Review | Michael Todd True Organics Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

In my most recent empties post, I have included the St.Ives Apricot Scrub which I liked at first but after a few months of use, it was breaking me out. Obviously, I stopped using it and switched to Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub to match my cleansers.

A good facial scrub is a must for me to keep my skin looking healthy and radiant and what's better than an organic based scrub? Here are my thoughts on Michael Todd True Organics Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.

 

Packaging is typical of Michael Todd - lilac tube which has the company logo and product name on the front; product description, directions and ingredients on the back. Worth mentioning is the way the people at Michael Todd pack their orders and their timely delivery, both of which I am always positively impressed with.

 

The scrub is charcoal(!) grey in colour and instead of the usual 'rough' exfoliating component, you get softer jojoba wax beads. Both the jojoba wax and activated charcoal, effectively remove dead skin, toxin and impurities to reveal healthier looking skin. Since the beads are not that harsh, you are not left with micro-lacerations, hence, this scrub is suitable for the most sensitive of skins as well as acne-prone skin types. Activated Charcoal has been proven to be a very beneficial ingredient products targeted to combat acne as it penetrates deeply into the pores and draws out impurities and toxins. The scrub has a faint smell of charcoal but on the website it says that they have improved the scent.

 

To use this scrub, simply squeeze out an adequate amount onto fingertips and apply in circular motion on freshly cleansed skin. After rinsing it thoroughly, you can proceed with toner, serum, moisturiser as you normally would.

 

I like to use this scrub twice a week and usually I use this while I shower and leave it on for a few minutes to allow the ingredients some extra time to work.

 

 

I have been using this scrub for 2 months now and I have never had any breakouts due to it or any episodes of irritation or allergies. My skin feels smoother and looks much more radiant immediately after I rinse it off.

 

As a concluding remark, I would recommend this scrub to those with sensitive and acne-prone skin mostly but since this scrub is targeted for use by any skin type, I think it work well for anyone. Besides, your skin will thank you for using something that is 70% organic, gluten free and certified vegan.

 

Michael Todd Jojoba Facial Scrub retails for $18.50 for 100mL (excluding shipping) and is available from the Michael Todd website.

Updated Skin Care Routine | Morning & Night Skin Care Regimes

Following my skin care stash clear out and replacing products that didn't work for me anymore, it's high time I did an updated skin care routine. I still follow the same skin care routine, but I changed some of the products. I'll start with my morning routine first.

Since I would have thoroughly cleansed my face the night before, I don't have to spend a lot of time cleaning my skin in the morning so I just cleanse my face with Michael Todd True Organics Cleanse and Tone One Step Cleanser and Toner. Apart from doing a great job and helping me not to breakout. this product also cuts down my morning regime as I don't have to tone my skin. Subsequently, I just moisturize my skin with La Roche Posay Effalcar Mat Sebo-Regulating Moisturizer and I finish by gently dabbing a little Skin Truth Face Eye Contour Gel around my eyes to reduce puffiness I get from my hay-fever. So that's my morning routine.

 

 

Now, on to my night time regime. I don't wear makeup everyday especially if I'm not going anywhere I would just skip it to give my skin a break. However, here I will guide through the full skin care routine when I need to take off full face makeup.

First off, I soak two cotton pads with Wjcon Bi-Phasic Makeup Remover and I put them for a few seconds on my eyes to dissolve the eye makeup. With gentle out-sweeping motions, I wipe away the eye makeup. To remove mascara, I dip a cotton bud into the same makeup remover and gently go over my lashes and under eyes until there is no more mascara left. If I'm not wearing eyeshadow or heavy eye makeup, I would skip this step and wipe my face thoroughly with Lycia Makeup Remover Wipes for Oily, Blemished and Combination Skin. With the backside of one of the same cotton pads, I then proceed to remove my lipstick.

 

Soaking another two cotton pads, I go over my face to remove all the face makeup. Once done, I wet my face with a little lukewarm water and use Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Cleanser to deep-clean my skin and make sure all makeup is dissolved away. After this step, I would treat my skin to an exfoliating scrub such as St.Ive's Apricot Scrub followed by a Montagne Jeunesse Face Masque two or three times a week.

 

When the skin is free from any product, I apply some Roberts Rose Water to tone it and refresh it and then I would follow with La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat and Skin Truth Eye Contour Gel.

So that's my current skin care regime what's yours? Do you use any of these products?

Review | Michael Todd True Organics Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser

Yesterday I reviewed the Michael Todd Cleanse and Tone One Step Cleanser/Toner, today, I will be reviewing the second cleanser I bought off their website.  To check out the full review about the other cleanser and first impressions about the company, please click here.  

 

 

This Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser was the one cleanser I was more intrigued with mainly because of the colour (more on that further down).  Again, it is supplied in a lilac, plastic container with a dark purple pump which makes it more sanitary and easy to control how much product comes out.  Like the other cleanser, the only downside with the packaging is the fact that you cannot see how much you have left.  I have had a little issue with the pump on this cleanser as when I first opened it, it worked fine so I closed it again to take pictures of the product and when I re-opened it, no product was coming out but that didn't put me off the product and I'm so glad I didn't let it get to me!

 

Like I said, the colour of this cleanser is totally not what your average cleanser would be like but totally what a charcoal based cleanser would be...charcoal grey. As you can tell by the name, the texture is gel-like but on the watery side. You can actually see the little bits of charcoal in the cleanser. The cleanser has a smell that's very similar to lavender.

Michael Todd claim that the Charcoal Detox cleanser 'completely removes dirt, oil, makeup and other impurities without stripping skin's natural moisture. Activated charcoal is highly absorbent to penetrate deeply into pores ad gently draw out impurities leaving skin feeling clean, soft, smooth and refreshed. Indicated in the treatment of acne and problem skin. Rinses thoroughly without residue'.

I have to agree with this, especially the make-up removal part. I always make it a point to take off all my make-up before I go to bed to avoid breakouts and puffy eyes and to care for my skin in general and this cleanser cuts my night time skin care regime by gently removing all traces of make-up, even gel eyeliner and waterproof mascara. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and more radiant and best of all, I didn't break out yet while using this product. Even more so, it helped clear out residual marks from past break-outs and my skin tone looks more even.

Consequently, I would totally recommend this cleanser to anyone wanting clear skin and in the treatment of acne and blemish prone/oily skin. Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Gel Cleanser is constituted with 70% organic ingredients and is also certified vegan.

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser is available on the Michael Todd True Organics website for $24 + shipping & handling.
 

Review | Michael Todd True Organics Cleanse and Tone One Step Cleanser/Toner

Towards the end of March, I had placed my first ever order on the Michael Todd True Organics website for two of their cleansers. I had been looking up organic based cleansers for my skin as I was still getting a few occasional pimples, even after I downsized my skin care products stash to the bare minimum.

 

The Michael Todd range was always backed with rave reviews and so I decided to have a look at what they have to offer and settled on two cleansers to start with, namely, the Charcoal Detox and the Cleanse and Tone which I will be reviewing today.

 

Since it was my first time ordering from the website, I will start the review with the first impressions I got of the company. First off, the website is very user-friendly with the products being categorized by skin care type and I was very pleased to see they ship to my country for just €7 (flat-rate). They accept PayPal, which is something I always look for before purchasing from the internet for security reasons.  My order arrived within 10 days if I remember correctly, and I was really impressed seeing that it had to come all the way from the US.  Another thing which really impressed me was the packaging. Both of my cleansers came packed really well in bubble wrap pockets and jablo thingies which made sure no breakages would be encountered during transit; and to top it off, all of this came in a pretty purple carton box bearing the company's logo. Way to go!

 

Now on to the actual review. The product is packaged in a very sturdy, lilac plastic container that bears the usual product name, info and ingredients and it holds 210mL of cleanser.  I like that it come with a pump dispenser that you can close say when you need to take this product with you on travels. One pump is enough to cleanse you whole face so this will surely last for a long time. The only downside with the packaging is that you cannot really see how much product is left, but otherwise, I think it is very pretty.

 

Being that this product incorporates a cleanser and a toner, I like to use it the morning as it speeds up my skin care regimen and since I would have thoroughly cleansed my face the night before, I don't have to deep-clean it all again the following morning; although it does say in the description that this 'two-in-one facial cleanser and toner cleans deeply down to the pores to remove impurities while also toning the skin. Highly absorbent Charcoal penetrates deep into the pores to gently remove dirt, oil and other impurities without the drying effects of alcohol. Antioxidant vitamins together with organic teas and essential oils help fight environmental stressors. Rinses thoroughly without residue leaving skin feeling clean, soft and smooth. Prepares the skin for serums and moisturizer.'

 

Texture wise, the cleanser looks quite thick and it has a greyish lilac colour due to the charcoal present in it. You can even see bits of charcoal in the picture below. All you have to do is just wet your face and hands with warm water, dispense 1 pump of cleanser into your hands and gently massage in circular motions going from your chin your your forehead. Since it doesn't have SLS (a harmful ingredient found in most shampoos, shower gels, cleansers and soaps), the cleanser doesn't lather up. On the other hand, it feels like you are massaging a velvety-like product on to your skin. As for scent, I'd say this smells a bit like a citrus fruits cocktail.

 

I have been using this cleanser ever since I got it and although I do not have any before and after pictures to justify my claims, I can confirm it has done a huge difference in the way my skin looks and feels, I didn't get any pimples yet, and my skin looks more uniform. I am very pleased that my skin doesn't feel overly dry after rinsing the cleanser off , yet it till feels clean and free from excess sebum and dirt. I also like the fact that this cleanser is free from parabens, is 85% organic and is certified vegan.

 

I am really impressed with the results and I will definitely be re-ordering as well as try out new product suited for my skin type from Michael Todd.

 

The Michael Todd True Organics Cleanse and Tone One Step Cleanser/Toner retails for $24 from the Michael Todd website.