I live at nearly 7,000 feet in the mountains of Colorado, where the humidity hovers around 20–25% most of the year. Translation? Everyone has dry skin—all the time.
In my early 40s, I noticed my skin felt especially dry by late afternoon. I’d healed my perioral dermatitis using Black Clay Facial Soap and Purely Simple Face Cream, and I wasn’t about to give up either one. But I needed more—something that could extend hydration, not just add more texture or weight.
Why I Didn’t Just Reach for a Face Oil
I’d had flares of my perioral dermatitis in the past from using too many oils or balms—especially thick ones—so the idea of layering a facial oil on top of my cream made me nervous. But I wondered: was there a way to boost my face cream without overwhelming my skin?
That question led me back to my formulator’s notebook.
Fit for Queens: A Moisture-Extending Elixir
At the time, I was deep in my Game of Thrones era, and I couldn't stop imagining which ingredients Cersei and Daenerys would go to war over. I pictured the most beautiful, sensuous, skin-loving botanicals I could think of—rose, jasmine, sandalwood, prickly pear and argan oil. Inspired, I got to work blending a facial oil fit for queens (even queens with very sensitive skin).
I didn’t want to test it directly on my face, so I added two drops to my Purely Simple Face Cream the next morning. And that evening, as I drove home from work, I noticed something: my skin was still soft, supple, and noticeable smooth. I kept petting my own face. How could two drops make that much of a difference?
From Unicorn Drops to Osmia Favorite
I started calling them unicorn drops. I passed samples around the office, and handed them out at dinner parties: “Just add 2–3 drops to your moisturizer and let me know what happens.”
A few days later, the texts started rolling in. Everyone wanted more.
Since unicorn drops didn't sound very performance-oriented (or did it?), we renamed the product Nectar Nourishing Drops. While the ingredients may have had whimsical inspiration, the science actually makes a lot of sense.
The Science of Hydration and Lipid Balance
The outermost layer of your skin—the stratum corneum—is made up of both water and lipids. The ratio between those two is key to maintaining a healthy barrier.
By adding a few drops of oil to my aloe-based face cream, I gently shifted that lipid-to-water ratio. The added lipids helped my skin hold onto moisture longer, especially in the arid mountain air. My skin didn't always need those extra lipids, like on rainy days, or when I was in a more humid climate. But, because I was mixing it with my moisturizer, I could adjust the formula each day depending on what my skin needed—two drops on a mild day, four when I craved a little more nourishment.
What’s Inside Nectar Nourishing Drops
- Organic high-oleic safflower oil – Lightweight, soothing, rich in oleic acid
- Organic argan oil – Antioxidant-rich and balancing for all skin types
- Organic pumpkin seed oil – Supports elasticity and delivers zinc and vitamins
- Organic prickly pear oil – Rich in linoleic acid, helps with brightness and barrier repair
- Organic rosehip seed oil – High in natural vitamin A and essential fatty acids
- Essential oils of rose and sandalwood – At low concentrations, these provide regenerative and calming effects
- Jasmine extract – Subtle, intoxicating, and gently balancing
- The scent? Practically beyond words—and definitely beautiful enough to make Cersei stab Daenerys in the eye.
How to Use Nectar Nourishing Drops
Option 1: As a Standalone Facial Oil
- Wash your face with your favorite Osmia cleanser (Black Clay Facial Soap or Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser are great options)
- While your skin is still very damp, apply 4–5 drops of Nectar (or more if you like!)
- Massage gently into face and neck
Option 2: Mixed With Your Moisturizer
- Wash and pat your face dry with a clean towel
- Add two pumps of moisturizer to your hand (Purely Simple Face Cream works beautifully)
- Add 2–4 drops of Nectar directly into the cream to form a soft, golden “egg”
- Rub your hands together and apply to face and neck as a single step
- This method lets you dial in the richness day by day, depending on your skin’s needs.
How Long Does It Last?
Because you're only using a few drops at a time, one bottle typically lasts:
- 2–3 months with regular use
- Longer if you're using it only as needed
Who Is It For?
- Dry, flaky, or tight skin from climate, age, or overexfoliation
- Sensitive or combination skin that needs hydration without heaviness. Also great for the healing stages of perioral dermatitis, when the skin is no longer inflamed but remains slightly red or dry.
- Anyone who wants to elevate their routine with ingredients that feel (and smell) like luxury, while also strengthening the skin barrier.
Final Thoughts
Nectar Nourishing Drops started as a side quest—to solve my own skin dilemma without creating a new one. What it became is one of the most beloved (and beautiful) products in the Osmia line: a customizable, lipid-rich hydration booster with skin science and botanical magic in every drop.
Whether you're living at sea level or 7,000 feet above it, this formula helps your skin hold onto the hydration it needs—beautifully.
The information contained in this post is for educational interest only. This information is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any physical or mental illness, disease, or skin conditions.
