Pangea Organics is known for its organic, natural, fair trade, cruelty-free products. I recently tried the Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange cleanser, and although I didn’t think it was quite right for my combination/oily skin, I think it would be perfect for dry or mature skin. It gives your skin a wonderful soft feeling, and it has tons of good-for-you, natural ingredients. It cleanses dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of moisture. I think I’m just addicted to getting my skin squeaky-clean and exfoliating the hell out of it. I’m sure Lea (the esthetician) would tell me to stop, but I can’t!

The vegan cleanser’s skin-softening properties come from: coconut, olive, jojoba, primrose, almond, hemp and sunflower oils, as well as shea butter, cocoa butter and vegetable glycerin. Whew! That’s a lot of moisture! It also has lavender, chamomile, calendula, rosemary and blood orange oils.

Calendula (AKA pot marigold) is one of the best skin-healing herbs that has traditionally been used for bruises, cuts and scrapes. Studies show that it has an anti-inflammatory, healing effect on skin and can be helpful for acne.

Check out this great story about calendula from Horizon Herbs:

“Miss McGlaughlin was supervising the playground on a summer afternoon when one of the first grade boys suddenly began shrieking and running around in circles. She quickly determined that he had been stung by a yellow jacket on the upper arm. Casting wildly about for help, her eyes fell on the calendula flowering against the south wall of the school. She pulled the boy over to the flower bed and picked a large blossom, popping it in her mouth. Having heard that masticated calendula quickly relieves the pain of bee stings, she was ready to give it a try. But the flower tasted funny. As she spit it in her palm and applied the soothing mash directly to the sting, she realized that she had chewed up a fat, black ‘calendula bug’ along with the flower. The injured boy had quit crying and was observing her with rapt curiosity. He’d never seen anyone eat a bug before . . .”

Blood Orange cleanses your skin and supplies nutrients such as Vitamins A and C, which tone, smooth and brighten your skin. Antioxidants protect from future sun and environmental damage. Side note: blood orange juice is also really good for you – Morgan recommends drinking it daily!

All in all – great stuff for mature, dry and/or sensitive skin. Check it out!

Press sample was provided for the purpose of review.

Jen#2's cruelty-free favorite

Remember how much I love Dermalogica skincare? I can honestly say that my complexion–which can definitely be described as “high-maintenance” even on the best of days–has never felt so squeaky-clean! Not that I’d been lax at rinsing well after (lathering) sessions with other scrubs or anything like that; I just so happen to have a not-so-secret new weapon: the mighty PreCleanse. Adding this extra step to my usual cleansing routine really seems to make all the difference–enough for me to bestow my first My Beauty Bunny Cruelty-Free Favorite award!

You might ask, what’s so great about a product which requires you to spend more time at the sink–isn’t my regular cleansing lotion or scrub enough? I used to think so, until I started using PreCleanse on a nightly basis. This lightweight, natural vitamin E, olive and apricot kernel-based cleansing oil works to gently lift dirt, makeup and other nasty little impurities to the skin’s surface, making it easier for your favorite cleanser to do its job–and do it well! The geek in me loves that the principle of organic chemistry known as like dissolves like helps support my testimonial (thank you, Newton BBS Ask a Scientist, for this info.)

There’s no need to fear the fortifying agents, either: kukui nut, borage seed and rice bran oils.  However counter-intuitive it may seem, these water soluble & non-comedogenic ingredients actually work best on complexions like my own.  They also help prevent excess moisture loss–a common concern even for those with oily skin. After all, if too much sebum is stripped, the oil glands will simply produce more than enough to replace whatever had been lost!

Here’s how to make the most of PreCleanse’s beneficial effects (as per Dermalogica’s official product description):

• Dispense into dry hands and massage over your face while it’s still dry, concentrating on the areas where surface debris and congestion are heaviest.
• Wet hands to create a light, milky emulsion; continue massaging into skin, as necessary.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and follow your regular cleanser (for myself: MediBac Clearing Skin Wash).

There–that doesn’t sound too tedious or difficult, does it? No advanced chemistry degrees are required to recognize or enjoy the benefits of thoroughly clean, healthy skin from an amazing and  confirmed cruelty-free brand.

Press sample provided for the purpose of review.

Dermalogica on Twitter

Though Supertramp may not have written any lyrics to this tune, both you and your skin will thank you for tuning in. Don’t worry if you’re new to the brand , or aren’t sure which products are best suited to your own individual needs: never fear, speed mapping is here! (N.B. As handy and informative as this tool is, Dermalogica also recommends paying a visit to an authorized skin center and consulting with an esthetician. I plan to do just that: I’ll let you know how everything goes after my appointment with Carolyn at Miracles Hair Studio next weekend.)

Of course, being the overly-enthusiastic beauty junkie and blogger that I am, I couldn’t stand to wait until then to try some of their products. My Beauty Bunny’s loyal followers know how much I love spreading the word about the ones I adore–and naturally I adore those which have had yielded the most promising results! However, because I am so impressed with the plethora of editorial and educational content featured on Dermalogica’s site, I want to share a bit of company information I’ve picked up first:

We’re Not Pretty (Or beautiful. Or pampering. Or luxury.)
We’re far too interested in guiding you to a new level of skin health fitness! So, while our packaging may not be designed to color-coordinate with your bathroom, you can always be sure that we’ve spent our time on delivering your skin the high-performance formulas it needs. Plus, we’ll never use common “beauty” ingredients like mineral oil, lanolin, artificial colors and fragrances or other cheap fillers. Sure, it’s easier to formulate with them–but the bottom line is–they’re just bad for your skin. Instead, we use ingredients that we know will work…for over 25 years we’ve been dedicated to delivering skin health results through education, innovation, and professional recommendation–not through advertising, frilly packaging, promises of miracle cures, or over-blown hype.

Sounds good to me; I would definitely rather use a product that works, as opposed to one that doesn’t, but is made to look otherwise. Also, in my opinion the so-called “nondescript” packaging stands out because it bears some resemblance to that which is used by fellow cruelty-free visionary Paul Mitchell.  But I digress…now, back to my regularly scheduled product review.

After mapping my complexion twice I decided to try the oily skin kit , as I’m new to the brand myself. For $35 (a great value!)you get 5 travel-sized bottles (1 each) of the recommended skin care regimen:

• dermal clay cleanser

• skin prep scrub

• muti-active toner

• oil control lotion

• climate control lip treatment

Also included are 2 additional samples:

• precleanse

• skin refining masque

Oily Skin Kit

Each product has been formulated to help clear, control oil production, hydrate (sounds counter-intuitive but as Jen mentions in pamper-yourself-at-home, even oily skin must maintain homeostasis), and restore one’s overall complexion to a healthier state–none of which require over-zealous scrubbing and exfoliating with harsh alcohol-based cleansers/toners etc. After all, Dermalogica would like to remind us that there’s nothing unclean about oily skin: it is simply an effect of hyper-active sebaceous (oil) glands producing excess sebum. Scouring the face as if it was a frying pan only causes the already over-wrought glands to think they’re not doing their job well enough, and that more surface oil is needed on the skin–when, in fact, the opposite is true!

For best results,  the directions listed on the packaged insert recommend beginning the twice-daily routine by prepping with Precleanse (be sure to rinse thoroughly in between the first two steps), followed by Dermal Clay cleanser, Multi-Active toner and Oil Control lotion.  Use the exfoliating Skin Prep scrub  and Skin Refining Masque once or twice a week–not concurrently–after regular cleansing; individual skin sensitivity should determine the frequency.  Since both treatments are pretty intense, you would probably want to only apply them at night.

Having read everything thus far, you may feel taken aback by the routine number of products involved and/or steps suggested for a full Dermalogica daily double-cleanse (a term coined by the brand), or worry that cutting corners might have an adverse effect on the end result.  If so, don’t feel bad–I will be the first to admit I don’t have time (nor am I willing to sacrifice the additional zzzzs required) to add extra steps to my morning regimen.  Moreover, I actually ran out of the Precleanse on the third day and still have noticed an overall improvement; I will be sure to ask my esthetician at Miracles for her expert advice about this concern when I meet with Carolyn on Saturday.

]]> http://www.mybeautybunny.com/2010/03/how-do-you-cure-those-mundane-skincare-blues-sing-the-dermalogical-song/feed/ 9 http://www.mybeautybunny.com/2010/02/product-review-avalon-organics-vitamin-c-refreshing-cleansing-gel/ http://www.mybeautybunny.com/2010/02/product-review-avalon-organics-vitamin-c-refreshing-cleansing-gel/#comments Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:51:48 +0000 mybeautybunny http://www.mybeautybunny.com/?p=4278 I’m always on the lookout for a good face wash. I usually change it up each time I run out of a bottle. This month, I’ve been using a great product by Avalon Organics, their Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel.

If you’re a regular shopper of Whole Foods, you’re probably familiar with Avalon Organics. I had always wanted to try it, but I wasn’t sold on Whole Foods’ high prices. Luckily, I recently found out about a wonderful online retailer of natural and organic products. It’s called iHerb.com and their selection and prices are amazing. In fact, I’ve gotten quite of few of some of the best natural beauty products on their site, but I’ll have to tell you more about those later.

For now, let’s talk about this cleanser. I was really pleased with it. It’s a gel cleanser with a citrus scent. It works into a nice lather and it completely clears my skin of dirt, makeup (not eye makeup), and oil without making my skin feel tight or dry.

I love that it has Vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant and skin brightener. My skin has been looking great. It’s clear, healthy, and does seem a bit more radiant (if I do say so myself).

Even better, the cleanser contains 100% vegetarian ingredients, certified organic ingredients, and is free of sulfates and parabens. And of course, it’s cruelty-free.

I’d recommend it for those with oily skin. It’s a great way to keep the oil at bay without stripping or overdrying your skin. The brand says it also would work well for normal skin. But those with dry or sensitive skin should probably choose another Avalon Organics cleanser, like their Lavender Cleansing Gel.

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Liquid Sand

Self mockery aside, I wholeheartedly endorse the brand.  I was quite skeptical at first when my girlfriend first introduced me to a collection of bottles proudly featuring a stylized dragon and named Billy Jealousy.  I thought to myself, “these various oils and ointments will go great with my collection of Affliction T-shirts and subscription to Maxim magazine.”  But when I actually tried these products, I was pleasantly surprised.

I first applied the LiquidSand exfoliating facial cleanser.  The suspended particles were perfectly sized so that they weren’t too abrasive to be painful but nevertheless felt productive.

The formula itself, as a whole, felt well balanced — my skin felt moisturized while still rinsing cleanly and the alpha hydroxy acids did not irritate my face.  I appreciated this characteristic, especially as part of my pre-shave regimen when I must already subject my skin to my inept flailings with a razor.

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After rinsing, I then proceeded to spread the Hydroplane Super-Slick Shave Cream.  I have been a foaming cream man since puberty and looked dubiously at this non-sudsy pretender.  Once again, Billy Jealousy exceeded my expectation.

About Face Anti Aging Serum

The combination of post face wash moisture and the shave cream combined to form the perfect shaving accompaniment.  There was no snagging, even against the grain.  And the cream was much cleaner than dealing with foamy mess everywhere.  Billy Jealousy has definitely made a convert of me.

I ended my routine with the About Face Anti-Aging Serum.  It seemed to combine well with the residual Hydroplane and leave my skin feeling nicely coated, as opposed to greasy or gloppy.

I understand that it is not intended for use after shaving; I will assume that my skin in that highly sensitive, post-shave state is ill-equipped  to stand up to the serum’s exfoliating effect.  Nevertheless I experienced no significant irritation.  Indeed, my skin felt marvelously pampered.

The entire line was not heavily scented, which means it won’t fight too much with your choice of cologne (not that anything is a match for my High Karate, Rowr!)

It’s  exactly the same qualities I seek in a good wing man – someone who’s there to make you look good in front of the ladies and knows when to take a hint and fade into the woodwork.  And I’m pretty sure that Billy Jealousy would have no problem jumping on a grenade, and chatting up her still-sober roommate.

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Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer

The Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer is very similar to another one I like by Perfekt, but it’s a bit cheaper. Both have dimethicone and other ingredients that fill in fine lines, large pores and other skin imperfections to give you a nice, smooth base for makeup. My only problem with these types of primers is that they seem to make my skin more oily by the end of the day. Applying powder helps, but if you have super oily skin, I would avoid the dimethicone.

The Arbonne makeup primer is nice because it contains ingredients to improve your skin, such as sodium hyaluronate, grapeseed extract and apricot kernel oil.

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FC5 Hydrating Cleanser

I also liked the FC5 Hydrating Cleanser + Freshener, which has “new cell technology.” Basically, this means the company has encapsulated some of the plant-based ingredients, so they burst when you use the product, which keeps them fresh. The hydrating cleanser does leave a tiny bit of good-for-you oil on the skin, so if you’re one of those that likes a squeaky clean feeling, I would suggest the Purifying Cleanser + Toner instead.

FC5 New Cell Scrub

The Exfoliating New Cell Scrub DOES give you that squeaky clean feeling (which I have to admit, I like). I was using the scrub first and the hydrating cleanser afterward to add back some of the natural oils.

The scrub gives you a wonderful, smooth complexion and it smells nice and fresh. It could be a bit much to use this every day, so I’d recommend using it once or twice a week. It’s great for combination to oily skin.

The star ingredient is grapefruit oil, which has antibacterial properties and acts as an astringent.  The wipes also contain jojoba oil and aloe to soothe skin.

There are a few ingredients that are listed as moderately unsafe and irritating in the cosmetic safety database, but compared to most products on the market (even natural ones), it could be a lot worse.  (NOTE: I’m not an expert on cosmetic ingredients, so please consult the cosmetic safety database or other sources to make your own informed opinions.)

I think I’ll keep these in my purse and my car for trips to the beach (although I’d need to make sure to reapply sunscreen afterwards), the gym (yeah right – how often do I go to the gym…but in theory they would be great!), or when I go thrift store shopping (my hands always feel dusty and gross afterwards).  The cool thing about these is that they are pretty big – these aren’t those tiny wet naps you get after you eat at a BBQ joint.  There is plenty of wipe available to cleanse your face and then some left over to wipe your hands – or your kids’ hands!

The company recommends putting them in the fridge to use on hot days, which would have been a great idea if I had done that Monday during the Los Angeles heat wave!  These wipes are cruelty free and biodegradable, which is cool, but the sheer amount of packaging is not exactly eco-friendly.  Also, the retail price is $15.  I paid $7.99 (thank you T.J. Maxx!), but even that seems a bit high.

Be sure to visit Giovanni’s website and watch the Guillermo del Toro-esque flash movie – it’s actually pretty neat and worth watching.  I love me some melodrama!

Sircuit Skin Savior

I’ve always wanted to try Sircuit Skin. I’d like to say it’s because it’s an all-natural line with organic ingredients, but I have to admit it’s the playful product names and modern packaging that really caught my eye.

So, I started with a product I was hoping to love, a facial cleanser for problem skin, Sircuit Skin Savior. And happily, it hasn’t disappointed.

Like any good acne cleanser, this one uses Salicylic Acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid, to gently exfoliate the skin. But as a bonus, it also contains Lactic Acid, a gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which also helps to keep the pores clear through exfoliation and skin softening. Both of these acids can also improve the appearance of aging skin.

After using it for a few weeks, I have noticed a difference. It has been keeping most of my acne under control and my pores appear smaller. Because it’s free of sulfates, my skin doesn’t feel tight or dry after I use it, just clean and comfortable. The clean feeling is a result of the Organic Peppermint Oil and Tea Tree Oil (great pick me ups in the morning and great for your sinuses). The comfort is the result of soothing ingredients like Meadowfoam Seed Essential Oil, Shea Butter, and Aloe.

But that’s not all, this cleanser even has natural antioxidants, Organic Olive Leaf Extract and Totarol, to ward off free radicals seeking to destroy healthy skin cells. It’s free of artificial colors, fragrance, preservatives and is of course cruelty free.

The only drawback I found is that the formula tends to separate (a common problem of natural products), but give it a good shake and it will mix back together. Oh, and be careful not to get it around your eyes, the peppermint will cause burning and irritation. Besides that, it’s a great find and I’ll definitely keep using it to keep my skin clear and happy.