Overivew
Botopical is the original name of the popular Youth Factor line of wrinkle fighters, which are available online from the official manufacturer’s website. Botopical actually consists of three products, which are: the Daily Treatment, the Intensive Treatment and the Multi-Treatment. All three Botopical products are available in a somewhat confusing package system, where users can get the complete set for $159.95, or you can choose to pay $59.95 for each product individually. All of the Botopical products seem to be made up entirely of botanical extracts, and no animal testing has been done during product development.
While only the five botanical ingredients are mentioned, one assumes that these Botopical creams must contain more since the website also makes a point of mentioning the product’s ingredient delivery system, which seems to be largely structured around several amino acid complexes. Unfortunately, although this system is described in some detail on the site, no clinical details are given. Botopical claims that it will primarily act to increase skin hydration, and it has been endorsed by the former Miss America and Miss Hawaii, Carolyn Sapp.
Product Details
The five botanical extracts that make up Botopical’s active ingredients are: Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Macrocyitis Pyrifera, Ceratonia silaqua, Edelweiss extract and Chamomile extract. This is the only ingredient list that we could find, so presumably these extracts are featured in all three products in the Botopical regimen. Macrocyitis Pyrifera is a known antioxidant derived from seaweed, Chamomile is a known anti-inflamatory, and Edelweiss extract is a known hydrator. However, the purpose of the other extracts is not known, nor are any of these ingredients explained in any detail on the official website.
It is also a bit unclear how the three Botopical treatments are intended to be used together. We can only assume that, after ordering the products, consumers are also sent a set of instructions. As far as customer service goes, returns are only accepted on unopened Botopical products, and consumers are still charged a restocking fee for any item returned. While ordering these products online is the fastest way to get them shipped, Botopical also accepts phone, fax and mail orders.
The Good
- Botopical products can be ordered online, over the phone, and even by mail.
- Botopical products have not been tested on animals.
The Bad
- We were unable to find a list of non-active ingredients.
- It’s not clear to us what all of the 5 active botanicals have been included to do.
- Only unopened packages of Botopical are accepted for return, and users are still charged for shipping and for a restocking fee.
- Products are relatively expensive, even when buying the discounted full set, and it is never mentioned how long one package of product is intended to last.
The Bottom Line
Given the hefty price tag, we would probably keep looking before selecting Botopical. While the idea of an all-natural product set is nice, we found the official website for this product to be frustratingly vague. We’d like to know a bit more about non-active ingredients (if any) and also about product use directions. Finally, we’d like to see a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, instead of the current return policy that only refunds unopened packages of product.