EcoLiving Ideas

By Chryso D'Angelo on Jul 25, 2012

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I have washed my face with Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for years—and I mean years! It’s ranked 3 (moderate hazard) on the Cosmetics Safety Database and it’s priced at $16.50. I love this cleanser because it foams up just enough to make me feel like it's working, it smells light and clean and it leaves my face acne-free and healthy-looking. Therefore, I was skeptical (even a bit nervous) to test out the four brands below. After all, once a girl’s got a good cleanser that works, she doesn’t want to dabble (it's like finally finding the right man!). But the brand is a ‘non-signer’ of the Cosmetics Safety Database and the product has high concerns for allergies, so I thought it’s high time I test some other, more organic, safe cosmetics.

So I dove in. Luckily, all of the products I tried out over the last few months have worked just fine on my combination dry/oily complexion. Whew! That was certainly a relief. Who wants breakouts, extra oil, dryness? In fact, one of the products actually worked good enough to coerce me into breaking up with my tried-and-true love-Clinique to something just a little bit more pure...

1) Zosimos Foaming Facial Wash Lime

Safety:
• This company had ‘signer’ status on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact.
• This product ranked 1 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (low hazard).

Environmental responsiveness: The ZB studio reduces its carbon footprint by using 100% wind power and reports that it only patronizes suppliers that use sustainable harvesting practices, grow pesticide-free plants and produce Certified Organic and or natural ingredients. Some of the groups ZB studio supports include the Denali Citizens Council and Reef Check Australia. This company does not test on animals.

Packaging: Recyclable

Results: I love a foaming cleanser and this one froths up beautifully! The lime scent is obvious, but not overly-intense. Overall, I got the feeling that I was using a product made up of pure ingredients--like Aloe Vera and Lime Peel Extract--that I can trust with my skin. My face was left clean and not the least bit dry.

Ingredients from packaging: Castille Soap; Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera); Saponified Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil; Green Tea Tincture; Lime Peel extract; Organic Camelia Sinensis (Green Tea); Organic Cymbopogon (Lemon Grass) Essential Oil; Organic Citrus Aurenifolia (Lime) Essential Oil; Polyglucose; Potassium Sorbate.

Practicality: $22 (8 oz.)

2) Kiss My Face Potent & Pure Clean for a Day Creamy Face Cleanser

Safety:
• This company has ‘non-signer’ status on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact.
• This product ranked 1 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (low hazard).

Environmental responsiveness: This company’s products are biodegradable, gluten free, paraben free, phthalate free, SLS free, vegan friendly, contain no animal testing, and have no artificial fragrances.

Packaging: Tube is recyclable; box is made of 50% post consumer recycled material.

Results: This soap-free formula is a super-light cream that boasts cleansing agents derived from sugar and corn to remove dirt and makeup. At first, I used way too much. On the second try, I realized that a dime-sized spot will go a long way—a plus for my pocketbook! The light fragrance (a combination of vanilla, lavender, orange, and cocoa butter) is really pleasant. My face felt very cleansed, if not a tad bit dry after use, but that was a non-issue after I applied moisturizer. While the product received a low health concern rating of 1 by the EWG, it was noted that those with allergies may have an issue with the ingredients, but I did not have any adverse skin reactions. In all, this product bode well for my skin!

Ingredients from packaging: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Leaf Extract/Extrait de feuille d’aloe)*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Oil/Huile de tournesol)*, Decyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Cassava (Tapioca Root Starch/Le tapioca inculque l'amidon), Glycerin, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla Oil/Huile de vanille), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter/Beurre de karite), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Oil/Huile de jojoba)*, Glycine Soja (Soybean Oil/Huile de soja)*, Caprylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine Oil/Huile de mandarine), Lavandula Angustifola (Lavender Flower Extract/ Extrait de fleur de lavande)*, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger Root Extract/Extrait de racine de gingembre)*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange Flower Extract/Extrait de fleur d’orange)*, Rheum Palmatum (Rhubarb Root Extract/Extrait de racine de rhubarbe)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa Butter/Buerre de cacao)*, Tocopherol, Glycine, Lecithin, Sorbitol, Calcium Ascorbate, Potassum Sorbate

Practicality: $12.75 (4 oz.)

3) JASON C Effects: Pure Natural Super-C Cleanser

Safety
• This company had ‘innovator’ status on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact.
• This product ranked 5 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (moderate hazard).

Environmental responsiveness: No animal testing.

Packaging: Recyclable

Results: Every JASON product I have tried to date (at least five), has smelled great! This brew is no exception. I foamed up a touch between my damp palms and immediately smelled the citrus, which brought me back to the fragrant orange groves that perfumed the air on a too-long-ago trip to the south of Italy (sigh). My makeup was easily wiped away and my skin felt tight and refreshed. I’m happy that ingredients include Ester-C, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to help fight free radicals that contribute to wrinkles and uneven skin tone, but after only one week of use, I haven’t noticed a difference in fine lines or some slight discoloration on my forehead…yet.

Ingredients from packaging: Aqua (Water) Cocamidopropyl Betaine Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Glycerin Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1) Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water Ascorbic Acid Calcium Ascorbate Coco-Glucoside Glyceryl Oleate Panthenol Sodium PCA Tocopheryl Acetate Benzoic Acid Dehydroacetic Acid Phenoxyethanol Benzyl Alcohol Benzyl Benzoate Limonene Fragrance (Parfum) (1) Certified Organic Ingredient.

Practicality: $8.89 (6 oz.)

4) Kahina Giving Beauty Facial Cleanser

Safety
• This company had ‘champion’ status on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact.
• This product ranked 3 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (moderate hazard).

Environmental responsiveness: Kahina uses ethically and sustainably-sourced raw materials, certified natural and organic formulations that incorporate organic materials whenever possible, donations are made to the Moroccan women who work to provide the raw materials at the heart of the products; no animal testing, paraben-free.

Packaging: It is recommended that bottles, which are made from recyclable, violet glass to block out damaging light rays thereby preserving ingredients, be returned to the company for refills.

Results: This gentle, argan oil-based cleanser has a wonderful soft texture that’s evident as soon as you press a dollop from the dispenser--it seems very decadent right off the bat. After smoothing it over my skin, I looked up and saw just a glow—the product is virtually colorless and odorless. Willowbark and Papaya extracts work to exfoliate and tone skin, but gently. The vitamin E and fatty acids in the argan oil left my skin feeling the most hydrated of all the cleansers. While the product received a moderate health concern rating of 3 by the EWG, it was noted that those with allergies may have an issue with the ingredients, but I did not have any adverse skin reactions. However, the steep price tag may keep me from purchasing this cleanser consistently.

Ingredients from packaging: water, organic orange floral water, decyl glucoside, sodium lauroyl oat amino acids, organic argan oil, coco-glucoside (and) glyceryl oleate, organic honey, sodium lauryl lactylate, organic willow bark extract, organic papaya extract, sodium PCA, panthenol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, xantham gum, acacia gum, carragean, cellulose gum, lactic acid, neroli essential oil, citric acid.

Practicality: $56 (6.7 oz.)

5) HollyBeth’s Organic Cleanser – Marigold Sandalwood Grapefruit

Safety
• This company had ‘innovator’ status on the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact.
• This product ranked 0 out of 10 in safety on the Skin Deep database (low hazard).

Environmental responsiveness: USDA Organic, Vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, supports the Captain Planet Foundation.

Packaging: Recyclable

Results: This formula foams up—which I can’t help but like. It makes me feel cleaner for some reason, even though intellectually, I realize it’s a myth that foams work better. The product uses castile soap as its base, which is hypoallergenic and natural. Essential oils like coconut, olive, and jojoba are added for moisture and aroma. The scent is lovely, with light touches of sandalwood oil and grapefruit oil, but mostly I just felt like I smelled clean and my skin didn't feel dry. Taking the low hazard rating and the price into consideration as well, I have chosen this product as the best cleanser of the bunch and the one I'll stick to as my daily cleanser!

Ingredients from packaging: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut ) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Aloe (vera) Barbadensis Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract,* ,*Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil*, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*. *organic

Practicality: $15 (1.7 oz.)

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