Knossos Olive Oil Soap with Donkey Milk and Pomegranate Peel Review

 I bought this on my trip to Greece last year. Everywhere I go I always try to snag a bar of soap. I've used all the "milk" soaps. Goat Milk, Camel Milk, Buffalo Milk. This is the first Donkey Milk soap I came across so of course I had to snag it.

Knossos claims: 

Olive oil soap with Donkey Milk, Pomegranate Peel & fragrance, made 100% by olive oil (no mixture with other kinds of oils). It doesn’t contain color substances or chemical preservatives. 

Suitable for Face & Body.

I can't think of this soap without thinking of Donkey from Shrek. I even have to say it with my Shrek accent. Who know Donkey's produce enough milk that you can use it for soap? 

From the website it looks like this is meant to be sold in bulk for gift shops etc. Which is whereI got mine. Originally intended as a body soap but I found the scent to be lacking so I used it as a facial soap. The scent is just regular old soap. For some reason I thought it was supposed to be scented Pomegranate. But the pomegranate is just there to provide a little exfoliation. I think. 

Otherwise it's a nice soap. Gets my face squeaky clean. It's also slightly drying...so in the winter following up with moisturizer was necessary. 

I think my skin has felt smoother and a little brighter since using it. From what I have read Donkey Milk is supposed to be amazing for the skin. It has all kinds of essential vitamins and proteins that benefit the skin. It's anti-inflammatory and supposed to be good for all kinds of skin issues. 

Ingredients:

Sodium Olivate, Aqua, Parfum, Donkey Milk, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Powder, Sodium Chloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

Overall, it's a solid soap. I think for me it would be interchangeable with any other milk soap but it's nice to try something different. Also something simple that just works.

Nopalera Jasmine Cactus Soothing Body Bar Review

 I'm jumping back into the posts. I've been a slump...and always planning to post and then just not getting as much done as I intend. Can you believe it' s already November? I'm not ready for the holidays. I haven't planned what I'm making for  Thanksgiving and probably won't until last minute. I don't think I'll do traditional Thanksgiving though, except maybe the collard greens and cranberry sauce. You know what I love though? I have been seeing so many posts and videos about a budget Thanksgiving- Aldi has a Thanksgiving dinner you can do for $40 and I've seen others doing Thanksgiving for $20. With the way this economy is and inflation and everything going on, I love seeing stuff like that. 

 But back to the soap.

Nopalera claims: 

Harnessing the power of naturally exfoliating cactus fibers and pink rose clay, our Soothing Cactus Soap draws out impurities and toxins while sealing in moisture for silky-soft, smooth skin. This nourishing formula transforms into a creamy lather, calming irritation and redness, while the subtle scent of precious jasmine oil melts away stress for an instant mood boost and head-to-toe glow.

• Removes debris, impurities, and harmful toxins
• Gently cleanses, exfoliates, and smooths skin
• Helps reduce inflammation and irritation
  
• Soothes and intensely nourishes skin
  
• Boosts glow and brightens dullness

• Prickly Pear Cactus Fibers: Refines texture and encourages cell turnover while drawing in moisture
• Pink Rose Clay: Gently cleanses and exfoliates, removing impurities and sloughing away dead skin cells
• Jasmine Oil: Soothes inflamed, dry skin, helps even tone, reduces stress and boosts mood
  
  
  Made in Mexico
  

I've used all three of their soaps now...which I'm happy about because I wanted to try them all. I probably would have been better off buying the soap gift set. But oh well. I bought mine off Nordstrom which they aren't always in stock. They come and go. 

This was the scent I was most excited about trying. I really enjoy the scent of Jasmine and I don't think I have used many Jasmine soaps- with the exception of some of the fancy perfumed soaps, This is not in the same category though so we won't compare.

I would say the scent was a bit disappointing. It really just barely has a Jasmine scent. I can barely detect it in the shower. I was expecting a lot more from this soap. Solely based on the scent in the shower, I switched my plans and now this is just a facial soap. I still can't detect the Jasmine scent but at least I'm not having a scentless shower. I'm not a person that likes fragrance free showers. 

As a facial soap I am really liking it. It gets my skin nice and clean without drying it out much.  I feel like my skin looks brighter, healthier, maybe smoother? 

It's nice. And the ingredients are pretty great! We have the prickly pear fibers that are slightly exfoliating and a fun and different ingredient. It has pink clay- which clay is amazing for the skin. I always like clay in my facial soaps. My skin tends to be oily but the clay really helps with that. And it has Jasmine oil and although it doesn't smell like Jasmine you are still getting the benefits of the oil- at least I believe that.

Ingredients: 

Sodium Cocoate, Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Coconut Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Cactus) Stem, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Sodium Gluconate, Kaolin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Wax, Iron Oxides (CI 77491)

Overall, love it as a facial soaps. Leaves a bit to be desired as a a body soap. I love that the brand is minority and woman owned. I definitely want to branch out and try more from them- maybe I'll pick up a candle soon...

v

Oxy Soothing Cream Acne Cleaner with Benzoyl Peroxide and and Prebiotics

 My second tube of this- I bought this before I learned my lesson of just buying one to try and if I really like it, I can repurchase it. I finally used up the first tube and I'm working on the second tube now. I'll probably have this one for around two years if not more because I barely use it. 

Oxy claims:

Ready to say goodbye to breakouts? Oxy® Maximum Strength Acne Cleanser is your ticket to clear skin, pronto. As the ultimate acne face wash for teens, it’s your secret weapon against pesky zits and stubborn breakouts. Trusted by 200K+ customers and counting, this acne control cleanser works wonders, leaving your skin fresh, radiant, and ready to take on the world. Say hello to a new skincare favorite – let Oxy® work its magic for you!

Maximum Strength without a prescription.

Active Ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide 10%

Size: 5 fl oz

I haven't used anything from this brand since at least high school. I remember they used to make the little acne treatment pads. I loved those. Back then it used to keep spots at bay as well as make my skin smoother and give me a glow.  I probably should go and pick it up and give it another go and see what I think of it now. 

I bought this mostly because of claims you could wash your arm pits with it and skip deodorant. Not true.

It looks like they updated the packaging...and I like the new look a lot better. I think they also increased the price and shrunk the amount you get. Thank you Shrinkflation.  

I'm not too mad about it because I likely won't use it again. I don't really like cream cleansers that don't lather. I just don't think they clean well and this does claim to be a cleanser. I would probably say it should just be an acne treatment rather than labeled as a cleanser. 

It doesn't have any scent. It is literally like a cream lotion that you put on and wash off. It doesn't do a great job removing makeup. Or even cleaning the skin. 

I just don't like it much. It might be something effective to try for one suffering from acne because it does have an active- benzoyl peroxide- which has been said to be great for acne. I really like that they put the percentage of actives in it. 

Ingredients:

Active ingredient: benzoyl peroxide 10%. Inactive ingredients: water, cetostearyl alcohol, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, xanthan gum, butylene glycol, chlorphenesin, citric acid, glycerin, hydrolyzed soy protein, PEG-8 dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, portulaca oleracea extract, propanediol, rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit extract, sodium citrate, sodium hydroxide, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate.

Overall, not something I will buy again. It probably just isn't a product meant for me or my skin. 

Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap Review

I've gone through a  few bars of black soap-it's one of my favorite things to use on my face. This is my third bar, I bought a couple last year to give a go and when I'm don't have anything else to try and review, I reach for this.

Alaffia claims:

Our multipurpose, triple-milled Authentic African Black Soap is handcrafted with Certified Fair Trade Shea Butter and other plant-derived ingredients. This blend of nutrient-rich Authentic African Black Soap cleanses and detoxifies, leaving you with soft, hydrated skin. Suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

• Detoxifying + Deeply Cleansing
• For All Skin Types
• Suitable for Sensitive Skin
• 
  Excuse this picture- this is the only one I have left and I forgot that I cut it previously. Whoops! 
  
  

 

It's not the traditional black soap. Those bars look very different. And looking at the ingredients it doesn't come anywhere close to being like a traditional black soap. It's mostly a soap that's colored black with Charcoal. The ingredients are not unlike most other bar soaps.

It has an OK lather- nothing big and bubbly but bubbles easily. It cleans well, rinses clean, and isn't as drying as I found traditional black soap to be. Sometimes  black soaps are over drying and cause my face to start over producing  oil- I don't find that to be the case with this though. 

I mostly use it on my face. I have used it on my body a few times but I prefer a scented soap bar in the shower. Anything unscented I find boring, but I do like it as a face wash.

It does seem more smoothing and makes me skin look and feel "healthier". I just love what a black soap (even if it's not a true black soap) does for my skin. It's the perfect cleanser to start the skincare routine off.

The only thing is that it isn't amazing on mascara but it's easy enough to use a make-up remover to get whatever the cleanser doesn't. And it does really depend on what mascara you use since some are more washable than others.

The one thing to note, it can be a bit messy. It leaves black and grey behind but it doesn't bother me too much.  I thought I should mention it.

I haven't used anything from the Alaffia brand in years- but I do love that they use fair trade and place an emphasis on helping the community.

I like the ingredients. I do prefer more natural skin care and this meets that requirement.

Ingredients: 

Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Oleate, Sodium Laureate, Charcoal Powder,Water, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Sodium Gluconate 

Overall, I like it. And would recommend it. I have gone through three bars after all! 

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser Review

 I'm so tired, I'm not even sure I will make it through this post. But I'm going to try because I really want to get this review out the way so I can order the next facial skincare thing on my list. I've tried a very few things from Fresh. One hit and one average product. So I din't have a strong opinion of the brand. Yet. Maybe I'll try more at some point. 

I bought this because it's on a list of most iconic products of all time- and I want to try most of the things on that list. I love a good iconic product. I was surprised to see this on the list- because I haven't really heard of it until then. I wanted the trial size but for some reason Nordstrom didn't ship it. So I went with the larger size. Lucky for me, it was on sale. Normal price is $40. I bought it for $27.

Fresh claims: 

A gentle face cleanser proven to instantly soothe visible redness & hydrate while supporting skin’s moisture barrier for a healthy look over time.

Our best-selling face wash supports skin’s moisture barrier & clears impurities for a soft, healthy look. It’s formulated with amino acid-rich soy proteins & other naturally derived ingredients to instantly hydrate & visibly calm redness while visibly improving imperfections & pores long term.

• Supports skin’s moisture barrier
• Instantly calms visible redness & hydrates
• Delivers a clear, healthy look over time
• 1 sold every 60 seconds**

Aloe Vera- Helps to Soothe and Hydrate Skin

Cucumber Extract-Helps to Calm,  Sooth, and provide a cooling effect. 

Borage Seed Oil-Rich in essential fatty acids to help nourish and soften dry skin while maintaining a supple and healthy glow.

Soy Proteins- Are Rich in Amino Acid Hydroxyproline and known to improve elasticity and smooth skin to promote a healthy looking complexion. A by product of soy in the food production industry this ingredient is up cycled to help excess waste

Made in France

So yes, very expensive. Even on sale. And still overpriced in my opinion. 

It comes in nice, yet basic packaging. Just your standard tube. A five ounce size. I estimate it to last me 2-3 months. Using it most days...sometimes morning and night. 

It's easy to use, doesn't burn my eyes. Removes make-up kinda ok. Smells a little funky in a way where I'm sure it just smells like the ingredients. It's unscented though. And it's more of a "gel" non-bubbly formula but it spreads around reasonably well and rinses easily.

I don't find it to be drying...some days I can skip moisturizer. Even in these colder winter months. My skin looks and feels pretty normal. Maybe the texture of my skin is slightly better if it's not all in my head. But I've found African Black soap to do the same thing at a fraction of the cost. 

Its main claim seems to be that it helps calm redness. I have none. So I couldn't' test that. I think it does help hydration of the skin. Doesn't dry my skin and make it overproduce oil- which some cleansers do.  I can't say I've noticed brighter skin or smoother pores in particular.

I'm not particularly amazed with the ingredients. Its main miracle ingredient seems to be the soy. I don't think I've seen many skincare products based on soy...sounds like something that would be good for the skin. But...I don't know. Other than that...it has some decent things in it among some that are a bit questionable to me. I think it might be a better ingredient list than most mainstream cleansers.

Ingredients: 

Aqua (Water), Coco-Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rosa Damascena Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Silica, Citric Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caramel, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate <16057> 

Overall, it's OK. I don't find it to be worth the price. But most cleansers probably wouldn't be. I think if splurging on skincare, it may be best to spend the money on treatments- creams and serums. As for me, not a repurchase but I'm glad I tried another 'iconic" beauty product. 

Ayumi Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang Face Wash Review

 TGIF. It feels like it's been an extra long week. But at least it's finally getting warm. I'm a lot happier when I get my sunshine . I feel like my moods coincide with the weather. Anyway...face wash. I have been using mostly black soap lately. My skincare routine has been mega simple as always. I usually just use black soap- every now and again a hydrosol. And some Shea Butter. Oh...and a scrub. I found this and decided to go ahead and finish it up. It was something that was left from my parents and I just recently found it in my backroom. 

It looks a bit grubby and I'm sure it's "expired" but still seems fine so I'll keep using it til it's gone....

Ayumi claims:

Ayumi Sandalwood & Ylang Ylang Face Wash – your perfect facial cleanser for dry and sensitive skin. It’s made with natural ingredients that nourish and hydrate your skin while gently cleansing. These natural oils and extracts reduce dryness and leave your skin soft and supple.

Our Sandalwood face wash is dermatologically tested and designed to soothe and protect your delicate skin. It’s the ideal face wash and facial cleanser for dry, sensitive skin, as it won’t strip away your skin’s natural oils and will leave you refreshed and hydrated.

1. Moisturization: Babassu and Jojoba oils are known for their excellent moisturizing properties. They can help hydrate the skin and prevent dryness, making it ideal for those with dry skin.
2. Dermatologically Tested Sandalwood Face Wash: The fact that the product is dermatologically tested means it has been assessed for its safety and effectiveness by dermatologists, which can provide peace of mind for those with sensitive skin.
3. Calming and Soothing: Sandalwood oil has natural soothing properties that help manage irritated skin and reduce redness.
4. Sandalwood Face Wash For Moisturizing Dry Sensitive Skin: Babassu oil is a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates the skin without clogging pores, making it suitable for dry and oily skin types.Anti-Inflammatory: It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness.
5. Sandalwood Face Wash For Balancing: Jojoba oil closely resembles the natural sebum produced by the skin. It helps regulate oil production, making it practical for oily and dry skin types. Non-Comedogenic: Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, making it suitable for acne-prone skin. Moisturizing: It provides long-lasting moisture without making the skin feel greasy.

I've used a few ayurvedic type soaps over the years and I have liked all of the ones I tried. I think I have mostly used the bar soaps. 

We'll start with the scent- which is OK. I don't know how to describe it because it's pretty nondescript. I can't say it smells like Patchouli, Sandalwood, Jasmine or Ylang Ylang. But they are all supposed to be in it. It's Ok. It smells familiar  smelled but can't quite remember what it smells of. 

As for texture, it's more of a creamy texture. It doesn't get a bubbly lather, more of a creamy lather. It works well to dissolve makeup though even though the type of texture it is never seems like it would do well at makeup removal.

I don't find it too drying, which is nice. The tight dry skin feeling on the face is never fun and luckily this doesn't do that. 

I do feel overall my skin has been looking "healthier". It could be the sun though. I always feel like my skin looks much better in the summer so that could be it. Or maybe not. My skin just looked overall smoother and happier. 

Ingredients aren't my favorite. I think overall I prefer the bar soaps I've tried because the ingredients are more natural. There are some ingredients I would rather avoid altogether- especially in skincare. Mostly it's the copolymer type ingredients. The first couple of ingredients are ordinary and later on down the list you get the good essential oils. 

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Isostearamide MIPA, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Laurate, Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Glycerin *, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Orbignya Oleifera (Babussa) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Santalum Spicatum (Sandalwood) Wood Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Piper Nigrum (Black Pepper) Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Linalool **, Benzyl Benzoate **, Benzyl Salicylate **.

Overall, it's not bad. I wouldn't repurchase it though because I do prefer the Ayurvedic bar soaps.

Samples Review: Dior La Mousse Off/On, Capture Totale Firming and Wrinkle Correcting Cream, and Lancome Idole Now

 Got my hands on a few new samples to review. I bought a few Christmas gifts and this time they came with samples. Which is nice, because I ordered a few things that should have come with samples and then never did. 

So we will start with the cleanser. I like that it's concentrated, just a dab will clean your whole face. And I like the scent. It smells like how you would think Dior skincare would smell. It's not overpowering but you can definitely smell it. It's a scent experience. Other than that it seems to work well. But looking at the retail price- probably not something I would ever spend the money on. It retails for 51 Euro. There are facial cleansers out there that work the same or better for much cheaper. 

I also picked out the wrinkle cream- why not? I don't think a few uses will fix wrinkles but doesn't hurt to try. It smells really nice, almost like a perfume and on the stronger side. It's definitely an experience. And a choice as I feel most brands have gone fragrance free. I don't mind scented skincare though. It does work well as a moisturizer but it breaks me out. I have a stubborn pimple that just won't go away since I've been using this and a few other ones have popped up over the course of testing the sample. So....it's not something I would ever buy again and especially not at the listed price- 140 Euro! But it was nice to try out a luxury skincare line. 

And last up, Lancome Idole Now. I have never tried the flagship version but figured I can't go wrong with a sampler. The notes sound Ok- Rose, Vanilla, Orchid. But overall I used the whole sample yesterday and not a single thing sticks out or was memorable about it. It's pleasant but forgettable and didn't really smell unique. I don't have any plans to buy the full size based on the sampler.

Antica Officina Profumi Di Napoli Buffalo Milk Soap Review

 I'm feeling so lazy...so I'm starting this post but I don't know if I'll finish it. On another note, I had a busy, busy weekend. Really a busy week so I think this weekend I'll be in the house at least one full day. I did see the Little Mermaid though which was really good. I think it's my favorite Disney Live Action. I'm ready for them to release it so I can just play it as much as I want (over and over again).

But...Back to the soap.

I bought this at a Bazaar a couple years back and it just sat there unused until I worked through a few other soaps in the collection. I don't know if I have the brand correct, I always find it hard to tell the brand name of Italian soaps...so I probably got that wrong. 

As far as skin benefits it's supposed to rich in skin loving nutrients so it has been said to make your skin more supple, moisturized, and smooth.

The soap itself looks simple and basic. It has a nice powdery smell that is pleasant and not overpowering. Just very gentle.

It lathers up really well. I bought it to use as a facial wash. It really works well for that. It cleans really well and I feel like my skin is smoother, brighter, and a bit healthier looking. It can be a little more drying in the winter weather but does just fine in the summer months. 

Overall it was a solid buy. I kind of wish I could find it at the Bazaar again so I could try some of their other bars or maybe even pick up a back up. Now I can say I've tried Goat, Camel, and Buffalo Milk Soap.....

Lush Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap Review

 Lush has three facial soaps and now I have tried all three! There is the charcoal one for oily/problem skin, the bread one for moisturizing, and this one- for sensitive skin.

Lush claims:

Calming calamine soap bar

Feel like you have the world’s most sensitive skin? Allow us to prescribe you a bar of our pale pink cleansing bar with chamomile extract to calm, rose and lavender to soothe dry patches, and tea tree to keep skin clean and clear. With lots of calamine powder to calm troubled skin, this facial soap is great for gently easing skin back into balance.

The first thing I noticed was the scent- which is kinda your generic Lush scent. It's pleasant and unobtrusive. It doesn't really linger either. I was surprised that it was scented as usually things meant for sensitive skin are not scented. 

Next thing I noticed is that it really doesn't do well being cut. I tend to cut soaps into pieces as it makes them last longer but this one just sort of crumbles apart and you end up wasting it, so I cut only one piece and then used the rest of the soap uncut. It seems to melt a bit quicker but it's a really firm soap that doesn't just sit in the soap dish melting away. It dries out pretty nicely after use. I think that's because of the calamine powder...

Which is a pretty unique ingredient. I always love that about Lush though, they really do bring something different. I haven't used Calamine lotion much. I remember using it most on a school trip where we were hiking in the mountains and many of my classmates ended up with sunburn. Myself included. We all put Calamine lotion on. It was pretty soothing. I tried to use it again when I randomly became allergic to North Carolina in the summer and ended up with hives. The lotion didn't work but maybe it was expired. 

It works nicely though...cleans makeup off pretty well, lathers nicely, rinses clean. Leaves my skin slightly dry- sometimes. I think it really does a good job of sucking up oil which makes it excellent for slightly sensitive oily skin.

I haven't had any skin issues while using it, doesn't seem to cause spots. If you do get spots, it seems to dry them up nicely. I think I like this better than the Charcoal soap. That's a little surprising. It just seems better at sucking up the oil without drying your skin too much. It also makes the skin feel smoother and look a bit brighter.

The ingredients are Ok. I never like seeing Propylene Glycol so high in the ingredient list. I am happy to see how much Calamine Powder it has though, it's the very first ingredient. It also has some other great oils and waters- Chamomile,  Elderflower, Rose Absolute, and Lavender.

Ingredients: 

Calamine Powder, Propylene Glycol, Chamomile and Elderflower Decoction, Canola oil, Coconut Oil, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Sodium Stearate, Water, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Blue Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Rose Absolute, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, EDTA, Sodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool, Perfume

Overall, I like it. I think it's a unique soap that's worth trying. If I didn't constantly need to try new things, it's one I would consider purchasing again. I think it might make my end of the year favorite's list. 

Tatcha The Rice Polish Classic Review

 I like having something a little fancier in my skincare routine, makes me feel ike I'm taking better care of my skin and kinda acts like a treat. I'm not  likely to go get a facial- I'm too lazy. And I know the price would quickly build up. So for now, I will stick to splurging on skincare every once in a while. I ordered this from the Tatcha site-with a discount since it was my very first purchase from them. It comes in a mini try it size but I went ahead and decided to just give the larger size a go. 

Tatcha claims:

A water-activated exfoliant of nourishing Japanese rice bran and silk protein that transforms to a creamy foam for a smooth polish and healthy glow.

Our Journey to You

Women in Japan care for their skin with a beauty ritual that is as elegant as it is simple. Delicately polishing skin to a jewel-like luster is at the heart of their daily practice. For centuries, Japanese women have used the milky water from the first wash of rice to prepare a perfectly smooth complexion. The Rice Polish Collection brings this timeless secret to the modern skincare lover.

About Our Packaging

Inspired by kaizen, the philosophy of continuous improvement and learning, we are on a journey toward sustainability. The Rice Polish is packaged in a mono material jar of 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic for easy recycling. It features a new, easy-to-pour spout made with greater accessibility in mind. This push-to-open spout also better prevents water from getting into the jar, making for a more shower-friendly experience.

The Rice Polish gives your skin a new beginning through non-abrasive exfoliation and pure Japanese ingredients delivered in a cloud-like foam. Finely ground rice bran and papaya enzymes promote natural skin turnover to instantly reveal a smooth, makeup-ready canvas. The pH neutral, amino acid base formula provides effective cleansing without stripping skin of essential moisture or breaking the skin’s barrier function, leaving skin baby-soft and supple. Hadasei-3™, a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods - green tea, rice and algae - helps restore healthy-looking radiance. Ideal for combination to dry skin, The Rice Polish: Classic features silk protein to condition and nourish.

Recommended for: Combo to Dry, Dullness, Uneven Texture, Pores

I've been using this since May and I think I'm finally about at the half way mark. This stuff lasts forever. Which means at least you are getting your value for money. I only use it 1-2 time per week though, I know they recommend it as a daily exfoliant but I don't like the idea of using an exfoliating product that often, no matter how gentle it is. 

I find Tatcha an interesting brand- it's inspired by Japanese culture. And this Rice Polish is Made in Japan. The founder is Asian American. I've read some articles/opinions that mention they think this brand exploits Japanese beauty rituals. I'm not sure I know enough to have an opinion either way so it's not a brand I feel I should boycott at this point. I don't really see that the brand uses any particular imaging to market this product, but I haven't really looked too hard.

I did find This article covers more on the brand. I didn't know the brand was owned by Unilever so that's news to me. I liked thinking I was purchasing from a smaller brand but that's not so anymore. Bummer.

Back to the Rice polish. You get 60 grams- price without a sale is $68. That's pretty pricey. It has a lot to live up to when you consider the price.

The product itself is a fine powder, you add a little water and it foams up. "Wash" your face with it for 60 seconds. Wash off. That's it. 

It's a very easy product to use.

So what have I noticed? The first time I used it, I felt a noticeable difference in the softness of my skin. But I haven't noticed it since that first time using.

I feel this product helps with dullness, it really helps the skin look brighter and I feel like my skin has a noticeable glow on the days I use it. 

I do notice it helps with uneven texture. For awhile I had one really textured cheek. IDK why. I had found chemical exfoliants really help with that. And this is no different. I haven't noticed the texture coming back since I've started using chemical exfoliants regularly. But while this helps, you can get something like The Ordinary peel solution that will help with that too and it won't hurt the pocket so much. The Ordinary stuff is a very strong chemical exfoliant though and this is definitely more gentle. But there are  more gentle ones out there, I just haven't tried enough at this point. 

As for pores- I don't have too many issues with pores..so I couldn't say if it really helps or not.

I was hoping the exfoliating would help with scarring I have on my chin. Not so much. I haven't really found any of the chemical exfoliants to make a noticeable difference though. 

The packaging is nice. It uses some recycled plastic and is supposed to be recyclable. It comes in a really nice box. Mine came with a handwritten note which is always a nice touch. It's easy to pour out (the first time I poured too much so be careful). The packaging is nice and unique-ultimately it's still housed in a ton of plastic.

Is it worth the price? 

Probably now. I like it. I think it would be worth about $30 to me. I could pay that. That's still pricey. But nearly $70 is just too much especially since I don't think it does anything that a cheaper chemical exfoliant  can't. I am very curious to just try rice water. I make and soak rice and so I have Rice Water. I typically throw it out but maybe I should try it on my skin and hair? 

Ingredients: 

MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) POWDER, SODIUM LAURYL PHOSPHATE, SODIUM LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, LAURYL BETAINE, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYLAMINOPROPIONATE, SACCHAROMYCES/CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF/CLADOSIPHON OKAMURANUS/RICE FERMENT FILTRATE*, PAPAIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, SERICIN, HYDROLYZED SILK, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN, PROPANEDIOL, DEXTRIN, PHYTOSTERYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL

I will enjoy the rest- and must admit I am curious about a few of the other products in the line but it's not a must have. More of a nice to try once and then move on type of purchase. 

Lush Movis Face Wash Review

I have spent so many hours in the last couple of weeks learning about video game history. I know the history of Mario, Donkey Kong, different video game developers, which games won game of the year, the history of Grand Theft Auto (I just got five and tried to play it, it's fun but I kinda suck at it 😁). I've spent more time looking up history of the different consoles and everything else than actually playing video games. But that's going to change now that I have my copy for Just Dance 2023, it doesn't look as fun as past years but I'm going to give it a try anyway. It might be the last one I get though...I prefer the format of 2022 and the fact that the PS camera actually works with it. But...since this is a post about face wash and not video games, let me stop rambling. 

Lush Movis claims:

B-ready for a good cleanse?

Give dry skin a gentle, cleansing scrub with this vitamin-rich face wash made with exfoliating wheat-based ingredients and hydrating cocoa butter.

Grab a slice of Movis for a rich and moisturizing clean. This face soap is the first of its kind—its spongy texture is packed full of wheat-based ingredients and is rich in vitamin E to help skin look smooth and radiant. Whole wheat breadcrumbs are mixed right in to help exfoliate away dry bits and revive the skin. And with cleansing labdanum and sandalwood oil, your face will feel refreshed and clear.

This is only the second of the Lush face washes I have tried. They have three. While the charcoal one is more geared toward oily, problematic skin, or just deep cleansing this one seems best for dryer skin. It's a very unique little bar of soap in that it actually has bread in it. And it makes a mess. Little pieces get everywhere, I have to keep the sink cleaner on hand and do quick cleans in order to keep the sink from looking a mess.

At least the little bread crumbs are exfoliating though. 

The texture itself is very soft and prone to falling apart. It's also very malleable. Almost like the texture of real African Black soap. 

The scent is kinda like Lush Porridge soap, or reminiscent of an oatmeal/rye bread. I really like the scent and love the fact that it lingers. 

It cleans surprisingly well, and it very moisturizing. I think this may be the moist moisturizing face wash I have ever used. No dryness or tightness to be find. And it makes your skin look and feel healthier and more radiant. The way it makes my skin look makes me almost forget about the mess it makes. 

I love the ingredient list. It really ties the bread concept together with the Wheatgerm oil, Wheat Germ, and actual bread. It has a lot of things known to be great for skin. 

Ingredients:

Water, Wholemal Bread, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Granulated Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Wheatgerm Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Perfume, Wheat Bran, Hop Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Sandalwood Oil, Citric Acid, Baking Soda, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate

Overall, I think this is a great facial cleanser and one I would recommend if you don't mind a bit of a mess.

Lush Charcoal Facial Soap Review

I think Lush was the very first product I saw with Charcoal. Or Origins Charcoal Face Mask. Since that time I've seen and used so many charcoal things- I have a toothpaste with it, tried a deodorant and bath salts with it. Tried tons of soaps featuring it. I've wanted to try Lush Facial soaps for awhile now so I was happy when I was able to pick this up half price. 

Lush claims:

When your skin feels like it needs a deep clean, use this clarifying charcoal facial soap. It’s gentle enough for your face, but you can use it all over your body. Rosewood and sandalwood add a comforting scent and help to keep skin clear. 

We'll start off with the scent. It smells like Lush but also very medical. I'm not sure how to describe the scent- I don't see what it could be from the ingredients- licorice? Menthol? Not sure but it smells like it's really gonna go the distance to deep clean your face.

The soap itself is black and subtly sparkly, very soft (melts quickly) and lathers up grey. There are also scrubby bits in it so it is kinda exfoliating. That being said, I don't think this soap is for sensitive skin at all. I seem to be OK with it and haven't noticed any negative effects. I do always grease up afterwards but I wouldn't say my skin has been dryer. Then again it is still pretty warm. 

Anyway..it lathers up well and really feels like it's deep cleaning my skin. Takes makeup off pretty easily-except mascara. But I don't think this is the type of soap you want to rub into your eyes- even though I do everyday. 

The only downside it is really does melt fast. Almost every other facial soap I've tried lasts way longer. You can definitely find other soaps that would be better value for money. I even cut mine into chunks to make it last longer but it still melts away pretty quickly. 

It does have some nice ingredients. Not completely natural and you can find 100 percent natural charcoal soaps pretty easily. It does have some nicer oils though- Rosewood, and Sandalwood Oil.  Licorice Root which is hydrating and anti-bacterial. Also some fair trade ingredients. 

Ingredients: 

 Water and Licorice Root Decoction, Propylene Glycol,Sodium Hydroxide, Fair Trade Cocoa Butter, Glycerin, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Perfume, Linalool, Sandalwood Oil, Rosewood Oil,  Glycerin, Powdered Charcoal, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Glitter, Geraniol, Colour. 

Overall, it's an OK Charcoal soap. It's not my favorite of the bunch that I've tried. I think my favorite was definitely the Zum Charcoal soap. Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal was pretty good too.

Maybe I'll try Movis next....

Soap and Skincare Haul

 I want to open some of these and have a look so that's why I'm trying to get them posted today.....I need a safe place to keep the pictures until I review them because otherwise, I will take the pictures and then delete them. Somehow...someway.

I got some of these from Amazon, some from Nordstrom. Here's what I got...

Ursa Major Morning Mojo Bar Soap- I don't really know much about this brand, I just saw it was on sale and though a mint and eucalyptus soap sounded nice for some variety. It's made in Vermont, uses sustainable sourced palm oil, plastic free, and seems to have really nice ingredients. It's more on the normal size with it's 5 oz weight. It's smells exactly like mint and eucalyptus (and Rosemary). 

L'occitane Shea Milk Soap- Also picked up a soap from  L'occitane. I've never tried anything from the brand but always wanted to. I heard that these soaps were better before the reformulation but I haven't tried it so can't compare. No palm oil at all (save the rain forest!) and made in France. It smells like Sandalwood. Not sure I like it so I will have to reserve judgement until I lather it up.  

La Chatelaine Wild Fig Soap- This brand was on Oprah's Favorite Things 2019 list. Also made in France. It doesn't smell like Fig but it does smell nice. It's a nice big 7 ounce size. I can't wait to try it! It doesn't really smell anything like I thought it would smell but it is nice (a bit masculine though). I think they have a Watermelon one I really want to try as well.

Fresh Waterlily Soap- I think this one overpowers all the other soaps. It's a very fresh water-y scent. And I love that it comes with a semi-precious stone. Wish they would tell you what stone it is- I have no idea! But I will find a place to stash it. Could be Amethyst? IDK. I really love the way it's packaged. Can't wait to try it and maybe get my hands on more of them! Also made in France. I thought it was going to be made in the US so I was a little surprised to see that! 

La Chatelaine Passion Fruit Soap- Smells nothing like Passion Fruit...but it does smell really nice. I can't decided which I like more- the Fig or the Passion Fruit. But I will definitely be picking up more. Or I guess I should wait until I use it before I decide that. 

And then the splurge-. Or I guess all of this was a Splurge. But this really a splurge. The Tatcha Rice Polish. Made in Japan. I've gotten it in my head that I want to try more of the iconic products so I found a random list and I'm starting there. I did get this with a discount since it it my first Tatcha product. I can't wait to start using it and review it. Eventually. I'm not sure how often I am supposed to use it so I might start with twice a week. Might have to go wash my face now to give it a whirl. 

And that's all! Until the next soap haul.....