Review: Acure Superfruit Cleansing Gel

It would be nice if my blemish problems were limited to my teen years, but, unfortunately, they never seemed to vanish entirely. I have combination skin, so I seek out products that help with oil control in all the right places (forehead, nose, and chin). Acure sent me their Facial Cleanser Gel (Superfruit and Chlorella Growth Factor), which is targeted to combination and oily skin types. I put it to the test.

Pros:

• Contains many organic ingredients
• A little goes a long way
• Lathers well
• Pleasant fruity scent
• Cleanses without drying
• Vegan and gluten-free
  

Review: Now Solutions Green Tea & Pomegranate Day Cream

I tend to be very discerning when it comes to facial moisturizers. I have normal to oily skin, so I seek out lotions that are light and not too oily. I also prefer lotions that absorb quickly, so I can wear them under any type of makeup. One product that meets these requirements is Now Solutions' Green Tea & Pomegranate Day Cream.

Pros:

• Light, fruity scent
• Affordable
• Absorbs quickly
• Made with organic aloe vera leaf gel
• Light enough to wear under makeup

Review and Giveaway: Montagne Jeunesse Vegan Masks

Four vegan options for ladies

Facials, masks, and other treatments tend to be popular in Europe, while they are often relegated to spas and beauty nights here. A professional treatment can be quite expensive, so I prefer to pamper my face with at-home masks. Montagne Jeunesse, a company from the U.K. makes a line of affordable face masks, including several vegan options.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Retail availability
• Convenient packets
• Effective
• A variety of vegan options

Cons:

• Safety ratings vary

Summary:

There are also two vegan options for men.

The performance of these masks is quite good; they seemed to leave my skin feeling cleaner, tighter, and not too dry. Each mask is designed for a particular purpose, so you can target certain skin conditions or prepare for a special event. While I have reviewed a Montagne Jeunesse mask before, I was glad to see that the company has several vegan offerings. One type that was new to me was the peel-off mask, such as this Green Tea option. The peel-off mask had a texture similar to shampoo and almost applied clear. I made a fairly thick layer of it, and, once dried, it actually peeled off quite well.

After doing a sampling of ratings on the EWG Skin Deep database, these masks average about a 3. I was glad to see that parabens were removed from the formula recently, so the company clearly is interested in keeping their products fairly gentle. However, at such an affordable price, I was not surprised to see ingredients such as propylene glycol and FD&C colors, which come in around a 3 each on the EWG Skin Deep database.

If you are looking for these masks in the store, I saw some by this brand at CVS and you might also want to check at Ulta. The manufacturer will soon launch a U.S. store for more convenient ordering. To note, vegan masks include the Green Tea Peel Off Masque, the Red Hot Earth Sauna Masque, the Cucumber Peel Off Masque, the Apricot Scrub, the Mens' Dead Sea Mud Masque, and the Mens' Peel Off Pore Cleansing Masque, all of which are also gluten-free. To note, the mens' masks have a similar performance, but scents are tailored to the genders. If you're looking for a fairly gentle face mask that is affordable and suitable for home use, check out the vegan options from Montagne Jeunesse.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Giveaway:
I have a Montagne Jeunesse Vegan Skin Care Bundle (assembled by Montagne Jeunesse) available to give away to one lucky reader! One winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries. Just leave a comment through the Rafflecopter widget below stating your skin type. Additional entries are available for posting this giveaway Twitter (this can be done daily for up to one additional entry each day, also using the widget so you get credit). Contest ends 12/17/13 at 12:01 AM EST. Best of luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Lunaroma Blemish Healing Blend

There are dozens of topical acne treatments on the market, but a much smaller variety of natural alternatives. The vast majority use tea tree oil, and this one is no exception. However, Lunaroma's Blemish Healing Blend is also a treat for the nose with its lovely herbal scent.

Pros:

• Easy roll-on applicator
• Pleasant herbal scent
• Gentle ingredients
• Helps treat blemishes
• A little goes a long way

Review: Desert Essence Facial Cleansing Pads

Note: Packaging has been updated since photo was taken.

When looking for an affordable, natural solution to my teenage blemishes, I first turned to the brand Desert Essence. It caught my attention, as it was one of the few skin care lines carried in Trader Joe's. While my usual grocery store changed when I moved, I still seek out products such as their Facial Cleansing Pads at local health food stores. Read on to find out why.

Pros:

• Easy to apply
• No need to buy extra cotton pads
• Affordable
• Retail availability
• Pads retain moisture well
• Contains several organic ingredients
  

Cons:

• Sometimes stings a little

Summary:
After many years, I have found Desert Essence to be an affordable, readily available, and gentle solution to my occasional blemishes. The Facial Cleansing Pads are no exception. I love how they stay moist almost indefinitely in this tight-sealing jar. I use them as a toner, and only add the blemish treatment if I'm dealing with a more intense breakout. The tea tree oil mix stings lightly, but the effect goes away quickly and this product really works. The pads are also gentle, with the current formula rating a low 2 on EWG's Skin Deep database. I enjoy the convenience of the pads - no dumping toner onto cotton pads and no spills. When I travel, I take a few in a zip-top bag, as the container is a little bulky for travel. If you're looking for a convenient, effective toner and treatment for blemishes, these pads are a great option.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick

I used to use traditional drugstore acne creams as a teenager, but when I learned about animal testing, I started looking for alternatives. One of the first cruelty-free products I tried was this Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick, which I still occasionally use today. The packaging may have changed, but the product offers the same great performance that made me fall in love with it so many years ago.

Pros:

• Gentle ingredients
• Non-drying
• Can be used under make-up
• Wide retail availability
• Effectively reduces blemishes
  

Cons:

• Requires frequent application

Summary:
Tea tree oil has long been used as a natural acne treatment for its antiseptic properties. However, this blemish touch stick is a convenient way to apply it, and packs in a few other gentle ingredients. Although the directions recommend applying six times a day, I find that 2-3 is plenty to see a difference. Without a targeted treatment like this one, my blemishes get much worse. This product is fairly gentle, rating a low 3 on EWG's Skin Deep database.

My only real complaint about this product is that the roller applicator sometimes doesn't travel well on airplanes. Otherwise, it's a great natural blemish treatment, and one I've stuck with for years because it is both effective and readily available. If you're looking for a little extra help with your skin care routine, this is a great ally.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was purchased by the reviewer. No compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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