Putting Essènci, a Truly Nontoxic Skincare Brand, to the Test

Yetunde and Michael Beutler set out to create a beauty brand that, at every step of production, kept chemicals and any potentially toxic ingredients out of the picture. Born from that ethos was Essènci, which launched in December 2020 with the L’Immortela Elixir serum. The formulation, whose ingredients are of the highest quality and sourced entirely from France, is 100 percent organic, nontoxic, and contains no synthetics. It’s being regarded as the cleanest (and most luxurious) answer to the “clean beauty” movement. Four W editors tried the hydrating L’Immortela Elixir serum (in a travel-size bottle replete with rollerball), and gave their honest opinions.

Andrea Whittle, Features Editor

Did you experience a difference using this all-natural product, compared to a chemical-heavy beauty product? If so, how did it feel different?

I usually gravitate toward natural products and I’m extremely sensitive to synthetic scents, so I jumped at the opportunity to give this new line a try. Plus, my skin has felt super dry and reactive this winter—an organic blend of oils seemed like just what I needed. The serum feels light, silky, and soothing going on, and the roller applicator has been ice cold every time I’ve used it, which is a nice spa-y touch. It also absorbs well—to the point that I’ve even taken to dabbing some under my eyes in the mornings for a boost of moisture. I stay glowy all day instead of ending up oil-slicked by mid-afternoon, like some heavier anti-aging products tend to do. I also haven’t experienced any breakouts or pore-clogging.

Some have said the scent of this oil can help with sleep. Did you experience any “side-effects” of this sort?

The smell really is heavenly… like what you’d imagine the most elegant yoga instructor might exude, or a breeze blowing past a Swiss mountaintop in late spring. I’m not sure that I experienced any sleep-inducing effects, but I’d happily apply it to my pulse points as a light alternative to perfume.

What did you think of the Essènci L’Immortela Elixir? Would you use it again?

I love it as an all-purpose face oil, but I’m not sure that I’d consider it an anti-aging product (as it purports itself to be). I’ve been using it in conjunction with exfoliants and a light retinol, which it seems to compliment really well, and will for sure keep it in my regular rotation. Sometime in the future, it will be the perfect travel companion: a tiny, mess-free, on-the-go applicator with a soothing, airplane-air mitigating scent.

Maryam Lieberman

Did you experience a difference using this all-natural product, compared to a chemical-heavy beauty product? If so, how did it feel different?

The elixir felt thinner in terms of consistency when I applied it on my skin, but it also felt more absorbent than a lot of the mass-produced brands I’ve tried. It uses tomato extract and pomegranate oil, two oils which I keep reading have excellent healing properties for skin repair. I liked the rollerball application; it was convenient and less messy than having to first apply all over the palms of my hands and then blend it into my face. I used it on the area around my eyes and on my lips.

Some have said the scent of this oil can help with sleep. Did you experience any “side-effects” of this sort?

It didn’t help me sleep, but the scent was very pleasant. It wasn’t too heavy. I also like going to bed applying something natural on my skin versus a harsher, over-exfoliating product that might cause me to wake up with half my face peeled off overnight.

What did you think of the Essènci L’Immortela Elixir? Would you use it again?

Yes, I would. I am all for natural products with high-quality ingredients. I think, more often than not, the skin can heal itself with these types of ingredients than all of the over-the-top concoctions, which are often too severe on the skin.

Brooke Marine, Associate Digital Editor

Did you experience a difference using this all-natural product, compared to a chemical-heavy beauty product? If so, how did it feel different?

There can sometimes be a harshness to beauty products at mass retail stores that don’t make pledges to use organic, non-toxic ingredients. With that in mind, I do feel that there was a lightness to this Essènci L’Immortela Elixir serum that I don’t necessarily experience when I use products that might contain synthetic chemicals. It’s almost like you don’t even notice that you’ve put on the serum—and I mean that in a good way—because it’s so thin.

Some have said the scent of this oil can help with sleep. Did you experience any “side-effects” of this sort?

The scent of this serum is really light, but it is calming. I can’t be sure if it was just the motion of applying the roller ball to my face that helped me relax, or the vague fragrance of the product, but I did feel serene after using it. My skin felt refreshed and moisturized when I tacked this on as the final step of my nightly skincare routine—which consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. During the winter, like most people, my skin gets extra dry and then produces more oil and most of the acne I experience, if any, is hormonal. So, that being said, I liked the feeling of having a super moisturized face right before going to sleep. I also appreciate that the .33 fl. oz. rollerball is easy to tuck into a carry-on bag (for whenever I can finally safely travel by air again) and doesn’t take up too much space in my medicine cabinet (which, admittedly, is jam-packed right now).

What did you think of the Essènci L’Immortela Elixir? Would you use it again?

I don’t think there was a visible difference in my skin after using this product at night for a few weeks. I enjoyed the process of rolling the oil onto my skin, and appreciated the way it made my skin feel refreshed at the end of the day. But at such a steep price point, I don’t know that I would purchase it again after this little tube runs out. I will definitely keep using it, though.

Oona Wally, Senior Visuals Editor

Did you experience a difference using this all-natural product, compared to a chemical-heavy beauty product? If so, how did it feel different?

I’m sad to say I haven’t delved too deeply into non-toxic, organic, non-synthetic products on my own, so I always appreciate when we get to try a new, truly clean product. I know a lot of mass brands aren’t actually clean, nontoxic and organic (and there’s a lot of greenwashing out there), so I suppose I tend to be skeptical of looking for truly clean products at mass retailers. I can say the smell and texture of the Essènci Elixir Serum made me feel that this is a clean product—the scent is a natural botanical and herbal one, and the texture is smooth and silky without feeling artificial at all.

Some have said the scent of this oil can help with sleep. Did you experience any “side-effects” of this sort?

The scent is clean and fresh. After using it, I felt as if I had just come from a massage and facial at my favorite spa. I like to use this on my lips as well, the texture is really silky and feels hydrating. The rollerball application smoothly glided over my skin, depositing the perfect light amount of the serum in the places I wanted it to.

What did you think of the Essènci L’Immortela Elixir? Would you use it again?

I enjoyed using this serum very much. I love the smell and texture of the elixir, I will definitely use it again. I didn’t notice a visible difference in my skin besides it being nicely moisturized for a few hours after application, but I really enjoyed the product—I’ll be adding it to my daily skincare routine until it runs out.

Related: Does a Clean Beauty Formulation Really Make a Difference in Skincare?