Skin Care Product Review

Posted July 11th, 2008 by Karen Fischer

Skin Types

(Last updated 10 July 2009 - an extract from The Healthy Skin Diet)

You also have to consider what condition your skin is in before you choose a beauty product. There are several basic skin conditions. Some experts call them skin 'types' such as oily, normal and dry, but your skin type can actually change to a more normal condition if you eat the right foods and look after yourself mentally and physically.

• Normal skin (N): Feels supple and looks hydrated, is not overly sensitive and has even pigmentation. May occasionally get out of balance and have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), small breakouts or dry patches.
• Dry or mature skin (D): Has trouble staying hydrated, gets flaky, may peel or feel tight and dry. May have premature ageing or sun damage. Super dry skin requires a non-foaming cream cleanser, plus a heavier moisturiser or barrier cream to relieve discomfort, and regular exfoliation.
• Very dry skin (V): Nothing seems to soothe this skin type except a thick barrier cream and dietary changes. Weekly exfoliation is also recommended.
• Oily or impure skin (O): Oily, especially in the T-zone, enlarged or blocked pores, poor circulation, blemishes. Dietary changes are required to normalise skin. In the meantime use lighter-textured products, nothing heavy.
• Sensitive skin (S): Easily irritated by weather, skin-care products and food allergies. Red, inflamed skin, blotchy, patches of dryness, includes rosacea and eczema. Super-sensitive skin conditions require a basic skin-care routine, with plain cleansers and creams that contain little or no essential oils or harsh chemicals. Exfoliation may not be suitable.
• Combination skin (C): Oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and normal cheeks. Prone to minor breakouts in T-zone, skin is slightly out of balance; use products that won't aggravate/block pores. Don't exfoliate as it may spread pimples.

Skin Care Product Review

The following product review is designed to help take the guess work out of choosing a product that is right for you.

Products

Weleda
Anti-cellulite oil: A famous friend of mine recommended Weleda 'Birch Cellulite Oil' to me and she was right, it does help to reduce the appearance of cellulite (yay) and there's scientific evidence to prove it. This is a must for your anti-cellulite program!

Super-sensitive skin (S), normal skin (N) + slightly dry skin (D): Weleda 'Intensive Facial Cream' is not only organic and biodynamic, it promotes the skin's natural self-regulating properties, and it's free from fragrance and irritating essential oils. Most suitable for sensitive, normal or slightly dry skin types. Contains sweet almond oil, beeswax, glycerin, xanthan gum. Team it with Weleda 'Almond Cleansing Lotion' for clean, healthy skin.

Super dry (V) and sensitive skin (S): Weleda 'Skin Food' is a wonderfully rich organic/biodynamic face and hand moisturiser. Perfect for super dry and sensitive skin, and cracked hands/feet/elbows. It quickly alleviates unbearably dry skin (a godsend for painfully dry skin). And it's a natural rescue cream for irritated skin. Cheap and effective. Coming to HBB any day now...

Sunscreen with high zinc oxide content
Look for sunscreen that is 'broad spectrum' with an SPF factor above 20 and a high zinc oxide content, says cosmetic physician Dr. Van Huynh-Park from Concept Cosmetic Medicine (Sydney). Invisible Zinc has 18% zinc oxide. It's a very thick cream so warm some between your finger tips before applying. Shiseido Ultimate 30+ has 13% zinc oxide. Other suitable brands include Glycolics Elite and Rationale (most suitable for O, S or N skin types). Sunscreen can make some skin types look pasty; if this occurs you can use bronzer for a healthy glow. If you have very dry skin, zinc oxide may not be suitable as it can make your skin feel drier.

Children's sunscreen (suitable for all ages)
Look for one that is an SPF 30+ with UVA and UVB protection, fragrance-free and water resistant such as Sun Sense 'Toddler Milk' by Ego (my top anti-ageing product). Suitable for sensitive skin, it's a light sunscreen that doesn't look thick and purple on the skin, apply over moisturiser (N, D, V, S). Banana Boat Baby Roll On Sunscreen is 4 hours water resistant, not purple or heavy looking and suitable for all ages from 6 months old (and adults). Normal sunscreens may not suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.

Alchemy
A range of shampoos, conditioners and body wash. The shampoos foam okay considering they have natural ingredients and no SLS. They have a good 'Unscented Very Gentle Shampoo' for sensitive scalps and babies. Hair is soft afterwards. Rinse thoroughly to avoid oily hair.

Avalon Organics
Facial cleansing milk and hand and body lotions containing organic ingredients, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

Bellaboo Skin Care
A Natural skin care range designed especially for teenage girls. Products contain 100% certified organic sea buckthorn berry oil. Includes 'BB Clean Skin Facial Wash' and 'Moisturise Dew'; starters kits available (O, N, D).

Couleur Caramel Natural Make Up
A lovely make-up range, environmentally friendly packaging. Top pick is the bronzer, great mascaras, lip glosses and foundations, and there are lots of lipstick colours to choose from.

Dr.Hauschka Cosmetics
My top picks are the black mascara, eyeliner and their new range of eyeshadows and blushers (Stone Colour Collection). The lipsticks and new lip glosses are also good. Also consider you'll probably end up eating a lot of lip products in your lifetime (apparently up to 1 kg of the stuff) so you don't want to be consuming nasty ingredients such as lead, so it may be wise to use a natural lip product from companies such as Dr.Hauschka.

Dr.Hauschka Skin Care
Organic/biodynamic skin care range, lovely moisturisers such as 'Quince Day Cream' (N to D), 'Rose Day Cream' (D, S) and 'Normalising Day Oil' (fantastic for O, C), body oils and non-foaming cleansers such as 'Cleansing Milk' (D, V, S, M) and 'Cleansing Cream' (O, N, D, V, M), which is a granulated cleanser. I love the Dr.Hauschka 'Organic Cotton Face Compress', used to steam and cleanse your face. Speak to a Dr.Hauschka consultant for product advice. USA: Ph 800 247 9907 or within Australia contact The Dr.Hauschka Discovery Centre, Rozelle (NSW) Ph (02) 98186119

Grahams Natural Alternatives
Top picks are the bath oil, shampoo and conditioner, natural soap (for washing hands, feet and underarms) and Sooth-it Balm (a barrier cream to soothe itchy, irritated skin). The shampoo smells lovely, foams mildly and washes effectively. Good conditioner, not excessively moisturising so it leaves the hair looking shiny and very easy to style.

Hemp Organics Moisturising Lip Tints with SPF 15
A tinted lip gloss with hemp oil (high in omega-3), great colours and bonus sun protection (contains some chemicals). Available from health food shops.

Kosmea Australia
This product range has a good non-foaming cleanser and moisturisers rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. 'Skin Clinic' is 100% rosehip oil (O, N, D); 'Moisturising Lotion SPF30+' (N, C, D) contains broad spectrum sun protection and green tea extract; 'Replenishing Moisture Cream' (D, M, V); 'Eighth Natural Wonder' Revitalising Face Serum (N, O )does marginally reduce fine lines but this anti-ageing product may need to be used in combination with a heavier moisturiser if you have dry skin. This cleverly formulated antioxidant-rich product range is suitable for most skin types, however, the products contain a preservative that may not be suitable for very sensitive skin.

Miessence
Organic range with lovely ingredients. I'm not keen on the shampoo and conditioner but the other products are good. My favourite is the Jaffa Lip Balm.

Natralia
'Natralia Nourish Exfoliating Cloth' is a fantastic facial cloth for washing and cleansing your face and neck (for all skin types except damaged/rash skin), and Natralia Crystal Deodorant is a healthy alternative to aluminium-containing deodorants.

Nature's Gate Organics
A skin care range that contains natural and chemical ingredients, and plenty of antioxidants. 'Forget Your Lines' (N, D) is a lovely light moisturising anti-ageing facial serum. For dry skin, you can apply a moisturiser after the serum such as Nature's Gate 'Have a Vine Day' (chardonnay hydrating cream for daytime) or 'Oh What a Night' (walnut night cream) for dry skin. Great names!!

Red Seal 'Natural Herbal & Mineral Toothpaste'
Most commercial toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate which can cause dermatitis. This toothpaste doesn't have any suspect ingredients and it tastes good too. However, it contains no fluoride.

Soul Pattinson Plain Toothpaste
Contains less additives than regular toothpaste and contains fluoride. It's often recommended for people with skin sensitivities like eczema but this toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate so it may still cause facial redness and irritation in sensitive people.

REN Clean Skincare
Contains no harmful additives and has the look and feel of an exclusive skin care range (and the price tag too). A range of moisturisers to choose from containing essential fatty acids and antioxidants including my favourite 'Hydra-calm Global Protection Day Cream (formerly called 'Calendula Omega 3/7 Hydra-Calm Moisturiser') (suitable for S, D, V, M skin types - see above), which effectively calms reddish skin and heals minor irritations just like it promises. For other skin types there's 'Mayblossom and Konjac Balancing Moisturiser' (N, C, O). REN also has cleansers to suit various skin types such as a non-foaming cleanser 'Calendula & Arctic Blackcurrant Seed Cleansing Milk Wash' is divine and gentle (S, D, V); 'Mayblossom and Blue Cypress Facial Wash' (C, O), which foams. REN are quality products but a tad expensive. REN is available in Australia exclusively through Mecca Cosmetica. Call 1800 007 844 to find your nearest store.

REN Clean Skincare 'Jojoba Micro Bead Purifying Facial Scrub'
A fantastic face exfoliator for women and men. It has spherical beads that won't scratch your skin, although use it gently. Contains jojoba and peppermint, all natural ingredients, leaves your skin beautifully polished. Exfoliators may not be suitable for sensitive skin and do not use on broken skin.

REN Clean Skincare - shaving products for men.
'Tamano High Glide Shaving Oil' and 'Multi-Tasking After Shave Balm'.

Swiss Wellness
'Anti-Ageing Daily Face Nourishment' is an organic face moisturiser. Contains apricot seed oil, sesame seed oil, shea butter, rose hip oil, grapefruit seed extract, beta glucan, vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, xanthan gum, aloe vera, essential oils. Suitable for normal skin, may be good for oily or combination skin, may not be suitable for sensitive skin as it has heaps of herbal ingredients. Dry skin will need a heavier moisturiser. Swiss Wellness also has a night cream called 'Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Face Nourishment'.

The Organic Pharmacy
This certified organic skin care range was founded by a homeopath and former pharmacist. Products include 'Carrot Butter Cleanser,' as well as skin creams and 'Detox Cellulite Body Oil.' Contains organic, quality ingredients and an exclusive price tag.

Tinderbox 'Harmonizing Day Cream'
Contains natural ingredients, great for super dry skin.

Ultraceuticals 'Ultra C Treatment Cream'
Contains synthetic chemicals and natural ingredients, including vitamin C cream to help decrease UV damage. Not suitable for sensitive skin or oily/acne prone skin.

Witherspoon's 'Working Hands'
A fabulous hand and foot scrub containing all natural ingredients (oils and salt crystals). Perfect for exfoliating dry and cracked hands, feet, elbows and knees, and moisturises at the same time. Lovely! Not suitable for broken or itchy skin.