I TRIED IT:

Plums… As Skincare

By: Haley Gaylor

My skincare routine has never felt… sweeter?

Sticky fingers, bits of sweetness stuck between my horribly grown-in buck teeth (shoutout to six years of braces after this glorious time).

This was my first encounter with plums. One that I still cherish.

THE BRAND BEHIND THE (PLUM) MAGIC

Fast forward to the now and plums have come back to me full-circle, but for an entirely different reason – in aid of my skin. It’s dry, sensitive, acne-prone. Add rosacea, and well... it’s no wonder that I tend to cry a lot. (Or maybe that’s on account of my having sensitive blue eyes and living for a dramatic moment, as well as reliving aforementioned tooth woes.) With such complicated skin, I am extremely hesitant when it comes to trying oils, and especially sunscreens, for fear of the havoc they might wreak on my hyper-sensitive skin. But plums... they treated me so right way back when. Could their antioxidant-rich makeup be making my adult self just as happy?

Enter Le Prunier, a beauty brand born from three sisters and their love of the powerful plum. It was their grandfather who farmed organic plums on rich Northern Californian soil. And with subsequent generations preserving and nurturing his roots and legacy, the family has been able to take this renowned superfood and utilize it for topical benefits.

Now let’s dive into my review of Le Prunier’s sunscreen and beauty oil, shall we?

TEST #1: LE PRUNIER’S SUNSCREEN, ‘PLUMSCREEN’

First up, an SPF that smells as good as it sounds? Sign me up.

The fact that Plumscreen doubles as a moisturizer was welcome news to my Sahara Desert-ish face. Upon application, there was zero irritation to my eyes, which isn't true of most sunscreens. Le Prunier’s sunscreen formulation glides on seamlessly and has a semi-blurring effect, all while offering SPF 31 UVA/UVB (ultraviolet radiation) /HEV (blue light) PA+++ (High Protection Grade of UVA) protection. Its luminosity lasted all day long while offering sun- and blue light protection (great for us habitually online humans). Plumscreen’s scent is oddly reminiscent of almond extract, which catapulted my senses back to my Southern roots and my Aunt Catherine’s famous almond bars. To my surprise, Plumscreen is fragrance-free, which means that this delicious “scent” is derived from its only ingredient -- organic plum seed oil

How I Use:
Once I’ve applied my morning skincare (sans moisturizer), I allow it to sit for at least five minutes and then apply a nickel-size amount across my face and blend. This sunscreen works incredibly as a moisturizer, and even as a makeup primer.

TEST #2: LE PRUNIER’S PLUM BEAUTY OIL

I remember the first time I opened this bottle, the scent hit my nose with its ultimate fruity punch. And though I was still a little hesitant to apply it to my sensitive skin, I did anyway -- for science.

To my surprise, Plum Beauty Oil and I skipped the dating phase and went straight to glowy marriage. This formula is unlike any I’ve experienced before. It absorbed very quickly into my skin, while maintaining its luminosity throughout the day, thanks to the oil's vitamin E and Omega 6 & 9 composition. It is this versatility that has made Plum Beauty Oil a go-to staple in my morning and night routines.

How I Use:
Moisturizer: I apply 2-3 drops to my skin or mix 1-2 drops with a light moisturizer
Hair: I apply 3-5 drops into my hands and rub together to heat up the product, then apply to the ends of my hair.
Makeup: I use a drop or two with my foundation to thin it out and give my skin a more hydrated/ glowy look.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Honestly, Le Prunier’s moisturizer and beauty oil could serve as both the beginning and end of my entire beauty routine. Their versatility and simplicity gets ✩✩✩✩✩, especially from me who is always moving on to the next thing.

I’m so grateful that plums and I have reconnected.