is harvested each year by Amazonian woman affiliated with our tarte cooperative in the Amazon. Piece by piece, they sustainably pick and extract nutrient-rich seeded pulp from each individual maracuja fruit by hand. This naturally harvested treasure, referred to as the “alma” or “soul” of the maracuja fruit is then hand pressed without the use of heat to guarantee the maximum amount of nutritious fatty acids and vitamins.

What no vestal virgins? Was this copy written for women who only bath their face in Evian water and the tears of clowns? Geez, ok yeah I get it, this stuff is rather pricey at $46 and it came with own luggage, but “pure miracle” c’mon. The only miracle here is that I bought something for myself instead of the tiny humans. But I digress, per the suggested use:

This powerful, precious oil replaces your nighttime moisturizer.
-In the evening apply two to three drops of pure maracuja oil in your hands, rub them together, and apply to clean, dry skin on face and neck.

I started using it along with my Clarisonic and dammit if it wasn’t pretty awesome right out of the gate. It smells a little like the bamboo box it comes it (kind of bacony but in a good way), but it sinks in immediately and doesn’t leave my skin oily and then dry and pissy a couple hours later. I had a microdermabrasian last week and used the Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil instead of the recommended light moisturizer and my skin was all glowy and youthful again. I’ve started using it in the morning too and I’m surprised how good my skin looks without makeup (considering a couple weeks ago I was feeling like an extra on The Walking Dead).

So yes, despite the douchey marketing jargon for what is essentially passion fruit, I’m a believer in this stuff and will definitely get it again. I do like the glass dropper and the bottle and shiny packaging are a nice way to make me feel more like I got my money’s worth, but I definitely keep the bottle away from the sink since I’m a klutz and fearful what an errant elbow would do to it.