At the risk of causing any beauty junkie or skin expert who reads this to hyperventilate and have a panic attack, I am going to admit something I've never spoken of before – except maybe to my boyfriend, who really could care less.
Well here it is: I used to think basic old body soap was enough. Everybody still with me?
Good. Well, in my less mature, more frivolous youth, I didn't think twice about lathering up from forehead to toe with (gasp) whatever body soap I was using at the time. I'm not sure what changed – perhaps becoming a beauty writer – but at some point, I decided my face deserved more. Something special. Since that turning point, I've tried quite a few facial cleansers. And in recent months, I've come across three that have really stood out:
The Healing Seed Facial Cleanser, $12.75 Scented with English daisy oil, this creamy cleanser – as all of the Newport Beach-based company's product line – is made with virgin organic hempseed oil. Hempseed oil contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E; minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc; and omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. All Healing Seed products are 100% vegan, contain no parabens, artificial colors or perfumes, and there is no animal testing. Thankfully, unlike brussels sprouts, the cleanser is good for you AND evokes a pleasant experience. It goes on smooth and washes away easily, leaving behind silky, clean skin. Buy online at healingseed.com or at an Orange County health food store like Mother's Market & Kitchen.
Kiehl's Acai Damage-Minimizing Cleanser, $24.50 You've had it in your smoothie and in your morning cereal, now you can lather acai onto your face and wash away the day's dirt. This Kiehl's cleanser is lightly foaming and contains acai berry, rosemary essential oils, aloe vera juice, orange fruit water, and lavender for skin renewal and repair, detoxification and hydration, in addition to cleansing. All of the plant ingredients are organic and the cleanser is paraben- and silicone-free. When you use it, it's both soft and powerful at the same time – gentle on the skin while effectively sucking out impurities. Buy online at kiehls.com or at Kiehl's Since 1851 in South Coast Plaza.
Bioelements Flash Foam Cleanser, $33 I like efficiency. I prefer buying one thing that does a lot effectively over buying multiple things that add to my morning prep time. What's nice about this cleanser is that it not only dissolves dirt and dead skin cells, but it acts as a makeup remover as well. Plus, it's also a mild exfoliant. The foam contains pumpkin, papaya and pineapple enzymes; antioxidant-rich green tea extract; citrus oils and vitamin B5. Your skin is left clean and fresh. Buy it at bioelements.com.
