*Thayers Alcohol Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner (phew, what a name), now a staple in my face care routine, was formulated over 120 years ago and has only gotten better over time. Made with certified organic witch hazel, aloe vera and natural rose extract it cleanses and moisturizes beautifully! In case you aren’t already aware of the amazing benefits of the aforementioned I’ve provided a quick run down at the bottom of this post.

The full ingredient list in simple terms is as follows:

• Purified Water
•  Aloe Leaf Juice
•  Vegetable Glycerin
• Natural Rose Fragrance
•  Un-distilled Witch Hazel Extract,
• Rose Flower Water
• Citric Acid
• Grapefruit Seed Extract,
• Vitamin E Acetate

It is also alcohol and paraben free

The Pros..

I stopped using toners long ago mainly because they were drying out my skin, but with this product I experience quite the opposite effect. After cleansing morning and night I just dab a little on a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face and neck to remove left over dirt, oil, and makeup up. Not only does it do its job in that department but it also moisturizers my skin quite well, which is definite perk during the Winter season. My face feels so refreshed and smooth after using this and my moisturizer sinks right in (especially my amazing Reviva Labs night cream that I will soon be reviewing). While I won’t accredit this one product to the improvement in my skin, I truly believe that with this in my routine my skin tone has become noticeably smoother. All of these great benefits and for only $10, can’t beat that if you ask me, not to mention a little goes a long way.

The Cons..

The only con I can really think of is the smell. I don’t mind it, though it did take some getting used to, but if you don’t like floral scents than this product probably isn’t for you. You are in luck though because Thayers has 5 or 6 different variations of this product but all are not alcohol free so make sure to double check before purchasing. I have my eye on the Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner for my next purchase.

The Verdict..

In short I would greatly recommend this product if you’re looking for something to soothe your dry, sensitive winter skin (though its great for all skin types), or just looking to reap the benefits of a toner without the drying effects of alcohol. I bought this product at my local health food store but you can also find it at big name places like Whole Foods and on Amazon.

Now on for a little 101 session on the following ingredients found in this toner..

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Organic Witch Hazel, alias to it’s original name Hamamelis virginiana which means “very gentle”, has been attributed to its anti-aging and anti-septic properties for ages. It’s widely known as a treatment for mild acne, minor cuts and bruises, itchy irritated skin, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and even varicose veins. As a toner, like it’s being used in this case, it’s said to remove left over dirt and oil after cleansing, tighten pores, balance the pH levels in your skin and keep acne at bay with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For sensitive and/or dry skin it would be best to dilute this with water or sometime of essential oil since it can be a bit drying on its own.

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Aloe Vera is known for its anti-aging, moisturizing and healing properties, which is why you can find it in so many skin care and after sun products. It contains 20 of the 22 essential amino acids our body needs to heal and function, it also contains vitamins such as A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E that aid in keeping our skin smooth, promoting cellular growth and protecting us from environmental damages. It’s usually found in gel form which is cooling  and moisturizing  to the skin ( which is why it’s often used for sunburn).

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Rose water is one of those ingredients that just gives the product a much prettier feel. It’s used in many fragrances, toners, creams, cleansers and toners for its ability to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and calm the skin. It’s also great for softening and adding moisture back into your skin which is especially awesome during harsh winters.

Now onto the actual product. I was introduced to the Desert Essence line this past summer by my health crazed friend Morghan who raved about their oh-so popular Thoroughly Clean Face Wash made with tea tree oil and geared towards those with oily, acne-prone skin. However I found that it dried the hell out of my skin. Then one day months later while happily shopping the beauty aisles of Whole Foods I came across this bad boy, which as you may have guessed is the Thoroughly Clean Face Wash’s gentler counterpart.

Desert Essence Gentle Nourishing Organic Cleanser for dry and sensitive skin is a ” pure, organic facial cleanser made especially for dry sensitive skin. Formulated with aloe, chamomile and cucumber extracts to leave skin feeling moisturized.” It contains no sulfates, harsh chemicals, dyes or fragrances just organic, vegan goodness.

In simple, normal human terms this gluten free, biodegradable cleanser contains:

• Organic Apple Juice
• Organic Coconut Oil
• Water
• Potassium Hydroxide
• Organic Sunflower Seed Oil
• Organic Sesame Seed Oil
• Organic Jojoba Seed Oil
• Organic Sweet Orange Oil
• Guar Gum
• Organic Aloe Leaf Juice
• Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract
• Organic Cucumber Extract
• Organic Watercress extract

This product does NOT participate in or use:

• Animal derived ingredients or testing
• Parabens
• Artificial fragrances/dyes
• Petroleum Compounds (meaning no mineral oil, paraffin, or petrolatum)
• SLS (sulfates)
• PEGS, PPG, MEA, DEA or TEA (not going to lie, not quite sure what all of those are)
• Glycols
• Phthalates

What I like about this product is that is that it’s pretty amazing at removing all my makeup, especially when paired with my Clarisonic. I found with some other organic and natural facial cleansers I’ve tried that this wasn’t always the case. There’s not much foaming action due to the lack of sulfates but I’ve learned that more suds don’t necessarily mean the job is getting done correctly. Since adding this into my revised skin care routine I’ve noticed a smoother complexion, fewer break outs, and a thorough clean feeling after washing my face. It’s a great feeling to see no left over makeup on my cotton round after using my toner.

I also really love the texture and scent. I’m no fragrance expert but this just smells amazingly fresh and citrus-y. The texture is also very light yet still a bit creamy and a little goes a long way, I use about a pump to a pump n’ a half morning and night. I would suggest shaking this a bit before using it though since the oils tend settle at the bottom. I get a weird sense of satisfaction each time I shake up my bottle knowing all those fabulous essential oils will soon be cleansing my face.

Too bad this isn’t scratch and sniff.

The cons that come with the product are very minimal when compared to the pros. The first being that this does not feel too great when it gets into your eyes, as in it feels slightly like my eyes are on fire. I want to accredit the Potassium Hydroxide to that. After doing a little bit of research on that ingredient I was able to find out that it is used in many natural and organic cleansers used to replace the sulfates, it was given a “low level of health concern” rating on www.TheGoodGuide.com (you can read more about that HERE) .

The second being the price for amount of product. I believe I paid $13 something for a 6.7 Fl Oz at Whole Foods. I’ve since then found out I was being ripped off and can get this product anywhere from $7 to $9 online, this was of course discovered after re-purchasing. Also, I’m not sure if it’s due to the popularity of the original Thoroughly Clean Fash Wash, but you can get almost double  of that product for the same price. Rude.

Lastly, I think the pump feature could use some work. I don’t mind pumps, I actually prefer them, but instead of the usual turn one way for close and the other for open there’s a little plastic piece you put around the pump so that it won’t move. Small, unattachable objects and me don’t mix as I’m the Queen of miss placing and losing things. Luckily, I’ve somehow managed to not lose this..yet.

Well, that’s all folks. If you’re in the market for a new face wash, or have been eyeing anything up the Desert Essence line I would most certainly recommend this product. After all it has passed the re-purchase test, something I seldom do.

Are there any great natural and/or organic products you love and recommend?

xx,

Mariana