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Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:47 pm  |
This is my review of Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Creme:
I bought this product at Target (the one near me is carrying a very limited amount of products from the BB range). I found it interesting that the tube said "97.00% natural" on the front - I guess the other 3% is not natural!
My reason for purchasing this product was because I'd run out of my cleansing milk (was using a non-descript brand my friend gave me - it cost $5 a bottle and I think its called "LeFemme") and actually wanted to try the product CareKate recommended from BB (orange cleansing cream?) but Target did not have it, so I bought this one instead. I like to use an oil or milk/cream product at night to remove my MMU and have found that some milk/cream cleansers just don't work well to remove makeup (I've been disappointed by PSF's Green Tea Facial Cleanser and YonKa's Lait Nettoyant). I am oily in my t-zone and find that my makeup has become "paste-like" on my face by the end of the day, though I must admit certain MMUs (namely, UGloGirl) make me less oily than others (namely, Alima, much to my dismay), so I need something that will cut through the oily paste at day's end. I made sure that this product indicated that it would remove makeup: "Natural Soap Bark deeply penetrates and cleanses, removing dirt, makeup and excess oil for clean, healthy skin."
Unfortunately, this product is not up to the task and its product description seems to be mostly hype!
To me, the true test of the effectiveness of a cleansing milk or cream is if it will dissolve makeup to where it can be rinsed away WITHOUT using a washcloth to rub it off (cleansing oils usually clear this testing hurdle for me). The PSF and YonKa products did not do this, nor did the BB product. However, the super-cheapo LaFemme worked every time, which goes to show you cannot judge a product based on packaging or cost!
The BB product comes out of the tube as a white, rather thickish consistency. Even though it contains soap bark, it does not foam and is a true cream. It has a subtle fragrance, one I cannot quite place, and one which I didn't exactly like or dislike. It spreads easily enough on the skin. The first time I used it I discovered it did not break down the MMU in my t-zone, and I had used it exactly as directed, wetting my face first then applying the cleanser and massaging the product over my face.
The next time I used it, I applied the product to my face WITHOUT wetting it first, thinking that the water just beaded up on my oily t-zone and that was causing the product to not be able to penetrate the oil/water layer. This techinque did not work either. The past week and 1/2 I've tried alternating wet application with dry application - and the product still fails to break down the MMU in my t-zone. I figure a cleanser is one of the products you're going to be able to tell right away if it works to remove makeup - it either does or it doesn't - you don't need a month's trial to see if it will work. This one does not work, at least on gals like me with an oily t-zone. It may be a nice product to use if you have more of a dry or sensitive complection. Combos and oilies - proceed with caution.
If I used a washcloth to remove the cleanser/makeup after massaging the cream over my skin, it did work better, but again, use of a washcloth is not how I judge the effectiveness of a cleanser - even plain water and a washcloth will pretty much remove anything.
The second prong of my test of a cleansing milk/cream's effectiveness is whether you see makeup on the cotton pad after toning your face. Sadly, after massaging this product into my skin for many minutes and rinsing until I practically flooded my tiny bathroom, I was left with a feeling of residue on my face AND I was seeing MAKEUP on my cotton pad after toning. That is a big no-no and to me means the product didn't work AT ALL. Even if I used a washcloth to remove the product/makeup, I still had a feeling of residue on my skin, though the cotton pad was a bit cleaner after toning. Interestingly, the BB directions for this product do not mention using a toner, rather they say "Rinse thoroughly and follow with your favorite Burt's Bees moisturizer."
Lastly, I think this product might actually be causing me to break out. I have some blemishes that have come up along the jawline since I've been using it and a cyst is forming under my right nostril. So very lovely!
Needless to say, I will NOT be repurchasing this product!
Information from their website:
Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Creme - 6 oz. (97.00% natural)
Product Description: This natural, rich cream cleanswer is all bark and no bite. Natural Soap Bark deeply penetrates and cleanses, removing dirt, makeup and excess oil for clean, healthy skin. Chamomile and Aloe gentle soothe and soften skin. Rosemary and Echinacea extracts reduce inflammation, tigthen pores, and increase cell renewal. You'll get a deep clean for naturally soft, fresh, healthy skin.
Won't clog pores
pH balanced
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate Free
Paraben Free
Directions: Wet face and apply cleanser with fingertips or washcloth, massaging gently to loosen and remove dirt and makeup. Rinse thoroughly and follow with your favorite Burt's Bees moisturizer.
Ingredients: Water, sunflower oil, stearic acid (vegetable fat), vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax, cocount oil, sodium borate (natural borax), cetyl alcohol, silica, glucose, witch hazel extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, chamomile extract echinacea (coneflower) extract, quillaja (soap bark) extract, cocoa butter, rosemary leaf extract, tocopherol (vitamin e), lemon oil, cilantro oil, tarragon oil, lavandin oil, jasmine oil, xanthan gum (natural thickener), sucrose stearate (sugar emulsifier), menthol, glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural preservative). |
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