Review: Rena Levi Vanishing Act Soap and Amazing Scrub

I must be getting a reputation as someone interested in natural acne solutions, because a representative from the Rena Levi company contacted me about reviewing their products.

In this post, I’m going to tell you about my experience with the Rena Levi Vanishing Act soap and Amazing Scrub. I received samples for free to try out:

According to the product information I received, the Vanishing Act soap is supposed to be much more than soap. Aside from cleansing, it also tones, exfoliates balances, and renews. This makes it very attractive to people like me who don’t want a five-step skin care ritual. I wash and moisturize — that’s it!

I used the soap for about one month and the scrub once during that time (since you’re supposed to use it only once a month), and here are the results I got.

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Review: Lavigne Organic Clear Skin Solution

It’s annoying and embarrassing, and it’s been giving me a lot of grief.

I’m talking about adult acne.

I hardly had any breakouts when I was a teenager, but sometime in my 20s, I my skin started breaking out.

I thought – everyone said – I’d have clear skin by the time I hit my 30s, but here I am, in my early 40s and still breaking out!

I’ve tried many things. The best thing, really, is to visit my dermatologist about every two months and use a bunch of chemicals on my skin.

But since moving to Canada, I haven’t been to a dermatologist in years. Plus, I’d really like a gentler way to care for my skin.

Enter: The LaVigne Daily Essentials Clear Skin Solution.

We’ve been happily using LaVigne’s Mayan Magic Balm for my son’s eczema, so when I discovered LaVigne has many other products, including a package for acne skin, I was excited to try it out.

Linda Zaumini, founder of LaVigne Organic Skincare, graciously gave me a complimentary set of their Clear Skin Solution, which is made up of:

• Botanical Cleanser
• Clear Magic Facial Spray
• Vitamin C Serum
• DMAE Firming Cream
• Mayan Magic Balm

I used these products for several months, to get a clear picture of how they were affecting my skin. I tend to break out when I use something new, so I had to give my skin a few weeks to adjust.

In this post, I’ll tell you what I liked and didn’t like about these products, including why I’m now back to my chemical-laden acne-fighting products.

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The Benefits of Mineral Make-Up

Mineral make-up is made from earth pigments and natural minerals. These elements are ground to a fine powder and mixed to form foundation, blush, and powder. Mineral make-up is free from perfumes, artificial dyes, preservatives, oils, wax, or talc. Instead, it contains titanium and zinc oxide, which have natural UV protectant properties. Mineral make-up is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores. Here are some other benefits of mineral make-up.

1. Fewer germs

Proponents of mineral make-up claim it is purer than conventional make-up. The minerals used in this natural make-up are inorganic, which means they will not harbor bacteria the same way organic materials would. This is especially helpful for women who have acne or rosacea. Because of its inorganic nature, mineral make-up lasts a long time.

2. A natural look

Mineral make-up is reported to feel light on the face, and to provide coverage without looking heavy. For women who use make-up to cover fine lines and wrinkles, mineral make-up is ideal – its light-reflecting qualities obscure wrinkles. Women who have used mineral make-up claim it feels as if you are not wearing make-up at all. The earth tones complement nearly all complexion types.

3. Enhanced complexion

Because the minerals used are anti-inflammatory, mineral make-up can be used by women with sensitive skin. It is oil-free, so women with oily complexions need not worry about using it. Mineral make-up is, in fact, the only make-up that can be used after undergoing a facial chemical peal. If you find conventional make-up irritating, you may be able to tolerate mineral make-up with no problem.

4. Better for the environment

When you purchase conventional make-up, you are supporting a chemical industry that is a factor in pollution. Also, when you throw away conventional make-up – either when it is outdated or you are finished with it and residue remains in the container – you are putting those chemicals back into the environment.

Mineral make-up comes from the earth to begin with, so returning it there should not cause problems. Also, companies that manufacture mineral make-up tend to be eco-conscious and engage in environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. And most mineral make-up manufacturers do not engage in animal testing.

Your local health food store is a good place to start if you want to try mineral make-up. They will usually have “testers” available for you to see how the make-up looks on your skin. However, as more and more people demand more natural make-up options, you may start seeing mineral make-up in conventional stores more often.

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