Face Cleansing Products and Tools (Updated)
When I first launched my blog, I did a post on all my favorite face cleaning and products that you can find here. As I started to run low on my face products, I decided to switch up my routine and I wanted to share it all with you.
I still think any of the items I mentioned in the original post are great options, especially if you are on a budget. The items I have listed below are on the higher price point, but worth the money if you can afford it.
I started by getting the OSEA travel sample kit that I mentioned in the original post, and I fell in love with their face wash and moisturizer. When I decided I wanted to buy new products this time around, I did a deep dive into all their items and what their business model is about. OSEA stands for ocean, sun, earth, and atmosphere, and they work to get the cleanest, highest quality ingredients for everything they make.
Their entire line is vegan and gluten-free, and they understand the value of all living beings and how using animal products creates a demand for those ingredients. In 2002, they became the first company to sign “The Compact for Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products”, an initiative from the Environmental Working Group. They worked to ensure products didn’t contain ingredients that were known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation, or birth defects. They are working to make a quality product that leaves only a positive mark on your body, this planet, and everything on it, and I think that is amazing. It feels great knowing my money is going to a company that has the same long term vision for our planet and what we need to do to save it from permanent damage. Quality, sustainability, vegan, and gluten-free are why I started using their products and the results with my skin are why I continue to use them.
Now OSEA carries a Hyaluronic Sea Serum that I have heard amazing things about, and I was tempted to try. The only thing is, it’s $88 for one ounce and I couldn’t bring myself to buy it. That’s where Herbivore Botanicals comes in. They also believe in clean, sustainable ingredients and packaging, and have a hyaluronic acid-alternative serum that is half the price of the OSEA serum I mentioned above. They use only natural ingredients, plant-based food-grade cold-pressed oils, steam distilled therapeutic-grade essential oils, GMO free soy wax, recyclable, and reusable packaging, with many certified organic ingredients. They never use synthetic ingredients, parabens, sodium laurel sulfate, phthalates, benzoyl peroxide, silicone-based polymers, propylene glycol, hydroquinone, ethanolamines, PEG compounds, chemicals, fillers, animal testing, mineral oils, or petroleum. I also got the rose quartz gua sha that I mentioned below from them. I got the tear drop one because they were out of the puzzle piece cutout I wanted. The tear drop one works great though and I’ll get into that more later.
The biggest reason I decided to make the full switch up on my face cleaning products was because I got a new face cleaning system on sale. I figured if I was going to get a new face washing tool, I should up the products I’m putting on my face. I follow Trader Joe’s List on Instagram and she had a promo code for half off the TAO Clean ONA Diamond Facial Brush. After watching her demo and looking into the system and company, I was sold. I went all in as I usually do and ended up buying the multi-pack of brush heads to go along with it. I just bought their silicone head along with their toothbrush cleaner and I’ll add those later with the reviews. They are still doing their 50% off special now so head to their website to get it if you are interested.
Let me know what products or tools you use and why in the comments below.
Thanks for reading,
Jessica
Face Cleansing Tools:
TAO Clean ONA Diamond Facial Brush:
“The TAO Clean ONA Diamond Facial Brush comfortably cleanses using powerful rotational technology more capable than manual washing. It's spinning motion, combined with the silky soft bristles thoroughly sweeps through pores to safely dislodge dirt, dead skin cells and make-up residues. The ONA Diamond Base Station keeps the brush head protected, clean and away from environmental contaminants and also dries the brush head while charging – allowing the brush ready for use when you are.”
It comes with one UV Charging Base Station, one ONA Facial Brush Handle, one AC/DC Power Adapter and Cable, and one Daily Care Brush Head. It comes in a variety of colors and I ended up getting the “Suave Mauve” color even though I loved a couple of them. I have been using it for awhile now and I can absolutely feel a difference in the clean after washing my face. It makes me not want to ever clean my face with just my hands now because it’s just not the same. I also have been striving to wash and moisturize my face twice a day, that way I feel good about using all the products afterwards. Starting with a fresh face makes me feel like I am getting the most of everything I am putting on my face.
Skincare Essentials 4 Pack Collection:
“Includes Two Daily Care Brush Heads, One Face Exfoliator Brush Head, One Sensitive Brush Head. Each brush head comes hygienically sealed in a protective case for easy travel & storage.”
I use the daily care one twice a day and once a week I use the exfoliator brush head one morning a week and the sensitive brush head that night. They each come in their own carrying cases so you can keep them clean when you aren’t using them. I can’t wait to get their silicone brush head and try it out for a different kind of deep clean.
I have heard a lot about the benefits of using a Gua Sha facial tool or face rollers and have gone back and forth on which one to get. I finally settled on the Gua Sha tool because that way I could not only pull the toxins from my face, but also give it a natural face lift with the use of the Gua Sha tool. I picked the rose quartz tool because it is known as the “healer of the heart” and one that thought to increase self-love and send positive vibes towards your love life. I am new to the idea of crystals and the “powers” they might hold, but it doesn’t hurt to use it while giving myself a face lift. They have other gems available on their website depending on your preference. I ended up getting the tear drop option and it works great even though I wanted the sold out square stone. I have since figured out how to use the tear drop stone to fit perfectly against my face and I love the look after I use it. I did one half of my face and compared it to the other half. There was a clear difference in the two sides, and I can’t wait to see how it looks after continued usage. Using this Gua Sha daily can help to improve the appearance of elasticity of the skin, reduce the appearance of puffiness and fine lines, and can help the facial oils and moisturizers you use to absorb better into your skin when massaged into the skin using the Gua Sha tool.
Facial Products:
They use algae, jojoba oil, and sesame oil because their pH balanced formula provides mineral rich hydration for a result I see and feel after washing my face. The main ingredient they swear by is seaweed. They use a variety of algae because of the various moisturizing, anti-aging, and tone perfecting properties. It’s a soft, subtle smell and I love how clean and smooth my skin feels after I wash it. Like with all OSEA products, they are sustainably made in California which I love because it reduces my carbon footprint over getting an item made in another country. This also makes a great shaving cream with how smooth it is, and seaweed softens the skin, which helps when shaving.
You could probably be fine using one or the other of these items, but again I decided to go all in. I got the eye gel serum which is an oil-free gel that helps wake up and brighten the entire under eye area. Paired with that, I got the firming eye cream to help hide the appearance of fine lines, locking in moisture and has anti-aging benefits. I struggle with dark circles under my eyes, and I have already seen a difference in the short time I’ve been using both of these over some of the products I’ve used in the past.
OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream:
I love this moisturizer so much and a handful of reasons. It’s lightweight, hydrating, full of seaweed, shea butter, avocado and macadamia seed oil, and is a great barrier against environmental pollutants. Like all their other items, this doesn’t have a smell and is easy to blend in. As I get older, it becomes more and more important to me to use sunscreen and do whatever I can to protect my skin. I love having this to add to my daily sunscreen for that added layer of protection.
Herbivore Cloud Jelly Pink Plumping Hydration Serum:
I decided to stray away from OSEA when it come to their serums because they were more than I was wanting to spend on them. It’s okay though because I have been wanting to try Herbivore Botanicals for awhile now. They sell so many great products and I decided to make their new Cloud Jelly is an incredible, all natural alternative to hyaluronic acid with a vegan collagen that leaves your skin hydrated and plump. Most collagens in face products are animal based so I am always looking for products with a vegan version in them. They use Tremella mushrooms which can apparently hold up to 500x its weight in water and scientifically proven to retain moisture better than the topical hyaluronic acid. It has a light scent to it and is thick when it comes out of the dropper. A little goes a long way and I can agree to how hydrating it is on my face. It’s also PEG-free and silicone free which is an added bonus and it’s not sticky which can be hard to find in a serum.
True Botanicals Renew Nutrient Mist:
Toner sprays have become all the rage and I can’t get enough of this nutrient mist. I have been using this mist for years and the scent never gets old. It is so refreshing, full of antioxidants, and smells like jasmine and rose which is my favorite. The other cool thing is this mist actually sets your makeup so I will spray it on after I have done everything else. They use green and white tea, algae extract, and kombucha as the main stars of this nutrient packed mist. It’s the cherry on top of a perfect face cleansing routine.
