So What Can I Use?

So what can I buy?

TOBs favourite is Caudelie Cleanser! Why because it gives for all skin types and has gotten great reviews ( ohh! And it is not animal tested!) It is paraben free, Sulfate free and Phthalate free! It contains essential oils (EOs) from Saliva officionalis (a known anti-bacterial), Chamomilla recutita (a known calming-oil). Also EOs are made up of various compounds such as citronellol and linalool (both anti-bacterial properties), that are included in this formula to ensure a good cleanse.  You must think what are you talking about? Take my word for it, I’ve tested three of the four in my lab (for my thesis) and there is tons of research out there supporting this (just do a search on pubmed). 

In the US this product costs 28.00 dollars and you can get it from Sephora or Amazon. It comes in 5 fl. Oz bottles that will last you about 3 months (at least for me). In Portugal, you can get it at Time to Care – Cantanhede (Freixal Shopping). It costs 14.50 euros for 150 mL. It does have a fragrance, but its tolerated.

People rave about Origins Checks and Balances Face Wash. The ingredient list is pretty impressive (a parabens substitute except for the methylchloroisothiazolinone- which has raised a few questions). 

This product costs approximately 21 dollars in the US for 5 ounces. To date I have not seen them available in Portugal.

Depending on how much you want to spend, it might difficult to find a good product. So here are some more things to consider: Where does the faux pa ingredient appear on the list? Since ingredients are posted from higher quantities to lowest quantities, if its towards the end then they use that in the least quanities. Now also look at your other products? Using one – two products with lower quantities or no quantities is better than nothing.

For example Mary Kays Botanical Cleanse products have both methylparaben and triethanolamine but they appear towards the end of the list. 

To order this contact your local Mary Kay provider. 

Now what about 100% all natural Cleanse? Or rather cleaning your skin with the things in my pantry technique. Honestly, if you wear makeup on a daily basis maybe this is not how you want to go. You can add it to your “Me Day” routine. Before Cleansers existed how did people wash their face? Now, I have heard some pretty radical things, some I wouldn’t try even if you paid me a thousand dollars, but, some I used and TOB recommends to all its clients. (At this point -My mom is going I told you so!)

Lemon! Yes! Oh when life gives you lemons, use them to wash your face!! (ok! i tried).

So people used to cut a lemon in half and rub it all over their faces. Then they would rinse it off with water and put a honey mask. Why this works? Well bacteria fear acidic environments, so putting acid on your skin is going to kill them or keep them from coming on. And the honey? Well honey is going to calm your face down (Ahh! You just rubbed acid on it!!) Also, honey is anti-scarring and anti-bacterial.

The Egg and Vinegar Combo- Look at that for 25 cents you can treat yourself (just don’t put it in your mouth). Rub with vinegar (1 tsp for every 4 of water). Then dampen your face with warm water, then apply the lightly beaten egg white. Let it harden and rinse off. Repeat with the egg yolk and leave for 20-30 minutes. Once you rinse it off- your face will feel so soft. (Very very soft).

Coconut Oil and Water- I have only tried this with Coconut milk because I could never get the coconut open. TOB clients have recommended this so many times. So I figure I would pass on there wisdom.