Products I Will NOT Repurchase
For the most part I like to keep my reviews as positive as can be. I know there’s plenty of products that may not work for me but may make work for others and vice versa. This post will be dedicated to products I’ve purchased, but will NOT repurchase in the future with a full explanation as to why. My review commentary of my losses may be your gain. You may discover a product you like!
Cleansers
Product: Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash
Price: $20.00
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Cetyl Betaine, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, PEG-50 Shea Butter, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
Pro’s:
The cleanser is compatible for multiple skin textures.
The cleanser contains 6.7 ounces of product and lasts a long time.
Con’s:
Ingredients of Cocamidopropyl Betaine (low hazard surfactant ) are known to be associated with skin irritations.
Review: I’ve been using the Skin Laundry Gentle Foaming Face Wash for almost a year now. I haven’t had any reactions that can be linked to the cleanser. As I mentioned in one of my previous post on What is Clean Beauty?, I’m taking active steps in my skincare routine to use products that contain cleaner ingredients. I'll continue to use and finish the cleanser, but once the cleanser is depleted, I’ll be switching to something different.
What I’m considering for the future
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser $26.00
Farmacy Clean Bee Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser $28.00
Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash $23.50
Product: Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
Price: $8.99
Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Isopropyl Isostearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 80, PEG-8 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides, Sorbitan Trioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Water, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides, PPG-10 Cetyl Ether, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Propylparaben, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract.
Pro’s:
Easy and quick to use
Cost effective
Con’s:
Mineral oil can actually damage the skin barrier and increase water loss.
Can be painful when if gets in your eyes
Review: As I mentioned from review from above, I’m taking the necessary steps to use products with less harmful ingredients. The first ingredient of the Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil is Mineral Oil. When I first purchased this cleanser during the winter I was looking for a cheaper alternative to the Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil. I’ll be honest when I purchased this cleansing oil I wasn’t too concerned with the ingredients in all of my products. I looked at brands more than ingredients and I always thought Neutrogena to be a ‘good brand’.
Lastly, I don’t wear skin complexion makeup on a regular basis. But when I do, I like using a cleansing oil and then following-up with a regular cleanser. With that being said, I really don’t double cleanse that often. Now I tend to use the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water and then a traditional cleanser when I’m wearing a full face of make-up. The bottle that I have is still about half way full and I don’t plan on finishing it.
What I’m considering for the future
BOSCIA MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil (mini size) $10.00
FARMACY Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy (mini size) $22.00
Product: Daylogic Cleansing Towelettes, 10 Count
(generic for Pond’s Original Fresh Wet Cleasning Towelettes)
Price: $1.99
Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Cetyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid
Pro’s:
The price is very affordable
Con’s:
Very drying to my skin
It didn’t remove all my make-up
Review: I purchased these face wipes during a rush visit to the drugstore. I used these wipes during my last vacation when I was too tired to wash my face. I found these wipes very drying to my face (normal-oily combo skin). I’ll probably finish this pack of wipes to remove make-up swatches or liquid lipsticks.
What I’m considering for the future
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water Wipes $6.99
I’ve used these in the past and I really love how it removes my make-up and how my skin feels after!
Face Masks
Product: Clinique Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask
Price: $24.50
Ingredients: Water , Disiloxane , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate , Decyl Glucoside , Glycerin , Pentylene Glycol , Acrylates Copolymer , Sodium Chloride , Morus Nigra (Mulberry) Root Extract , Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract , Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 , Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 , Acetyl Glucosamine , Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides , Ethylhexylglycerin , Butylene Glycol , Polysorbate 20 , Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate , Potassium Hydroxide , Coconut Acid , Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer , Carbomer , Xanthan Gum , Disodium Edta , Phenoxyethanol , Red 33 (Ci 17200)
Pro’s:
Fun to use (lol) and easy to use
Quick (only takes about 5 minutes)
Great for most skin textures- can be a little drying
(Please Note: I would not recommend this mask to those with dry skin).
Con’s:
Ingredients of Cocamidopropyl Betaine (low hazard surfactant ); which is known to be associated with skin irritations
No noticeable results
Review: The Clinque Bubble Mask was recommended to me by a Sephora employee. I like the bubble effect feeling, but the mask does not provide a noticeable change to my skin. I now use the mask as the second step in a double cleanse routine. However, I do plan on finishing the mask, but of course I will not be repurchasing it in the future. I also don’t have think I need a bubble mask in my current mask collection.
Product: BOSCIA Exfoliating Peel Gel
Price: (full price) $34.00
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Carbomer, Centrimonium Chloride, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantuim Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Amino Esters-1,Leuconstoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract,Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, SolanumMelongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil,Subtilisin, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocium Basilicum (Basil) Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Lawsonia Inermis (Henna) Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract.
Pro’s:
Clean ingredients
Con’s:
Doesn’t do anything for my skin
Suggested Usage: The Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel is marketed as a lightweight gel peel that gently exfoliates for deeply purified and radiant-looking skin. The mask is to be used on clean dry skin by massaging in a circular motion.
The mask is aimed to offer 3 different benefits: -remove the outer layer of dead skin, chemical exfoliation and a treatment to the skin for brighter and firmer skin
Review: I honestly don’t think the peel was actually exfoliating my face. It’s almost as if the mask just balled or piled up. I really can’t say I noticed any difference in my face being exfoliated in chemical way or my face appearing brighter after using the mask. I typically would use the mask as directed and then follow-up with a sheet mask. For the future I don’t plan on purchasing anything similar like this in the future.
Product: PETER THOMAS ROTH FIRMx™ Peeling Gel
Price: (3.4 oz) $48.00
Ingredients: Water, Peg-32, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Water, Sorbitol, R-Bacillus Licheniformis Keratinase, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Algin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Phenoxyethanol.
Pro’s:
Easy to use and light exfoliate
Great for all skin textures
Con’s:
Price does not match performance
Review: The Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel is a favorite among so many beauty lovers. I think the gel is good for a light exfoliating treatment, but it doesn’t give me the level of exfoliation that I think I need. To make the most of the Peeling Gel, I usually follow-up with a sheet mask after using it. For the future I don’t plan on purchasing anything similar like this in the future.
Hair-care
Product: QHEMET BIOLOGICS Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter
Price: (size) 5oz for $18.00
Ingredients: Olive (Olea Europa) Oil, Mango (Mangifera Indica) Butter and Rice (Oryza Sativa) Oil Blend, Behenyl Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Soy (Glycine Soja) Extract, Plant (Euphorbia Cerifera) Wax.
Pro’s- Great for natural hair and gives great results for Twist Outs
Con’s- Leaves film/residue on hair causing flakes
Review: As you can see for the picture above, I’ve used quite a bit of the product. Therefore, my review is based on the usage of the Twist Butter over the course of almost a year. I’ve used this twist butter on wet hair, dry hair and damp hair and it gave really good results. However, it leaves a film on the hair. It makes me think that the product only sits on the surface of my hair. It cause my hair to look dull and gives off a film that makes my hair appear that it has dandruff flakes. :(
I wanted to like this twist butter so bad, but it just didn’t work out for me :( The product gave me great definition on my twists and kept my hair moisturized. If you’ve used this product before and has some tips on using it, PLEASE comment below!
I noticed on the Sephora website that the Hair Butter could also be used as a body butter. Being that I spent a decent amount of money on the product and I cannot return it, I’ll definitely trying using it as a body moisturizer until I finish it.