2023 UPDATE: Annmarie Skin Care Sample Kits have been discontinued, but this review still has great info about all of Annmarie bestselling products, plus a reviews of my top favorites at the end.
I first reviewed Annmarie Skin Care Sample Kits back in 2016. Since then they’ve rebranded and changed their packaging. They’re still the same gorgeous products (the formulas have not changed), just a new look. This blog post is my updated review of their Sample Kits which is a selection of their bestseller products for different skin types.
I’ve been using Annmarie Skin Care for many years. To me their products have withstood the test of time. They’re just as great now as they were when I first tried them.
Back in 2016 when I first tried their Sample Kits I immediately fell in love with Annmarie Herbal Facial Oil For Normal/Combination Skin. I’ve since used up one full size bottle after another, and to this day, it’s still my favourite moisturizing facial oil. Nothing compares to it. If it weren’t for their Sample Kits, I would have never discovered this wonderful product.
In my eyes, Sample Kits are great (more companies should be offering this). You get to test a brand and their product range to see and experience what it’s like.
Annmarie Skin Care Sample Kits feature their bestselling, most popular products. They have one kit for every skin type (4 sample kits in total). In each sample kit you get a cleanser and facial oil moisturizer, so you get to experience the full skin care ritual. Plus the sample sizes are generous, you have enough product to last you at least a few days.
My first impressions of Annmarie Skin Care
Back in 2016 when I first tried Annmarie Skin Care, their products were like a breath of fresh air. I wished they were available a long time ago.
I’ve been interested in natural skin care way before I got into natural health and healthy eating. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of skin care products made from all natural ingredients. But, as great of an idea it is, back in the day (like 15-20 years ago), most natural skin care products sold at health food stores or markets were awful. They were heavy, waxy, non-absorbable, and would make my skin worse, not better. It’s only been in the past decade that a bunch of natural skin care companies like Annmarie Skin Care have been popping up, offering high quality products that are just as good and effective as conventional, mainstream counterparts.
What stands out the most about Annmarie Skin Care is how lightweight and balancing the products are. Nothing in their product line is heavy or waxy, and nothing sits on your skin feeling like a mask (that’s the worst!). My sensitive, acne prone skin never reacted adversely to any of their products. Most skincare lines I’ve tried, there’s always at least one or two products my skin has a bad reaction to. I was quite surprised after trying all 4 Sample Kits, nothing made my skin red, irritated, or broken out.
Another standout is the quality of the ingredients and formulations. Annmarie Skin Care is strict about using safe, natural, highest quality organic and wild crafted ingredients that perform. You can tell by the texture, performance and results that the products are high quality and professionally formulated. They are a pleasure to use, and I’ve seen a noticeable difference in the appearance and texture of my skin when using them.
Review Of All 4 Annmarie Skin Care Sample Kits
Balance Sample Kit for Normal & Combination Skin
Annmarie Balance Sample Kit includes samples of Aloe Herb Cleanser and Herbal Facial Oil for Normal and Combination Skin.
Out of the 4 Sample Kits, the Balance Sample Kit is my favourite. It’s soothing, moisturizing, and de-stresses the skin. When I use this kit at night, my skin is noticeably nourished, soft and supple the next day (which is quite a feat when sleeping with air-conditioning).
All products in this kit are especially gentle. They’re suitable for all skin types, including normal, combination and sensitive skin.
Aloe Herb Cleanser is an aloe-based, non-foaming gel cleanser. It has a cream-like milky texture that rinses off completely clean. It’s a very gentle, mild and hydrating facial cleanser. It removes surface impurities and makeup, and skin is left balanced, soft and supple. Your skin won’t feel tight, dry or stripped after using this. It’s suitable for all skin types including sensitive, easy to use, and leaves skin feeling clean and fresh.
Herbal Face Oil for Normal & Combination Skin smells heavenly! It’s a light weight oil moisturizer and a perfect compliment to the Aloe Herb Cleanser. It absorbs really well without sitting on the surface of your skin or being greasy. And it truly moisturizes. I’ve used a lot of facial oils that soften the skin, but don’t really nourish or replenish the skin. This one does. I like to use this oil at night as a deep moisturizing treatment and to protect my skin from the dehydrating air conditioning or indoor heating. Over the years I’ve tried a lot of Annmarie skin care products, and this has always remained one of my top favourites because it’s light, yet very moisturizing and balancing.
Purify Sample Kit for Oily Skin
Annmarie Purify Sample Kit includes samples of Citrus Mint Facial Cleanser and Herbal Facial Oil for Oily Skin.
The Purify Sample Kit is a clarifying sample kit. Great for oily and combination skin types. These products are also great for hot summer months when the skin needs light refreshing products.
Like the Aloe Herb Cleanser, the Citrus Mint Facial Cleanser is also an aloe-based cleanser, but has a gel consistency. I find this cleanser is especially good at removing makeup, sunscreen and buildup from the skin, while at the same time still being gentle and non-stripping. It has a refreshing scent and leaves skin bright and clean. This is a great choice for oily or acne prone skin, or if you wear difficult to remove makeup, foundation or sunscreen.
Back in 2016 when I first tried Herbal Facial Oil For Oily Skin, I didn’t like it at all. In fact it was my least favorite Annmarie product (old formula had a very strong herbal scent). But fast forward to 2023, this has fast become a favorite. In fact I’ve gone through numerous bottles of this stuff, and it’s one product I will continue to use. And why do I love it so much? If you have acne prone skin, or prone to clogged pores – this will help clear it up and keep your skin clear. It’s extremely lightweight, so if you have oily skin, you have nothing to fear – it won’t make your skin oily or greasy. In fact your skin soaks it up. It’s made with powerful clarifying herbs and botanicals like neem and willow bark extracts to reduce redness and inflammation and keep pores clear. It’s like a clarifying oil to break up hardened oil and sebum that’s clogging your pores. I don’t have acne issues on my face, but I use this oil daily on my chest, back and shoulders which is prone to clogged pores, pimples, tiny bumps, and dermatitis. It keeps my skin clear.
Restore Sample Kit for Dry & Mature Skin
Annmarie Restore Sample Kit includes samples of Aloe Herb Cleanser and Anti-Aging Facial Oil.
The Restore Sample Kit is another favourite. This sample kit is for dry and maturing skin helping to nourish and smooth the skin. The products are lightweight, easily absorbable, moisturizing, and smell beautiful.
Aloe Herb Cleanser is the same cleanser as in the Balance and Soothe Sample Kits. It’s a mild aloe-based cleanser. Both the Aloe Herb and the Citrus Mint Cleansers are non-foaming facial cleansers. I would say the big difference between the two is I find the Citrus Mint is better at removing makeup and sunscreen and more clarifying, whereas the Aloe Herb is more balancing and nourishing (so if you wear a lot of makeup or sunscreen, I would use the Citrus Mint Cleanser, and if you don’t, use the Aloe Herb Cleanser).
Anti-Aging Facial Oil is a herb-infused moisturizing oil that conditions and softens skin. It deeply moisturizes and replenishes dry and maturing skin without feeling heavy or greasy. Now in my late 40s, I find myself reaching for this oil to moisturize (I’ve always used Herbal Facial Oil For Normal/Combination Skin). The difference between the two oils – Annmarie Anti-Aging Oil is richer, more nourishing. Both oils will moisturize and balance skin, but if your skin is feeling dry or showing more signs of aging, go with the Anti-Aging Facial Oil. It also has a nice light scent, softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and gives skin a dewy glow.
I have to say, all of Annmarie’s facial oils moisturize the skin really well. Better than most oils I’ve tried. And they have a complete range of oils for all different skin types. When your skin is properly hydrated and moisturized, it shows with improved firmness, smoother texture, and a glowing complexion.
Soothe Sample Kit for Sensitive Skin
Annmarie Soothe Sample Kit includes samples of Aloe Herb Cleanser and Herbal Facial Oil For Sensitive Skin.
The Soothe Sample Kit is the newest addition to Annmarie Sample Kits. This one is mild, and formulated to calm and soothe sensitive.
Aloe Herb Cleanser is the same cleanser in the Balance and Restore Sample Kits. It a gentle aloe-based cream cleanser that washes away impurities without drying or stripping the skin. It’s hydrating, balancing, and rinses off clean without leaving any residues on the skin.
Herbal Facial Oil for Sensitive Skin is an herb-infused moisturizing face oil made without essential oils. It’s completely unscented. I really enjoyed using it. It’s very moisturizing while being lightweight, fast absorbing and calming. My skin always felt balanced, soft and supple when using it. It’s made for sensitive skin, but dry and combination skin types would also benefit from it too.
Best Annmarie Skin Care products to try
Since first trying Annmarie Sample Kits back in 2016, over the years I’ve tried a lot more of their beautiful all natural skin care and body care line.
Here’s my top recommendations:
Aloe Herb Cleanser – I love this cleanser. I use it morning, and at night as a second cleanse. If you are looking for a cleanser that gives you that clean skin feeling without making your skin dry or tight, I highly recommend it. It’s mild yet very cleansing, great for removing sunscreen and foundation, and starting the day clean. I also really like the texture, it’s like a soothing gel that turning into a cleansing milk when you apply it damp skin. It’s ultra gentle, easy to use, and great for all skin types, including sensitive.
Neroli Toning Mist – This aloe-based complexion mist is so soothing and smells divine. I love wearing it before bed (it takes my sleeping ritual to a whole new level). I also like using it during the day to de-stress and hydrate my skin. I’ve never really liked face mists until I tried this. It’s also made with only 3 ingredients which my sensitive skin really likes.
Citrus Stem Cell Serum (formerly Repair Serum) – This serum makes skin ultra soft and smooth, like baby soft! I highly recommend this stem cell serum for resurfacing skin that has a lot of texture, sun damage, dullness and signs of aging. Use it every night, and overtime you’ll see your skin tone will start to even out and becomes brighter, it helps fade dark spots and imperfections, and softens texture and lines. I also use this on my chest for fading dark spots and sun damage.
Herbal Facial Oil For Normal/Combination Skin – Annmarie Skin Care makes the best moisturizing facial oils. These oils don’t just sit on your skin, but they perform, truly moisturizing and softening skin. It’s hard to pin point a favorite out of their line of Herbal Facial Oils because they are all good, but I will say that the Herbal Facial Oil For Normal/Combination is the most versatile out of the range because it’s not too rich or too light, and the base of the oil is grapeseed oil (won’t clog pores, safe for acne prone skin). These days as I’m getting a little older, and my skin is starting to get a little drier, I go back and forth between the Herbal Facial Oil For Normal/Combinations Skin and the Anti-Aging Facial Oil. I’ve been using these oils for years, and I’m just as satisfied with them today as I was when I first started using them.
Anti-Aging Eye Cream – This eye cream is rich and it works. It really works. If you have deep lines and wrinkles around your eyes (or anywhere on your face), this will help to smooth them out. If most eye creams you’ve tried don’t seem to perform well enough, try this. If you have dry skin around your eyes, this is a perfect choice. I find the formula to be quite gentle for sensitive eyes and my crows feet love it.
Annmarie Skin Care Sample Kits Review Video
If you want more info about the Sample Kits or you want to see the products, here’s my Annmarie Skin Care review video I did back in 2016 of the Sample Kits. The sample kits packaging and branding have changed a lot over the years, but the products and formulas are still the same, so it’s definitely worth checking out the video.
0 Responses
Natasha, your timing couldn’t be more perfect for me. Annmarie Skin Care products just entered my radar a couple of weeks ago and I was debating which sample kit to try, too. I may try all three like you did! It’s hard to go wrong when you get a $10 credit per sample toward your next purchase. (Brilliant marketing on their part.) Based on your review, it’s likely I’ll re-order anyway! I’ll try the sunscreen, too. (Speaking of sunscreen, have you tried Living Libations’? I haven’t and am wondering how it compares.) Thanks!
Hi Joyce,
You’ll definitely enjoy the samples 🙂
I haven’t yet tried Living Libations sunscreen (it’s on my list), and I’ve also received a few requests to do reviews of a few other non-toxic sunscreens, so I’ll definitely put a post together of different sunscreens and how they compare (great idea!).
When you get the Annmarie Skin Care Samples, do let us know which one is your favourite.
Have a great day!