SkinFree Updates

Tue, January 19 2010

A while back I posted my reviews of SkinFree products for acne control. While I am still using the Extra Moisturizing Soap bar and Niaouli Scrub, I have switched back to my regular moisturizer to see if it reduces redness, which I think it does. It’s a shame their moisture product doesn’t also help with redness because then the set would provide me with perfect acne solutions.

Skin Free SkinCare Products Part 3

Wed, December 16 2009

Welcome to the final post about Skin Free products. I guess I just talk too damned much because one post became two and finally became three. My first posts talked about Skin Free’s Extra Moisturizing Soap and Niaouli Scrub for Blemish Prone Skin.

Lastly, I tried the Lite Moisture for Blemish Prone Skin to top off the regime. This product had me a little confused at first because it doesn’t explicitly say what its purpose is or how to use it. I assumed it’s a daily moisturizer and use it as such but there is no usage information on the package like there are on the other products which seems a bit odd to me, especially because the company is not using standard wording.

Unlike other moisturizers I’ve used which have all been a white cream, the Moisture for Blemish proof skin is a thin yellowy-green liquid which comes in a 50 ML jar. Like the scrub, it has a eucalyptus scent. (in fact, you may get this jar confused with your Vicks so store them separately ;)). The ingredients include Niaouli, extra virgin olive oil and macadamia nut oil to help replenish moisture balance.

I actually enjoyed this product more than many moisturizers I have used. It feels much lighter and less greasy than some of the thick creams I’ve tried. It feels like it sinks into my skin the perfect amount. It doesn’t disappear completely nor does it sit atop of it like a mask, refusing to let my skin breathe. I’ve had some super thick moisturizers which seem to take forever to dry so I have to wait to do my makeup which I hate. Not the case with Lite Moisture for Blemish Prone Skin. Furthermore, some moisturizers make me sweat for some reason. I also didn’t experience this with this moisturizing product.

It’s also interesting to note that the scent changes a bit once applied to my skin. It definitely tones down and turns slightly sweet, quite a bit more pleasant than how the product smells right out of the jar. The smell seems to almost blend with my skin, in a neat way. I’m not sure why this would be but it’s kinda neat.

So how did the trio stand up against my previous routine? After using them all for a few weeks my skin is generally soft and fresh looking and not oily (unless right after sleep/before the shower). I haven’t had any major breaks outs but my skin isn’t completely free. I almost always break out when I switch products and that didn’t happen when switching to Skin Free. I’d say there’s usually a blemish or two but they seem much more manageable, not the tiny, painful pimples I would sometimes get with other products. They’re not nearly as intense I guess I would say.

I wouldn’t say that this combination is definitely better than every product I’ve ever tried but it’s very consistent where others aren’t. My face isn’t 100% clear but I know what to expect in the morning. I’d say that Skin Free is in the top two and would definitely consider making these products a permanent part of my routine. The Extra Moisturizing Soap Bar is right around what I’d pay for other facial washes but I’d be a bit hesitant to be buying the Niaouli Scrub and Lite Moisture because they are more expensive ($15.99 each but there seems to be a sale going on right now!) and also because the scrub seems to make my skin so red. I suppose I will wait to see how long they last and factor that into my decision and perhaps continue using two of the three products which, as Meatloaf says “ain’t bad.”

This review is sponsored by Skin Free.

SkinFree SkinCare Products Part 2

Tue, December 15 2009

If you haven’t yet read my review for the Skin Free Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar, do so now. I’ll wait. Okay, all caught up? As I said, the other two products I was sent for review include a scrub for blemish prone skin and a moisture product, both of which contain Niaouli which is described here as such:

an evergreen tree with pointed leaves and spiky long yellow flower..found in New Caledonia and Australia. It is sought after for its antiseptic, clearing and cleansing and as a physical and mental stimulant. Niaouli’s essential oil has a sharp, clear floral aroma.

It seems like using Niaouli to treat acne is nothing new but perhaps isn’t widely known.

The Niaouli Scrub for Blemish Prone Skin comes in 6fl ounce plastic jar. Actually, there is a different container showed on the site so I’m not sure if they have switched to or from the jar. My jar is dark blue and there are Skin Free labels on the front and back sides. On the back it advises to use the scrub daily or weekly to remove oil, minimize pores and remove dead skin. The Niauoli essential oil is meant to help prevent bacterial growth.

After first opening the Niaouli Scrub, it seemed like it had separated a bit in the mail; the liquid has floated up but the gritty bits were solidified on the bottom. I shook and stirred it up and can use it fine but I have to mix it up every time I want to use it. Skin Free might consider modifying the formula so that the parts mix better. I also notices the strong scent which I believe is due to the Niaouli. It smells not unlike eucalyptus like cough drops of Vicks. It’s not entirely unpleasant, just strong. It may even clear the sinuses.

The scrub is easy to use. I rub some on, rinse it off. The granules are much rougher than other products I’ve used. I haven’t used any facial scrubs but I’ve used washes with microbeads and the like, none of which are as harsh as the Niaouli Scrub. It’s extremely effective at removing dead skin but harsh enough that I could never, ever recommend it for daily use. I use it about 3 times a day. It definitely sloughs off dead skin; when I used my makeup brush after the scrub, I could feel the soft bristles like never before. I don’t struggle with extremely dry skin but it still makes a world of difference. Of course, after immediate use, your skin will be quite red and I wouldn’t recommend rubbing this into the skin with any force.

I have noticed that my skin seems redder overall, after using the Skin Free products. I’ve always been a ruddy cheeked type person (you know, like Santa) which is apparent with my super lgiht skin but it’s become more noticeable, at least to me. I’m not experiencing any irritation but I do think that when the Niaouli Scrub sloughs off the dead layers of skin, it’s easier to see my blood vessels as they are closer to the surface. So I look really.. alive? LOL. It’s not something that bothers me frequently or that would make me stop using the scrub all together but it’s something I would be cautious of when consider this product.

It may help if I use it only on a weekly basis, which I think I will try. Otherwise, the scrub works really well.

This review is sponsored by Skin Free.

Skin Free SkinCare Products Part 1

Mon, December 14 2009

I’ve used SkinFree products for a few weeks now, enough that I feel that I can talk about their use (at least on my skin) with a fair bit of authority. If you’re unfamiliar, Skin Free is a Virginia based company (as far as I can tell) dedicated to producing natural skin care products for those who suffer from atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and even just dry skin. I contacted skin free a while back, coincidentally while I was experiencing a heavy break out and was sent three products to review: Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar, Niaouli Scrub for Blemish Prone Skin and Lite Moisture for Blemish Prone Skin. I was excited to review them but was thrilled that the products fit into my routine, simply replacing other products I was using, rather than requiring me to completely alter my skin care routine.

SkinFree‘s Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar is a simple white bar soap which comes in a white box detailed with the colourful Skin Free logo. It’s a dual purpose soap which can also be used as a shampoo; although their is a warning on their site that hard water users may need to rinse with vinegar after. This soap is described as such:

We “superfat” our soap with extra virgin olive oil, which contains natural anti-inflammatory agents, anti-oxidants, and natural vitamins that aid in healing and soothing your skin. Naturally moisturizing shea and cocoa butters are added to reduce the tight, dry feeling normally experienced when using typical commercial soaps. The lack of chemical preservatives, fragrance, or colorants in this soap makes it ideal for individuals of any age, especially the very old and the very young, those with allergies, dermatitis, sensitive, or very dry skin… Need a really great fragrance-free shampoo? Just use our Soap & Shampoo Bar as you would any other shampoo. It will give you beautiful, silky, shiny hair with great body and you won’t have to use conditioner.If you have very “hard water”, you may need to use a vinegar rinse after shampooing.

I did give the Extra Moisturizing Soap a chance as a shampoo; it was my first – and last – time using a bar soap as shampoo. It left my hair feeling heavy with waxy, soap reside. It was quite lifeless and saggy and, by the end of the day, became oily. Most products which try to do more than one thing, wind up not being so awesome and I think this product is better suited as a skincare product.

I’ve been pretty happy with the bar soap as a daily facial soap, however. It lathers well and does feel creamy on the skin. After rinsing, my skin doesn’t feel tight like other products I’ve used and this seems like a positive from Skin Free’s description. I had just assumed this meant a product was working but perhaps it was simply hurting my skin more than helping. I consider my skin combination/normal; although sometimes products make me produce a lot more oil. This is not the case with Extra Moisturizing Soap and my skin stays comfortable all day. Like any bar soap, this will last longer if not stored on the shower. I do keep mine on a shelf on my shower wall which is out of the direct shot of the water flow and it seems no worse for the wear.

Extra Moisturizing Soap & Shampoo Bar as a facial wash and it seems like it will last me a while and I will continued to use it with the other Skin Free products I have because the overall results have been positive. Stay tuned for the final Skin Free products reviews.

This review is sponsored by Skin Free.

The FTC and Me

Wed, November 18 2009

It seems like a lot of folks are up in arms at the announcement that FTC is going to look at blog advertisements (including product and service reviews) as a form of marketing/PR efforts and, as such, has decided to implement some guidelines about how those should be done, you know, ethically. I have never been worried because I’ve only ever done one review one Reviews by Cole which was for a free product (also, I solicited the creator, not the other way around), all of my reviews are (sometimes painfully) honest anyway and none of my paid blogging qualifies as reviewing but lately I’ve been seeking out ways I can bring new reviews and giveaways to my visitors.

In fact, I’ve been joining blogger-PR networking sites in hopes that I can become more awesome. I’ve joined SheBlogs, BlogHer, Blog Friendly PR (forums) and The Product Review Place to put out feelers for companies who might like to work with me. I’ve made contact with 3 companies (CSN Stores, Skin Free and Arm & Hammer) that will be providing me with product in exchange for review and I hope that number increases as it allows for this site to be better than evar, really!

And yet, I’m still not worried about the FTC coming after lil ol’ me. For the record, they do not intend to seek out individual bloggers but rather the companies who are promoting sleazy PR moves. You can read more about how the FTC guidelines may or may not blog you at Marketing Roadmaps (the author breaks down the guidelines in a way everyone can understand!) and you can read more about sponsorship on Reviews by Cole on my brand new Sponsorship FAQ page (which is also linked in the sidebar).