Indie Beauty Spotlight – Veletta Clean Skincare

Veletta: Clean Beauty from New Zealand

Review by Marney Yaniv.

Some months ago, in the early days of the stay-at-home coronavirus crisis, I was given a gift set of New Zealand-made cosmetics and asked to use and review them. Every product for use in this rather unique skin routine is based on essential oils, all from New Zealand and clean, organic, and (of course) not tested on animals. The list of ingredients reads more like a gourmet health food menu than a cosmetic formula.

Being a mature and long-time user of cosmetics, I had always shied away from any cleanser or moisturizer that was oily having found that oil-based products usually caused clogged pores and left a shiny effect. Now I have been enlightened to the distinction between the petroleum and synthetic oils used in cosmetics and clean beauty products such as this cruelty-free and vegan Veletta Skincare line, which is made with natural essential oils from vegetables, fruits and seeds.

The Veletta Skincare range contains some uniquely New Zealand ingredients, including totarol, a potent antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound (three times stronger than Vitamin E); and manuka essential oil, which possesses extraordinary antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce inflammation and reduce acne-causing bacteria.

The first thing I realized was that the Veletta skincare routine was going to require an investment on my part in time and effort; good timing since I was at home most of the time anyway during the quarantine.

The set I reviewed included a cleansing oil, a nourishing oil, an oil-based moisturizer, and a mask (in powder form to be mixed with water).

The containers are all glass, which looks beautiful on your counter or vanity, better for the environment, and protect the ingredients better so they stay effective longer. But, when combined with oil, they can be a bit slippery and should be used with care over the sink.

The Cleansing Oil was lighter than I expected. It’s made with a ton of natural oils: castor bean oil, avocado oil, safflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, tamanu oil, manuka oil, jasmine oil, helichrysum oil, and frankincense oil. I found it to be great for removing makeup, including mascara. It left my skin feeling very soft.

The next step is either to apply a few drops of the Rejuvenating Oil, or the Nourishing Moisturizer. If you have dry skin, you can use both. Give the oil time to be absorbed, massaging it in according to the ten-step massage routine. You can do a quick application or treat yourself to an 8-10 minute massage.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that, as promised, both the oils and the moisturizer cream were in fact fully absorbed and left no greasy feeling, but instead created a smooth “protected” feeling on my face. The name Veletta means veil, and the name is apt. Even more interesting, this feeling lasts all day and serves as a base for makeup or for no makeup at all. You then repeat the cleansing routine and massage before bed – time-consuming, but also soothing … and not a bad idea in these stressful times. In the morning, your face still has a soft, supple “protected” feeling – the most outstanding feature of the Veletta beauty routine.

The Purifying Mask helps to firm and brighten skin. To use, mix three tablespoons of the powder with two teaspoons of purified water. You’ll be surprised to see it turn into a bright terra cotta colored paste that dries quickly into a stiff mask. This mask contains clay, cacao power, and other edible-sounding ingredients. Following the mask, you can apply the nourishing oil or the moisturizing cream (or both).

After three weeks of carefully following the Veletta routine, I have to say that the skin on my face, jawline, and neck has definitely improved. I tended to have dry patches at the outer edges of my eyebrows and over my upper lip, which are now gone, and overall my skin is smoother and healthier and age spots are less noticeable. Since I rub the excess oil on my hands and arms, I’ve noticed improvement there also.

So overall, I really loved these indie, clean beauty skincare products. A little amount goes a long way, so if careful, this rather expensive line of products may actually be cost-effective when compared to competitors. These oils and creams have little or no scent – only a light and natural aroma. They are vegan, Halal-certified, cruelty-free, and made with healthy organic essential oils.