I have had the wonderful privilege to test many natural and organic skincare products over the last couple of years. If I had any illusions about how sensitive my
skin really is, they are now shattered. I’ve had adverse reactions to some of the most ‘clean’ sounding products out there. So, as I’ve said before in previous posts on skincare reviews, I am like the canary in the coal mine - if there is anything even slightly off about a product, my skin will react - with blooming color usually!
I still can’t keep all the ‘good for me’ from ‘you DON’T want this on your skin’ ingredients straight. I start breaking out in a rash trying to pronounce the name of some of these ingredients - both natural and synthetic. So, if you are wanting a breakdown of the ingredients and what to use and what not to use, please don’t expect that kind of detail here. I’ll give you a couple of good links at the end of the post for better resources.
I do look for simple, organic ingredients that are put together with some consciousness, which perhaps is why I do well with stuff made from biodynamically grown herbs. It is easy for me - it is either clean or I break out, but I would encourage others who may have heartier skin to do additional
homework on safe ingredients.
Meg’s Organic Skincare Favs for 2008
Facial Cleanser
Right now and for quite a while, my one and only is
Beyond Organic Skincare’s Natural Detoxifying Cleanser. It is a new experience in face washing - smooth, gentle. I always want to sigh when I’m done. They are one of the biodynamic farmer-based companies I really love, based in England.
Facial Hydration
Instead of using traditional ‘toner’ on my face, I’ve learned to use a gentle misting spray and so far, my very favorite are the
Healing Hydration Mists from actress Marsha Mason’s biodynamic herb farm in New
Mexico,
Resting in the River. I had the opportunity to speak with
Ms. Mason - read or watch the interview!
Facial Firming
I wouldn’t have necessarily tried this on my own, but the folks at
Mod Skin Labs sent it to me and I fell in love with it -
Face Sculpt Serum Excalibur DMAE & Blue Green Algea. I guess I’m in denial that I may be at an age where stuff like this can be helpful! I know there are similar products out there, but I have avoided them, because there seems to be a lot of harsh synthetic materials in them. Mod Skin is very clean.
Facial Moisturizing
For daily use, I’ve gotten very comfortable with
Beyond Organic’s Organic Moisturizing Day Cream. Leaves my face feeling like soft, silky velvet. This is one of those products that can destroy my face, but Beyond Organics is so clear, I’ll keep using this one as long as possible!
Body Wash
Can’t say enough good things about
Shea Terra Organic’s African Lemongrass Indigenous Black Soap Elixir. Well, it is a mouthful - who needs to say more? Honestly, it is a unique and divine experience. I don’t usually use body wash, other than my wonderful handmade soap from my local bee lady, but this soap made by the
Yoruba Tribe of West Africa is exotic and amazing.
Body Scrub
Still on the Shea Terra Organics binge, their
Miombo Mango Dead Sea Shea Butter Salt Scrub is going to become a regular fixture in my shower/bath.
Body Butter
Marsha Mason has created an amazing formula with her
Healing Body butter from
Resting in the River. Among the organic ingredients (including shea butter of course) is
spilanthes flower, which has some amazing properties. Ms. Mason is among the few using it in her organic
skincare lines.
eat. blog. be merry!
