This post is actually a combo 3-in-1 review featuring 3 products:
• Saje Sensitive Elixir Calming Skin Serum – $19.95 CAD for 30ml
• Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster – $48 USD for 20ml
• Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk – $70 CAD for 30ml (mine is a 5ml sample that I received as part of a 500pt perk from Sephora – my little sample is worth $11.67!)

But, it’s mainly about the Saje Serum since I listed it in my recent favourites post.

I love me some oil serums. In the past I used Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil, Josie Maran Argan oil, and straight up argan oil from the health food store. I decided to take a chance on this serum when I was at Saje to buy the deodorant. I’m so glad I gave this a try, because for me, it rivals the Clarins oil (which retails for $50)!

First, the texture. It’s a silky lightweight oil. The base oil is one of my all time favourites to help sooth and heal skin – rosehip oil. The ingredients list is minimal and doesn’t contain any fillers:

rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, and essential oils of pelargonium graveolens (geranium), aniba rosaeodora (rosewood), anthemis nobilis (roman chamomile) flower and lavandula angustifolia (lavender)

Second, the smell. It’s a spa type smell, if that describes anything. I asked the SA what the smell was – she said it’s mainly the rosewood oil. It’s not offensive or overpowering – very calming and earthy. I can’t get enough of it!

Let’s back up for a second, the Saje provides this blurb as the key features and benefits:
Sensitive Elixir helps to restructure delicate, sensitive skin that is usually dry and easily irritated. Sensitive skin is thin, and therefore has the blood supply closer to the surface, which often shows the capillaries and blood vessels. Skin-rejuvenating oils of rosehip, grape seed, apricot, and evening primrose are infused with skin-nourishing geranium, rosewood, roman chamomile and lavender essential oils to regenerate the skin. Massage Sensitive Elixir into freshly-cleansed and toned skin to nourish and increase blood circulation.

Interesting, I’ve been told by my esthetician that I have thin skin, hence why I shouldn’t use any harsh physical exfoliants on my face.  I have combination skin and this doesn’t clog my pores or cause any breakouts.  I use this serum 2 to 3 times a week.  How I use this is dispense about 4 drops onto the palm of my hands:

Then, I add 3 drops of the Paula’s Choice C15 Booster to the Saje serum where they make a serum concoction that looks like an egg with the C15 Booster as the egg yolk:

Why I use the PC C15 Booster in conjunction with the Saje: the PC Booster alone smells like cooked red meat. I know that’s a very specific description, but that’s what it reminds me of! I believe it’s due to the Ferulic Acid and is a common comment from users of this serum. I don’t want smell like I slathered hamburger onto my face…  But, the PC Booster is amazing for brightening the complexion and reducing brown spots.

I mix up the 2 by lightly rubbing my palms together and patting onto my face: cheeks, forehead, center of face and then neck. I also inhale deeply while I’m applying this – the aromatherapy aspect of this Saje oil is a nice additional benefit. I only use this serum in the evenings and lavender oil helps to prepare me for sleep. And the result? Amazing! My skin is radiant and clear in the morning.

Now I’m sneaking in the Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk into this review because it’s my blog, dammit! I didn’t feel it warrants its own entry but it deserves a mention while I’m discussing oil serums. I’m on the fence about this weird serum / milk thingy:

The ingredient list is short too but contains stuff that don’t seem all that essential: Aqua (Water)** (and) Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil* (and) Propanediol** (and) Glyceryl Caprylate** (and) Glyceryl Undecylenate** (and) Phosphatidylglycerol** (and) Sodium Benzoate** (and) Xanthan Gum** (and) Citric Acid** (*ORGANIC **NATURAL)

The serum looks like a lumpy milky oil (I even shook the bottle for a full minute to mix it!):

It looks very unappealing to apply to the face, but it feels very light on the skin and provides a good hydration. I like it, but don’t love it.  My main gripe is how pricey it is! $70 for 30ml? I can buy 3.5 bottles of the Saje for that price! And I get similar results with the Saje serum so I don’t feel the need to splurge on the Josie Maran.  Here’s how I rate the Saje Sensitive Elixir Calming Skin Serum:

Pros:
• Full of skin benefiting ingredients
• Smells like a spa
• Hydrates and protects the skin
• Calms skin and does not irritate
• Absorbs quickly into the skin
• Inexpensive compared to other serums

Cons:
• Leaves the skin shiny
• Dropper doesn’t work well

Stash worthiness: 9/10

Have you tried anything from Saje? Are you an oil serum fan?