Garden of Wisdom • Simply Clean Tea Tree Oil Cleanser • Cleansers

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Iampo0kie on 4/23/2013 8:20:00 PM more reviews by Iampo0kie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is my favorite cleanser by far. It is packed with natural antiseptics and cleans as well as Cetaphil and does not dry out my skin! It is reassuring that all the ingredients are natural and can not harm your skin.

If I am really oily (like after a workout) I need to massage this into my skin a little longer and let the soap break down the oils.

For every day, I apply a dime sized amount to my Clarisonic and cleanse for ~2 minutes. Leaves it squeaky clean and sanitized. Thanks for a GREAT product GoW :)

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mllryjo on 1/24/2013 4:48:00 PM more reviews by mllryjo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is my HG cleanser. It makes my skin feel really, really clean but not dry or tight. My pores look great and my acne is almost non existant since I started using this in conjunction with the Garden of Wisdom Oxygen Serum. I started with the sample and I'm on to the huge size now because I love it so much. It's a little pricy in the long run it's cheaper because you use so little.

I still use this cleanser when I use my Clarisonic Mia every other day. My skin looks so smooth and clear, and I'm mostly amazed that my blackheads are gone and my sebacious filaments (A lot of people think that sebacious filaments are black heads, they're not. Sebacious filaments are in every pore and are light brown or gray, not black. If you squeeze them they will naturally fill back up within a few hours.) So, my sebacious filaments look AWESOME and clear. Barely noticable, and I attribute that to this cleanser and the Oxygen Gel.

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iceboi on 8/8/2012 12:08:00 AM more reviews by iceboi

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Read all the hype reviews and forums about this cleanser and had to get myself a sample first. So, I got a sample and i did initially like this cleanser beware that it smells strongly of tea tree oil and i didnt like at first but quickly loved the smell after. I finished my sample and i didnt see results of any sort but i did buy the 8oz size just to see if i could see results with longer usage. The really great thing about this cleanser is that you really need so little and it foams up for me alot. I got the version without the glycerin. For acne wise it didnt do much to my acne it didnt prevent and or help. its more like a cleansing of your face without making you breakout, great ingredients in it but it just a basic cleanser for me and i could get basic cleansers cheaper and more effective. So my rating is a low one because it doesnt do anything for my acne.

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paf0009 on 6/10/2012 10:46:00 PM more reviews by paf0009

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Olive   Hair: Black, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I tried the trial w/ glycerin version of this cleanser. I'm glad I tried the trial because this cleanser did not work for me. The ingredients seem pretty good. It's an all-natural, clean product. Unfortunately it didn't even cleanse my skin, defeating its own purpose (when I swiped a cotton ball with toner after cleansing, I saw all the gunk it left behind).
As for the product itself, it doesn't foam which is a good thing as foaming cleansers strip skin of its natural oils. I thought it would be kind of like Mario Badescu's Botanical Gel, no foam but gently cleanses. But nope, it didn't and I could actually feel traces of my sunscreen on my face after rinsing. Not a good feeling. Luckily Garden of Wisdom offers trial sizes of their product.

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vanidarani on 11/19/2011 1:53:00 PM more reviews by vanidarani

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff really works!

I for some (now i feel like) crazy reason went to get my entire face waxed/threaded a week before my wedding.
Until the next morning everything was fine, and then i noticed it looked like my face had a million tiny pimples (literally)
I started freaking out with not much time til the big day I just wanted to crawl into bed and cry for trying something new right before the wedding.

I love GoW products and started reading reviews about how Tea Tree Oil really helps with blemishes and acne. So I ordered some, Thank God it was at my doorstep in 2 days!
I washed my face with it right away (it says to leave it on you skin for a couple min and then rinse) I honestly washed my face with this stuff about 4 times that day and the next morning I saw AMAZING results.
My face had calmed down a considerable amount and I won't say it worked completely overnight but I have to say its a MIRACLE IN A BOTTLE!

I would have been a crazy mess on my big day without this stuff! THANK GOD for it :)

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mystryder on 11/9/2011 7:53:00 AM more reviews by mystryder

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

love it! i got it along with these other gow cleansers: soothing creamy cleanser, cleansing oil, jen's green tea, and castor/castille. out of the 5, this one is my FAVE. it came in a little tub, and they said the regular size comes in a bottle, so when i order a regular size, i won't have to worry as much about the hygienic issue. actually--i may keep the tub just so i always have a little in the shower without having to reach over to my sink =) it's like a slightly yellow jelly texture that suds a bit. i think it might be perfect with a clarisonic, but i haven't tried it yet. as tiny as the sample size was, i didn't think it'd last me 2 uses, but it's already been almost a month! (though honestly, i've also been alternating it with my second fave--the soothing creamy cleanser--lately)

I was very skeptical about whether i would like it based on other users' reviews.. However!!
1) the tea tree oil smell that people complain about is *nothing* at all like the PEO nor other tea tree oil products (like trader joe's cleanser. ew!), but is actually really nice! i have at least one other GoW tea tree oil containing product and it also smells similar: not too strong, but you know it's there. it's just slightly medicinal so that you feel like you're doing something good for your skin, but it's not too overpowering that it would deter me from using the product. it's the first time i have *ever* liked the smell of something that contained tea tree oil.
2) it hasn't dried me out at all over the past few weeks nor broken me out like it has for others. in fact, this is also the first time since maybe pre-pubescence that i'm seeing some pores shrink on my nose. that--by itself--is reason enough for me to buy the full size of this awesomeness =)

i know it doesn't contain menthol, but something makes this feel very cooling after use! maybe it's the tea tree oil?

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*TOP REVIEWER* lexijojohnson on 5/11/2011 7:55:00 AM more reviews by lexijojohnson

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I am loving this! When I was on the boards, I had asked everyone for recs for where to get some good pumpkin enzyme peel products. Someone rec'd GoW. I'm so glad they did! I have never heard of GoW, and quickly ordered some small sizes of a few of their products. I'm hooked on this cleanser! If you love tea tree oil, you will love this. This feels like a gentle, yet effective cleanser with the fresh feel of tea tree oil. I feel like this cleans my face well, and freshens me up a bit! This is a lovely scent and feeling to use when I wake up, and when I go to bed. I got this in the non-glycerin soap-based version. From their website: Our Simply Clean Tea Tree Cleanser is a concentrated blend of tea tree and neem oils, neem extract, and manuka honey, making it an antibacterial powerhouse. This cleanser aids in the control of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, oil production, and heals skin at the same time. Simply Clean Tea Tree Cleanser detoxifies skin, moisturizes, yet doesn't compromise the mantle of the skin due to the fact that it is pH balanced. Great for Oily, Blemish Prone, Balanced, and most other skin profiles. I have no affil with this company - but they do an awesome job with customer service, and sending out products quickly. I can't wait to place another order!

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bi1002x on 11/21/2010 5:39:00 PM more reviews by bi1002x

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great cleanser for oily/acne prone skin. This has helped a lot in reducing blackheads. Your skin definitely feels much cleaner after using this. It is great for summer time use. However, I usually reduce this to nighttime use in the winter since I live up North where the winter brings extremely dry skin. Highly recommend this one, the version with glycerin. Did not break me out at all. For $20, the product will last you for at least 6 months so not too bad at all.

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iarejanet on 11/4/2010 9:53:00 AM more reviews by iarejanet

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Great simple product, got it as a sample, been using it for a few weeks yet and still haven't purchased the full size.

A bit is all you need, just massage rinse and you'll have minty clear skin. I do not trust it to remove my makeup though. It is just a simple effective wash, calms my skin and curbs my break outs.

I am purging after switching to GoW, but the breakouts go away very quickly!

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happygirl72 on 10/16/2010 11:34:00 PM more reviews by happygirl72

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

i had so much faith in this product... thought that based on the reviews i'd maybe FINALLY (after years of searching and craving decent skin) i'd have a chance at finding my hg. nope. after a week of use, my skin is so flaky that it looks like i have some sort of disease. does not even come close to removing my makeup... massaged on and splashed off did absolutely nothing so tried massage and wipe with gentle washcloth. still left makeup on face. don't even ask about mascara.
and now i'm having the worst breakout i've had in 6 months. lovely cystic spots.

packaging is pretty decent as far as convenience and non bacterial tranferring, but the ink smudges on the label when their own product touches it, leaving inky fingers to deal with.

not happy bout this one.

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makeup9111 on 10/7/2010 3:52:00 AM more reviews by makeup9111

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Overall: I like this cleanser, it's thick and creamy, doesn't foam, deep cleans and doesn't leave my dry skin feeling tight.
Pros: Packaging is simple, I know I'm paying for the product and not the name. It's gentle but really works on acne.
Cons: The smell, this isn't a huge con for me, it smells like real tea tree oil which isn't too pleasant but wouldn't stop me from using it.
My extremely allergic reaction prone fiance can use this with no problem, he has very oily skin with lots of cystic acne and this seems to calm his face down
Two thumbs up!

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roseb202 on 9/29/2010 5:59:00 AM more reviews by roseb202

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a very thick cleanser with a slightly honey-grainy feel, so a little should be used. I made the mistake of using more than a pea-sized amount (of the glycerin-based cleanser), I used more like a quarter size, and it really dried out my skin a lot. Also my skin seemed to have some kind of reaction to one of the ingredients -- got red and patchy. I do have acne-mild rosacea and hyper pigmentation, and oily sensitive skin, so I may have to look for something more basic and less drying. I *could* try using a smaller amount, but I just don't want to try taking the risk since I seem to possibly be allergic to one of the ingredients. I hate to waste the rest of the product but may just save it as a "back-up" for when I'm temporarily out of my current cleanser. The dispenser is great, though, and very hygienically packaged. **UPDATE** My current cleanser either seems to have been reformulated or my skin is just growing sensitive to it. So I switched back to trying this again. This time, I used a pea-sized amount instead of a quarter size. It did not leave my face looking red and feeling tight and dry this time. I think the key is using a smaller amount. It left my face feeling clean but not totally stripped. I think I will continue using this amount. **SECOND UPDATE** I have been using an amount about the size of 1-2 peas. I noticed that it doesn't completely remove my sunblock lotion on my face, even though my face "feels" cool and fresh. I used powder milk and that got rid of it better!

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Judith on 9/10/2010 3:02:00 PM more reviews by Judith

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Because of the reviews and the positive experiences with GOW products (except voor HA serums, did nothing for my skin) I tried this cleanser. It is the one with glycerin soap.

I have used it for 5 weeks now (first 3 weeks every morning and evening and last 2 weeks only in the evening) and I loved it from the start.

It cleanses without striping my skin. Blackheads (little stubborn ones on nose that retin-a, diacneal, PC BHA lotion etc could not handle ) and impurities are almost totally gone. Pores look more refined. I've very sensitive, de-hydrated combo-skin. I use strong chemical peels so I also need a cleanser that sooths and that I can use every day.

This one fits the bill. First I remove my eye-make, sunscreen with Red Raspberry Seed Oil (GOW) and than this cleanser.

In combination with the Neem Oil mixed with Hydrosol Rose (all GOW) and a pea-size Weleda Rose Night cream my skin looks and feels GREAT!. Every 3th night I use Mandelic Acid (GOW) and every 7 th day the Lactic Acid Peel from MUAC after cleansing.

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stacymonique on 8/3/2010 4:23:00 PM more reviews by stacymonique

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have a very inconsistent review of this product. I received it and used it for a couple days. It has a nice consistency. It does smell like straight tea tree oil (if you know what tea tree oil smells like this will not be any surprise), but the scent doesn’t linger on your skin. I found it to be gentle and non-irritating and it didn’t cause any breakouts, perhaps it even helped a little. I will update my review when/if I start using it for a longer duration.
The reason my review is inconsistent however, is that shipping from GoW, as another reviewer pointed out, is inconsistent…and I put it that nicely only because I assume that sometimes they ship people’s products more expeditiously than they shipped mine. My cleanser took 3 weeks to arrive! In that time I researched, ordered, received and had started using another product. Fortunately for GoW, that cleanser made my skin break out so I ran back to this product and it has been clearing up those breakouts (that's why I gave it 5 lippies) But, moral of the story, if you want to try out a product make sure you have the patience to wait for it…for those of us who need instant gratification this company is a bit of a tease because there are SOOOO many things that I would love to try (and they're customer service is great!), but whatever interest I have in them I have lost by the time I actually receive them. It takes away from the experience and fun of trying new things.

Edit: I finished my 8 oz bottle of this cleanser (took me about 4 months using it night and day) and I have to say that i don't think it is all that great and it is definitely not worth the afore mentioned shipping hassle. Its a good general cleanser but i don't think it helps to heal or prevent acne, it just doesn't cause it directly. If you are looking for a good, natural as possible cleanser then it would be a great one to try, but if like me you were looking for something to clear up and treat acne, this is not gonna cut it.

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SoFa10 on 6/16/2010 6:50:00 PM more reviews by SoFa10

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

One of the best products i've used it cleans my face well and doesn't leave it dry.I've been using it for about a month now, this was my first purchase with GoW and I will definately buy another.
EDIT: still using this product, It does keep my pimples at bay. First product I really like=]].
EDIT 5/26/12: I stopped using this in march because I switched to a new regimen, i'm not saying it doesn't work, but with the new regimen I look different but i'm not satisfied.. I want to go back to using it, but not until I go to the dermatologist to get some advice.

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windchijmes on 6/6/2010 7:37:00 AM more reviews by windchijmes

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This review is also for the formula with the glycerin soap, with the cream-gel texture. Before using it, I had fears that it will irritate my sensitive, and VERY acne-prone skin. However, it is great on my skin. I love the texture, and how it leaves my skin clean, but without that squeaky-tight feeling. The cleanser did not clear up my acne overnight, but it went a long way in stabilising my skin, and lessening the severity of breakouts.

I have no problems with the scent whatsoever. It smells just like tea tree to me, and that's totally fine. Then again, I'm also able to tolerate the smell of witch hazel on the face, so perhaps I'm just not that sensitive to strong scents.

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*TOP REVIEWER* DDGattina on 4/18/2010 4:04:00 AM more reviews by DDGattina

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This review is for the new formula, with glycerin soap. FANTASTIC cleanser. Love the cream-gel texture; it is refreshing and rinses very clean with no residue. My skin is not oily, it is normal and a bit sensitive, and I find this cleanser very gentle. In fact sometimes I let it sit on my skin a couple minutes before rinsing so the tea tree and neem oils have time to do their herbal magic. I get a only the tea tree aroma, which is strong but acceptable (actually outdoorsy and refreshing) given that it is entirely natural ...and you can' t get the great benefits of tea tree without the accompanying smell.

I think the "burning tires" or "plastic" some people have mentioned is from the neem oil, which is a fabulous active for skin, but also pretty smelly. I don't get this, the tea tree seems to dominate to my nose.

Think I found a new HG cleanser.

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Bunnybear9 on 4/8/2010 1:25:00 AM more reviews by Bunnybear9

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Love. My skin is combo, sensitive, clog and acne-prone. This cleanser heals breakouts, helps prevent breakouts, cleans well and removes makeup (not eye makeup, I don't use this around my eyes), and does not dry out my skin. The smell is a little odd, it smells like TTO with a twist of plastic or something. A reviewer below me mentioned burnt tires, but I don't think it's that bad. Obviously if you don't like the smell of TTO then it will probably bother you. You really only need a pea sized amount...the first time I used it I squeezed out a little too much and the fumes made my eyes water when I put it on my face. I like to leave it on for a few minutes like a mask in the shower. I bought the 2 oz size to try it out and I will definitely purchase the full size...though the 2 oz will probably last me at least a couple months.

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basbleu613 on 3/28/2010 9:39:00 PM more reviews by basbleu613

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is a nice cleanser for moderately oily and/or acneic skin. It's a little drying for me right now, but in general is very mild and soothing and makes my skin feel very clean but not stripped. The smell is pretty terrible -- like burning tires soaked in tea tree oil. But it's gone in a second or two, so I can suck it up :)

The texture is very thick and concentrated; at full strength, a pea-sized amount is enough for my whole face, chest, and upper back. I usually keep adding water to the bottle as the product gets used; I can get it down to about 50-50 before it gets to a viscosity I like. So even though it's a little pricey, it lasts forever, which is nice.

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*TOP REVIEWER* rossjen on 10/10/2009 11:32:00 PM more reviews by rossjen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This review might be a bit biased because I really love the GOW cleansers I've tried so far :) I use the Green Tea Shea cleanser daily, but I for one week a month, I switch to this one to combat the hormonal breakouts. Using it twice a day realy helps to soothe my skin and keep things under control. I've got drier skin, and this is one lathering cleanser (although the lather is not excessive) that does not make my skin feel drier afterwards. If your skin does well with tea tree oil like mine, this is a good face wash to look into for its nice soothing ingredients. I love the herbal smell too.

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