Jurlique is a skincare brand that was founded by husband and wife Jurgen and Ulrike Klein — and named after them, respectively — in order to prove that nothing manufactured in a laboratory could compare with the healing powers of nature. Ulrike, a horticulturalist and botanist, specialized in growing healing herbs while Jurgen, a biochemist and naturopath, created the original formulas behind the Jurlique skincare products. Infused within every area of the Jurlique brand is a combination of science, alchemy, and herbal medicine that are used to craft their natural skincare products, as well as re-establish its user’s connection with nature.
For over 30 years, the botanicals used to formulate Jurlique skincare products have been grown on the brand’s organic farm in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. The Jurlique farm is free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and the botanicals are hand-picked. The brand has also developed their signature “Bio-Intrinsic” process that is designed to extract the compounds they require, while removing any non-essential material. In this review, we’ll discuss the brand’s best selling products, key ingredients, Jurlique reviews from real customers, and more.
OUR TOP PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
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| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
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| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Jurlique |
The Top 6 Jurlique Skincare Products
Jurlique skincare products include daily maintenance products, treatments, anti-aging products, and options to treat acne and other common skin conditions. If you’re not sure where to get started with this brand, you may want to consider one of the top six Jurlique skincare products below.
Moisturizing Replenishing Day Cream
This Jurlique moisturizer is a rich cream that is said to deliver lasting hydration to leave even dry skin feeling soft and comfortable. It’s formulated with farm-grown botanicals and plant-based oils including safflower and jojoba oil, in combination with shea butter and natural beeswax. While this is a day cream, the formula does not contain any sunscreen ingredients, so you will have to apply a sunscreen on top of this product.
Activating Water Essence
Jurlique Activating Water Essence is suitable for all skin types and should be applied to the skin after cleansing to rejuvenate and provide long-lasting continuous hydration. There are many ingredients in this essence that attract and hold water, such as glycerin, biosaccharide gum-1, and saccharide isomerate. Increasing the skin’s hydration may help to promote a smoother, softer and healthy-looking complexion.
Rose Hand Cream
The Jurlique Rose Hand Cream is another very popular product. It is a rich, scented hand cream that features the brand’s signature scent of rose grown and extracted on their organic farm in South Australia. The formula contains botanical extracts to soothe and calm the skin, leaving the hands hydrated, softened, and protected.
Rosewater Balancing Mist
The Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is claimed to improve skin barrier function, however, this product has the potential to actually damage the skin barrier. That’s because the formula contains an extremely high amount of denatured alcohol (it’s the second highest concentration only after water). The problem with this type of alcohol is that, at first, it seems like it’s benefitting the skin. It gives products a quick-drying finish, immediately degreases the skin, and imparts a weightless feel. The major problem with using high concentrations of denatured alcohol is that this ingredient is well known to cause skin dryness and irritation. Furthermore, alcohol can disrupt the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin), according to a 2012 publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes.
Moisture Plus Rare Rose Cream
Jurlique Moisture Plus Rare Rose Cream is said to instantly soothe the skin while slowly releasing moisture over 24 hours via the micro-encapsulated Jurlique Rose extract. It is also said to restore the skin’s natural glow for fresh, dewy, supple skin. The formula is very thick and rich because it contains several emollients and cupuacu butter.
Herbal Recovery Signature Serum
This Jurlique serum is an anti-aging facial serum with a gel-like texture that absorbs into the skin quickly. It is said to help skin feel firmer and more supple and brings a renewed radiance to the complexion. Herbal Recover Signature Serum contains red clover flower extract, which is scientifically proven to enhance the hydrating role of hyaluronic acid and to visibly smooth lines and wrinkles. What’s strange about this is that hyaluronic acid is not even an ingredient in this serum (or if it is, it’s not listed as one of the ingredients on the brand’s website).
What Are The Key Jurlique Skincare Ingredients?
While the brand uses a variety of naturally-derived botanical extracts to formulate the Jurlique skincare products, we did notice that the brand uses a few key ingredients throughout their collection. A few of the key ingredients that you’ll find in many Jurlique skincare products include rosehip oil, lavender flower extract, safflower seed oil, and viola tricolor extract.
You’ll find rosehip oil in the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream, Moisture Plus Rare Rose Cream, and several other Jurlique skincare products. Rosehip oil is a beneficial skincare ingredient because it contains provitamin A, mostly as beta carotene. Beta carotene has the ability to increase cell turnover and promote regeneration in the outer layers of the skin. Over time, this can help even out skin tone and add a “glow” to the skin. Rosehip seed oil also contains all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid) that stimulates cellular regeneration and collagen production within the skin. This improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Rosehip seed oil also has a high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is known to improve the skin’s barrier function and calm inflammation.
Another key ingredient in several Jurlique skincare products is lavender flower extract. According to Healthine, lavender has the ability to lessen acne, help lighten skin, and reduce wrinkles. Unfortunately, lavender flower extract can be problematic for some people as it causes sensitization. Research has determined that components of lavender oil, specifically linalool and linalyl acetate, can have damaging effects on skin in as low a concentration as 0.25%. When exposed to air, these components oxidize, which means their potential for causing an allergic reaction increases.
The brand uses safflower oil in many of the Jurlique skincare products. Safflower oil contains a very high concentration (~77%) of linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. This oil is claimed to be an effective natural emollient. But we’d like to point out that the double bonds in polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid are very unstable, especially when exposed to heat and oxygen (like when you apply them to your skin). This can lead to the generation of free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. When it comes to taking care of your skin, you want your skin care products to be reducing free radical damage (such as with antioxidants), not causing free radical damage!
The final key ingredient that you’ll find in Jurlique skin care products is viola tricolor extract. Viola tricolor, also known as wild pansy, contains an active chemical principle called violine, in addition to flavonoids (rutin), mucilage, salicylic acid, tannins, and tocopherol (vitamin E). Viola tricolor is also rich in polysaccharides, which when utilized on the skin, can boost the capacity to retain water.
Where are Jurlique Skincare Products Sold?
Jurlique skincare products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as numerous third party online retailers, such as LovelySkin.com, SkinStore.com, Pharmaca.com, and more. There are also spas that use and sell Jurlique skincare products, and the brand has a store locator on their website so you can find a spa near you.
What is The Jurlique Return Policy?
The Jurlique return policy states, “As part of our commitment to customer service, Jurlique offers a fair return policy. If you are dissatisfied with any product purchased through our site that has been unopened or opened, you may return the item(s) for a refund within 45 days of receiving your purchase. If you’ve used more than 30% of the product, no refund can be given.”
Is Jurlique Cruelty Free?
Jurlique is not cruelty free because Jurlique skincare products are sold in mainland China where animal testing is required by law.
Jurlique Reviews
Jurlique reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The Jurlique skincare product with the most reviews is the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream, which has earned an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars after 450 customer reviews.
There are many positive Jurlique reviews for this day cream from customers who have been using it for 25 or more years. For example, one review says, “A moisturizer I have been using for about 25 years or more. I have not found anything else that suits my skin and would probably spend another 25 years searching for a replacement if were to be discontinued.”
Most of the negative Jurlique reviews for the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream are from customers who are disappointed that the brand discontinued the larger size of the cream. There are a few reviews from customers who dislike the scent of this cream. For example, one review says, “Very moisturizing, melts nicely into skin (no crumbling) but the sharp old lady smell of this product is nauseating.” There are also some customers that find the cream to be too thick.
What Are Some Alternatives to Jurlique Skincare?
Overall, we think some of the Jurlique skincare products are formulated better than others. We’d definitely recommend avoiding the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist to avoid damage from the very high amount of denatured alcohol in this mist. Also, keep in mind that all Jurlique skincare products contain fragrance.
What Are Some Alternatives?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.
References:
1. BBA Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1410-1419
2. Healthine “How to Improve the Health of Your Skin with Lavender Oil”
3. de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):170-175. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000197
Gloria Original review: Jan 17, 2021.
I have been using Jurlique for about six months but I am unsure what I should be using. I am 83 years old with a very dry skin and suffer with Rosacea. I do not have a lot of wrinkles and have been told many times that I only look in my 60s. I can however see my skin going downhill. Could you please help with which of your products I should be using. Regards, Gloria