Organic Facial Care Products
8:30 AM Posted by Mommy Is Green
One of my Facebook followers asked me if I could recommend a good facial cleanser and lotion. So I thought I'd share my answer here along with some other organic facial care products I currently use or have tried. Please keep in mind that what works for me may not necessarily work for you as we all have different facial needs. My motto is, "Not everything will work for everyone, but something will always work for someone."
Facial Cleanser - There are two facial cleansers I'm currently using. They are Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Castile Soap and Grateful Body Hydrating Facial Cleanse. I use the peppermint castile to keep breakouts at bay (tea tree would also work well for this but I like the smell of peppermint better). When I need a more moisturizing cleanser I use Grateful Body.
Toner - For some reason in the spring I always break out. I choose Brittanie's Thyme Organic Blemish Toner during that time. I apply it all over my face with an organic cotton ball. It removes the dirt and oil from my face like nothing else I've used. I also like Grateful Body Toner. The mist is really refreshing for the summer. I ran out of cotton balls (I have reusable organic cotton rounds on the way) so I started spraying it directly on my face then spreading it around with my fingers. The mist is really refreshing for the summer.
Moisturizer - My favorite so far is Leap Organics Daily Face Lotion. It's most like the traditional moisturizers I used before I started using organic products, but without the nasty synthetic chemicals. It's not too oily and it rubs in nicely. I've also tried Miessence Balancing Moisturiser and Britannie's Thyme Organic Everyday Moisturizer. Miessence is nice too but the price is a little more than my budget allows. The Britannie's Thyme is too oily for my skin. I was able to use it but I always felt shiny.
Makeup Remover - Organic Sweet Almond Oil is all I need. It works like a charm before cleansing. Aura Cacia is the brand I usually buy.
Facial Scrub/Exfoliating Cleanser - I make a DIY Cleansing Facial Scrub I formulated myself that you can find on LovelySafeMama.com. There are ones that I've bought and liked too though. One of those is Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser. It's a bit expensive but works very well. I've also tried Leap Organics Exfoliating Face Wash. I can't use this as a wash by itself because it feels filmy on my face after rinsing. I use it first thing when I get in the shower and then rinse. At the very end of my shower I use my regular cleanser. That way I get the exfoliating benefits without the film. It works extremely well to smooth out my face as long as I give it some time to work before washing with another cleanser. I know it seems like a bit much to do but I didn't want to waste the bottle. Especially when I found a way to make it work.
As far as just a plain facial scrub without a cleanser, I still have yet to find one I like. I tried Brittanie's Thyme Organic Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub but it didn't exfoliate well enough for me. Sometimes I mix a little sweet almond oil with some pure cane sugar to make a quick scrub. But since sugar scrubs should only be used on the face sparingly, like a couple of times per week, I'd like to find a facial scrub without sugar that I can use at least every other day.
For Bath & Body products please see my post,
Organic Bath & Body Products I'm Using.
Organic Bath & Body Products I'm Using.
UPDATE: I didn't realize that the honeysuckle flower CO2 ingredient in the Grateful Body products is in fact Japanese Honeysuckle Extract. I thought it was different. There is much debate about any type of japanese honeysuckle extract so it's best to read all of the information available before using a product with that ingredient. It's something you'll have to decide for yourself. Personally though, if it's that controversial, I do like to err on the side of caution.
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August 15, 2011 1:44 PM
Is there anything that you DON'T know, Victoria? (Don't even bother saying that there is, because I won't believe you!)
No wonder you have such great skin - you take care of it so well!
August 15, 2011 7:28 PM
As always thank you for sharing the products you use. I also use Dr. Bronner's Peppermint liquid soap I love the scent and love that the scent always seems to wake me up. As far as make up remover I use 1/2 organic witch hazel (Humphrey's) and 1/2 organic jojoba oil or organic olive oil I find that this combinations doesn't leave my eye area very oily. I have been using the Josie Maran 100% argan oil moisturizer and so far I'm very happy with it but I'm always looking on trying out new things
August 15, 2011 11:29 PM
You are absolutely right! What works for one person probable won't work for another and yet I think is ver y important to try and read what others have to say about a product.
I better don't tell you about my rutine 'cause seems like nothing compared to yours.
Take care.. Oh wait! You do take care of yourself! :D
August 16, 2011 7:48 AM
@Linda Excellent tip for make up remover! Thank you! I really appreciate it coming from a certified makeup artist. You've certainly given me good tips before. :) I've actually been looking at Humphrey's witch hazel lately because they have a USDA certified version. I love witch hazel for toner! I wonder if my Organic Blemish Toner would work with the oil as well since the ingredients are only witch hazel and a couple of essential oils.
August 18, 2011 1:16 AM
great post Victoria! Very helpful. I had your cleanser bookmarked to make but I also just pinned it. :) Thanks again for sharing. I have some things to check out.
August 22, 2011 2:28 PM
I'm really interested in that peppermint cleanser you are using!
August 31, 2011 9:57 AM
I've been breaking out, but I didn't know about peppermint. I'll look into it - thanks!
November 1, 2011 4:32 PM
I've never heard of Leap Organics - I'll have to give them a try!