Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser - Review

I have a complicated relationship with REN. They were one of the first brands I turned to when I started cleaning up my routine; the products were all packaged in sophisticated airless pumps and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. I really loved most everything I tried from the brand, but as I learned more and more about green beauty, I realized REN uses many ingredients that are big no-no's (mainly phenoxyethanol, unidentified "parfum", and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate). I was torn. I loved these products, but only one met my ever increasing standards for purity. I finished, but never repurchased every product I had from REN with the exception of the Claryfing Clay Cleanser.

The INCI for this cleanser reads beautifully: chamomile water and oil, kaolin clay, sesame oil, willow bark extract (the list goes on and on). This is my third bottle and it's one of my skincare wardrobe staples for when my acne decides to flare up (fortunately these flareups have become quite few and far between); it cleanses the skin completely while maintaining the delicate lipid balance, exfoliating away minor imperfections, and soothing irritation.

This smooth clay has a gorgeous, whipped cream like texture that feels magical when massaged in to the skin. It rinses off like a dream and leaves skin visibly softer and smoother. The scent is absolutely delicious and you get a whopping 150 ml in some of the best packaging on the market. The only problem is, as I alluded, REN on the whole don't use the absolute best ingredients. I justify my repeated purchase of this product by telling myself that I'm using my money to tell REN that this is the kind of product I want them to continue to formulate. Regardless of ingredient politics, I can't deny what this stuff does for my complexion and my eventual repurchase is an absolute no-brainer.

INCI: Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Water, Kaolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Oryzanol, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Leptospermum Scoparium Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Zinc Gluconate, Bisabolol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Crataegus Oxyacantha Stem Extract, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol.

Have you tried anything from REN? Are there any not-totally-clean brands that you can't help but love?

Corpa Flora Beauté Divine Cleansing Oil - Review

Apols. for the blurriness, the packaging is quite reflective (I'll get better; pinky promise)

Today's review is of another one of my favourite cleansers. The Corpa Flora Beauté Divine (which translates to "Divine Beauty" in english) Cleansing Oil has been one of my go-to take-the-day-off cleansers for the past two months. Designed by Céline Champigny, Corpa Flora is a line of completely water-free products manufactured in small batches in Québec. 

I love supporting small upstart brands (especially Canadian ones), but I often find that either the packaging or the formula lacks sophistication. This is absolutely not the case with Corpa Flora. Packaged in a gorgeous, heavy dark glass jar, this wonderfully refreshing blend of camellia, sunflower, and rosehip seed oils is protected from oxidative damage due to light and looks great sitting on a dressing table to boot! 

Let's talk ingredients. The carriers in this blend are, as I mentioned, camellia, sunflower, and rosehip (all superstars in their own rights: pampering, moisturizing, renewing). Caprylic/capric triglycerides from coconut oil also make an appearance as well as ECOCERT certified emulsifying agent polyglyceryl-4 oleate. Enriched with lemon myrtle and cypress essential oils, this cleanser is an absolute joy to massage into the face: it smells like a walk through the forest. Scent aside, these essential oils also give the oil extreme detoxifying properties, and encourage a reduction in breakouts; everything you want out of a cleanser!

The Corpa Flora Beauté Divine Cleansing Oil is a great way to get your evening facial massage on, and (given the fact that the formula emulsifies completely upon contact with water) even those who loathe the feeling of oil on their skin can benefit from its supreme dirt, makeup, and sunscreen dissolving properties. 

I rate this cleanser incredibly highly; you can purchase it direct from Corpa Flora here.

Roots Rose Radish Honey Pecan Rose face cleanser - Review

Apols. for the most recent break. I'm committing to daily (well, week-daily) blogging, so my posts will now be appearing in a far more consistent way.

That said, over the next few weeks I'll be playing a bit of catch up: inundating you with reviews of every single product that is currently a part of my skincare wardrobe! On that note, Today we'll be discussing the Honey Pecan Rose face cleanser by the amazing amazing amazing brand Roots Rose Radish.

This gorgeously gummy paste has a simple, yet effective, formula that nourishes and exfoliates while gently cleansing the skin. Fans of both honey cleansing and oil cleansing will LOVE the thick, rich  base of this cleanser: honey and jojoba oil deep clean while the addition of glycerin adds lightweight nourishment and allows this cleanser to rinse off easily with water. Finely ground rose petals and chunks of pecan get the exfoliating job done, while lavender and peppermint essential oils add an intoxicating scent and supreme antibacterial properties.

I massage this cleanser into moist skin and allow it rest for anywhere from five to twenty minutes before rinsing. You can, of course, rinse it off as soon as you're done massaging, but I've found that when I let this cleanser really work into the skin, it performs miracles. This is my go to cleanser after long, stressful days that leave me looking drawn and dull: it instantly plumps, brightens, and re-enlivens my complexion. As if this cleanser wasn't already perfect enough, it's also delicious. I happily welcome the few drops of melted lavender, mint, and rose laced honey that migrate down my face and into my mouth while I mask with this cleanser.

The packaging is basic, but practical and incredibly luxurious in a rustic way. The cloth dust bag that this cleanser comes in effectively blocks light and, as such, oxidative damage to the unpreserved formula. 

An excellent performance from Roots Rose Radish! This cleanser would make a perfect addition to the routine of anyone who's looking for a stress-blasting, multi-tasking cleanser.   

Ingredients: pecans, rose petals, honey, glycerin, jojoba oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil.

The Roots Rose Radish Honey Pecan Rose face cleanser is available in Canada from Clementine Fields 

Vered Organic Botanicals Herb-Infused Toner - Review

Look at that colour *swoon* via

I'm coming back at you today after a brief (virus induced) hiatus with a review of the unbelievable Vered Organic Botanicals Herb-Infused Toner!

Allow me to preface by saying I have a bit of a toner addiction. With 4-8 typically in my rotation, a toner has to be absolutely fantastic to really stand out to me.

That said, I'm incredibly impressed with Vered's offering. This water based potion of chickweed, nettles, echinacea, rose buds, and comfrey (to name but a few) is given a hydrating kick with a hefty dose of vegetable glycerin and some effective antibacterial properties through the addition of grape alcohol (and  many of the herbs themselves).

While the toner stage is, admittedly, one of my favourites, I've been trying to use this toner (as Vered Herself recommends) as a quick morning (or evening, if there's no sunscreen, makeup, or filth on my face) cleanse. I was skeptical at first, I've tried and loved other rinse-less cleansers (I'm looking at you Fig + Yarrow Cleansing Nectar), but I wasn't sure if a product with such a simple formula could get the job done. It does. Seriously folks, my skin has never been softer, more even-toned, or more breakout free (acne prone dry skin is a difficult thing to deal with). A couple dashes into the palms of my hands, followed by a speedy facial massage gets my morning cleanse out of the way in a jiff!

This stuff is also a joy to use; it's like a strongly brewed cup of herbal tea for the face. The citrusy herbaceous scent and gorgeous crimson colour make it a feast for the nose, the eyes, and the skin.

I get seriously good vibes from this bottle of miracle juice. I cannot possibly recommend this product enough.

Ingredients: Organic, ethically sourced, therapeutic-grade essential oils and herbs including chickweed, calendula, nettles, echinacea, lemongrass, orange grape root, horsetail, chamomile, hibiscus flower, lavender, orange and lemon peel, rosebuds, comfrey leaf, comfrey root, speedwell infused into a base of organic grape alcohol, distilled water and vegetable glycerin.

Vered Organic Botanicals' Herb-Infused Toner, 57$ is available from Clementine Fields