Conditioner -Unlisted Brand - Curelle - Riche conditioner
gingerrama 4/7/2013 3:05:00 PM
Probably the best unscented conditioner I've used; and indeed one of the best, scented or not. Other equal-favourite: John Masters Organics Bare (but it's twice the price, less concentrated, works maybe around about as well but no better, and has a less minimalist formula).
A medium-density white cream. Easy to apply. It's deceptively light, pretty concentrated stuff, perfect on hair that's fine in strand-diameter, but dense in quantity, and dryish. Zero irritation on surrounding skin: I've often had issues with otherwise gorgeous conditioners. No scent at all: great if you're scent-sensitive, allergic to specific ingredients, or otherwise have to be careful about the generic ingredient "fragrance." I tried this stuff out a while back and disliked it. I tested it out again, for a proper 6-week period, when spring allergy-season first hit: though (except at its worst) I can still use some scents, things used in the shower are always an issue. The enclosed space, heat, and humidity intensify all scents. Which, with any stuff you're applying to your head, are right next to your nose anyway.
Application: nothing complicated, just as one would use any conditioner. I usually use tepid water (sensitive skin & scalp), after shampooing and rinsing, wring water out of hair (using hands), apply a blob to the ends then work up the hair. Leave on for 2-5 minutes, while doing the rest of my showering stuff. Rinses out cleanly. I then wrap it up (wavy / 2b hair here, fine but thick, no wringing and rubbing...) for a while, then leave it to air-dry.
Results once dry: Little to no hair loss (or maximum two strands) in the shower: and I'm a shedder. Resistance-testing a wet strand: neither too stretchy (=too little protein) nor breaking (=too little moisture), just right: elastic, strong. Hair is left soft, smooth, shiny. Some bounce. Not dry. Little frizz. I follow up with (usually) a dab of argan oil, all over but especially on frizz-prone curlier areas.
Can also be used as a leave-in, and as a pre-wash deep condition. I found it fine on the scalp, and I can be eczema-prone there (plus similar irritability to face and neck).
Comparisons with some other unscented hair stuff: ---Avalon Organics Olive & Grapeseed: old formula was decent, new formula less moisturising. ---Curelle's TRÈSLITE conditioner: lighter than this one, similarly minimalist, but with no protein. I found it was manageable but not as good on my hair, for moisture. ---Desert Essence: OK except for leaving hair heavy and some irritation on the back of my neck ---Earth Science: pretty good, but not as moisturising when used regularly for a longer period, hair looks duller ---Free & Clear / Cliniderm (same stuff): thicker and gloopier, hair takes longer to dry, and the impression both of coating and of dryness. ---Jason: not good, did little to condition hair and irritated skin ---Lavera Neutral Basis: decent; not used in years, due to being hard to find here in Canada, periodically unavailable, and a lot more expensive. ---NatureClean: (Canada) not good; didn't do much to condition hair. ---Urtekram: good, but not used it in years ---Whole Foods 365: not good; hair left dry and dull, plus irritation to surrounding skin
Cruelty-free. Made in Canada, available here in health-food stores and from aviva.ca (who do allergy stuff). Also available online elsewhere, usually e-tailers specializing in products for allergicky eczematicky etc. folks. Price: around CAD8.00-10.00 for the smaller 250 ml bottle, $15.00-17.00 for the big 500 ml one. The latter is a very good buy. I don't recommend their shampoos as strongly: they are very good in terms of gentleness to scalp, and work well if used daily, but need a lot of water before and after (I'd prefer to save water when possible). But if you *need* unscented mild shampoo for scalp/skin issues, they're definitely worth a try; I've found the HYDRA shampoo to be one of the best I've used and that are currently still on the market.
INGREDIENTS: Aqua/distilled water; behentrimonium methosulphate (from colza oil); hydrolysed oats/avena sativa; cetearyl alcohol; lonicera japonica.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Earth Science - Fragrance Free Shampoo
gingerrama 12/31/2011 10:25:00 PM
Decent basic minimalist shampoo for fragile, sensitive etc. skin inc. scalp. It's fragrance-free, doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate (I can't use this for eczema reasons), has a skin-neutral pH, and doesn't contain any other of my irritants; weirdly, these include aloe vera and unfortunately it's in most other unscented shampoos.
Not the best shampoo I've ever used for actually cleaning hair: I found after about four washes, performance slips. But yes, I would buy it again: alternating it with another shampoo every other week, say; or reserving it for use when my scalp and/or rest of skin are being particularly irritable. Problem: the first couple of washes are lovely. But then things go downhill. Hair gets greasy at the roots and slightly dry at the ends before the end of the day; whereas with a better shampoo ("better" for my hair, anyway), I'll get three days between washes. Still, ES gets a 3.5 bumped up to a 4 because it does basically work; and the issue of longer-term functionality is one I've had with all minimalist gentle shampoos. Some much more so than this.
Skin here: dry, sensitive, fragile (easily irritated and thin . physically delicate), eczema. Hair: long, fine, thick/dense, slightly wavy, untreated, normal to slightly dry.
Results: Scalp is calm. Surrounding skin (face, neck, shoulders, back) too. And hair is clean. Well done that shampoo.
It's a clear gellid substance. Needs a little mixing with water in the palm of the hand before use. Actually, warning: the texture is weird.
Method for use: OK, this is completely teaching granny to suck eggs; but you never know, some of this might be useful to someone out there: 1. Brush hair in the direction it'll be washed (usually, head upside-down). Get in shower. Wet hair (using tepid water throughout, not hot). Pre-wash, usually applying conditioner (with some DIY hair oil mixed in: see NP, currently a mix of argan and avocado) to damp hair, to the lengths below ears. Sometimes I use the oil instead. Sometimes I apply the oil as a treatment, for half an hour or more beforehand. 2. Rinse all that out. 3. Apply a little shampoo, just to scalp. Move it around very approximately: this is just to loosen dirt etc. It'll seem like nothing's happened. Don't worry. Rinse out immediately. 4. Second main wash, just the scalp again, with more massaging--but gently. It'll lather a little. Leave this in for a couple of minutes while cleaning rest of self. 5. Rinse out. I found that without doing the conditioning pre-wash, my hair was tangled and a bit dry and brittle-feeling with almost all shampoos (including this one). But doing the pre-wash, hair's perfectly OK: no straw effects. 6. Condition, below ears again (not scalp) and with DIY hair oil mixed in. Leave that for a few minutes. 7. Rinse out. 8. Final cold rinse, squeeze out water using hands, wrap hair in towel. I leave hair to air-dry and I don't use any styling products; just a bit of argan oil or the DIY mix if hair ends are dry (between washes) or if I'm generally overall drier than usual.
Tangential to its immediate functioning: Earth Science stuff is cruelty-free, cheap (around USD/CAD 5.00-8.00 for 12 fl oz), and readily available (shops, online). I've used quite a few unscented shampoos, here in North America and in Europe, and at a range of prices: this is one of the best. Unreservedly recommended.
UPDATE (2013-04): would also recommend Curelle Hydra shampoo, for another basic bland unscented one; similar issues, though, on being fine for a short period but not for longer-term use.
INGREDIENTS: Water, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Wheat Germ Amidopropyl Betaine, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Unlisted Brand - Melvita - Argan Oil
gingerrama 11/9/2011 12:41:00 PM
Yes, argan oil is fashionable and faddy. It's an oil. It'll moisturise. As with all oils, and anything else, YMMV. A lightweight oil, light yellow-gold colour with a slight earthy smell. Similar viscosity, texture, fluidity, feel to oils like sunflower or mineral; not as light or dry as grapeseed, nor as heavy as almond, let alone olive. Features good (in human skin terms) balance of fatty acids and high doses of antioxidants. Melvita has some of the best packaging: a pump-top rather than squeezy dropper; while not completely sealed, it's airtight, vs. removing the top every time. QUICK PROS Does the job of moisturising, without irritation or clogging (YMMV). Good on hair. No clogging or irritation. QUICK CONS There are some serious rip-off merchants out there. List of sample prices at end of review. I tested out samples of some cheap ones and some expensive ones; Melvita is around the middle of the price-range. Aside from slight differences in immediate smell--which fade rapidly--the results on skin and hair have been the same. Testing period: nearly 4 months (mid-July to early November). USE ON SKIN: Moisturises, but other (cheaper) oils work as well. If other oils haven’t worked for you, worth adding to your list of things to try. 1. Used on top of rosehip seed oil, on any drier patches of skin. 2. Tested out on some minor eczema (stress, work, the usual boring causes…): calmed well and moisturised. I used the oil alone, and I also used it under my usual stage 1 eczema stuff (A-Derma): works better than that cream on its own. USE ON HAIR: 1. Pre-shampoo oil treatment: no difference in results, compared to using other oils. As it’s quite a thin dry oil and I have long fine thick hair, economically unviable. Preferred oils for this: the ones that actually do something useful to hair: avocado, jojoba, olive (coconut works too, but not good on my scalp and neck). But all of these (except jojoba) are too heavy to use on my hair, cos it's fine; though fine as hair-product ingredients, in moderation. But: argan mixed with olive, jojoba, or avocado works very nicely. Also, cheaper than argan alone. 2. 1-2 drops mixed with conditioner: great: either as a pre-wash (for the condition-wash-condition method, on long hair) or when conditioning or both. 3. A tiny drop just applied to the very ends of towel-dried hair, before usual styling product. From trial and error, I’ve figured out that on this hair anyway that has to be the minutest of teeny droplets; any more and hair greases up. I’d tried this before with other oils, and even the lightest of those that do actually do anything to hair were too heavy and greasebally. Argan or the argan/olive mix has a better finish on my (fine) hair; lighter, finer, more fluid. Bonus: I’ve needed less and less de-frizz stuff afterwards. Now using none: argan alone, or the argan mix, defrizzes. I leave hair to dry naturally, and it’s naturally slightly wavy with some tendencies to frizz. There’s been noticeably less of that. Which means saving money on my expensive anti-frizz stuff. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR Avoid being ripped off: ALL argan oil is sustainably-produced, organic, hand-crafted, and fair-trade. The trees only grow in a certain area of Morocco, protected by UNESCO biosphere mandate. The nuts are gathered and processed, and the oil produced and sold on, by Moroccan women’s cooperatives (with UNESCO, EU, and SDA support). They have a global monopoly. All the bigger western companies selling argan oil and argan oil-based products buy their oil from these cooperatives, c/o the intermediary of a small number of brokers and shippers. Except for a few small companies--mainly Moroccan and French + some US wholesalers--buying straight from the coops, skipping the intermediate stage and buying cheaper as more directly. In all cases: there’s a markup along the way. SOME PRICES: In order of price per ounce. All prices are in USD: CAD tend to be higher (ex. JMO, where USD38.00 somehow works out as CAD50.00) + shipping. Majestic Mountain Sage: $8.45/4 oz, $15.60/8 oz, $26.00/16 oz = $1.65-2.11 / oz Mountain Rose Herbs: $17.00/4 oz, $29.00/8 oz, $49.00/16 oz = $3.06-4.25 / oz Lotioncrafter: $9.20/1 oz, $15.95/2 oz, $27.60/4 oz, $47.60/8 oz = $5.95-9.20 / oz Argan Oil and More: $9.99/1 oz, $17.99/2 oz, $28.99/4 oz, $54.99/8 oz = $6.87-9.99 / oz Garden of Wisdom: $8.20/1 oz, $60.50/8 oz. = $7.56-8.20 / oz Argana / Argan Oil Direct: $13.10/1.18 oz, $22.93/70 ml, $22.87/85 ml eco-refill, $39.32/140 ml = $6.42-11.34 / oz MUAC: $10.00/1 oz, $32.00/4.5 oz = $7.11-10.00 / oz Watts c/o Amazon: $13.45/1 oz, $17.45/2 oz, $27.45/4 oz = $6.86-13.45 / oz Melvita: $25.00/1.7 oz = $15.00 / oz Eden Allure: $18.00/1 oz, $30.00/2 oz. = $15.00-18.00/oz John Masters Organics: $38.00/2 oz = $19.00 / oz Argan Sense: $35.00/1.7 oz = $21.00 / oz Kahina: $82.00/3.4 oz = $24.60 / oz Kae (aka Kaeline): $46.00/1.7 oz= $27.60 / oz Josie Maran: $48.00/1.7 oz = $28.80 / oz FURTHER arganoils.com wikipedia the beauty brains truthinaging.com essential day spa skincaretalk (1) (2)
33 out of 35 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Kahina Giving Beauty - Argan Oil
gingerrama 11/9/2011 12:37:00 PM
Yes, argan oil is fashionable and faddy. It's an oil. It'll moisturise. As with all oils, and anything else, YMMV. A lightweight oil, light yellow-gold colour with a slight earthy smell. Similar viscosity, texture, fluidity, feel to oils like sunflower or mineral; not as light or dry as grapeseed, nor as heavy as almond, let alone olive. Features good (in human skin terms) balance of fatty acids and high doses of antioxidants. I decanted mine into an amber glass bottle with plastic pump-tops: more practical than droppers/rubber squeezy droppers; while not completely sealed, they’re airtight, vs. removing the top every time. QUICK PROS Does the job of moisturising, without irritation or clogging (YMMV). Good on hair. No clogging or irritation. QUICK CONS There are some serious rip-off merchants out there: Kahina is one of the most blatant. List of sample prices at end of review. I tested out samples of some cheap ones and some expensive ones, inc. this one here. Aside from slight differences in immediate smell--which fade rapidly--the results on skin and hair have been the same. Testing period: nearly 4 months (mid-July to early November). USE ON SKIN: Moisturises, but other (cheaper) oils work as well. If other oils haven’t worked for you, worth adding to your list of things to try. 1. Used on top of rosehip seed oil, on any drier patches of skin. 2. Tested out on some minor eczema (stress, work, the usual boring causes…): calmed well and moisturised. I used the oil alone, and I also used it under my usual stage 1 eczema stuff (A-Derma): works better than that cream on its own. USE ON HAIR: 1. Pre-shampoo oil treatment: no difference in results, compared to using other oils. As it’s quite a thin dry oil and I have long fine thick hair, economically unviable. Preferred oils for this: the ones that actually do something useful to hair: avocado, jojoba, olive (coconut works too, but not good on my scalp and neck). But all of these (except jojoba) are too heavy to use on my hair, cos it's fine; though fine as hair-product ingredients, in moderation. But: argan mixed with olive, jojoba, or avocado works very nicely. Also, cheaper than argan alone. 2. 1-2 drops mixed with conditioner: great: either as a pre-wash (for the condition-wash-condition method, on long hair) or when conditioning or both. 3. A tiny drop just applied to the very ends of towel-dried hair, before usual styling product. From trial and error, I’ve figured out that on this hair anyway that has to be the minutest of teeny droplets; any more and hair greases up. I’d tried this before with other oils, and even the lightest of those that do actually do anything to hair were too heavy and greasebally. Argan or the argan/olive mix has a better finish on my (fine) hair; lighter, finer, more fluid. Bonus: I’ve needed less and less de-frizz stuff afterwards. Now using none: argan alone, or the argan mix, defrizzes. I leave hair to dry naturally, and it’s naturally slightly wavy with some tendencies to frizz. There’s been noticeably less of that. Which means saving money on my expensive anti-frizz stuff. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR Avoid being ripped off: ALL argan oil is sustainably-produced, organic, hand-crafted, and fair-trade. The trees only grow in a certain area of Morocco, protected by UNESCO biosphere mandate. The nuts are gathered and processed, and the oil produced and sold on, by Moroccan women’s cooperatives (with UNESCO, EU, and SDA support). They have a global monopoly. All the bigger western companies selling argan oil and argan oil-based products buy their oil from these cooperatives, c/o the intermediary of a small number of brokers and shippers. Except for a few small companies--mainly Moroccan and French + some US wholesalers--buying straight from the coops, skipping the intermediate stage and buying cheaper as more directly. In all cases: there’s a markup along the way. SOME PRICES: In order of price per ounce. All prices are in USD: CAD tend to be higher (ex. JMO, where USD38.00 somehow works out as CAD50.00) + shipping. Majestic Mountain Sage: $8.45/4 oz, $15.60/8 oz, $26.00/16 oz = $1.65-2.11 / oz Mountain Rose Herbs: $17.00/4 oz, $29.00/8 oz, $49.00/16 oz = $3.06-4.25 / oz Lotioncrafter: $9.20/1 oz, $15.95/2 oz, $27.60/4 oz, $47.60/8 oz = $5.95-9.20 / oz Argan Oil and More: $9.99/1 oz, $17.99/2 oz, $28.99/4 oz, $54.99/8 oz = $6.87-9.99 / oz Garden of Wisdom: $8.20/1 oz, $60.50/8 oz. = $7.56-8.20 / oz Argana / Argan Oil Direct: $13.10/1.18 oz, $22.93/70 ml, $22.87/85 ml eco-refill, $39.32/140 ml = $6.42-11.34 / oz MUAC: $10.00/1 oz, $32.00/4.5 oz = $7.11-10.00 / oz Watts c/o Amazon: $13.45/1 oz, $17.45/2 oz, $27.45/4 oz = $6.86-13.45 / oz The Posh Peddler: $9.95/1 oz, $33.95/4 oz, $48.95/6 oz (3 x 2 oz bottles) = $8.18-9.95 / oz Melvita: $25.00/1.7 oz = $15.00 / oz Eden Allure: $18.00/1 oz, $30.00/2 oz. = $15.00-18.00/oz John Masters Organics: $38.00/2 oz = $19.00 / oz Argan Sense: $35.00/1.7 oz = $21.00 / oz Kahina: $82.00/3.4 oz = $24.60 / oz Kae (aka Kaeline): $46.00/1.7 oz= $27.60 / oz Josie Maran: $48.00/1.7 oz = $28.80 / oz FURTHER arganoils.com wikipedia the beauty brains truthinaging.com essential day spa skincaretalk (1) (2)
20 out of 23 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Argan oil
gingerrama 11/9/2011 12:33:00 PM
Yes, argan oil is fashionable and faddy. It's an oil. It'll moisturise. As with all oils, and anything else, YMMV. A lightweight oil, light yellow-gold colour with a slight earthy smell. Similar viscosity, texture, fluidity, feel to oils like sunflower or mineral; not as light or dry as grapeseed, nor as heavy as almond, let alone olive. Features good (in human skin terms) balance of fatty acids and high doses of antioxidants. I decanted mine into an amber glass bottle with plastic pump-tops: more practical than droppers/rubber squeezy droppers; while not completely sealed, they’re airtight, vs. removing the top every time. QUICK PROS Does the job of moisturising, without irritation or clogging (YMMV). Good on hair. No clogging or irritation. QUICK CONS There are some serious rip-off merchants out there: Josie Maran the most blatant. List of sample prices at end of review. I tested out samples of some cheap ones and some expensive ones, inc. Josie Maran. Aside from slight differences in immediate smell--which fade rapidly--the results on skin and hair have been the same. Testing period: nearly 4 months (mid-July to early November). USE ON SKIN: Moisturises, but other (cheaper) oils work as well. If other oils haven’t worked for you, worth adding to your list of things to try. 1. Used on top of rosehip seed oil, on any drier patches of skin. 2. Tested out on some minor eczema (stress, work, the usual boring causes…): calmed well and moisturised. I used the oil alone, and I also used it under my usual stage 1 eczema stuff (A-Derma): works better than that cream on its own. USE ON HAIR: 1. Pre-shampoo oil treatment: no difference in results, compared to using other oils. As it’s quite a thin dry oil and I have long fine thick hair, economically unviable. Preferred oils for this: the ones that actually do something useful to hair: avocado, jojoba, olive (coconut works too, but not good on my scalp and neck). But all of these (except jojoba) are too heavy to use on my hair, cos it's fine; though fine as hair-product ingredients, in moderation. But: argan mixed with olive, jojoba, or avocado works very nicely. Also, cheaper than argan alone. 2. 1-2 drops mixed with conditioner: great: either as a pre-wash (for the condition-wash-condition method, on long hair) or when conditioning or both. 3. A tiny drop just applied to the very ends of towel-dried hair, before usual styling product. From trial and error, I’ve figured out that on this hair anyway that has to be the minutest of teeny droplets; any more and hair greases up. I’d tried this before with other oils, and even the lightest of those that do actually do anything to hair were too heavy and greasebally. Argan or the argan/olive mix has a better finish on my (fine) hair; lighter, finer, more fluid. Bonus: I’ve needed less and less de-frizz stuff afterwards. Now using none: argan alone, or the argan mix, defrizzes. I leave hair to dry naturally, and it’s naturally slightly wavy with some tendencies to frizz. There’s been noticeably less of that. Which means saving money on my expensive anti-frizz stuff. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR Avoid being ripped off: ALL argan oil is sustainably-produced, organic, hand-crafted, and fair-trade. The trees only grow in a certain area of Morocco, protected by UNESCO biosphere mandate. The nuts are gathered and processed, and the oil produced and sold on, by Moroccan women’s cooperatives (with UNESCO, EU, and SDA support). They have a global monopoly. All the bigger western companies (ex. this one) selling argan oil and argan oil-based products buy their oil from these cooperatives, c/o the intermediary of a small number of brokers and shippers. Except for a few small companies--mainly Moroccan and French + some US wholesalers--buying straight from the coops, skipping the intermediate stage and buying cheaper as more directly. In all cases: there’s a markup along the way. SOME PRICES: In order of price per ounce. All prices are in USD: CAD tend to be higher (ex. JMO, where USD38.00 somehow works out as CAD50.00) + shipping. Majestic Mountain Sage: $8.45/4 oz, $15.60/8 oz, $26.00/16 oz = $1.65-2.11 / oz Mountain Rose Herbs: $17.00/4 oz, $29.00/8 oz, $49.00/16 oz = $3.06-4.25 / oz Lotioncrafter: $9.20/1 oz, $15.95/2 oz, $27.60/4 oz, $47.60/8 oz = $5.95-9.20 / oz Argan Oil and More: $9.99/1 oz, $17.99/2 oz, $28.99/4 oz, $54.99/8 oz = $6.87-9.99 / oz Garden of Wisdom: $8.20/1 oz, $60.50/8 oz. = $7.56-8.20 / oz Argana / Argan Oil Direct: $13.10/1.18 oz, $22.93/70 ml, $22.87/85 ml eco-refill, $39.32/140 ml = $6.42-11.34 / oz MUAC: $10.00/1 oz, $32.00/4.5 oz = $7.11-10.00 / oz Watts c/o Amazon: $13.45/1 oz, $17.45/2 oz, $27.45/4 oz = $6.86-13.45 / oz The Posh Peddler (who is alleged to maybe supply Josie Maran): $9.95/1 oz, $33.95/4 oz, $48.95/6 oz (3 x 2 oz bottles), lower prices for bulk = $8.18-9.95 / oz Melvita: $25.00/1.7 oz = $15.00 / oz Eden Allure: $18.00/1 oz, $30.00/2 oz. = $15.00-18.00/oz John Masters Organics: $38.00/2 oz = $19.00 / oz Argan Sense: $35.00/1.7 oz = $21.00 / oz Kahina: $82.00/3.4 oz = $24.60 / oz Kae (aka Kaeline): $46.00/1.7 oz= $27.60 / oz Josie Maran: $48.00/1.7 oz = $28.80 / oz FURTHER arganoils.com wikipedia the beauty brains truthinaging.com essential day spa skincaretalk (1) (2)
109 out of 110 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Argan oil
gingerrama 11/8/2011 4:21:00 PM
Yes, it's fashionable and faddy. It's an oil. It'll moisturise. As with all oils, and anything else, YMMV. It’s a lightweight oil, a light yellow-gold colour with a slight earthy smell. Similar viscosity, texture, fluidity, feel to oils like sunflower or mineral; not as light or dry as grapeseed, nor as heavy as almond, let alone olive. Features good (in human skin terms) balance of fatty acids and high doses of antioxidants. I decanted mine into amber glass bottles with plastic pump-tops: more practical than droppers/rubber squeezy droppers; while not completely sealed, they’re airtight, vs. removing the top every time. Some oils are sold in pump-bottles: Argan Oil Direct and Watts, for example. QUICK PROS Does the job of moisturising, without irritation or clogging (YMMV). Good on hair. No clogging or irritation. QUICK CONS Careful on contents (oil vs. oil blend) and brand: there are some serious rip-off merchants out there. List of sample prices at end of review. I tested out some cheap ones and some expensive ones (will copy-paste this review over there). Aside from slight differences in immediate smell--which fade rapidly--the results on skin and hair have been the same. Testing period: nearly 4 months (mid-July to early November). USE ON SKIN: Moisturises, but other (cheaper) oils work as well. If other oils haven’t worked for you, worth adding to your list of things to try. 1. Used on top of rosehip seed oil, on any drier patches of skin. 2. Tested out on some minor eczema (stress, work, the usual boring causes…): calmed well and moisturised. I used the oil alone, and I also used it under my usual stage 1 eczema stuff (A-Derma): works better than that cream on its own. USE ON HAIR: 1. Pre-shampoo oil treatment: no difference in results, compared to using other oils. As it’s quite a thin dry oil and I have long fine thick hair, economically unviable. Preferred oils for this: the ones that actually do something useful to hair: avocado, jojoba, olive (coconut works too, but not good on my scalp and neck). But all of these (except jojoba) are too heavy to use on my hair, cos it's fine; though fine as hair-product ingredients, in moderation. But: argan mixed with olive, jojoba, or avocado works very nicely. Also, cheaper than argan alone. 2. 1-2 drops mixed with conditioner: great: either as a pre-wash (for the condition-wash-condition method, on long hair) or when conditioning or both. 3. A tiny drop just applied to the very ends of towel-dried hair, before usual styling product. From trial and error, I’ve figured out that on this hair anyway that has to be the minutest of teeny droplets; any more and hair greases up. I’d tried this before with other oils, and even the lightest of those that do actually do anything to hair were too heavy and greasebally. Argan or the argan/olive mix has a better finish on my (fine) hair; lighter, finer, more fluid. Bonus: I’ve needed less and less de-frizz stuff afterwards. Now using none: argan alone, or the argan mix, defrizzes. I leave hair to dry naturally, and it’s naturally slightly wavy with some tendencies to frizz. There’s been noticeably less of that. Which means saving money on my expensive anti-frizz stuff. THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR 1. Check the ingredient list: difference between “contains 100% pure argan oil” and “100% pure argan oil.” 2. Avoid being ripped off: ALL argan oil is sustainably-produced, organic, hand-crafted, and fair-trade. The trees only grow in a certain area of Morocco, protected by UNESCO biosphere mandate. The nuts are gathered and processed, and the oil produced and sold on, by Moroccan women’s cooperatives (with UNESCO, EU, and SDA support). They have a global monopoly. All the bigger western companies (Moroccanoil, Josie Maran and the like) selling argan oil and argan oil-based products buy their oil from these cooperatives, ℅ the intermediary of a small number of brokers and shippers. Except for a few small companies--mainly Moroccan and French + some US wholesalers--buying straight from the coops, skipping the intermediate stage and buying cheaper as more directly. In all cases: there’s a markup along the way. SOME PRICES: In order of price per ounce. All prices are in USD: CAD tend to be higher (ex. JMO, where USD38.00 somehow works out as CAD50.00) + shipping. Majestic Mountain Sage: $8.45/4 oz, $15.60/8 oz, $26.00/16 oz = $1.65-2.11 / oz Mountain Rose Herbs: $17.00/4 oz, $29.00/8 oz, $49.00/16 oz = $3.06-4.25 / oz Lotioncrafter: $9.20/1 oz, $15.95/2 oz, $27.60/4 oz, $47.60/8 oz = $5.95-9.20 / oz Argan Oil and More: $9.99/1 oz, $17.99/2 oz, $28.99/4 oz, $54.99/8 oz = $6.87-9.99 / oz Garden of Wisdom: $8.20/1 oz, $60.50/8 oz. = $7.56-8.20 / oz Argana / Argan Oil Direct: $13.10/1.18 oz, $22.93/70 ml, $22.87/85 ml eco-refill, $39.32/140 ml = $6.42-11.34 / oz MUAC: $10.00/1 oz, $32.00/4.5 oz = $7.11-10.00 / oz Watts c/o Amazon: $13.45/1 oz, $17.45/2 oz, $27.45/4 oz = $6.86-13.45 / oz The Posh Peddler: $9.95/1 oz, $33.95/4 oz, $48.95/6 oz (3 x 2 oz bottles) = $8.18-9.95 / oz Melvita: $25.00/1.7 oz = $15.00 / oz Eden Allure: $18.00/1 oz, $30.00/2 oz. = $15.00-18.00/oz John Masters Organics: $38.00/2 oz = $19.00 / oz Argan Sense: $35.00/1.7 oz = $21.00 / oz Kahina: $82.00/3.4 oz = $24.60 / oz Kae (aka Kaeline): $46.00/1.7 oz= $27.60 / oz Josie Maran: $48.00/1.7 oz = $28.80 / oz FURTHER arganoils.com wikipedia the beauty brains truthinaging.com essential day spa skincaretalk (1) 99 out of 101 people found this review helpful. 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Lip Treatments -Badger - Unscented Lip Balm
gingerrama 10/21/2011 4:27:00 PM
A lovely simple lip-balm. PROS: ---does the job of moisturising lips ---without greasing them up ---without irritating them or the surrounding skin ---no scent or flavour; Badger do make nice other lip balms and skin balms with scent, so something here to please everyone / most people ---minimal formulation, but still has some preservatives; doesn't seem to go off. ---good base for under lipstick, or indeed under SPF lipbalm and lippie ---bonus: also works well as an eye-area moisturising balm, on dryish skin. ---and usable as a general-purpose all-over balm: hands, elbows, knees, heels, etc. ---cruelty-free, plus other "green" stuff. CONS: Can't honestly think of any. Oh, okay, maybe one: melts in heat. But doesn't everything? PACKAGING & PRICE: Mainly found in stick form; can occasionally still be found in the large 2 oz / 56 g tin (like the healing balm): used them years ago, they're now rare in North America as a whole, bordering on extinct here in Canada. The tin is really worth getting: lasts forever, easier to use in some situations. It's slightly different--just olive oil and beeswax. Costs around $2.50 - 4.00 for 0.25 oz / 4.2 g INGREDIENTS: extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, castor oil, CO2 Extract of rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Unlisted Brand - Nvey Eco - Organic Cake Eyeliner
gingerrama 10/21/2011 3:58:00 PM
A pressed baked powdery sort of cakey contraption. Small round container, opens and closes with a satisfying snap. Shiny black outside, nice lettering. Mirror on the inside of the lid. Available in brown or black; I’m using brown for reasons of gingerness, but the shade's not quite right on me, too dark: noticed (11/2011) in recent photos. I'm not rebuying this until Nvey come out with better options for my colouring. Mind you: given the resemblance in formulae, their Eye Shadow Duo or Eye Shadow Palette might work well as liners too, and give you a great range of YBB colours. Can be used dry or wet; wet, works very well for tightlining. APPLICATION: Mix in water. Apply. Either brush out some liner dry onto back of hand (or some other surface), mix in water, and apply from there as a palette; or mix water straight into the cake--as with other cakes like the Laura Mercier one--and apply from there. PROS: ---Like other cakes, produces a finer line through the lash-roots, doesn’t gunk up lashes as much as a gel one. Portable, lightweight, durable, doesn’t (in my experience) break. Highly recommended for travel; also as not using up your carry-on liquids allocation; I get geeky about traveling with hand-luggage only… ---Advantage over LM: easier to use–no issues of adding too much water–and applies like a dream. Also, will basically last forever (like many a cake; not real edible ones though, alas). ---Minimal ingredients, none of my frequent or occasional irritants; no bismuth oxychloride, for ex. ---Compared to a gel liner (Cinique, Bobbi Brown, Maybelline, Silk Naturals cream-gel one): as long lasting, but a finer line and easier application; better container than the glass jars with screw-top lids (all the above except SN). Better staying-power than them, no flaking during the day: I do notice that in allergy season when eyes are more easily irritated. ---Cruelty-free, organic, sustainable, etc. CONS: ---price ---too few shades ---the brown is too dark on me: being pale, and naturally light lashes, I find a black or dark brown looks too harsh (and can make the pale rest of me look a bit grey...); while a richer lighter brown or a plummy burgundy works better. PRICE: around $25.00 for 1.5 g / 0.52 oz INGREDIENTS: Zea Mays Starch (Organic Corn Starch)*, Zinc Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba Seed Oil)*, Benzyl Alcohol (and) Salicylic Acid (and) Sorbic Acid, Stearic Acid, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil*, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot Seed Oil), Glycerin. May Contain +/-: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499, CI 77019 (Mica), CI 77007, CI 77947 (Zinc Oxide). *Certified Organic Ingredient
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Purple Prairie Sun Stick SPF 30
gingerrama 10/21/2011 3:47:00 PM
PROS: ---No irritation. ---No scent or flavour. ---Decent quantity of ZnO (but larger-size and no coating). ---Cruelty-free. ---FWIW: plant-based ingredients, organic, hand-made by everyday sorts of people in the USA, etc. (*shrug* just saying, for the record, and as these are attractive factors for some MUAers; do with this information as you will, not necessarily my thing.) ---Makes quite a good unscented underarm deodorant, as layer one of the Deodowich. Useful if traveling: the balm counts as a solid and doesn’t gnaw into the precious 3-1-1 plastic-bag of carry-on liquids (I’m one of these anal types who prefer to travel minimalist and carry-on only). ---Hypothetical pro: I can imagine how this would be useful for an adult applying to a squiggly small child, holding them with one hand and the sunscreen stick with the other. Same goes for any other sunscreen stick: none of that comedy sunscreen-lotion flying around all over the place. ---The ingredients are so minimal this would be edible, too: again, useful with kids. (The same is true of several other stick sunscreens.) CONS: ---very whitening and greasy as a body sunscreen; would do at a pinch, and looks like it would be waterproof (with that amount of oil in it) ---body purposes: not exactly easy to apply on an adult ---face: no, breakout alert. I did try this (behind ear, classic lower-grade testing area) and a zit had started by the end of the day. Anywhere less dry and more irritable, like the chin or nose? No. That's speaking as a dryish person. ---lips: just about usable, and actually slightly better than Purple Prairie's lip SPF. Less whitening and lacks its dry issues, but is even greasier. I’m not sure how protective it ends up being: it’s so greasy it slips off very easily. As with the PP lip: issues with lipstick on top. ---pet peeve: some yummy-mummy fear-mongering soppy greenwash nonsense on the manufacturer's site (they do like the EWG: need I say more?). PRICE: 2 oz for around $10.50-14.50, depending on source; plus taxes and shipping. INGREDIENTS: Active ingredient: Zinc oxide 20% Other ingredients: organic cold pressed olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, organic apis mellifera (beeswax), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), organic cocos nucifera (coconut), organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) fruit, jojoba oil, natural vitamin E.
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Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Purple Prairie SunStuff Lip Balm SPF 30 
gingerrama 10/21/2011 3:33:00 PM
PROS: No irritation. No scent or flavour. Decent quantity of ZnO (but larger-size and no coating). Cruelty-free. FWIW: plant-based ingredients, organic, hand-made by everyday sorts of people in the USA, etc. (*shrug* just saying, for the record, and as these are attractive factors for some MUAers; do with this information as you will, not necessarily my thing.) CONS: Weird combination of dry texture, drying feel, and greasiness. Add to that: one of the most amazingly whitening SPF lipbalms I’ve ever used. Result: unusable. Even under lipstick: the formula doesn’t settle well under any of my lipsticks. Not a single one. Makes Badger’s lip sunscreen seem a delight, in comparison. Quite an achievement, though: combining almost every possible flaw in one neat little package. Odd, as the ingredient-list looks fine, and it doesn't look a million miles from some other lip SPFs with a similar-looking formula but that were fine, indeed good. Some yummy-mummy fear-mongering soppy greenwash nonsense on the manufacturer's site (they do like the EWG: need I say more?). PRICE: 0.15 oz for around $3.50-6.00 depending on source. The Sun Stuff stick works out a better price, $10.50-14.50 for 2 oz, but is not usable as a lip balm (see separate review). INGREDIENTS: Active ingredient: 20% zinc oxide Other ingredients: organic olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, organic cera alba (beeswax), organic butyrospermum parkii fruit (shea butter), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), organic jojoba oil, tocopherol (natural vitamin E)
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Loving Naturals Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30+
gingerrama 10/21/2011 3:13:00 PM
Full name: Loving Naturals Clear Lips Sunscreen Lipbalm SPF 30. Lightweight flavourless lip sunscreen with all-physical filters (24.7% ZnO). Good for reapplication during the day, be that on its own or under lippie. Right level of moisture, for me anyway, and that moisture stays put. One of the least whitening all-physical lipbalms I've found: BurnOut a close second. Can also be used around the eyes, like many other SPF lipbalms with similarly minimal ingredients and no scent or flavour. Contains coconut triglycerides; maybe not very good news for some kinds of acne-prone individuals. That's all. Simple, straightforward. Price: $3.50-6.00 for 0.16 oz. The sunscreen stick and the baby sunscreen stick are almost identical in formula--slightly thicker, need warming up between finger-tips and a little more work to pat in. But they work out a lot cheaper in price; the baby suncreen stick too: $10.50-14.50 for 0.86 oz. All prices depending on source; plus taxes and shipping. Cruelty-free. Made using a lot of fair trade and organic ingredients (FWIW). Some yummy-mummy fear-mongering soppy greenwash nonsense on the manufacturer's site (they do like the EWG: need I say more?). But I'm willing to forgive then as the product works, is a decent price, and isn't harming anyone (inc. any fluffy bunny rabbits). INGREDIENTS: Active Ingredient: Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 24.7% Other ingredients: grape seed oil, organic sunflower oil, caprylic/capric triglycerides (from coconut oil), organic beeswax, organic cocoa butter, organic shea butter, stearic acid (from palm oil), organic honey, purified water
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Purple Prairie Sun Stuff SPF30 20% Z-Cote sunscreen
gingerrama 10/21/2011 2:17:00 PM
If you're stuck, and in need of an all-physical, zinc-oxide-only sunscreen that you'll use up in a couple of weeks max: worth a try. It's not bad, by any means; it's perfectly usable for some purposes. Hence a 3. But it's not in the same league as the best all-zinc sunscreens out there, some of which are, yes, as "green," "natural," etc. as this one. PROS: ---unscented, and didn't irritate. ---good as an eye-area sunscreen. If you’re looking for an all-zinc oxide sunscreen that’s very moist, but not utterly minging, this would be a good one. ---also decent on body; easy to apply, as it's quite fluid. Admittedly, I have dryish skin and my regular sunscreens can be on the thicker side (Blue Lizard, Vanicream). ---nicely moist, without being greaseball spectacular: not a common thing in all-zinc sunscreens, apart from the unwearable greasy super-squeaky-green kind that the EWG loves. Great on small children, not so hot on, errm, anyone above the age of reason let alone adults above the age of consent... ---did the job: protecting from burning; and fairly sweatproof and rainproof. ---cruelty-free ---FWIW: also using plant-based ingredients as much as possible, organic, hand-made by everyday sorts of people in the USA, etc. (*shrug* just saying, for the record, and as these are attractive factors for some MUAers; do with this information as you will, not necessarily my thing.) CONS: ---Not as fine and sleek a texture as BurnOut or my other current experiment, the two ECO Logical ones ---not going near my face (see ingredients at end of review); patch-tested, zit started within minutes, off the Prairie came. Now: I'm sensitive and dryish. Warning, this stuff might be a possibility for people with seriously dry skin, but there's a very high risk it would be a nightmare in a bottle for anyone else's faces. ---no preservatives, and not because this stuff's been specially formulated without them. As others below report: goes off very fast. That's not a good idea for skin products. Especially around the eyes. ---not as water- and sweat-proof (so: not as reliable in serious sun and weather) as Blue Lizard, Vanicream, BurnOut Ocean Tested, or Eco Logical. ---some yummy-mummy fear-mongering soppy greenwash nonsense on the manufacturer's site (they do like the EWG: need I say more?). Price: around about $12.50-17.00 for 5 oz, $23.00-26.00 for 9.5 oz. Decent and middle-of-the-road for this sort of sunscreen. INGREDIENTS: Active ingredient: 20% micronized zinc oxide. This is in the form of coated micro Z-Cote, so containing other things too besides the ZnO. Inactive ingredients: aqua (water), organic cold pressed olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) kosher vegetable glycerin, organic cocos nucifera (coconut), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol organic, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), organic jojoba oil, rosemary extract
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - ECO Logical Face SPF 30+
gingerrama 10/21/2011 1:54:00 PM
UPDATE 2013-04: tried this out again because I am a sucker and it's spring so I'm an optimistic sucker. Split-self testing vs. BurnOut Ocean Tested, BurnOut Eco-Sensitive, Elemental Herbs Sport, and Replenix Sheer Physical Spray.
Result = OK for functionality (protection), but a big NO for application and aesthetics. Also, still smells awful. Down from 4 to 3 on overall rating.
UPDATE 2011-12: with colder drier weather, switched to this rather than BurnOut as regular sunscreen; then switched to Eco Logical Body as I just can't take the smell of the Face one any more. Sorry. Lippies must go. I'm leaving it on 4, though, as the stuff does its job well.
A good all-zinc-oxide sunscreen, no fragrance, good on at least some sorts of sensitive skin. One of the best all-physicals I've used, one of the moistest all-zinc ones that are meant for the face (whilst being wearable and not Badger-like), and one of the most cosmetically-elegant sunscreens without silicones. Been using it for face and around the eyes; though the Body version is slightly better as an eye-area sunscreen. My other regular face sunscreen is BurnOut Ocean Tested, also ZnO & SPF 30+, but a lot cheaper.
Ticks all my sensitive-friendly boxes: no scent, none of my usual irritants and cloggers, no pointless crap–I’m cool with “fillers” when they’re the stuff that binds it all together into a beautiful-feeling whole, especially when it feels this nice–and no cyclopentasiloxane, which my skin loves to hate but sunscreen-makers love to, well, love.
No irritation, which is always a good start, being the first hurdle at which so many well-fancied favourites take a tumble. No clogging to report: though clog-prones might want to test before diving into this stuff, as the coconut derivatives (esp. the triglycerides) are frequent triggers. It’s smoother, silkier, feels almost silicone-ey. Sinks in very very fast (like BurnOut), matte: no shine, no grease. White, but not whitening on me. Feels light to imperceptible on the skin: a properly wearable elegant aesthetically-pleasing sunscreen.
Con #1: weird smell, though, that I now really dislike. Sweet, over-sweet, hints of cheap ersatz caramel and Hersheys-type chocolate and plastic. Some people might like that, though!
Con #2: tricky to use, can be streaky and pill up. Not the smooth beauty that is the BurnOut Eco-Sensitive.
Quick comparisons: Thinner and lighter than the Body version, a smidge thicker than BurnOut's Ocean Tested; both the Eco Logical s/s are moister than the latter. With dry skin, any of these three would be worth a try: zinc sunscreens can often be on the dry side, and these are some of the moistest. Does the job of protecting: tested out (back in August) in actual sun. Easy to clean off: I found pre-cleansing with oil + then regular cleanser does the job.
Packaging: recyclable, in a decent practical squeezy bottle that stands on its flip-top lid. Major quibble--the same for the face version: the tube's only about half-full. I suspect the manufacturers have bought packaging that was a size too big–fair enough, better that than too small–and there would also be sense in under-filling so as to allow room for, I don’t know, contents settling but being shakable-upable? the stuff expanding in hot weather? The issue will apparently be remedied in next year's batch (as per the manufacturers' contributions to a Skin Care Talk discussion thread).
[UPDATE 2013-04: yep, this year too, despite MF claims that the issue would be sorted out.]
Cruelty-free; environmentally-friendly, biodegradable, and reef-hugging (which also translates as: disperses well in water when cleaning off, without worrying about the consequences for the rest of known life; though the face version is not as waterproof as the body and baby ones–their oil content allows for greater adhesion to skin).
Techy innovative stuff: while the company (Eco Skin Care Inc.) is based in the US (San Clemente, CA), the sunscreen itself is “product of Australia” and “manufactured by Baxter Laboratories Pty, Melbourne Australia,” to Australian standards. No preservatives, but not just for the usual knee-jerk reasons, to satisfy scientifically-ignorant squeaky-green consumers: they're using a low-water formula, and there's basically nothing in the stuff for bacteria to feed on. The zinc is micro, and coated with a coconut-derived biodegradable covering (rather than the usual silicones in most of the Z-cote family).
Quibble: greenwash alert, issues with use of “all-natural” and LOL at “logical”: nope, it’s a sunscreen, inanimate, unthinking. Its reflective abilities are limited to physically blocking solar radiation. Sure, it’s “common sense for the environment” and “economically sensible”: but dear sweet manufacturers: next time, consult a dictionary--cheaper than marketing consultants and execs...
Price: depending on source, around US$14.00 for 1.8 oz/50 ml (it does indeed, as many report, feel like there’s way less in the container): nearly twice the price of my usual BurnOut. Bought online. Now available in at least the Hawaii and Portland branches of Whole Foods. Not a crazy price: cheap compared to department store, boutique, luxury, spa, derm etc. brands, and worth its weight in gold compared to the main "green" sunscreen market--different league for performance and aesthetics.
INGREDIENTS: Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20% Inactive ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Isoamyl Laurate, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose Cocoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract*, Rosa Canina (Rosehips) Seed Oil*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract*. (* = organic)
16 out of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - ECO Logical - Body SPF 30
gingerrama 10/21/2011 1:36:00 PM
This is a basic all-zinc-oxide sunscreen, no fragrance, good on at least some sorts of sensitive skin. One of the best all-physicals I've used, one of the moistest all-zinc ones (whilst being wearable and not Badger-like), and one of the more cosmetically-elegant sunscreens without silicones. For body, face, and/or eyes depending on your skin.
But it still comes 2nd-best to BurnOut Ocean Tested SPF30+ (also ZnO-only), IMHO, though. The BurnOut has none of Eco Logical's practical / application problems (more on them further on).
Ticks all my sensitive-friendly boxes: no scent, none of my usual irritants and cloggers, no pointless crap–I’m cool with “fillers” when they’re the stuff that binds it all together into a beautiful-feeling whole, especially when it feels this nice–and no cyclopentasiloxane, which my skin loves to hate but sunscreen-makers love to, well, love. Eco Logical also make a face one, that I prefer to this Body one for face.
Tips: the tube needs to be kneaded before use, as this stuff separates badly. Also: apply to bone-dry skin and rub in.
No irritation, which is always a good start, being the first hurdle at which so many well-fancied favourites take a tumble. White, but not whitening on me. Thickish consistency, but emulsifies well between fingers and once applied to dry skin and rubbed in, it sinks in and dries to a smooth slightly silky finish. Not as light as the Face version, but perfectly acceptable--and it is more waterproof, which means, yes, a little thicker and with more oil, to be hydrophobic.
Tested more thoroughly by surfers; partners with the Surfrider Foundation (not to be sneezed at, respectable, etc.). Does the job of protecting: tested out (back in August) in actual sun. Easy to clean off: I found regular cleanser does the job. Unlike my other regular body ones, Blue Lizard and Vanicream, which stay on well in water and if sweating but are super-tenacious.
UPDATE: tested out fully swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Not as waterproof as BurnOut Ocean Tested, nor as easy to reapply after. Can really seriously only be applied and rubbed into dry skin; disasters if you try using it on damp (and sandy) skin, or try reapplying it to a sweaty face. Result: a patchy layer of grease that then runs off. Bonus: poor protection from sun.
Good around the eyes: skin stays moist, doesn't run into eyes (or, if it doesn't, it's not irritating), and makeup applies fine. Though I'm not using much.
Very good winter sunscreen for face, in extremely cold dry weather (Canada).
Packaging: recyclable, in a decent practical squeezy bottle that stands on its flip-top lid. Major quibbles:
1. the same for the face version: the tube's only about half-full. I suspect the manufacturers have bought packaging that was a size too big–fair enough, better that than too small–and there would also be sense in under-filling so as to allow room for, I don’t know, contents settling but being shakable-upable? the stuff expanding in hot weather? The issue will apparently be remedied in next year's batch (as per the manufacturers' contributions to a Skin Care Talk discussion thread).
2. you need to squidge the stuff around in the tube, as it separates. Not practical on the beach. May cause SOs to swear.
3. Goes off too fast.
Cruelty-free; environmentally-friendly, biodegradable, and reef-hugging. That also translates as: disperses well in water when cleaning off, without worrying about the consequences for the rest of known life; though the face version is not as waterproof as the body and baby ones–their oil content allows for greater adhesion to skin.
Australian aspects: like Blue Lizard, it’s formulated to satisfy Australian standards (though the BL isn't actually Australian). Further: while the company (Eco Skin Care Inc.) is based in the US (San Clemente, CA), the sunscreen itself is “product of Australia” and “manufactured by Baxter Laboratories Pty, Melbourne Australia.” No preservatives, but not just for the usual knee-jerk reasons, to satisfy scientifically-ignorant squeaky-green consumers: they're using a low-water formula, and there's basically nothing in the stuff for bacteria to feed on. The zinc is micro, and coated with a coconut-derived biodegradable covering (rather than the usual silicones in most of the Z-cote family).
Quibble: greenwash alert, issues with use of “all-natural” and LOL at “logical”: nope, it’s a sunscreen, inanimate, unthinking. Its reflective abilities are limited to physically blocking solar radiation. Sure, it’s “common sense for the environment” and “economically sensible”: but dear sweet manufacturers: next time, consult a dictionary--cheaper than marketing consultants and execs...
Price: depending on source, around $15.00-20.00 for 3.5 oz and $23.00-26.00 for the 5.3 oz bottle. A fair price, fairly standard for this volume and this kind of sunscreen; very cheap compared to spa /derm etc. brands, "green" sunscreens that aren't as good in terms of performance or aesthetics.
INGREDIENTS: Active ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22% Inactive ingredients: Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Silicon Dioxide, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii Seed (Shea) Butter, Euphorbia Antisyphilitica (Candelilla) Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract*, Rosa Canina (Rosehips) Seed Oil*, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract*.
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - A-Derma Sensifluid Cleansing Micellar Water
gingerrama 10/21/2011 1:07:00 PM
PROS: It’s the only micellar cleanser I’ve been able to use without irritation. Others tested: Avène, Nuxe, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma (both the regular and the sensitive ones). It cleans. Doesn’t irritate. Unfragranced, though some scent from the oats and witch-hazel (contains witch-hazel water/hydrosol). Application: poured out onto a cotton-wool pad (or equivalent), then swept over face. Texture: a clear liquid, looks and feels like water. I've used this occasionally in the evenings. Can be used in the mornings too. Or whenever you clean our face, really. Cruelty-free (like all A-Derma products and those from their parent group--Pierre Fabre--and its other brands, ex. Ducray, Galénic, Avène, Klorane).
CONS: Price? once shipping, customs/import duties, and taxes are factored in. Though it’s cheaper than the aforementioned other micellar waters. Note also that I’m only using this to remove sunscreen plus a teeny amount of finishing powder; not full makeup; and my usual face sunscreens are lightweight ones that remove easily. No promises for heavier-duty cleansing needs.
Price: (France) €10.00-13.00; (North America or c/o e-tailers) US$30.00 for 500 ml. Bought online: several French pharmacies ship to North America, and there’s a few “french cosmetics” type companies in the US that do Canada too. Much of the A-Derma range is available from Canadian drugstores (SDM, LD), though not this micellar water. I’ve seen it in a couple of pharmacies in Québec, so there’s clearly some distribution there. Have a sniff around online and in your real-life shops to see… It is, as you see, massively cheaper to get from France (or elsewhere in Continental Europe), but do bear in mind the shipping costs.
INGREDIENTS: Water (aqua), Poloxamer 184, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Triglycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Hamamelis Virginia (Witch Hazel) Water, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA.
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