Review of A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel
By Nadine D.
Packaging The A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel comes packaged in a cream, squeezable flip top bottle with orange writing. I was really looking forward to trying this product as I head read lots about A’kin products and liked their ethos.
Application The directions on the bottle tell you to apply a small amount of A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel to the face and décolletage, massage and rinse off. A small amount is really all you need, too much and it is a little too drying due to the witch hazel. The gel is really cooling on your skin and feels silky smooth. It is easy to apply and wash off. It suggests that it is ideal to use in the shower and I really liked this idea. In fact, it is now part of my morning shower routine.
Ingredients The ingredients were not listed on the bottle of A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel, so I found the information online. Many of the ingredients were of botanical or natural sources. I was already aware that all A’kin products are vegan and halal, 100% natural botanical aromatherapy and formulated without animal ingredients or animal testing. They are also free from parabens, mineral oils, silicones, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, propylene glycol, DEA (MEA, TEA), and ethoxylated and petrochemical cleansers, so I was very comfortable using this product on my skin.
Results This A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel is so easy to use. My skin feels soft and cleansed after use and I have not suffered from any breakouts since I started using it. The fragrance is light and fresh and not at all overpowering. I was slightly disappointed to find that it did not remove make-up as effectively as my usual wash off cleanser. My toner pad showed more residue than usual and it did not remove hardly any mascara. However, this is an ideal product to use in the morning, especially in the shower as it suggests. I will continue to use this product in the morning as it feels so light on your skin.
Pros: Very economical. I have been using A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel twice per day, every day and the bottle still feels full!
Easy to apply and wash off.
Did not irritate my skin or sting my eyes.
Excellent for use in the shower.
Skin feels very fresh and smooth after use.
Value for money.
Cons: Did not remove make-up as well as my usual cleanser.
· Very easy to squeeze the bottle a little too hard and get too much gel.
A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel (£13.99) and other A’kin products are available at naturisimo.com
Review of Barefoot Botanicals Facial Spritz
By Beverley S.
Packaging Barefoot Botanicals Facial Spritz is packaged in the same style as the rest of The Barefoot Drs Rosa Fina range. The box is fresh & clean design with a glass bottle of the spritz which was a bonus for me as most facial spritzers I have used have been in a 'plastic' type bottles. The product is only 30ml although Rosa Fina spritzer is concentrated & the fine but wide spritzer meant I only needed one spritz unless I decided to indulgence a little more.
I have previously found this range don't include a lot of information on the box or the product although details of ingredients & usage are much better on The Barefoot Drs website which may not be accessible to everyone who purchases the product. Personally I enjoy reading information away from my computer screen & referring to it when using the product.
Application Barefoot Botanicals Facial Spritz is a multi purpose product as it can be used as a toner after cleansing or a cooling spritz on hot days or as a spritz over the Barefoot Drs Masquerade face mask which I found added luxury to the experience of the mask.
I tried the spritz after cleansing on cotton pads but found the best way was spritzing which in fact saves the product more than soaking cotton pads with it.
The product promises to close open pores which should be welcome for those with oilier skin types. I know my skin felt uplifted & toned.
Rosa Fina gently tones with the rosa mosquito extract
Witch hazel, horse chestnut & lime flower extracts purify & close pores
Arimony, lady's mantle, nettle & green tea help to soothe inflammation
Rosa damascene, juniper & mandarin add to the fresh, clean, uplifting aromas
There is a complete list of fine ingredients with their purpose in this product on the website. I questioned the use of alcohol although I know some natural ranges include alcohol to preserve the essences. As my skin tends to dry/sensitive I was cautious although I was assured the content is minimal and was for cooling & hydration.
After my initial caution about this my skin wasn't irritated & didn't feel it was drying out after any spritzing session, which can be addictive!
Comments The contents of the Barefoot Botanicals Facial Spritz look like a concentrate of rich oil as the natural colour is golden (unlike most clear facial spritzers) At first I found it difficult to gauge how much was going to come out although after a few attempts I soon learned the distance and degree of pressure needed!
I loved the size of the bottle as it was easy to carry with me. I only needed one spritz to enjoy the indulgent aromas which fully refreshed my skin. I have started to use Barefoot Drs Rosa Fina face lotion therefore the layering effect was a totally luxurious addition.
The scent is divine, Persian Rose, Mandarin & Juniper combined to lift & refresh the mind.
Results Amazing refreshment on hot days with the bonus of glowing skin which absorbed the Barefoot Botanicals Facial Spritz with ease, my face didn’t feel uncomfortably wet. I loved the refreshing sensation when I spritzed Rosa Fina over the facial mask.
Beautiful way to finish mineral makeup as my skin looked refreshed, the mineral didn’t appear dry plus the product set the makeup. I will continue to use this with mineral makeup without the fear of dryness. I found myself lifting the spritz especially after looking at a computer screen to feel the coolness and toning effect mid afternoon.
Pros Beautiful uplifting facial Spritz
• Aromas are divine
• Multi uses & suited to all skin types although as with anything patch testing is advised
• Surprisingly the spritz although only 30ml lasted longer than I thought & I did use this several times a day if I needed to feel refreshed.
• Excellent to set and refresh mineral makeup - loved this aspect
• Overall a beautiful treat for the skin & mind
Cons Personal worry about alcohol (although I didn't suffer any of the reactions I anticipated)
• 30ml size although I found it does last I would be unsure about using this as I would my normal skin tonic morning & evening after cleansing. I like to use cotton pads after cleansing with my toner. This isn’t a con as such as it is made to be spritzed over the skin.
Review of Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk
By Nicky B.
Packaging: White plastic bottle with an easy to use pump
Application: Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk is a light creamy cleanser, easy to apply and remove with a cotton wool pad
Ingredients: The Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk contains rosa mosqueta (rosehip) oil pressed from the seeds of wild Chilean roses which grow high in Chile’s Andes mountains. Apparently South American women have used it for many years as part of their beauty regime for its effective mositurising qualities! It was first scientifically studied in 1983 by a team of researchers in Chile and was found to have an effective regenerative action on the skin. It is now used in many cosmetics to help with wrinkles and stretch marks. This wonderfully fragrant cleanser also contains jojoba oil (moisturising), Vitamin E (antioxidant), dandelion and frankincense, witch hazel, aloe vera (cooling), rosa damascena, juniper, and mandarin.
Results: Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk is great for removing makeup and so gentle and nourishing it doesn’t leave my skin gasping for moisturiser. It also feels really cooling and refreshing so great for use in the summer months.
Pros: Great for all types of skin
GM free, Vegan and cruelty free
100% plant-origin
Smells fabulous!
Cons: If your eyes are really sensitive (like mine) keep away from the immediate eye area.
Barefoot Botanicals cleansing milk (£19.95) and other Barefoot Botanicals products are available at naturisimo.com
Review of A’kin Pure Facial Cleansing Gel
