Tag: Facial

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

Product:  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild.  Will this cleanser leave your skin soft or stripped?  What about the dupe – does it work?

Overall Rating =  2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good

Cost: $17.00 for 6.7 oz. ($2.54 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  Clinique; Dillard’s; Sephora; Major Department Stores.  Equate version sold by Wal-mart.

Container:  Clinique Liquid Soap Mild  – Plastic bottle with plastic pump; pump does twist off. Equate MILD Facial Soap – Plastic bottle with plastic pump; pump does twist off.

Description:  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap comes in three formulas: (1) Extra Mild; (2) Mild; and (3) Oily Skin Formula.  As with all products from the Clinique line, this cleanser is fragrance free.

The company states, “The first step in Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System. All the benefits of Clinique’s dermatologist-developed Facial Soap in a liquid formula. Cleanses without stripping protective lipids. Preps skin for the exfoliating action of Clarifying Lotion. Convenient pump dispenses just the right amount.”

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild is a cleanser designed to be used with water.  This is a lathering cleanser. It is intended to be used night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

Wal-mart also makes a version of the Clinique product called Equate MILD Facial Soap.  Today, not only are we going to review the Clinique product, but we are also going to compare it to the Equate version.  The results may surprise you.

Morning Review:  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild is clear and it has a very faint scent that is almost nonexistent.  I don’t know how to describe the scent other than a light chemical scent similar to wet paint.  The barely detectable scent does not bother me or make my nose run.  The liquid is about the same thickness as dish detergent.  One pump is more than enough to wash my face and I would say a full pump is way too much.  I wet my face and applied the soap and it immediately began to lather.  It felt nice and gentle on my skin.  It left my face feeling very clean.  It did not make my skin feel itchy or irritated at all.  I only used this on one side of my face for comparison.

My morning review for the Equate MILD Facial Soap on the other side of my face is surprising.  It smells, looks, and feels the same as the Clinique cleanser.  It cleans very well without irritation.

Unfortunately for both products, my skin felt dry after using these cleansers which was disappointing.

Morning Rating = 3 stars4 Stars for how well they clean, 2 Stars for drying my skin = 3 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin felt very dry and in need of some serious moisture.  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild removes all traces of face makeup and my makeup wipes are clean after using this soap.  You will need to use a separate eye makeup remover with this cleanser.  This would be a good cleanser to use with a sonic cleansing brush.

My evening review for the Equate MILD Facial Soap on the other side of my face is once again exactly the same.  I would have to say that the Equate cleanser performs as well as the Clinique cleanser.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, please check with your dermatologist before using the Clinique or Equate cleansers.  It should be fine if your skin is consistent to oily, but you can make your situation worse by experimenting with new products on your own.

Overall Review:  Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild is an excellent cleanser in terms of cleansing ability but I cannot give it a high recommendation because any product that is drying to the skin is not beneficial no matter what your skin type is.

A review of the ingredients shows that Sodium Chloride is the third ingredient in both the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild and the Equate MILD Facial Soap.  Sodium Chloride is, quite simply, table salt and salt is not a good thing to put on your face.  If you have dry skin this is going to dry it out even further.  If you have oily skin this soap is going to clean well and your skin will feel good at first, but then your body will produce extra oil to compensate for the fact that you have removed your own natural oils.  I give the Clinique company the highest of marks and ratings for their lack of fragrance and typically their products are very gentle, but for me this product just falls a little short.

This cleanser is suitable for women and men provided it does not have a drying effect on your skin.  Everyone reacts differently to products and perhaps this one will work well for you.  It may perform well for you if you have oily skin.  It is not a product I would buy again unless I had no other fragrance-free options.  If you have severe fragrance allergies, you should not have any negative reaction to this product whatsoever.  My male tester who also has dry skin said this cleanser left his skin feeling very dried out and he needed to put lotion on afterwards.

Regarding comparing the two products, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild and Equate MILD Facial Soap, they are so similar that it is difficult to differentiate between them.  If you read the ingredients lists below you will see just how similar.  Equate simply changed the order of some of the ingredients and added a different form of Vitamin E so that they could not be charged with completely copying a proprietary formula.  If you have normal to oily skin and like the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild you can save money with the Equate MILD Facial Soap and they are so similar I doubt you will notice any difference.

I have not tried the other two versions of this cleanser from Clinique so I cannot comment on the differences.  A review of the ingredients from the Mild to the Extra Mild formulas shows that they are completely different.  The Extra Mild formula is an oil-based, non-lathering lotion type of cleanser so that product would not be comparable to the Mild formula at all.  I would not recommend the Oily skin version of this liquid soap.  The Oily version contains menthol which some people are sensitive to and other drying ingredients that should be avoided.

Equate only makes the Mild version of the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap.  They do not have a copy for the Extra Mild or the Oily Skin formulas.

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild is suitable for the following skin types:  (Not for dry to very dry skin)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination (Only if Combination is Consistent plus Oily).

Please see the Help page to accurately determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.75 Stars – Just Okay to Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild

Equate MILD Facial Soap

Equate MILD Facial Soap

Ingredients (Clinique Liquid Soap Mild): Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sucrose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Tocopheryl Ethyl Succinate Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Sulfate, Edta, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

Ingredients (Equate MILD Facial Soap): Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium-Cocoyl Glutamate, Di-PPG-2 Myreth-10 Adipate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sucrose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetyl Triethylmonium Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Hexylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Laureth-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Sulfate, Edta, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Product:  First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.  Does your skin need serious help?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good

Cost: $30.00 for 6 oz. ($5.00 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  FirstAidBeauty; QVC; Sephora; Ulta

Container:  Larger Sizes – Plastic jar with twist-off lid; Smaller Sizes – Plastic tube with twist-off flip-top cap

Description:  First Aid Beauty is a line many of you may not be familiar with.  This is a relatively new brand of cosmetics and has only been around since 2009.  This brand first caught my attention because the entire line is fragrance free and all of the products say they are safe for sensitive skin.  The brand really took off when they got their products into Sephora stores, on QVC, and starting getting buzz from beauty editors.  First Aid Beauty (FAB) has received quite a lot of media attention in recent years, most of it positive as far as I can tell.

FAB Ultra Repair Cream is a fragrance-free cream that is best for consistent, dry, combination or sensitive skin.  This cream may be too intense for oily skin.  This cream is intended to be used both on the face any anywhere on the body.  Since this is a thick and heavy cream, this should be used after other products, if applying it to the face.

My skin has been taking a beating the past few weeks with all of the testing I have been doing so I was happy to try out a cream with “ultra repair” in the name.

Please Note:  This product contains Eucalyptus Globulus (next to last ingredient).  Many individuals are sensitive to eucalyptus and this may cause irritation if you don’t tolerate eucalyptus well.  If you experience burning or itching, please discontinue use.

The company claims:  “DELIVERS EXCEPTIONAL HYDRATION AND PROTECTION WITH NO GREASY PETROLEUM – FAB Ultra Repair® Cream is a thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. With the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, soothing eucalyptus oil and ceramides, FAB Ultra Repair® Cream provides immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin. FAB Antioxidant Booster is there to defend skin from free radical damage. Ultra Repair® Cream can be used all over the body and on the face. “

Regarding the skin types this cream is intended for the company further states, “WHO SHOULD USE IT?  FAB Ultra Repair® Cream is for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments or any of the following conditions: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris.”

Please Note:  This product is not intended to treat any medical condition.  Before using this or any product, please consult your dermatologist.

Reviewing the ingredients, this cream is not going to provide any real anti-aging benefits or cutting-edge ingredients.  It is a nice basic cream that will provide hydration and moisture from colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and shea butter.

Morning Review:  The FAB Ultra Repair Cream is a bright white thick cream.  This does not contain any SPF or sunscreen ingredients.  Apply this after your serum or primer and sunscreen. It has a velvety texture and a dollop about the size of a raspberry (1/4 teaspoon) is enough for just the face.  You will probably use a full tablespoon or more if you are going to apply this to your entire body.  The scent is difficult to describe.  It smells like a eucalyptus candle to me.  It is very subtle and does not linger once applied to the skin.  I did not experience any negative side effects from the scent.  The cream feels very hydrating and soothing to my irritated, sensitive skin.  Because this cream is so dense, I do not think users with oily skin will like this one, despite the claims from the company that this cream is suitable for all skin types.  It takes a while for this to fully absorb into the skin, so if you are planning on putting makeup on top of it, you may need to allow for an extra five minutes.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel dry, tight or oily.  I did not experience any irritation, redness or sensitivity issues.  The FAB cream really helped to calm my skin down and kept it feeling soft and smooth for several hours.

Overall Review:  First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream seems to be an excellent heavy cream for all skin types except oily, especially those with fragrance allergies.  This is suitable for both women and men.  My male tester did not find the scent displeasing and could barely smell anything.  This would be an excellent hand cream for men who have rough skin.  I would say I like this better as a hand or body cream than a face cream.  It simply feels too heavy and smothering to me.  I don’t like to feel like there is anything on my skin.  Also, I don’t like to use separate creams and sunscreens, so I would only use this at night or if I were staying in for the day.

The cream is available in tubes in smaller sizes and jars in larger sizes.  Even though the cost per ounce is less in the jar, I would buy the smaller tubes to protect the contents from contamination.  Even though the concentration of anti-oxidants in this creams is quite small, what little there is will be sensitive to air and light and rendered ineffective over time if you buy the jar.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is suitable for the following skin types:  (All but oily)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive (not if sensitive to eucalyptus);
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair CreamFirst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Open JarFirst Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream in Hand

Ingredients:  Colloidal Oatmeal, Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Ceramide 3.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Colorants, Parabens.

Please Note:  There has been some controversy regarding whether Feverfew Extract is good or bad for your skin.  The Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract that First Aid Beauty uses is free of the potentially sensitizing component Parthenolide (technically known as Sesquiterpene Lactone).  Feverfew itself, when Parthenolide-free, has a calming effect on the skin.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Product:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser.  Is this the facial wash your skin needs to stay clean and healthy?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $20.00 for 5 oz. ($4.00 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  FirstAidBeauty; QVC; Sephora; Ulta

Container:  Plastic tube with flip-top cap; cap does screw off

Description:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a fragrance-free cream facial wash that you mix with water and then rinse off.  This cleanser is intended to be used night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I am always on a quest for a gentle cleanser that will work effectively and not wreak havoc with my extremely sensitive skin.  If you don’t do anything but keep your skin clean without stripping it, keep it exfoliated, and wear sunscreen every day, you’ll probably age beautifully and have nice skin.  It sounds simple enough but finding products to accomplish that can prove difficult.

I am new to this brand but I will be trying many of their products to see how well they really perform.  The entire line is fragrance free.  I have read the ingredients labels of every single product and there is not a hint of fragrance anywhere.  Whoo hoo!

The company claims: “FAB Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin, removes surface oils, make up, dirt and grime. Its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It is infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals.”  There are additional claims on their website.

Morning Review:  The First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a bright white, thick cream.  This does not contain any exfoliating ingredients.  It has a pretty pearlescent quality and a dollop about the size of a blueberry is enough to clean your entire face.  I wet my face first and then massaged the cleanser onto my face.  It does not lather or produce bubbles but it does have a very slight foaming property.  It has almost no scent and just smells clean.  There is a very slight inoffensive chemical component to the scent.  The scent does not make my nose run, eyes water, or produce any negative side effects whatsoever.  The thick cleanser feels gentle and soothing to my skin.  It rinsed off completely and did not leave any oily residue.  My skin did not feel tight or stripped.  My first impression was, “Wow, very nice!”  Let’s see how my skin actually reacts to this after several hours.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or oily.  I did not experience any irritation or redness, but something is making my face break out (see note below).  The FAB cleanser effectively removes makeup and my wipes did not find any traces of makeup when using this with just my hands. The cleanser did not make my face feel anything other than clean.  Imagine that!  This would be a very good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.

Note:  After several hours my skin began to break out and I ended up with six blemishes on my face.  I suspect the blemishes may have been due to a product I used the previous day.  I am going to give my skin a few days to completely clear and then I will re-test this cleanser and revise my review.

Overall Review: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser seems to be an excellent facial wash for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities.  This is suitable for both women and men.  I think men could also shave with this product and I will report back on that aspect.

This is a preliminary review.  I will re-test this product once my skin clears and also get a report from other testers.

This cleanser is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = ? Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol,Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Please Note:  There has been some controversy regarding whether Feverfew Extract is good or bad for your skin.  The Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract that First Aid Beauty uses is free of the potentially sensitizing component Parthenolide (technically known as Sesquiterpene Lactone).  Feverfew itself, when Parthenolide-free, has a calming effect on the skin.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects

Product:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects.  Does this serum really produce dramatic results?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars 3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $49.50 for 1 oz. ($49.50 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Clinique; Dillard’s; Macys; Sephora; Major Department Stores

Container:  Glass bottle with glass or plastic dropper

Description:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is a fragrance-free serum intended to address fine lines and wrinkles.  This serum is designed to be used immediately following cleansing, night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I have been familiar with this brand for decades.  Once upon a time, they were the only company with an entire fragrance-free line that was readily available at retail.

The company claims: “Delivers 63% of the visible wrinkle improvement of a dermatological laser procedure at 12 weeks. Not a laser, of course. But impressive results. New ingredients deliver twice the smoothing as before, remarkably refining skin’s texture.”  These are some pretty lofty claims, right?  I don’t necessarily agree with these statements, but I always take marketing claims with a grain of salt.

Please note, nothing that comes out of a bottle or jar is going to give you results that can in any way compare to the dramatic changes your skin will see if you undergo laser treatments from a physician.  Lasers can penetrate the epidermis down into deeper layers and will stimulate collagen production greater than any serum.  Lasers can tighten and tone skin.  Lasers can eliminate skin issues that no topical product can achieve.

 As we age, our skin gets thinner, collagen production slows, and skin regeneration and sloughing decreases.  Thinner skin also becomes less flexible which leads to the formation of lines and wrinkles.  Light skinned individuals typically first show aging as lines around their eyes and dark skinned individuals typically experience discoloration as they age followed by lines and wrinkles.  Because serums are so light and thin, they are readily absorbed into the skin to deliver anti-aging antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients.

Morning Review:  This Clinique fragrance-free serum is clear and has almost no scent other than those from the botanical ingredients.  The consistency is light and the texture is silky.  Due to the high concentration of silicone derivatives, it glides on smoothly onto my skin.  This serum feels very gentle and I don’t experience any irritation.  Due to the lightness, it is quickly absorbed.  Although not specifically designed for it, this serum can be applied to your décolletage.  My makeup goes on top of this product beautifully without any stickiness or tackiness.  As this product does not contain any sunscreen, please apply sunscreen before your makeup or use a makeup with a high SPF.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight.  This serum helps my makeup to wear well, my face stays soft and smooth, and I do not experience any sensitivity or irritation issues.  This serum helps to improve the tone and texture of my skin.  I have not seen any evidence of elimination or improvement of fine lines or wrinkles.

Overall Review:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is an excellent serum for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. This is suitable for both women and men.

Please note:  This serum contains ingredients that are air and light sensitive.  Do not store this near a sunny window sill and keep the container tightly sealed when not in use.  This product comes in larger sizes, but the ingredients begin to lose effectiveness once exposed to air and light.  Unless you are going to use the contents within 90 days, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to buy the large bottle just because it costs less.  If you still have a lot of product left after 90 days you’ll essentially just have a nice light weight primer without any anti-aging benefits.  If you like to use a lot of serum twice a day and also apply it to your décolletage, then the larger bottle may be a good choice for you.

This serum is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects Serum

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Plankton Extract, Whey Protein, Sea Whip Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Sodium Hyaluronate, Micrococcus Lysate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Ergothioneine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Carbomer, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing Cloths

Product:  Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing Cloths.  This product used to be known as Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths.  Today’s product is a lathering cleansing cloth that you use with water like a washcloth.

Overall Rating: 2+ stars2.5 Stars = Okay to Good

Cost: $9.89 for 30 cloths ($.33 each)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Wal-mart; Walgreen’s

Container:  Either paper box (new formula) or plastic box (old formula)

Description:  These are a two-sided (textured/smooth) cleansing cloth intended to be used once and then disposed.  You add water, they lather, you scrub, you toss.  These are intended to be used as a daily facial cleanser both morning and night.  This product is not fragrance free and does contain fragrance (parfum).  The textured side is a physical exfoliant.

The company states, “Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering cloths gently cleanse, exfoliate and revive skin in one simple step. At the same time, they infuse moisturization to soften skin and enhance brightness.”  Olay further claims this product “Fights 7 Signs of Aging: 1. Cleans deep; 2. Instantly refines the appearance of pores; 3. Gently exfoliates; 4. Instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines; 5. Enhances brightness; 6. Softens skin; 7. Replenishes moisture.

Cosmetic companies are notorious for slightly altering ingredients, changing packaging and changing names of essentially the same products so they can market something new.  Since most people always want the newest, most innovative products, this keeps consumers motivated to buy.  This product has been around for many years under different names and formulations.  The new cloths are thinner and smaller than the previous cleansing cloths.

Warning:  Please do not use the textured side of these cloths, or any physically abrasive scrubbing product, if you have Rosacea without consulting your dermatologist first.

Morning Review:  When I first opened the container I could smell the perfume-type fragrance.  One of my testers described the scent as “baby powder”.  It doesn’t smell like baby powder to me.  It is a floral type of scent.  These are a thick two-layer cleansing cloth.  One side is solid and smooth and the other side has holes and is textured.  I cut one into fourths and separated the layers to show you.  (See photos below)  As soon as you get this cloth wet and begin rubbing in on your face it begins to lather like soap.  One cloth is large enough to almost wash your entire body.  I was able to wash just my face with one quarter of a cloth.  I began with the textured side on my nose.  The textured side was too rough for my sensitive skin and I only used the smooth side on my face.  I used the textured side for elbows, knees, feet, etc.  Please rub gently, not vigorously, with any exfoliating product.  Please do not rub this on your eyes.  This is not a product for removing eye makeup.  You could wash your face with this after you have removed your eye makeup.  My face did feel very clean after using this and my skin felt soft.  The fragrance was too strong for me though.

Morning Rating: = 2 stars2 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed smooth and I did not have any allergic reactions other than my runny nose due to the fragrance.  The skin on my nose became oily after using the cleansing cloth.  I think this was due to the textured side being too harsh and the lathering ingredients being too drying for my skin which caused my oily area to compensate by producing more oil.  My skin does not react favorably to any product with lathering agents.

Overall Review:  Olay Total Effects Deep Pore (Age Defying) Lathering Cleansing Cloths are a good cleansing cloth if you like a product that lathers and you don’t have any fragrance allergies.  It definitely scrubbed my pores clean and left my skin feeling smoother.  However, the textured side was too harsh for my sensitive skin and I did not tolerate the fragrance well.  I would stay away from this one if you have sensitive skin or Rosacea.

The cloths do contain some nice vitamins, but they are not going to be on your face long enough to prove beneficial and the lathering agents are going to wash them away.

Most men would not like the floral perfume in this product.  My male tester sniffed it and did not even want to try it.

These cloths are suitable for the following skin types: (Not for sensitive or those with Rosacea)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • Women who like fragrance;
  • Oily;
  • Dry;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Evening Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 2 stars2 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 2+ stars2.5 Stars – Okay to Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Olay Total Effects Deep Pore Lathering Cleansing ClothsOlay Cloth Section Both Sides

Olay Cloth Section Textured SideOlay Cloth Section Smooth Side

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths 1

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths Old Name and Photo 1

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths 2

Olay Total Effects Age Defying Cleansing Cloths Old Name and Photo 2

Current Formula Ingredients:  Water, Niacinamide*, Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Panthenol**, Tocopheryl Acetate***, Ascorbic Acid+, Dimethiconol, Butylene Glycol, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance. *Vitamin B3, **Pro-VitaminB5, ***Vitamin E, +Vitamin C.

Old Formula Ingredients: PEG 100, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, C10 30 Cholesterol/Lanesterol Esters, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Polyethylene, PEG 14M, Tribehenin, Fragrance, Polyquaternium 10, Synthetic Beeswax, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, L Menthol.

Old Formula Ingredients: Petrolatum, PEG-100, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocoamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-14M, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Salicylic Acid, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Polyquarternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylparaben, Disodium-EDTA, Methylparaben, Sodium Magnesium/Diisobutylene Copolymer, Silica, BHT, Sodium Laurate.

Old Formula Ingredients: Petrolatum, Peg-100, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cyclodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Lauryl Glucoside, Peg-14M, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance/Parfum, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol*, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium Edta, Salicylic Acid***, Sodium Ma/Diisobutylene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate**, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract. *Provitamin/Provitamine B5, **Vitamin/Vitamine E , ***Beta Hydroxy/Be?Ta-Hydroxy.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

 

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

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Product:  Today we are reviewing Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser.  Please share your experiences with this product.

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.75 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay

Cost: $6.99 for 5oz. ($1.40 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Aveeno and retailers everywhere; This product has been discontinued, perhaps due to a controversial ingredient.  There are still retailers with this on their shelves until the last of it is gone.

Container:  Plastic pump bottle with locking pump; Pump screws off

Description:  The Aveeno brand is readily available at retailers everywhere.  I have been using the Aveeno brand for decades and like some of their products.  This is not one of them.  I’m providing this review to shed some light on this cleanser, particularly one of its key ingredients, which I do not recommend or support.

Aveeno states on their website, “Our products feature exclusive ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients, carefully selected from nature and uniquely formulated to deliver effective skin and hair care benefits. These ACTIVE NATURALS® ingredients undergo rigorous scientific testing to prove their safety and efficacy, so it’s no wonder our products are recommended by leading professionals.”

The company states this product, “visibly reduces the signs of aging” “with natural shiitake complex”, “Helps speed up the skin’s natural renewing process”.  There are other lofty claims as well.

Morning Review:  First off, I bought this cleanser by mistake.  I was traveling and needed something so I quickly ran into a drug store and picked up this cleanser.  I did not realize it was not fragrance free as the ingredients were hidden under a back label.  As soon as I pushed the pump for the first time, I sneezed and my nose began running like a faucet.  The amount of fragrance in this cleanser is so excessive it is overwhelming.  This has a very strong floral scent, so much so that you feel as if you’re being smothered by flowers while it is on your face.  I could not rinse this enough to get rid of the scent.  I also found this cleanser to be drying to my skin.

As far as the cleansing components, this is a typical cleanser with water, glycerin to make it feel silky, sodium laureth sulfate (surfactant), etc.  It is the fourth ingredient, polyethylene, that I take issue with.  This cleanser has microplastic beads in it to exfoliate your skin.  While the plastic in itself is not harmful to you, it is very damaging to the marine ecosystem and environment.  In December of 2013 the Marine Pollution Bulletin discussed the impact of these plastics.  During this research, “two national brands of facial cleansers containing polyethylene microbeads were sieved and analyzed using the SEM/EDS system to evaluate their texture and composition” and the damaging effects were discussed.

There are natural substances we can use to exfoliate our faces that don’t pollute our waterways and kill marine life in the process.  Regarding benefits from shiitake, the mushroom complex is the very last ingredient.  There is so little in this product I suspect it is just included for marketing purposes.  The concentration is not high enough to produce any visible change in your skin.  Considering the small amount of time a cleanser is on your skin, even at a higher concentration there would be little benefit.

Morning Rating=   1 star1 Star

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin felt dry, tight and itchy.   This cleanser effectively removes most makeup.   My makeup wipes only found small traces of makeup using just my hands.  (Apparently, the beads do work.)  You cannot get this product near your eyes so you will need to use a separate cleanser to remove eye makeup.  This is not a good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.  The brush, in combination with the microplastic beads, may prove to be too harsh.

Overall Review:  Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser is not a good cleanser for anyone, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. Men definitely would not like this scent.  If you really like stinky products and don’t care about the environment, you may love this.

This cleanser is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for Dry or Sensitive skin)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • Women who like heavy perfumes;
  • Oily;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Evening Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Average from Other Testers = 1 star1 Star;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.75 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polyethylene, Lauryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycol Distearate, Laureth-4, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Tetrasodium Edta, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Stem Extract, May Also Contain: Sodium Hydroxide.

Formulated Without:  Oil, Soap.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum 813 RE9 Advanced

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Product:  Today we are reviewing another serum, Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum 813 RE9 Advanced.  Is this one going to work wonders for you?

Overall Rating = 3 stars3 Stars – Good

Cost:  $62.00 for 1 Fluid Ounce  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Arbonne Website or Arbonne Independent Consultants

Container:  Plastic pump bottle with outer plastic cap.  The pump does screw off.

Description:   Arbonne was formed in Switzerland in 1975 and began selling products in the USA in 1980.  The company’s headquarters are now in Irvine, CA.  Many of you may not be familiar with this brand as it is a direct-marketing brand.  You can only purchase the products directly from the website or independent consultants, similar to Amway, Avon or Mary Kay.  I was introduced to this brand about 10 years ago from a consultant who wanted my professional opinion of the line.

The company claims to be environmentally conscious and their vegan products are primarily botanically based without toxic chemicals.  Their website is pretty impressive.

Regarding Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum, the company states, “It’s called “intensive” because it’s concentrated. The collagen-supporting ingredients are clinically proven to hold in moisture and help visibly firm and lift, while lessening the appearance of fine lines.”

I used almost a full bottle of this prior to posting this review to see if there are any long-term benefits.

Morning Review:  As with any serum, they should be applied after cleansing and toning and prior to any other products such as sunscreen, moisturizer or makeup.  Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum is slightly thicker than some serums I have used.  It is primarily clear with a slight milkiness.  It feels silky to the touch due to the high concentration of silicone derivatives.  The scent is difficult to describe but it definitely has a plant-type scent.  This is a fragrance-free product so the scent is naturally occurring due to the ingredients.  It did not make my nose run or my eyes burn, but I did sneeze the first time I sniffed it.  After application my skin has a more velvety texture and it feels slightly smoother.  Would I say my skin looks any different?  Not really, but it does feel nice.  The serum absorbs quickly.  My makeup goes on nice and smooth on top of this serum.

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight.  I did not experience any sensitivity or irritation issues from this product.  I have sensitive combination skin.  The oily parts did not get oilier.  The serum does seem to keep the dry parts of my skin hydrated rather well.  When I rinsed it off, my face felt silky.  After repeated use, I had the same results each time.  I did not notice any major changes whatsoever, positive or negative.

I did not notice any change in pore size, dark spots, sagginess, fine lines or wrinkles.  It did not make any of those issues worse or better.  Also, this serum did nothing to firm or lift my skin.  While it was on, my skin felt slightly tighter, but the effects were temporary and as soon as I washed it off, my skin felt the same as it always does.

Overall Review:  Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum 813 RE9 Advanced is a good botanically-based serum for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies.   This is suitable for both women and men and my male tester said it made his skin feel “moister”.  It is a good product with enough beneficial ingredients to warrant adding it to your regime.  It provides moisture and an improvement in texture without irritation.  It did not work miracles, but then what does?  I have yet to discover a fountain of youth in a jar.

Suitability:  This serum is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3 stars3 Stars – Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Arbonne Intensive Renewal Serum 813 RE9 Advanced

Ingredients:  Aqua/Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Polysorbate 40, Polyacrylate-13, Butylene Glycol, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Stoechas Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Betula Alba Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Thioctic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Polyamino Sugar Condensate, Urea, Panthenol, Lecithin, Salicylic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Pca, Stearamine, Silica, Tetrasodium Edta, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).

Formulated Without:  animal products or by-products, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, benzene, bisphenol-a, carbon black, formaldehyde-donating preservatives, hydroquinone, mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, sodium laureth sulfates (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), synthetic dyes, talc, triclosan, triethanolamine (TEA), and so much more…

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Olay Total Effects 7-In-1 Moisturizer Plus Serum Duo

Product:  Today’s product is Olay Total Effects 7-In-1 Moisturizer Plus Serum Duo With Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 Fragrance Free  (Can these names get any longer?)

Overall Rating = 3 stars3 Stars – Good.

Cost:  $19.99 for 1.35 oz ($14.81 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  Walgreen’s; Wal-mart; Retailers everywhere

Container:  Plastic airless pump bottle with plastic cap and outer paper carton.  This pump bottle is sealed and the top does not screw off so you cannot refill the bottle or use it with other products.  I am a huge fan of this type of container because it presents the least potential for contamination.  Always keep your cap over the nozzle and it will stay protected.  The airless pumps are also quite effective at getting every last trace of product out of the bottle.

Description:  The name of this product pretty much sums up what the product’s intended use is.  In case you are wondering, the 7 benefits this product supposedly provides are: 1. Visibly smooths fine lines and wrinkles; 2. Evens skin tone appearance; 3. Enhances brightness instantly; 4. Instantly minimizes the look of pores; 5. Smooths and evens out skin texture; 6. Hydrates for a firm look; 7. Replenishes moisture.

I would argue that hydrating and replenishing moisture is the same thing (benefits 6 and 7).  Typically, hydration occurs as a result of replacing water and moisture from replacing lost oils, but the perception is the same.  Supposedly benefit number 8 would be the anti-aging benefit of an effective sunscreen.  I would like to see an SPF of 30 instead of 15.  This product contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection which is important.  I’ll get into an in-depth discussion of sunscreens when we get to those reviews.

This is a fragrance-free product.  The Olay moisturizer is intended to be used after cleansing and prior to makeup.  You can replace the separate steps of applying serum, moisturizer and sunscreen with this one product.  Technically, this is three products in one, not seven or eight.

Morning Review:  I have been familiar with the Olay line of products for over 20 years.  They are constantly changing the names of products and putting them in different packaging, but their basic formulas are very similar.

This Olay moisturizer, although fragrance-free, has a definite scent to it.  I don’t know how to describe it other than a  chemical smell.  It is not offensive or irritating, but it is definitely there.  I don’t particularly care for the scent.

This is a thick white cream, much heavier than most Olay products.  It has a velvety feel to it when applied to the face.  If I accidentally get it into my eyes it does burn, so I recommend keeping it clear of the eye area.  This product has a very unusual side effect for me and others have reported the same experience.  If I have not exfoliated for a while before I use this, my skin just peels off a few minutes after I apply it to my face.  So much so that if I run out of my exfoliating products I use this.  If I have exfoliated immediately prior to application then it seems to be absorbed well.  It definitely provides a lot of moisture and hydration.  I do not think users with oily skin would like this product.

Makeup goes on very smooth on top of this product but only if I have recently exfoliated.  Otherwise, it is a disaster.  The first layer goes down the drain (with my dead skin) and then I have to reapply this moisturizer prior to makeup.

Regarding reducing lines/wrinkles, evening skin tone/texture, enhancing brightness, or reducing pore size, I would have to say no to all of the above.  I applied this to one side of my face only and examined it with a 15 power magnifying mirror.  I then had someone else examine my face with a medical-grade magnifier and he could not tell which side I applied the product to.  The only difference is that the side with the product felt softer when I touched my face, but there were no visible differences.

Morning Rating:  3 stars3 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or dry.  If anything this product makes it feel a little oily as the day progresses.  I used this in Florida every day for a week and it did protect my face from burning.  There are other sunscreens that work much better so if you are only buying this product for that benefit, I have others I can recommend.

Overall Review:  Olay Total Effects 7-In-1 Moisturizer Plus Serum Duo With Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 Fragrance Free is a good reasonably-priced moisturizer if you have normal to dry skin and you don’t experience the peeling effect.

I would be interested in hearing from you and your experience with this product.  I have clients that use this product and their skin does not peel with it as mine does.

This moisturizer is suitable for the following skin types: (all but not oily)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3 stars3 Stars – Good. (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Olay Total Effects 7-In-1 Moisturizer Plus Serum Duo With Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 Fragrance Free Box

Olay Total Effects 7-In-1 Moisturizer Plus Serum Duo With Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 Fragrance Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:  Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%, Sunscreen), Homosalate (4%, Sunscreen), Octisalate (4.5%, Sunscreen), Octocrylene (2.6%, Sunscreen). Inactive Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tapioca Starch, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyethylene, Benzyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Isohexadecane, Nylon 12, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Ethylparaben, Allantoin, PEG 100 Stearate, Propylparaben, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium PEG 7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Disodium EDTA, Stearic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Iron Oxides.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

 

Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

Product:  Today’s product is another product from the Japanese company that supposedly features age-old traditions from Geisha.  It is Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost:  $65 60g / 2.1 oz. ($30.95 per ounce)  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Tatcha, QVC and Sephora

Container:  Heavy plastic double-layer jar with screw-off lid, tissue wrap, outer decorative paper carton.  (Those of you who have followed my beauty and makeup tips newsletter know that I am not a fan of jars due to the potential for contamination.)

Description:  Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is the coordinating exfoliating powder I mentioned a few days ago when I reviewed the Tatcha PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil.  This powder is a *physical exfoliation product.  This a fragrance-free Japanese rice powder that you mix either with the Tatcha oil or with water to exfoliate your skin.  You can control the amount of abrasiveness by using more or less liquid in combination with the powder.  The greater the powder-to-liquid ratio, the grainier and more abrasive it will be.  In reverse, the less powder-to-liquid ratio, the gentler the texture will be.

 *(For a description of physical exfoliation and the three different methods to exfoliate your skin, please see my discussion on the ExfoliKate page.)

Morning Review:  I used this product many times before posting this review.  I have used it with the Tatcha cleansing oil, with water, and have experimented using it in conjunction with other oils and liquids, as well.  I have also used this product on female and male clients.

The rice powder is white (naturally) and the texture is slightly gritty.  It is not as gritty as sugar or salt, but there is a definite texture to the powder.  There is a slight chemical scent similar to wet paint in its dry powder form.  Once you mix the powder with water the scent changes to more of a nutty scent.  This is a fragrance-free product so the scent is naturally occurring due to the ingredients themselves.  If you have asthma, be careful of breathing in or ingesting any powder products, as they could cause breathing difficulties.  (When in doubt, always consult a physician before using any new product.)

When using the product with oil, I first put a pump of the oil into my palm, then I sprinkle about a half of a teaspoon of the powder onto the oil, mix them together with my finger and then apply to my face with a gentle circular motion.  If you use too much powder, the oil/powder mixture gets very thick and you may need a couple of drops of water to thin it.  When I use the powder with water, I first wet my face with warm water, sprinkle the powder into my palm, add a few drops of water to my palm to make a paste, and then apply to my face.

The Tatcha powder does a very effective job of exfoliating my skin.  It leaves my face feeling soft, smooth and hydrated without any harsh abrasives or chemicals.  My sensitive skin does not feel irritated.  Please note that because I have sensitive skin, I do not rub vigorously, but very gently.  Please execute care when using any physical exfoliate and do not get too enthusiastic with scrubbing your face.

Caution:  I do not recommend using this, or any physical exfoliate, with a cleansing brush.  The doubly exfoliating effects would be too harsh.  I also do not recommend physical exfoliates for anyone with Rosacea.

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin still feels smooth; it does not feel tight or irritated.   This powder effectively removes all types of makeup.   My makeup wipes do not find any traces of makeup, especially if used in conjunction with the oil.  Unlike most physical exfoliates that are intended for use once or twice a week only, the Tatcha powder can be used every day or even twice a day, if desired.  I personally use this as an occasional exfoliate or whenever I need to remove heavy amounts of makeup.

Overall Review:  Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is an excellent product.  Once again, the only downside is the cost, and the packaging.  The bottles are heavy and don’t travel well.  The Tatcha products come in beautiful, elaborate packaging.  Maybe that is a bonus to some of you, but I don’t buy products for fancy bottles, tissue liners and boxes.  I buy them for the contents inside.  I suppose it makes an impressive gift, but what other purpose does that serve?  If the company would package the product in less expensive containers and lower the price, this brand would be a lot more affordable for the average consumer.  They could still offer the fancy bottles in a gift edition for those who want to spend the extra money.  (Hello, Tatcha, are you listening?)

Please note:  I first purchased this years ago when there was only one formula and I have continued to use the initial “Classic” formula.  The product is available in 4 formulas from the Tatcha website:  Classic for Combination and Normal Skin; Gentle for Dry Skin; Deep for Oily Skin; and Soothing for Sensitive Skin.  The next time I order this I’m going to try the Soothing formulation and I’ll provide a comparison review to note the differences.

Skin Types:  Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive (but not Rosacea);
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Tatcha POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

Classic Ingredients:  Oryza Sativa (rice) Powder, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Potassium Myristate, Cellulose, Water, Papain (papaya Extract), Camellia Sinensis (green Tea) Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin (pearl) Protein, Oryza Sativa (rice) Bran, Algae Extract, Glycerin, Dextrin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.

Formulated without:  Mineral Oil, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances, Sulfate Detergents, Parabens, PEGs, PPGs, Urea, DEA, TEA or Phthalates.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes

Product: Today’s product is Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent

Cost: $6.99 for 25 (.28 each)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  Target, Amazon, Walgreen’s, Other retailers

Container:  Plastic package with resealable layer

Description:  Lumene is a manufacturer from Finland.  They use a lot of natural ingredients in their products including Arctic water.  Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes are irritant and fragrance free.  These are intended to be used instead of cleansers with water or any time you don’t have time for a full facial cleansing.  I like to use them after cleansing to remove the last traces of makeup, dirt and grime from the day.

I use them on actors and models to get the layers of makeup off both before and after cleansing with a regular cleanser.  Wipes are a staple for me and are necessary for all makeup artists whenever you are on a set or location shoot without access to running water.

Lumene is a brand many of you may not be familiar with.  I first discovered this brand over 20 years ago while traveling out of the country.  Due to my fragrance allergies and sensitive skin, I am always on a quest to discover effective products that don’t cause irritation.

I have used many products from the Lumene line and have been impressed with all of them.  I have also tried over two dozen brands of other wipes and I keep going back to these.

Lumene products used to be difficult to find but they are becoming much more mainstream and available from many sources.

Morning Review:  The cleansing wipes do an effective job of cleaning my face without scratching, tugging or irritating my skin.  The cloth itself does a fairly good job of providing exfoliation without any harsh abrasives or chemicals.  They have very little in the way of scent and simply smell clean.  I also use these on the neck and décolletage.

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or irritated.  The wipes effectively remove makeup and the 3-in-1 description in the title refers to their ability to remove makeup from your face, lips and eyes.  Some mascaras and gel eyeliners will still require a separate eye makeup remover to remove all traces.

Overall Review:  These are very good cleansing wipes for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities.  My only complaint about them is the packaging, which is the same complaint I have from all makeup wipes.  The resealable flap with the adhesive backing does not seal tightly enough on its own to keep the package tightly sealed and prevent drying.  Upon opening, I immediately place my package into a heavy quart-sized, double-zipper bag and store them in there.  If you let yours dry out, you will need to add some distilled or other sterilized water to them to rehydrate them.  Tap water contains traces of bacteria, which is why I prefer to use distilled water.

These wipes are suitable for both women and men.  I have used them on many male actors and models.  No one has ever reported any sensitivity issues or complaints to me.  (I even used one on my cat once and it left her coat soft and shiny, but I don’t recommend you try that, as some cats can get very hissy at the thought of any type of bathing.)

In general, I don’t think wipes are the best way to exclusively cleanse your skin, but they do serve a very good purpose in addition to your regular cleaning ritual.

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes are suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ages, sexes, races;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Oily;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination;
  • Aging.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Lumene Sensitive Touch 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes

Ingredients:  Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed), Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Benzoic Acid, Allantoin, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Betaine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

Formulated Without:  Alcohol, artificial fragrance, artificial color, dyes.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.