Unboxing Beauty

[disclosure:  some products received complementary for an honest & unbiased review ]

Beautibi selects and curates the most amazing products and Jen really goes out of her way to find some of the most unique brands.  Before Black Friday, I saw this amazing cleanser at Beautibi, Simplistic Skin Begin Cleanser, and I purchased it.  I’ve been using this cleanser for over a month now.  Jen also sent me her latest find at Beautibi, GentleMask T-Tox Cleanser, for review purposes.  I have been using this since I received it the other week.

Skin Type and Concerns:  Oily, blemish prone, with aging concerns ~ hyper pigmentation, sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles.

Descriptions in italics from beautibi.com

GentleMask Tox Cleanser

About Gentlemask: Gentlemask is a Korean brand that focuses on Nature Moisturizing Factor (NMF), which helps to minimize skin aging factors from environmental pollution, insomnia, psychological stress. Skin can be healthier and radiant when psychological therapy (aroma therapy) runs parallel with natural active ingredients.

This cleanser is made with natural AHA/BHA ingredients and contains 71.% natural ingredients ~ it helps gently exfoliate your skin, unclogging pores and removing excess oil along with dirt and debris.   This is marketed for all skin types.   This comes in a tall, slim 200mL pump applicator bottle.  The cleanser is a yellowish shade and it is a bit runny.  This has a very strong tea tree scent, so if you don’t care for tea tree, you may not like this.  However, I love tea tree ~ in fact, my HG and favorite tea tree cleanser is Ciracle Anti-Blemish Tea Tree Face Wash, which has a very strong tea tree odor.

Ingredients of Note

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Aloe is a powerful moisturizer that doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily or greasy. It soothes, treats inflammation, helps speed up skin healing and also has a plethora of antioxidants ~ beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which help improve your skin’s firmness and keeps your skin moist and hydrated. It also contains over 75 different nutritious ingredients, including minerals, enzymes, amino acids, salicylic acid and much more.  Willow bark (salix alba)  is a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) which helps exfoliate skin by removing dead skin cells, contains salicylic acid, to help combat acne.  It is also high in anti-oxidants, which tone and reduce inflammation as well as being an astringent, to control oil.   Salicylic acid is fat soluble, so it can really get to the oil that is inside your pores.  Camellia sinensis leaf (green tea) is full of powerful anti-oxidants. Due to its high concentration of polyphenols, green tea helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Centella asiatica is a common herbal ingredient that is used medicinally to help speed up wound healing, such as blemishes and skin rashes. It also helps minimize the appearance of pores, and since it stimulates collagen production, it will make your skin more supple and firm. Houttuynia cordata is an herb with powerful detox properties, an astringent and anti-inflammatory.  Glycine soja (soybean) is full of antioxidants and will moisturize, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helps firm skin and can reverse UV sun damage over time. It has anti-inflammatory properties so  it helps reduce blemish swelling and redness.  The power of soybeans contain amino acid glycine, which helps repair damaged tissue and to speed up healing, which means it is great for blemish prone skin as well.

Citric and tartaric acids are AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) and will help gently exfoliate dead skin cells and refine your skin’s texture.  Citric acid will also help brighten and lighten hyper-pigmentation while reducing fine lines and wrinkles, while tartaric acid, made from grape wine,  is antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory.  Tea tree oil is used for many infections and diseases due to its healing and disinfectant properties ~ antibacterial, fungicide, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral and can help speed up wound healing and reduce scarring, as it is a cicatrisant.  It helps with preventing dry, flaky skin and because of its antibacterial properties, can help heal current blemishes while reducing future blemishes and control excess oil.  It helps with rashes, allergic skin reactions and fungal infections

The ingredients in this cleanser look to be really designed for oily and blemish prone skin, but GentleMask does say it can be used for all skin types. GentleMask ingredients for this product fall between 0 – 2 on the EWG’s Skin Deep Safety Grade guide.

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Ingredients: aloe barbadensis leaf extract, water ,disodium laureth sulfosuccinate,potassium cocoyl glycinate,glycerin,coco-glucoside,salix alba bark extract,camellia sinensis leaf extract,collagen extract,sodium hyaluronate,centella asiatica extract,bacillus/houttuynia cordata extract ferment filtrate,triticum vulgare sprout extract,brassica oleracea italica sprout extract,carthamus tinctorius sprout extract,brassica napus sprout extract,glycine soja sprout extract,sophora japonica flower extract,mognolia liliflora flower extract, polyquaternium-10,1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol,citric acid,tartaric acid,alcohol,tea tree leaf oil  cosDNA analysis

Performance

Description: In one step: control sebum+remove dead skin cells+purify pores +draw out skin impurities. T-Tox cleanser, as a hypoallergenic cleanser, cleanses your skin without irritation. It removes blackheads as well as whiteheads. Contains natural surfactant derived from coco-glucoside, so cleanser works well with sensitive skin. 7 sprout extracts draws out the pore-clogging impurities such as dirt, oil, makeup, impurities and toxins, and strengthen the skin barrier. All ingredients are EWG green grade.

First thing I did, whenever a company provides a pH level, is to test it. It isn’t so much that I care anymore about a pH level (see my blog post here on why that is), but if a brand claims something, I want to prove it.  Also, I do know that some of my readers need a lower pH level cleanser, even if I do not.   This cleanser has a range of  5.5 to 6 and I found it to be more closer to a 5!  I did not dilute the cleanser, as I just dipped the strip into the solution directly.

Now, I do not use a foaming cleanser to take makeup off ~ I use an oil based cleanser first and then follow up with a foaming cleanser to remove any excess oil.  However, to showcase GentleMask D-Tox cleansing abilities, I did load up my hand with some stubborn and long lasting makeup items and put it to the test.  I used a pore brush to create foam

As I mentioned, this has a very watery texture, but with a foam brush, it can foam up nicely.  It isn’t a cloud of foam, but if you use a bubble net, you can create more if you want.   I would say this did very well in cleaning the makeup off my hand, with just some issues with the cream lip stain and a Korean orange eyeliner.  This cleanser does not dry out nor strip my skin and it does a great job removing dirt and excess oil from my face.  I think this can be used with all skin types, unlike Ciracle’s Tea Tree Anti-Blemish Face Wash, so if you are looking for a tea tree cleanser but aren’t necessarily oily skinned, this one is a good alternative to Ciracle’s cleanser.

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Simplistic Skin Begin Cleanser

Okay, I am just going to say it now ~ this is one amazing cleanser and I will repurchase it.  It was one of my favorite products in 2016 and I really love it.  It has reached Holy Grail status for me in terms of a cleanser, which is a rare thing, btw ~ only one other cleanser has reached that and that is the above mentioned Ciracle Tea Tree Anti-Blemish Cleanser.   This 250 mL cleanser comes in a simple, streamlined, brown squared off  bottle.  I feel like I need some Danish furniture around when I use Simplistic Skin products ~ they have minimalist packaging, but aesthetically pleasing to the eye.  This cleanser has a beautiful texture ~ it is a gel and has a lovely honey-amber shade. 

The scent is also amazing to me ~ it has a light woody-pint and mint scent and I swear I can smell lavender, even though that ingredient is not in this product.  It has a coolness and freshness to it that reminds me of being in a spa.  This doesn’t contain any harmful substances or irritants and all of the ingredients register between 0 and 1 on EWG’s Skin Deep Safety Grade guide.

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Ingredients of Note

Japanese Cyprus (chamaecyparis obtusa) water is the very first ingredient in this cleanser.  The Hinoki cypress has antiseptic, antifungal and antiviral properties to heal blemishes and minor skin issues, like abrasions and rashes. I am pretty excited about this being used as its base!

Honey has antibacterial properties, that can speed up healing in your skin ~ think acne, rashes, cuts ~ and prevent additional infection.  The wonderful texture of honey will keep moisture close to your skin, which makes for a glowing and radiant complexion.  Not only does honey keep moisture in your skin, but it is humectant, which means it attracts moisture too!   Honey is also an antioxidant, which means it helps repair and combat any damage caused by free radicals and prevents premature wrinkling.   Propolis is a natural antibiotic that is produced by honey bees.  This ingredient is wonderful for those with blemish prone skin or have other skin issues, as it really helps heal your skin.

Usnea Barbata (lichen) is a natural anti-bacterial and anti fungal ingredient, helping to prevent infections, treat wounds  and is also an anti-inflammatory, helping to heal and soothe. It is also a natural preservative for skincare products. Peppermint has anti-bacterial properties, cleanses and closes pores and also contains salicylic acid. Pinus radiata (evergreen pine) bark contains enzogenol, which is a powerful antioxidant, protecting your skin from free radical damage and also has anti-inflammatory benefits.

This cleanser is weakly acidic and it uses plant derived surfactants that have been certified by Ecocert.  

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I got a rough translation for the image above ~ this is what it says: “Real Honey & Organic Aloe:  Simplistic Skin Begin Cleanser contains 100% natural honey, not honey extract.  In order to maximize the effect of real honey, propolis is given together to give smooth, irritating cleansing and massaging effect. The aloe vera leaf powder is 200: 1 lyophilized (freeze dried) aloe. It is a highly concentrated powder that can maximize the effect of pure aloe even if added in small quantities.  This organic aloe is certified by OTCO, an organic certification body under US Department of Agriculture. It calms the skin and increases the fundamental quality of the product.”

Ingredients: Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Lauryl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Honey, Pinus Radiata Bark Extract, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propolis Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil cosDNA analysis

Performance

Again, the pH testing.  Simplistic Skin states that this has a pH level of 5.5 ~ I found it to be closer to a 6, which  is still mildly acidic. 

This is a beautiful cleanser ~ I love using it ~ it has a nice slightly thick amber colored gel that is amazingly scented (and naturally scented too!)   Cleansing abilities are pretty fantastic too ~ it foams up better than what I have in the photo below.It removed all of my makeup without any effort ~ really amazing for a foaming cleanser.  I love how this makes my skin feel ~ soft, hydrated and clean, without feeling dry or stripped.  Despite the mint in it, it does not have a cooling effect on my skin, so this is my go-to cleanser in the winter months.  It controls my oil production nicely too ~ removing excess oil, dirt and debris.  I haven’t experienced any issues using this cleanser and yea.  Just buy this one.  You will thank me later.  It is fantastic and if you love that pine-mint scent, you will adore this cleanser.  I think all skin types can use this cleanser with no issues.  (yes, I am pushing this cleaner on you.  You have to try it)

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed using both of these cleansers and I thank Jen for sending me the GentleMask D-Tox cleanser for review purposes.  D-Tox is probably a great alternative for those who find Ciracle or even cosRX Good Morning low pH Cleanser to be too harsh and drying for their skin.  I think that GentleMask D-Tox is 110% better than cosRX Good Morning low pH Cleanser, btw ~ I did not care for that one that much.  Now, Simplistic Skin Begin Cleanser ~this is my favorite cleanser between the two of them and I hope Beautibi never stops carrying it. I will have purchase another one as a backup soon!!  Have you tried either of these cleansers?  What did you think of them? 

Where to Purchase

As promised, I have a promo code for my readers that is good until 1/14/2017.  You can save 15% off your purchases at Beautibi by using code michele15.   Enjoy and let me know what you purchased!!

• GentleMask T-Tox Cleanser 200 mL RV $24.00
• Simplistic Skin Begin Cleanser  250 mL RV $24.00

If this is your first time purchase, you can use my referral link first and receive a code for $5.00  (referral link http://beautibi.refr.cc/9VSQ7SJ)

 

[ some products received complementary for review purposes. contains referral links. description in italics from beautibi]