L'Occitane Shea Cleansing Face Milk

Today we will be looking at my second try with the L'Occitane Shea facial skincare line, many of you will remember the disaster that I had last year with one of the skin creams and may be surprised that I have decided to give this line a second go around.  I had very high hopes for the hydrating face cream that I tried from this line and still have very clear memories of the redness and swelling that it caused my face and neck and I went back to using all Clinique products for a few weeks after this issue.  At this time, I decided that I would never use any other product from this line even though I have loved many of the body products for years beforehand.  Obviously, I have decided to give a product from this line a second try and the results are much better this time around.

I decided several weeks ago that I really wanted to give the Shea face line another try and starting thinking about what product I would like to try this time and how I was going to go about it.  My initial thoughts were to chose a product that I do not leave on my face this time around and I settled on a face cleanser from the line and obtained several samples from the L'Occitane store before I decided to order the full size.  We will look at the product that I chose and then we will get into how I patch-tested it and a full review.

The product that I decided to try out is the Face Cleansing Milk from the Shea line, I had used a cream cleanser from another line produced by this company when I was in college and I loved it.  I think my love of that product and the matching face lotion and cream are the reasons that I bought the L'Occitane face cream and never properly tested it before rubbing it all over my face.  "This cleansing milk, with its creamy texture, gently cleanses and removes makeup.  Enriched with softening shea and soothing licorice extract, it preserves skin's natural hydration and leaves it clean, supple, and comfortable.", states the company's website.  

The manager at my local L'Occitane store was very generous with the samples of this product while I was deciding if I could use this all over my face.  I started with testing it on my forearm; the skin in this area is much less sensitive than my face, neck, or hands.  I tested this face wash in the shower for three days on my forearm area and experienced no irritation.  I then moved on to testing it on my hands, my hands are much more sensitive than my forearm and irritation develops easily on them.  Obviously, I had no irritation after three days worth of testing in this area and then I repeated the test on the back of my neck.  After three days of testing on my neck with no irritation, I decided that I would use my last sample to wash my face and then purchase the full size bottle.

I am very happy that this face wash worked out for me, I have been using it for about three weeks now and I have been very much enjoying it.  I use one and a half pumps of this product to cleanse my entire face, I do not use this product to take my eye makeup off and always go in with a separate remover in this area.  I have tried quite a few milk cleansers over the years and I have found that they often need a separate toner to remove every trace of makeup that I put on my face in the morning, this holds true for this product and I have been purchasing the huge bottles of the Clinique Toner designed for dry to very dry skin to use every other day.

This cleanser does not foam up and rinses cleanly with water.  I like that this product doesn't dry my skin out or leave it with the "tight" feeling that most gel cleansers would at this time of the year.  I would recommend this cleanser to anyone with skin that is dry and I could not see anyone with normal or oily skin liking this product.  The Shea Cleansing Face Milk is a very good choice for my dry winter skin and I will continue to use it throughout the spring months.  I do not yet know if this might be too heavy for my skin once the warm weather hits.

I have had one hit and one huge miss from the L'Occitane Shea face line, I am still trying to decide if I will be trying any other products from this line.  I am still hesitant to try other moisturizers from this line and I would be even less comfortable using any product from this line around my eyes.  I would only consider trying other products from this line if I could obtain a few samples and repeat the extensive patch-testing, I am so happy that the manager of my store was willing to help me with all the samples and I would go back to her if I decide to try another products from this skincare line.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Sephora Collection Express Cleansing Face Wipes

The latest addition to my gym bag is a new kind of facial cleansing wipes, I had been using the Korres wipes and then these new ones were recommended to me during my last Sephora visit.  I have been visiting the gym more than three times a weeks since the end of last semester and I have been burning through my makeup remover wipes (and post workout shakes!).  I was considering just stocking up on my favorite Korres wipes but I decided that this might be a good opportunity to try and review a new product.  The associate at Sephora recommended the Sephora brand wipes as a great option and I have used them after my past few workouts.

Obviously I will be pulling all of my information from the Sephora website as this is only place that I can purchase these wipes.  "A collection of biodegradable, pre-moistened wipes for cleansing, exfoliating, and purifying the face, eyes, and lips.  Perfect for travel, these handy wipes cleanse and tone the skin.  They remove all types of makeup, even long-wearing formulas, without leaving behind an oily residue.", states the company's website.  There are several kinds of wipes from Sephora Collection and I chose the ones that are just for cleansing.  Other formulas help to exfoliate and purify however I didn't want to use anything like that on my dry skin.

The Cleansing Wipes are designed to "Cleanse and tone with a formula that includes HydroSenn+, a natural ingredient proven to deliver immediate and long lasting hydration more effectively than hyaluronic acid".  I was only looking for wipes that would remove my makeup without drying out my skin, the other formulas would have been better for use on oily skin.

The Sephora associate recommended that I give these a try, I decided to pick up a pack of these plus a pack of the Korres ones (in case I didn't like these).  I have used these a few times and can give my review of them now.  I can't say that I would be able to tell the difference in texture between these two formulas and they both feel quite nice when used on the skin.  I don't experience any tugging or dryness during application and neither formula dries out my skin.

I will start by saying that I like the Sephora Collection wipes but I do prefer the Korres version.  The Korres wipes are infused with milk proteins and help to hydrate my skin while removing my face makeup.  I do like that the Korres version is soothing to my skin and I haven't experienced this from the Sephora version.  There are quite a few aspects of these wipes that are very similar, both formulas remove my face and eye makeup and do not dry out my skin.  The Korres formula is better for me in that it helps to soothe the redness and I will continue to purchase the Korres once I have used up the Sephora version.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Face Oil

I started collecting some new products from the Josie Maran line of face and color products with my last big Sephora trip and have already spent some time playing around with her unique blush formula.  I have started to use her skincare products over the past few days and am starting to understand and see the benefits of her unique argan oil formulations.  I purchased the face wash, face oil, and an argan oil foundation.  I haven't used the foundation yet and just started with the face oil but I have been using the face wash for the past few nights so I am going to start with that product for today.

I haven't used a cleansing oil for a quite a long time, there was a formula from Nude that I loved several winters ago and I wanted to try a face oil for the beginning of the cold weather months.  Most of last winter, I used a creamy formula from Clinique that I really enjoyed but I wanted to see if an oily formula would help my skin retain moisture better.  I liked the cream formula but I found that my face would still dry out rather quickly after getting out of the shower at night.  I wanted to see if this type of formula would reduce that effect on my skin as we head into the coldest months of the year.

The Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Face Oil is the only face wash that is offered in this line.  "A gentle, all-natural cleanser with nourishing argan oil to melt away makeup and deeply hydrate skin.  This effective, multitasking cleanser removes makeup and skin impurities while providing essential hydration. Sunflower, safflower, and grape seed oils cleanse the skin's surface and renew the complexion, leaving it healthy-looking and refreshed. Ideal for all skin types, the non-greasy texture leaves skin feeling moisturized—never tight or dry.", states the Sephora website.

Argan Oil is exclusive to the Josie Maran brand.  Sephora provides more details about this exclusive ingredient, "Argan oil restores the skin's natural moisture and pH balance. It is produced from the argan tree in the semideserts of Morocco. Rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, this organically grown ingredient is known to prevent skin dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and excess production of sebum."

I started by using two pumps of this product to clean my entire face however quickly realized that one and a half pumps is the perfect amount for completely cleaning my whole face and neck without wasting excess product.  This cleansing oil doesn't foam up and it was hard for me to judge the best amount without applying it to my face.  Once I pump the product into my wet hands, I rub my hands together to turn the product into a milky liquid and then apply it to a wet face and work it into my skin.

This product rinses clean and doesn't leave any makeup residue on my face.  The biggest fear that many people have with oils is that they will not fully remove makeup and will leave an oily residue all over the skin.  This product does neither of those things yet doesn't strip my skin of moisture.  I only wash my face at night to get my makeup off before applying night cream.  I have no reason to wash my face again in the morning so I can't comment on using this product more than once a day.  It hasn't irritated my sensitive skin and helps my skin to retain moisture during the cleansing process.  I doubt that this product would work as well for anyone will normal to oily skin types but it is fabulous for dry skin in the winter months.

I want to get a few more days in using this wash and then following it up with the face oil before I comment on the effectiveness of the face oil and the use of argan oil as an ingredient.  I am very happy with this product so far and look forward to trying more skin products from this line.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser

I was using an oil based face cleanser for the past few weeks and I have decided that this type of formulation will one that I will use more in the late fall and throughout the winter, I like face oils but I don't think that I need one at this time of the year.  I finished up that product and was excited to see that Sephora has restocked the Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser after several months and I ordered it right away.  You guys may remember me lamenting that this product has been out of stock in both the stores and the website for at least three months and I have wanted to try it ever since I first saw it on Sephora's website.  I have used it for a few days now and I can firmly attest that this face wash was worth the wait...

I used the original formula of the Milk Proteins Face Cleanser earlier this year and that was a good formula for the fall or spring, I would find it to be too heavy for the summer months and am glad that I can use the foaming formula for the rest of the summer and early fall.  I couldn't use this formula in the cold weather but the combination of the two formulas would get me through the whole year in this face care line.

I am not sure if this product is exclusive to Sephora but I have only ever seen this product there and that is where I ordered it from.  "A gentle cleanser that transforms into a rich foam for effective, soap-free cleansing.  This product cleanses in one step, effectively washing away dirt, impurities, and makeup from the face and eyes. Formulated with milk proteins, it provides skin-enhancing lactose and essential amino acids to form a protective hydration shield on the skin. The combination of 100-percent natural emulsifiers and vegetable oils leaves skin supple and hydrated. This pure and mild formula is ideal for all skin types."

The following are key ingredients of the face cleanser.  "Milk Proteins: Nourish and moisturize the skin; provide essential amino acids.  100% Natural Emulsifiers and Vegetable Oils: Leave skin supple and hydrated while ensuring excellent tolerance across the eyes and skin."

I used too much of this wash my first time around and hated the results, I used the amount for this one that I would have used for the regular cream formula (about a nickel size, maybe slightly larger) and I was left with residue all over my face and couldn't stand the feeling that was on my face.  The next time that I used the product, I used the correct amount and got a much better result.  The dime sized drop foamed up completely and created enough foam to completely cover my entire face.  It rinsed cleanly and left very little product residue.  The only way that I knew there was product residue was that I used a Clinique toner after it and there was very little cleanser residue on the cotton ball.  There was a small amount of foundation/concealer/bronzer/primer residue on the cotton ball and this is normal for me.  I usually tend to have this issue with any face cleanser since I use such high quality primers.

This product doesn't dry my face out like some foaming or gel cleansers have and I attribute this to the Milk Proteins and the vegetable oils that don't strip skin and help to build the strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.  I need more products like this in my life, I love the Korres brand of skincare and will continue to eagerly jump on new products from them as they release to Sephora.  I think I might own the whole Milk Proteins line at this point...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Face Oil

I have been using the Korres Milk Cleansing Face Wash for the past few months now and really thought that I had changed my preference to cream face cleansers over any other kind.  Normally, I was a foam and gel face wash person but I have used quite a few quality cream formulas over the years and never really declared my preference until I worked with the Korres formula.  I now might have to turn all of my thoughts on their heads after Sephora sent me a huge sample of the brand new Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Face Oil and now I have ordered a large sized bottle for when I run out of my Korres formula.

I wasn't shopping for a new face wash when I read my email with the offer from Sephora but since I was going to order soon anyway, I decided to order right away and add the huge free sample into my shopping cart.  I was glad that I acted right away because this was completely out of stock within a few hours of my receiving the email.  I haven't used many oil face washes over the years, just one from Nude which I liked but never repurchased.  For many years, face oils were only available from Asian brands and the most famous was the formula from Shu Uemura but many varied brands have released their versions of the oil formula over the past two years and I think that I will spend some more time trying them out. 

The new product from Dior is their first oil face wash and the first skincare product that I have used from this company.  As of right now, this product is exclusive to Sephora but I am not sure how long that will be the case. 

"A gentle cleansing oil for the face and eye area.  Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing oil preserves the skin’s natural hydration for outstanding cleansing results. Even though it’s an oil, it leaves no greasy residue. Formulated with Pure Lily Extract, which is present in Dior’s Instant Cleansing Water, it helps inhibit skin inflammation, leaving the skin looking soft and supple."

This oil is best used on wet skin, about a quarter-sized drop was needed for me to get a full lather in my hand and have enough to cover my entire face.  Face oils are considered to be the best kind of face washes to remove layers of makeup and I tested this theory.  I used this product and then dried my face off and used the Clinique face toner to see much excess makeup residue was left over.  There was a very small amount of product on the cotton ball, much less than when I use some formula cream cleansers.  This product performs very well in the cleansing and makeup removal aspect, I refuse to not use a separate eye makeup remover so I cannot comment about how it performs to remove any type of eye makeup.

The oil face wash combines through cleansing with hydration of the skin, this cleanser does not leave my skin feeling dry or tight and I love this.  I have had quite a few gel cleansers that I feel like I need to immediately use a hydrator afterwards or my face feels like it will crack open and off.  I have not once had this feeling yet with the use of this product and this makes me very happy.  I think that I will be using this type of formula in the fall and winter and then into the early spring.  This wash from Dior is a present to my dry, sensitive skin!

photo courtesy of Dior

Korres Milk Proteins 3-in-1 Cleansing, Toning, and Eye Makeup Removing Emulsion

I am firmly in my self tanning routine for the summer and I have noticed that my skin seems drier than normal this year.  It might be because it is on the colder side right now and this Memorial Day weekend will feel more like the very beginning of spring than the very end of spring.  Whatever the case may be, I have changed by skincare routine a slight bit so that I can try and combat some of the dryness before it gets to the point that I can't self tan as much as I like because my face begins to burn when I apply the product.  I am happy with the face lotion that I am currently using and I have no plans to change this product (Clinique Dramatically Different Face Lotion), this classic face lotion is a warm weather staple of mine and I have used it in combination with my favorite Bath and Body Works self tanner for two summers now.  The next option for me is try a new face wash or a new serum.  I am running low on my Clinique face wash so trying a different kind of face wash is my first change.

I have used many Korres face products in the past and I wanted to try a face wash from this line, I have used their moisturizers and treatments before but I have never picked up a face wash from them and am eager to try one.  There are several choices from this line and I looked at all of them and then decided on a product from the Milk Proteins line.  This line is best for dry skin that needs a bit of extra care and is exactly what I need at the moment.  I chose to order the Milk Proteins Cleansing, Toning, and Eye Makeup Removing Emulsion from Sephora in the hopes that a cream cleanser would be more gentle on my skin.

"An ultra-gentle cream emulsion that removes makeup and cleanses the skin of impurities.  Rich in nourishing oils, this product instantly cleanses the skin of impurities. The complexion is left soft, clean, and feeling moisturized. A combination of naturally derived emulsifiers and oils ensures excellent tolerance by the skin. Milk proteins, rich in lactose and essential amino acids, offer nourishing, hydrating, and moisturizing properties.  This product is ideal for very dry skin and for those who wish to avoid cleansing with water.", states the Sephora website.

I wash my face only once a day and use a separate eye makeup remover, I have never seen the wisdom is using one product for multiple purposes and do not believe that one cleanser will correctly perform both tasks.  I have been using this product for about three or four days now and I have drawn several conclusions about it...

My first conclusion is that this is only a product for someone with dry or very dry skin, it has a very creamy and slippery feel to the application and would not work for anyone with normal or any type of oily skin.  This product does not foam at all and would not appeal to those who love foaming cleansers.  This product is for a very targeted audience and my skin fits perfectly into this target.  I squeeze about a nickel-sized drop of this product from the bottle and this is the perfect amount to apply for my entire face and the top of my neck.  I use water to rinse this product though I am sure that it could be tissued off for those users who do not like to use water at all when cleansing their faces.  This product washes off very easily and leaves little to no residue on my face. 

I love this face wash for keeping my dry skin feeling soft and nourished all throughout cleansing, my face doesn't feel tight when I get out of the shower and is less dry than after using many other face washes.  I really prefer the feel of a foaming face wash but my skin often tends to prefer cream formulas and it has been extra dry recently.  I am very happy with this product and will be buying it again in the near future.

I discovered the one drawback of this product last night, I decided to use a toner after cleansing and I wasn't expecting all of the face makeup that clung to the cotton ball.  I do use multiple primers on my face and eyes along with either foundation or Beauty Balm and I am used to any face wash not getting all the excess makeup off.  This formula left more than others have in the past (typical for a cream formula) so I do have to use the Korres wipes on my face after working out and will need to use a toner once of twice a week to get a more through cleansing for my face.  I have come to expect that cream formulas are not going to have the same level of cleansing that foam and gel will and I would rather add that extra step once a week and have my skin feel less tight when getting out of the shower.

I really like this face wash and I do consider this to one of my favorites that I have used, I love the whole Korres line and will keep buying more products from it over the next few months. 

photo courtesy of Sephora

Korres Milk Proteins Cleansing and Makeup Removing Wipes

After this semester is over, I have decided that I must start seriously looking to join and gym and check out every organization that is around me.  With that, I am well aware that I will end up needing new clothing, sneakers, and new beauty products to support this lifestyle change.  I have read so many stories in beauty magazines about increased acne, limp hair, and increased need to shower (therefore drying out my skin even more than it usually is).  I know some women that have issues with visiting the gym just because of these issues and I refuse to avoid the gym and come up with a separate beauty product routine that will combat all the bad that occurs at a sweaty gym.  That means that I have a different kind of skincare product shopping to do...

I started thinking about this about two weeks ago when I was having massive writer's block on my final paper for Leading People in Organizations.  I began by listing all the gyms in my area and then went over to the Sephora website to look at some of the skincare sets listed as "Travel".  One of the first items that I came upon was skincare wipes that are made to clean skin and remove makeup.  A product like this is exactly what I would want for after working out to clean all the sweat and excess makeup off my skin and try to avoid some of the pore clogging issues that will result.  Wipes must be a popular item since a bunch of companies that I already have skincare products from have all kinds of wipes, some companies even have multiple kinds so that they are targeted toward many skin types.  I got really excited to see that Korres (already a favorite skincare brand of mine) has multiple kinds of wipes that are targeted toward different skin types.  Which is great because the last thing that I need right now is for a cleansing product to dry out my skin more and then lead to even more oil production...

Korres has a line for made just for dry skin and I am happy to see that the Milk Protein line continues to grow and grow the more that they release new products, I love combining products from this line and the Wild Rose line to both hydrate and calm my skin.  I ordered the Milk Proteins Cleansing and Makeup Removing Wipes as soon as I saw them and I have used them the past two nights to try them out (before I decide that they earn a spot in my future gym bag!).

"A travel-friendly package of 25 wipes that gently yet effectively remove makeup, dirt, and oil.  These wipes, enriched with softening milk proteins, effortlessly eliminate eye makeup (waterproof included) and cleanse the skin to create soft, supple, refreshed results. Milk proteins, rich in essential amino acids, nourish and moisturize the skin, while aloe soothes the skin from redness and irritations. This convenient solution is perfect for and on-the-go cleansing."

The key word here is "on the go", these are not a substitute for your traditional liquid cleanser and they will not replicate all the benefits of doing the traditional skincare regime every single day.  I read several reviews on Makeup Alley by people who used them every single day and I can see why they didn't love them, this isn't the way to use them and of course they didn't get the best benefits to their skin.  I would only use these wipes once or twice a week when I go to the gym right from work or class and then would do my regular skincare regime each day. 

These function very well to get my face makeup off and take a good amount of my eye makeup off.  These are not made to get a real deep clean and are not a replacement for a traditional cleanser.  This product got my makeup residue and sweat off after I went jogging the other day and they quickly got face makeup, a bit of eye makeup, and sweat off my face without leaving it feeling tight and dry.  This is exactly what I wanted for this type of product and I highly recommend them for a gym bag or even for a late night.  I would not recommend them for everyday use and anyone who uses them like this will not like the product. 

The Milk Proteins wipes are for normal to dry skin but this company also offers the Pomegranate wipes for normal to oily skin.  I have used one Pomegranate product before and I really liked that face cream and I think that I can safely recommend those to people with a different skin type than mine. 

I will be coming out with more posts over the next few months of products that I am using to fill my gym bag and if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - Extra Mild

It seems like winter is never going to leave us this year and I am having to use winter products for much longer than I have in the past few years.  This is normally the time of the year when I am beginning to look for lighter face lotions and SPF products but I just made a Sephora order for a thick night cream and a hydrating face serum.  In addition to looking for lighter face lotions, this is also the time of the year when I begin to shop around for a foaming face wash instead of the cream formulas that I use all winter long but the same logic is holding for this type of product and I have been using my new bottle of Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for the last week and will be using it well into the spring.  Liquid Facial Soap is one of those products that Clinique has had out for years now but I had just never tried it and never realized that there were forms for all skin types.

I first though that Liquid Facial Soap was a product geared more for normal to oily skin types but that was when I didn't know that there is more than one version of the product.  I realized that this might be a good product for me to try when I was playing around on the Clinique website earlier this winter and found that this product actually comes in three forms, one of which is designed just for dry and easily irritated skin.  Just like mine...

"A non-drying liquid soap that cleanses gently and thoroughly.  Clinically formulated cleansing—that's how great skin starts. Dermatologist-developed Facial Soap maintains protective lipids and loosens surface flakes to leave skin clean, comfortable, and refreshed—never taut or dry. It rinses away easily and prepares skin perfectly for the exfoliating action of Clarifying Lotion.  A convenient pump dispenser provides just the right amount of product."  I have never used the Clarifying Lotion after this product but I must say that I really like this face cleanser!

I  bought the Extra Mild version of this product, that this is wash that is recommended for sensitive and dry skin.  Instead of the traditional gel formula, this version is a light creamy wash with a texture that I have been loving the past few days.  This wash is very similar to most other cream texture face washes, it doesn't foam up at all and doesn't leave skin feeling dry and stripped after rinsing.  I have used many creamy washes and they are really one of my favorite beauty products and will remain so.  This product is very clean rinsing and actually has the ability to get all of my face makeup off, I do not try and get any of my eye makeup off with this product.  I have never found that a face wash can get eye makeup off correctly and usually it just makes my skin worse than the use of a separate product.  Some formulas of creamy face washes cannot get my makeup off and then I feel that I should be using a separate toner to get the residue off and this would be the worst idea for my skin.  I am happy to report that I have not had any issues with makeup residue since I have started using this product, a real plus in my book.

In addition to the formula itself, I really like that this product is housed in a pump bottle.  I don't have to guess what is the correct amount to use on my face, one pump is all that I need.  I have found that I have had judgement issues with some cream cleansers in the past, with the fact that they do not foam, it is harder than normal to figure out what is the best amount of cover my whole face without wasting product.  No issues here, this style of bottle is completely idiot proof and I thank Clinique for that very much. 

I have been having a good run with skincare lately, my last few purchases have all been great and my has been looking much better over the past few months.  I am glad that I tried this product and that I investigated all the formulas that are available of it.  Clinique has been good to me lately with skincare but now I think that I need some more color products from this brand!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Skincare Ingredients Week Day Six - Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Yesterday we looked at a very effective treatment ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin and today we will look at an ingredient that is recommended for all skin types.  Soy foods and soy milk are fast becoming part of the mainstream and now soy-based skincare products are quickly beginning to catch up their fame.  Whenever you mention soy products to anyone beauty and skincare addict, the first line that will pop into their head is the best-selling and top-rated line of soy-based face products from Fresh.  Indeed, these are some of the best-selling products are from this collection but I don't believe that all their fans truly understand what makes this line so great.  I have just started using face care from Fresh slightly over a year ago, starting with a eye cream and now I have been branching out to the rest of their skin line.  I have had many people recommend the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser to me over the years and when I was listing ingredients that I wanted to look at, soy and Fresh seemed to be a very natural combination.  I know how much love this product gets and I wanted to look into the formula and learn why I love it so much.

Soy is a calming and hydrating ingredient that also helps to deal with redness and pigmentation issues.  Soy can penetrate underneath the top layer of the epidermis and will help to correct signs of depigmentation on a deeper level by promoting healthy cell growth.  The presence of soy and the plant phytoestrogens contained in it will help to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and help your skin cells regenerate.  This ingredient can be used for both correcting the visible signs of aging and helping to ward off some of the signs, this is an all-around hard working ingredient and can achieve results without a potentially irritating mix of ingredients.  In addition, soy hydrates below the skin's top layer and contains anti-oxidants yet too.  After learning all this, I decided that soy might be one of my new favorite skincare ingredients and one that I want to be purchasing more of in the future.

I have started my journey with soy skincare products with the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser and now I am very much looking forward to buy more products from this line.  "A multitasking gel that gently removes impurities and makeup.  The Soy Face Cleanser from Fresh instantly whisks away everyday impurities and makeup—even mascara—without stripping the skin of essential moisture. Rich in amino acids, soy proteins promote moisture retention, elasticity, and firmness. Rosewater balances and tones the skin. Fragrance-free and soap-free, calming cucumber extract and nourishing borage seed oil enriches its formula.  This product is extra gentle and ideal for all skin types. "In the early nineties, there was a buzz about the health benefits of soy, but no one was exploring its effects on the skin. We found that it is highly rich in amino acids, which help with cell turnover and introduced soy to the beauty market in 1999." —Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, Fresh Founders.

This face wash is technically a gel formula but I feel that it is best described as a cream-gel.  A dime-sized drop provides enough product to cover my entire face and it really foams up, in fact I was surprised at the foam level that it provided as it is creamy than your typical gel cleanser.  I didn't like the foam level the first time that I used it, I immediately assumed that it would dry my skin out and that this would be a product that I wouldn't like but I soon changed my opinion.  This product didn't dry out my skin or make my redness any worse, my skin actually felt better after using this product than it did before and I was very happy that I had decided to buy the largest size of this product at Sephora.  I did not even try to use this product to get my eye makeup off, there is simply no plain face wash that will get all of my eye makeup off and I always use a separate eye makeup remover, I will not comment on how well/not well this product gets eye makeup off.  It removed the rest of my makeup without an issue, an aspect that makes me very happy.


Based on the hydrating and anti-oxidant properties of this ingredient, I am very much looking forward to buying this ingredient in a day cream or perhaps a sunscreen.  Fresh has several products in the soy line and I will be checking them out the next time that I go to Sephora.

One more day and one more ingredient!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Skincare Ingredients Week Day Five - Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser

Today we going to go away from the anti-oxidants and look at an ingredient that is not as much for protecting but made for correcting.  In addition to the fact that I have been looking at anti-oxidant ingredients, every single skincare ingredient that we have looked at this week is a form of hydrator.  Being that I have such dry and easily irritated skin, I am very concerned that certain ingredients will be effective in protecting my skin and reducing the redness but will make the dryness even worse than the before.  Today we are going to look at an ingredient that is very effective for oily and acne-prone skin that I have to use in only the smallest of doses, Kaolin Clay.  I first used this ingredient in the beloved (but sadly discontinued) DDF Sulfur Mask and lately I have tried it in the Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser.

Kaolin Clay is most often used in skincare products that are targeted toward oily and acne-prone skin types, I have neither of these types but I still find it be a very beneficial ingredient for any type of skin.  Kaolin Clay is most often found in treatment masks, this is one of the few times that I have seen it in a cleanser form.  This ingredient is used to draw oil out of the pores and then to absorb the excess oil that it sitting on top of the skin. Once the oil is absorbed, acne is prevented.  Oil moves the bacteria around the face and will cause the acne breakouts, if the oil is removed, the problem is headed off.  People with oily and acne-prone skin can use this ingredient two or three times a week however I am only able to use this ingredient once a month.  I will use this ingredient once a month to make sure that i am getting any excess oil out of my pores before they can become breakouts.

"A skin-perfecting formula that provides deep-cleansing to oily, congested skin. Water-soluble Kaolin and Green Clays combine with purifying extracts of Sambucus, Ivy and Lemon to remove excess oils and refine the skin's texture. Anti-inflammatory Cucumber and healing Sage soothe irritation, while refreshing Menthol revitalizes even the most tired skin." 

This cleanser is designed for oily skin and that is the only type of skin that should use this product on a daily basis.  This product is best used at night, it will clean all of the day's oil and debris and allow the skin to be completely free of debris before a treatment product is applied.  I would not recommend use more than once a day, it has the potential to over dry and then the skin will only react by producing even more oil and the cycle will only worsen.  I recommend using this product sparingly and then working up to using it once a day is the best method of use.  Personally, even if I had oily and congested skin, I would alternate this with another cleanser to make sure that I didn't over dry my skin.  This is a gel-based cleanser and it is very effective is cleaning off the skin and preventing acne blemishes but it has the potential to be drying (if used too much).

Kaolin is a very effective ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin though I cannot say that I get very much use from it.  I do like to use this cleanser once a month just to ward off skin issues.  If I had oilier skin, than I bet that I would rely on cleansers and treatments with this ingredient in it but it is not the best for skin type...

photo courtesy of Dermalogica

B. Kamins Vegetable Face Cleanser

I finished my tube of Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Face Cleanser and I remained on the fence about it the whole time that I was using it.  I was actually really hoping that I would fall in love with it after using it for two months and it never happened.  I liked the cleanser, it removed most of my makeup and didn't dry my skin out.  I found that I got better results from the product when I used a nickel-sized drop of it instead of the dime-sized drop that I first tried when using it.  Perhaps this is the way that it should have been used the whole time...

I considered buying another tube of this face wash so that I could keep considering if I really liked it or not but I decided to try another brand of face wash and then see if I missed the Clinique face wash or if I easily forgot about it.  I have been using a cleanser from Canadian company B. Kamins for the past few days and so far I haven't yet had a yearning for the Redness Solutions Soothing Face Cleanser.  Yet...  I do wonder if the Clinique product will feel too greasy in the late spring and summer months, my skin is dry but during the warm weather I still can get some oily areas that will be present until right before Labor Day.  I am pretty sure that even if I was in love with the Clinique formula, I would still need to find another formula to use in the warm weather.  It is pretty nice to be thinking ahead to the warm weather and deciding what kinds of skincare I will need to buy for them.

I have used two cleansers from B. Kamins in the past, one formula that I really loved and then one formula that I really hated.  The cleanser that I hated from this company was one of the few products that I have ever not loved from the company so I decided to ignore that unfortunate experience and to order another cleanser from the B. Kamins website.  For anyone who is unfamiliar with this company, it is Canadian-based and the products have been designed to deal with a whole array of skincare woes.  It specializes in creating products that soothe redness, help treat anti-aging, and intensively hydrate dry skin.  This is not really a line that I recommend for people who have normal skin that requires little care but for anyone who really wants to dramatic results (especially with redness or dryness) then this is a line for you!

This time around I ordered the Vegetable Cleanser, a simple cleansing formula that is made for all skin types and is gentle enough to not irritate redness or acne-prone skin.  "A vegetable-based cleanser and makeup remover that dissolves and removes impurities from the face and delicate eye area. Clarifying, soothing and moisturizing ingredients help improve skin's smoothness and elasticity. Oil-, fragrance- and color-free, this gentle formula is ideal for cleansing sensitive skin types, especially post-microdermabrasion and laser-treated skin.  All skin types.  To gently cleanse and remove face and eye makeup while maintaining moisture balance in the skin."

The Features and Benefits of the face wash are...

- Oil-, fragrance- and color-free.
- An all-purpose triple-action product that dissolves dirt, face and eye makeup with a gentle corn-derived skin cleanser.
- Will minimize irritation of the most sensitive skin.
- Mild enough for problem skin conditions such as hypersensitivity, acne, eczema and psoriasis.
- Ideal for post-microdermabrasion or laser treated skin.
- Clarifies and helps improve skin elasticity and smoothness.
- Helps bind water (moisture) to the skin for increased hydration.
- May also be used for shaving.

This is a light gel formula, it works best when applied to wet skin.  It produces a little bit of foam, not near as much as many other gel or foam cleansers however this is what helps it to not irritate problem skin types.  Many people who are used to high foaming products will not think that this foams up enough for them and will run the risk of pumping too much out in order to try and increase the foaming action.  No matter how much or how little I use, I still get very little foam and for me this is a good thing.  A nickel-sized drop of this product created enough cleanser to do my entire face and effectively remove all of my makeup, without severely over drying my face.  That being said, my skin is still on the tight and dry side when I first get out of the shower and I will need to use face cream right away on it, I don't know if this effect will change anytime soon.  All throughout the winter and then well into the spring, I will need to use face cream right after the shower or get the tight feeling to my face, it has been the same with every single face wash that I have ever used so I wasn't expecting miracles in this area. 

I haven't had any adverse effects in the redness area and the tightness when I get out of the shower would have occurred with any face wash that I use this time of the year so I currently have no issues with this product and am pretty happy with it.  I might change my mind later in the spring if my face continues to be dry when I get out of the shower in the beginning of my May but so far so good for now.  This cleanser is another good product from B Kamins and would be a great first product from this line if you are interested in learning about these products.

photo courtesy of B. Kamins

Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser

I have been talking about face creams for the past few weeks and have been trying to purchase products that will help to reduce how dry and red my face gets this time of the year.  In addition to skin creams, I am also investigating new face washes.  I have finally run out of my last tube of C.O. Bigelow face wash and I decided that I wanted to try something different this time around (I have gone through three tubes of this wash and I need to see what else is out there).  I wanted to try a product that would be creamy and soothing and initially was considering purchasing a tube of the cream cleanser from Caudalie again.  But based on my current good luck with Clinique skincare products, I decided to try one of their face cleansers out.  I don't have any recent memories of using face washes from Clinique and I am not totally sure if I have used any of their face washes before but I wanted to give it a go this time around.

I have been interested in the Redness Solutions line of face products from this company ever since I first heard about it.  My skin is so dry and red in the winter months and I wanted a product that would not strip my skin and make the look and feel of it even worse.  I went with a cream cleanser formula, a gel or a foam would be a bit too risky this time of the year and I am not about starting the winter with bad skin. 

I have been using the Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser for the past week and am beginning to finally see a very small bit of difference in my skin.  I know that face washes will not change my life but I was expecting a bit more from this formula (knowing much Clinique puts into their skincare products and how well I tend to do with their treatments and moisturizers).  First we will look at how the product is described on the Sephora website and then we will delve into how it has been working for me.

"An extra-gentle cleanser for redness-prone skin.  This extra-gentle, non-drying cream-gel helps calm visible redness and irritation while melting away makeup and impurities. It leaves skin clean feeling comforted.  Helps maintain skin's moisture balance. For all skin types."

My issues with this product are more with the promised results since a face wash is not designed to reduce facial redness, any product that is rinsed off will not have a lasting effect to the skin and I think that the description needs to be edited.  What does this product do well?  It is a very thick cream cleanser with no foaming action at all.  It effectively removes makeup and doesn't contain any ingredients that strip my skin or any perfumes that can add to irritation.  Realistically, this cleanser is an effective part of a hydrating and redness reducing skincare regime but it is not a product that can stand on its own against redness.

If this product was described as an effective first step of a redness reducing regime that sets skin up to reap the benefits of treatment products, I would be all about this product.  I was a bit disappointed with the description since this will upset many people who are looking to see major results from this product.  This product fully washes off my face makeup (I am not even trying it on my eye makeup - separate eye makeup remover is needed for me!) and therefore I do not need to use any kind of toner to get the last bit of makeup residue off and therefore I don't need to use a drying product on my skin during cleansing.

The texture of this product was slightly off putting the first time that I used it and I had to use it a few times to get the correct amount needed figured out.  The first time, I used way too much and the second time I used much too little.  I figured out that I need a blob about the size of an M and M (slightly more face wash than I typically use) and this was enough to cover my whole face and not be wasting product. 

Overall, I like this face wash and I don't regret buying it at all, it helps to clean my skin without stripping it and sets it up for a face serum and the rest of my skincare regime.  I want to clearly state that this product doesn't reduce redness and face cleansers are not designed to work this way.  However it will not strip skin and will eliminate the use of a toner to remove makeup.  I don't see any reason that I wouldn't buy this product again but I don't think that I can consider it one of the best washes that I have ever used.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Freeze 24/7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask

If your skin is anything like mine, as soon as the temperatures begin to drop, my face becomes much drier and I am using more hydrating products than ever before in the year on my face.  This is the time of the year that I tend to go through skincare products the fastest and am almost always trying something new to see if I can find a new gem to add to my permanent skincare collection.  Usually I spend most of my money on serums and moisturizers but I decided to try something different and add a new cleanser to my skincare regime.  I had seen the Freeze 24/7 Skin Glace several years ago at Nordstrom and was interested in it from the moment that the counter sales associate tried a bit of it on my skin.  Somehow the product feels as though it is cleaning out every single one of my pores and cooling my skin at the exact same time...this is not the normal style of product that I go after so even though I was very interested in it, I skipped over it for the moment.

I have remained interested in it for the past few years so I just decided to take the plunge and add it to my Nordstrom cart and see how it works on my face.  Foaming face cleansers are usually not my top choice this time of the year but I reasoned with myself that if it really seemed drying I would then just put it aside until next spring and then use it again.  As of right now, I have used the product three times without any dryness or irritation problems so I think it is safe for me to keep using it throughout the rest of the fall and then into the winter. 

Why did this product capture my attention and then hold it for the next few years?  The answer is that is just so different than anyting else on the market especially when I first looked at it in the beginning of 2009.  It comes out as a bright teal gel and then quickly foams up when it is applied to the face.  I have never used a product like this before and deicided that it was time for me to try something completely different several weeks ago.  Using this product now has me craving all different types of skincare products and is breaking me away from my creamy cleansers a bit...

The product is available from Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and several other department stores, along with the Freeze 24/7 website.  The best product description is from the Freeze 24/7 website so this is where I pulled all of my information from.  "Want gorgeous skin fast? Why not multi-task?
Use our daily self-foaming cleanser to dissolve impurities, sweep away imperfections and get smooth, supple skin on contact. Use as a daily mask to take average skin from 'so-so' to stunning in two minutes flat.  Contains a proprietary complex of Bio-transformed Rice Bran and Hydrolyzed Soy Protein for deep cleansing, maximum skin purification, detoxification and hydration.  Effectively unclogs pores, removes excess oil and impurities.  Leaves skin visibly soft, supple, and healthy.  Replenishes skin’s natural moisture balance.  Calms red, irritated skin.  Dissolves make-up and other impurities.  Can be used as an effective shaving cream for men and women." 

This product contains the patented Freeze 24/7 anti-aging technology, a GABA-based ingredient set that produces both instant results and long term benefits.  I have used many Freeze 24/7 products over the years and have never been unhappy with anything from this company.  I don't need the serum yet from this company, however I have seen great results from the cleansers and moisturizers.  I can see an immediate different in my skin after use of this cleanser and am also beginning to see the rest of the soothing benefits from the product. 

This product can be used as a daily cleanser or a mask.  The Freeze 24/7 website provides instructions on how to use it either way.  I really appreciate that this company takes the time to provide full instructions and make sure that the user really gets the full benefits from the products.  To use as a daily mask: "Smooth a generous amount of product evenly over damp face and throat, avoiding the eye area. A rich foam mask will immediately form on skin. Leave on for 1-2 minutes allowing product to draw out impurities and hydrate skin. Rinse well with water by massaging in a circular motion OR simply wipe away with a dry cloth, tissue or towel."  To use as a daily cleanser: "Lather and massage evenly onto damp face and neck. Rinse well with water by massaging in a circular motion OR simply wipe away with a dry cloth, tissue or towel."

I use this product slightly differently than the brand suggests, I use it once or twice a week as a mask to help deep clean and brighten.  I don't really think that I need to use this product every single day, I would only recommend it for daily use if you have oily skin and/or acne issues.  I don't need that much deep cleansing action every single day.  I get the most benefits from the soothing and redness-reducing properties from this product.  After use as a mask, my skin looks instantly brighter and ask several uses, the redness in my cheeks is lessened and now is much easier to conceal with a light layer of foundation or tinted moisturizer. 

The foaming action is the most unique aspect of this product, I am sure that the same results could be achieved with another type of mask or cleanser however the texture of the gel and then the feel of the fomaing action is what will make this product one that I continue to purchase.  As soon as the product hits the skin, it starts to foam up and you will swear that yoiu can feel it cleaning out your pores.  After about two minutes, the foaming action has finished and I rinsed the mask off.  The mask cools my skin and I want to try it when I get very stressed out from school and my skin will get bright red and heat up, I can't wait to see the results when I use it then. 

I love this mask and wish that I wouldn't have waited so long to try it.  I will keep using it once a week in the cold weather months but I bet that I could go up to twice a week during the warm weather.  This will never be a daily cleansing product for me but this will be a product that I continue to order from Nordstrom and that will hold a very special place in my skincare collection!

photo courtesy of Freeze 24/7

C.O. Bigelow Vitamin Boost Cream Cleanser

The other week I wrote about my love of the C.O. Bigelow Lemon products and after I finished writing it up, I couldn't get some of these products out of my head and decided that I wanted to order more of them from C.O. Bigelow.  While stocking up on my Lemon products, I checked out everything in the line of products from this collection and wanted to try something new with my order.  I was getting very low on face wash so I wanted to order a new one with the rest of my Bigelow products.  I choose one of the face wash choices in the C.O. Bigelow house skincare line, I had used their face care in college and I remembered that it was quite high quality and my sensitive skin never had  any reactions to the products that I had tried.  I was quite looking forward to receiving my order of Bigelow products and I have been playing with them for the past week.  So far, I can state that this new skincare line from Bigelow is as high quality as the other one and I line that I can see myself ordering more from in the very near future.

I ordered the C.O. Bigelow Vitamin Boost Cream Cleanser, a face wash that is recommended for normal to dry skin.  "Give your face a natural, fresh start.  This vitamin-packed cleanser foams into a rich lather to cushion skin as it washes away makeup, dirt, impurities, and environmental pollutants, leaving skin looking healthy and clean, without feeling tight or dry.  Gentle, foaming cream.  For skin that needs a bit more moisture.  Cushions as it cleanses to keep skin soft, nourished, and healthy."

I use this product once a day, only at night.  It helps to get all of my makeup off without leaving any type of residue.  This is a cream cleanser so it doesn't foam up as much as many traditional gel cleansers but still fully cleans my skin.  Many cream cleansers leave residue on the skin and don't clean as well as gel or foam formulas.  This formula doesn't strip my skin as some others do however I still must use a face cream when I get out of the shower or my skin will dry out over the day, my skin has felt much drier lately and I think that I will have to stick to cream cleansers until the middle of summer.

This product is effective at getting face makeup off, even though I use a strong primer underneath my foundation.  This has me very impressed, I have had many cream face washes that cannot get all of my makeup off and I am then forced to use a toner to finish getting all the foundation off.  However this then makes my face drier and the cycle just continues.  I have never tried this product to get my eye makeup off and I can state that I never will try to use it to remove eye makeup, I still prefer a separate eye makeup remover with all of the products that I tend to use on a daily basis. 

This is a very good basic face cleanser for normal to dry skin, it doesn't claim to anti-aging, brightening, etc benefits but it works very well to get your makeup off and your skin clean without stripping it of moisture.  This really is the funcation of a face wash, all the product is just washed off and any advertised benefits often just go right down the drain.  A face wash is made to get your face clean, not to improve or heal skin.  The best face washes are gentle and get your skin clean enough to fully absorb any serums and creams that you then use.  This one woprks exactly as advertised and I recommend it for someone with normal to dry skin, however this company also has a verison for normal to oily skin that I haven't used yet.

photo courtesy of C.O.Bigelow

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Face Wash

Last year, I was all about the Purity Made Simple Foam Face Cleanser in the warm weather months, it is one of the few cleansers that I completely used up and then considered repurchasing again.  I am considering rebuying it next summer, since it is much too light to use this time of the year.  The foam version is very effective to clean my skin in warm weather but this one will dry my skin out too much in the cold, dry air.  So what did I do?  Bought the original Purity Made Simple so I can keep reaping the benefits of the wash in a formula that is much better for dry skin. 

In the past few weeks, I have run out of almost every single piece of skincare and I have bought a whole group of new products from Sephora.  This is unprecedented timing, I have never had everything that I own run out in a two week period.  This means two things: I had a few huge bills from Sephora and I am now using all new products and my skin is having a slight freak out some mornings.  The Boscia Willowbark Breakout Treatment has been very effective in keeping the few new breakouts that I got from this process at bay.  In addition to all the stuff that I have been trying, winter has just arrived and my skin is now much drier than it was a few weeks ago.  My facial skin is my big obsession at the moment and getting it well adjusted to the new products that I am trying.

When I knew that I would need a new face cleanser, I decided to ignore any type of product that contained foaming ingredients or any fancy frills.  I purchased a product that wasn't really new to me, I already stated in the beginning of this post that I had used the foaming version of this face cleanser last year and was very happy with the results in the summer months.  Technically the version that I am using of this product is new, but the overall formula is not. 

Sephora's website states, "A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.  Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a pH-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores.  The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.  Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin."  I use this cleanser once in a day in the evening to clean off my makeup and the dirt that has accumulated during the day's activities.  The suggested use of this product is twice a day but I never wash my face twice a day and I don't plan to start at a time of the year when it is very dry and easily irritated.

Also on the Sephora website, I found a few more details about the clinical test results that were found during the product testing.  "100% reported that the cleanser is gentle enough for the eye area.  97% reported effective removal of dirt, oil, and makeup.  97% reported a clean, residue-free finish." 

I have been using this face wash for about two weeks now and so far I have really liked it.  It is best used on wet skin.  I use about a nickel-sized drop to cover my whole face and it is the perfect amount.  It doesn't foam up so I apply it all over my face, massage it in, and rinse it off.  I use it all over my face however I have not tried it on my eye area and I don't plan to.  I use a separate eye makeup remover to get all my eye makeup off, cleansers have never gotten the job done for me and I don't expect one that is this gentle to make a dent in my eye shadow primer and eye liners.  It works well enough at getting my facial makeup off, which is all that I require from a gentle cleanser.

My skin is not tight, dry, or irritated after use of this product and I am really happy with it.  Even though the textures are very different, this face wash and the foaming version work very much the same.  The big difference between the products is in the fragrance; the foam version has a strong lemon scent that was a bit cloying but this version has a light herbal scent that is very nice.  I like the scent of this one much better than the foaming version.  I am actually tempted to buy a huge bottle of this face since I have been getting such great results from it!

photo courtesy of Sephora

B. Kamins Soothing Cleanser

I first used the B. Kamins Rosacea facecare line several years ago and loved a few of the products (the serum) and wasn't as impressed with some of the others (the face cleanser), however I found Caudalie soon after and had been taken with that line ever since.  However I promised myself that I would attempt to branch out with my skincare products this year and would keep an open mind as I tried as many new skincare items as I could.  I found out that B. Kamins had repackaged and reworked some of their facecare line so I decided that I would try the cleanser again and so I ordered it from the company's website.  But a new package doesn't always mean a new or better product...

First we will look at the company's description of the product and then we will go into both of my experiences with the face wash.  "A soothing cleanser to gently remove dirt and impurities while helping to soothe reddened, inflamed skin.  Anti-inflammatory bisabolol to restore smoothness while calming and cooling rosacea-type skin.  Particularly formulated for reddened skin associated with rosacea."  The features of this cleanser are as follows: "Completely oil and fragrance-free to minimize irritation.  Gentle soothing cleanser to calm and cool redness and inflammation associated with rosacea-type skin.  FDA approved blue tint cosmetically neutralizes redness.  Contains anti-inflammatory bisabolol to relieve irritated skin.  Formulated with mild corn-derived vegetable skin surface cleansers."

Based on the product description, this sounds as though it would be the perfect product for sensitive, red skin.  The texture of both of the washes was exactly the same, it is a thin, runny gel texture that doesn't foam at all when used on the skin.  I found this very surprising, since normally gel cleansers are made to foam and cream cleansers aren't made to foam.  That was a bit off-putting the first time that I used the product but it didn't really affect what I thought of the product.  The cleanser rinsed off completely but I felt that it left my skin dry and stripped of moisture, precisely what a cleanser made for red skin should not do. 

The first time that I used this product was several years ago and the redness in my face was worse than it is today however it wasn't quite as dry as it is now.  My major issue with this cleanser was how dry and tight it left my skin.  This was not at all what I thought the face wash should do since it made my skin even worse than before I used it.  With my skin being left tight and dry, the redness in my cheeks actually got even worse and really dried the area out.  The blue tint in this product did nothing to reduce cheek redness in the least and added nothing to the overall product.  I was so disappointed with this product the first time that I used it.  I really wanted to like this product since the serum and face cream in the line were great quality but I just couldn't get this product to work well for me.

The second time around was no different.  I was hoping for a bit of a reformulation of this product to match the redoing of naming and packaging. however the product is exactly the same.  The texture and issues that I had with the product the first time were exactly the same this time.  This product might be better for someone with skin than is more oily than mine but it still did nothing for the redness in my cheek area. 

I have to conclude that this product was just not for me, however I really liked the face cream and serum in this line.  I will be sticking to my Caudalie cleanser when using the other products in the B. Kamins Rosacea care line.

photo courtesy of B. Kamins

Entre Derm Face Cleanser

I am onto my fourth product in the Entre Derm system (from the product kit that was sent to me from a PR company).  So far, I have mostly been trying the moisturizers and treatment products that make contain the Somazome technology that has been patented by this company.  As we all know, face washes normally do not contain any type of anti-aging property and even if they did, this is not an effective way to get it through the skin since the cleanser is washed off the skin.  Cleansers are a better way to set up the treatment products to work well instead of working on the problem themselves.

This cleanser works to effectively clean off the skin in order for the treatment products to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.  In this case, it allows the products with Somazone technology to penetrate all the way into the skin and deliver the collagen and elastin deep into the skin.  If this skin isn't fully cleaned off, then the technology will have barriers to fully pentrate and will be less effective. 

"This skin is exposed to a variety of pollutants throughout the day and the first step in improving skin appearance is to remove impurities.  Entre Derm Facial Cleanser provides a great way to remove oil, makeup, and dirt; leaving your skin feeling clean and furthering the effectiveness of Entre Derm Day and Night Creams containing Somazone." 

This is a cream cleanser so it very appropriate for use before an anti-aging regime.  I use two pumps of it to cover my whole face with product, it foams up just a slight bit and still rinses completely clean.  This one works well to get off normal makeup, I do not use it to remove eye makeup (still use a separate product for this one), it is not strong enough to fully clean off any kind of long-wearing makeup or makeup primer.  It cleans off the daily oil and debris from my face and leaves it soft, not tight or dry feeling.  This will be a good cleanser for me to use in the winter time.

I was a bit afraid that this product would irritate my skin for the simple fact that it contains a large amount of added fragrance.  It has a very floral fragrance which doesn't bother me but if you are sensitive to florals or just simply dislike them, the scent is strong enough to turn you off of this product.  I don't mind the fragrance but I don't really like a face product with this strong of an added fragrance, there is no point to adding this fragrance and it will only take away from the product instead of adding to the appeal. 

This functions as a typical cream cleanser, best for drier skin.  The only aspect that makes it unique is the added fragrance, I have never seen another face cleaner that has this type of fragrance.  I have always preferred that my skin care products have little to no fragrance and certainly not one that is added, I prefer a natural fragrance (Korres Wild Rose line comes right to my mind).  This is nice cleanser and does exactly what it says that it will but really any creamy cleanser would work exactly the same as this one.

photo courtesy of Entre Derm

DDF Glycolic Exfoliating Wash 5%

My first DDF face product and my first major experience with using Glycolic Acid, this is quite a combination!  Glycolic Acid is a top rated exfoliating and anti-aging ingredient in skincare, available in many different products and concentrations.  I have stayed away from this ingredient for several years since I was afraid that my skin would rebel and get very irritated.  Glycolic Acid is one of the main ingredient in peels since it is tops for exfoliating skin.  It helps to get all the dead skin cells off the face and then helps to stimulate collagen growth to help reduce the signs of aging.  I felt like a child going into the kiddie pool for the first time when I decided to buy this product at Sephora.  I decided to try this ingredient in the lowest concentration that I could find and in a product that wouldn't stay on my skin for an extended period of time.

"An anti-aging glycolic acid cleanser.  This wash is a combination of ultra pure glycolic acid and gentle foamimg action for both the face and body.  It exfoliates to remove dead skin cells that clog pores, impede moisturization, and make skin look dull and lifeless.  DDF Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Wash also reduces fine lines and wrinkles while softening the skin.  Recommended for normal to oily skin." 

This product is recommended for use everyday for oily skin types but only a few times a week for normal to drier skin types.  I used this product only twice a week, treating it as an exfoliater instead of a face wash.  i used this only at night so that it I experienced any redness from it, I would have a few hours for it to calm down before I had to go face the day.  I used this product exactly I would any face wash, I got my face wet, applied this product and worked it in for a minute then rinsed it off fully.  It always rinsed off clean and never gave me any problems in the dryness area.  It also didn't make my redness any worse but it didn't reduce it in any way. 

I felt a bit of tingling with the use of this product but I have read that that is normal with the use of glycolic acid.  It went away quickly when I rinsed the product off and I didn't have any other reactions to it.  This product helped to clear up the old acne discolorations that I had on my chin and worked just as any other exfoliating product would.  I could never use this product every day, it would be too much for my skin.  This is my first foray into the use of this ingredient and I was able to reap the benefits of it.  I don't know how much more of a concentration I could use of this ingredient though.  If I were to decide to use a higher concentration, I would use it only under the advice of a dermatologist. 

Pinky toe into the pool...  I'm getting quite brave in my skincare choices...

photo courtesy of Sephora 

Awake Clear Gel Wash For Combination Skin

Right now, I am in the process of alternating two face cleansers in an experiment to see if I get better results than with just the use of one. So far, I am not seeing much of a difference in my skin than if I would just use one at a time. I am alternating the Philosophy foaming cleanser that I have reviewed about a month ago and this one from Awake. Both formulas are similar and of the same type of cleanser so I still have ruled out if I would get better results from using two completely different types of cleansers, one foaming and one creamy for instance. But since that's not the case at the moment, I am going to write about the Awake wash that I am using and how much I like it.

This face wash is made for normal/combination skin. It could be too drying for dry skin. The Beauty.com website states the following as the description of the product. "A mild blend of gentle non-soap bases. This foaming, non-soap facial gel removes all dirt and impurities without drying out combination skin. It gently exfoliates to reveal healthier, clearer skin. Natural extracts of lemon, burdock, and ivy help tighten pores and control sebum". The texture of this cleasner will satisfy anyone who loves foaming cleansers or feels that they don't get their skin clean if the cleanser doesn't foam. This is one of the best foaming cleansers that I have ever used. It produces a thick, rich foam that actually doesn't dry skin out. I use a drop that is less than the size of a small button and got all the foam that I needed to clean my whole face.

I found that this this cleanser is more effective on my T-zone area than on my cheeks. It helps to control my oily areas and to reduce the appearance of my larger pores. This cleanser didn't irritate my skin and didn't leave any area tight or dry after I rinsed it off. I am gald that Awake released a non-soap foaming cleanser for those among us with love foaming cleansers but can't always use the traditional formulas on their faces. This formula rinses clean and removes all of my face makeup (I don't use it to take eye makeup off). It didn't irritate my redness but doesn't have any type of ingredient to reduce the appearence of ruddiness.

I have been such an Awake junkie lately and I just wish that I could buy these products at a store instead of just online. I bought this one from Beauty.com and I have no issues with the website, but I just prefer to try a product on my hand/take a sample home before I purchase it. The issues finding the line aside, I love this face cleanser and recommend it to those with combination to oily skin.

photo courtesy of Beauty.com

Philosophy Purity Made Simple High Foaming Daily Cleanser

I wrote extensively about The Wonderbar Face Bar several weeks ago. Several days after I wrote it about it, I ran out of the bar so I moved on to my next facial cleanser. I wondered for several days if my skin would go insane and all the work that the previous product had done would be ruined. I have been into this product for two weeks and I am very happy to report that The Wonderbar's effects have remained fully in place. So what cleanser am I using now? My first Philosophy skincare product purchase and one of the first foaming cleansers that I have used in quite a while.

The Sephora website states that this product is "A gentle sulfate and paraben-free foaming cleanser that eliminates dirt, oil, and makeup while leaving skin calm and soothed". Further details are provided here. "Philosophy Purity Made Simple High Foaming Daily Cleanser deep cleans, tones, and removes all makeup, including eye makeup, with a high-foaming formula that leaves skin feeling refreshed, never tight or dry. It's enriched with botanical extracts to soften and soothe skin. This cleanser's light, airy texture is created with a unique self-foaming pump to delight fans of foaming cleansers without using traditional foaming ingredients. It contains no potentially skin-irritating detergents".

The active ingredients of this product are Vitamin E, Allantoin, and Aloe. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant to protect the skin. Allantoin and Aloe are both anti-irritant botanicals. I use this product once a day at night to get my makeup off. Two pumps works wonderfully to get my whole face cleaned off. I still use a separate eye makeup remover to get all my eye makeup off though it works well to get all my facial makeup off.

My skin hasn't been irritated by this product at all which is a plus for any type of foaming cleanser. It rinses very clean and hasn't caused any type of breakout or dryness so far. My only dislike of this product so far is the fragrance of this wash. I can't place exactly what it is but it reminds me of lemons and other citrus fragrances. It is strong when I use the product but fades as soon as I rinse it off. The fragrance isn't enough to make me not want to use it since I like the rest of it but I wish the fragrance would be lightened up on.

I still have to some time to get to Sephora and get several other Philosophy items in their Skincare Challenge and I highly recommend that you guys do the same. The Sephora Challenge makes me purchase even more skincare items then I normally do and this cleanser was a purchase to keep me in the challenge. However, it was a great purchase so I am happy that I bought it.

photo courtesy of Sephora