suit your skin’s current needs.
The Green Product Guide: Cleansers
No matter how exciting the product looks and how green the label reads, choose products that are
packed in pump bottles or at least in bottles with a narrow spout. Even the best formulation will
quickly go rancid if packed in a jar that leaves the product exposed to less-than-clean fingers,
humidity, and the warmth of your bathroom. The following are my recommended cleansing products,
rated from one to three leaves, with three being my favorite.
Cleansing Oils
L’Occitane Apple Almond Cleansing Oil: This lightweight blend of sweet almond and
sunflower oils, as well as vitamin E, rosemary, and apple fruit extracts, comes in a convenient pump
bottle. It washes off easily thanks to a few safe synthetic emollients.
Trevarno Lavender & Geranium Cleansing Oil: This rich, emollient, organic cleansing oil
leaves just enough oily trace to double as a moisturizer for late nights when all you can do is take off
makeup. The wide-necked bottle makes it hard to pour an exact amount of cleanser, so expect some
oily mess.
Laventine Olive Forte Water-Soluble Facial Cleansing Oil: Rich and satiny, this organic
olive oil blend in a handy pump bottle washes clean without leaving greasy residue.
Bar Soaps
DHC Mild Soap: This transparent glycerin soap is enriched with olive oil extract and honey, so
it’s nondrying yet not pore-clogging. It’s fragrance-free and preservative-free.
Weleda Calendula Baby Soap: This is a classic baby product formulated with saponified
coconut and olive oils, as well as chamomile, rice, and calendula extracts. Fragranced with essential
oils, but the scent is very natural and not strong at all.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Bar Soap: The range boasts dozens of fragrances, including
classics such as lavender, rose, and tea tree oil, but the unscented Baby Mild version has just enough
plant scent to entertain the senses. This olive and coconut-based moisturizing cult soap is enriched
with vitamin E, plant glycerin, and jojoba oil.
Foaming Cleansers
Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi is a
liquid castile (olive oil) soap enriched with ginger, tea tree oil, bladder wrack, and chamomile
extracts. This gel cleanser contains a tiny amount of peppermint oil, which doesn’t seem to increase
its overall irritation potential.