Gothca!
I know some of you were thinking, "I thought she was already natural!"
Well, I'm not talking about hair. I'm talking about skincare products.
I've wanted to make the transition to natural skin-care products for a while. Ultimately, it's better for your skin, and you really don't need all of those harsh chemicals seeping into your pores, drying out your skin.
I was a huge fan of Clean and Clear. I used their Continuous Control Acne Cleanser, their Dual Action Moisturizer, and their Deep Cleansing Astringent. As an exfoliator, I alternated between the Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub and Target's Up & Up Apricot Scrub (comparable to St. Ives' Apricot Scrub, but a lot cheaper).
It's pretty obvious that I was a Clean and Clear junkie! Their products worked pretty well on my face, but they were very drying. Even when I'd apply the moisturizer, it felt like I hadn't even applied anything!
So, two weeks ago, I made the switch to Burts Bees products. I've been using their Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream as well as the Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub as an exfoliant every other night.
These products claim to be 100% natural. Here's a description of the Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream:
Our rich natural cleansing cream with Soap Bark deeply cleanses, removing dirt, excess oil and make-up. Our best face wash for a deep clean is also formulated with Chamomile and Aloe to gently soften skin and a hint of Menthol known for its cooling and soothing properties. The result is skin that looks naturally healthy and fresh.
• Facial cleanser removes dirt, excess oil and make-up
• Deeply washes with Soap Bark
• Chamomile and Aloe soften skin
• With a hint of Menthol, known for its cooling and soothing properties
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, it is! It gets my face pretty clean without leaving it feeling tight and dry. It feels as if I don't need a moisturizer afterwards, and to be honest, I don't apply one! My skin feels soft, supple, and moisturized after washing.
The Peach & Willow Bark Deep Pore Scrub is pretty good as well. Here are some of its claims:
Formulated Willow Bark Extract, this facial scrub deep cleans pores and gently exfoliates to remove dead skin cells as finely ground Peach Stone polishes for a smooth complexion. Our 100% natural scrub removes dirt and excess oil, leaving you with a refreshingly clean feel and naturally healthy-looking skin.
• Exfoliates with Willow Bark to remove dirt and excess oil.
• Gently polishes with finely ground Peach Stone.
• Exfoliates with Willow Bark to remove dirt and excess oil.
• Gently polishes with finely ground Peach Stone.
I can't stress enough how important exfoliating the skin is. Exfoliating removes the layers of dead skin cells, to reveal skin that is much brighter, softer, and smoother.
My skin feels uber smooth and looks so much more vibrant. The Willow Bark extract, a natural source of salicylic acid, also helps with breakouts! I had a monster trying to invade my face the other day, and I washed my face with the scrub and it was nearly gone when I woke up the next morning...can you say amazing! No extra pimple creams or spot treatments needed folks. This stuff is the business!
The only thing that I will say about this product is that the ground Peach Stone can be a little rough. The first time I washed my face with this product, it did feel a bit abrasive, so I would suggest gently massaging this product into the skin, as it appears that the Peach stone doesn't dissolve like most exfoliating washes do.
So, if you're one of those ladies who have sensitive skin, I wouldn't suggest this product for everyday use. 1-3 times a week should suffice, especially if you're using a Clarisonic or any type of scrub brush daily with your regular facial cleanser.
Since using these products, my skin has looked so much clearer and vibrant, and its as soft as a baby's bottom (literally)! To moisturize my skin, I use just a little bit of coconut oil and call it a day. It's super moisturizing, and smells delicious!
I was holding on to my old skin-care products just in case the Burts and Bees didn't work, but I think its safe to say I can toss those bad boys out. If you're looking for a natural alternative to your everyday skin-care routine, I would definitely suggest the Burst Bees line. These products are super affordable (about $7.99 for their facial cleansers....their moisturizers are a bit on the pricier side) and are pretty much everywhere: Target, Duane Reade, Walgreens, etc...
They have many different lines to choose from so you can tailor your products to your skin needs. For other natural alternatives, you can also opt for making your own DIY facial cleanser, which I considered, but I just like the convenience of being able to buy a product, slather it on, and go, especially since my life is so busy and I'm always on the go.
I want to transition into using all-natural body washes as well. I've been eyeing a few of Shea Moisture's body washes. It may well be time to bite the bullet and try out some of their body washes and lotions.
XO,
Danyelle
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