REVIEW: Miessence *organic* skin care products

"When you consider that one-third of all products on the market contain one or more ingredients classified as possible human carcinogens, and nearly 70% of all products on the market contain ingredients that can be contaminated with impurities linked to cancer and other health problems, true caution and consideration need to be given when using cosmetic products daily. The skin is our body's largest organ and makes up 12% - 15% of our weight. Our skin, while protects us against the elements in various ways, also absorbs the cosmetics we use without support from the body's filtering system. In other words, whatever we put on our skin goes directly into our bloodstream - considered to be more dangerous than ingesting." - Miessence distributor, Hannah

I'm a product junkie. You knew that, right? I love trying new things, but am fiercely loyal to products that earn my respect and trust. I have very sensitive skin and am prone to breakouts and redness, so it takes a lot of persuasion for me to try something new. When I discovered a little bit about Miessence, a certified organic skin care line, I knew I had to get my hands on some samples. I've tried a lot of all-natural and speciality skin care products with varying levels of satisfaction, but never a certified organic line. 

Hannah, a Miessence distributor, was kind enough to hook me up with samples of their most popular products and give me a little background on the company and ingredients.

Regarding the organic label, Hannah wrote,

"Understanding that the FDA does not "approve" cosmetic products for safety, but rather, legislates marketing label claims, a good rule of thumb to follow when looking for safe products to use, is don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat. 

Most of our products are certified organic (independent third-party) to FOOD GRADE standards - the highest organic certification that a product can receive. Our mineral-based products are derived from plants. You'll see one of three organic certifications on our products - ACO (Australia), USDA and IFOAM (Europe)"

The first product line I tried was Skin Essentials. Here's what Hannah said about this regimen:

Our Skin Essentials is a daily routine that comprises of a cleanser, conditioner and moisturizer made for 4 skin types. The Skin Essentials are certified organic to food grade standards, literally edible, but of course, I don't encourage this. :) 

The cleansers are made with Yucca juice, no foaming agents or detergents. Yucca juice contains natural plant saponins that gently remove dirt and oils on your skin. 

The conditioners feed the skin with nutrients in water soluble botanicals and prepares a base for the moisturizer to lock in. 

The moisturizers provide a protective barrier against free radicals and moisture loss.
The Skin Essentials are very concentrated. You only need a little.

The facial care regimen was pretty nice! I tried the balancing line. The cleanser did take two washes to remove my makeup, but it was very gentle. And, to be fair, Hannah said it might take two washes to remove makeup. A little bit of cleanser went a lonnnng way! The skin conditioner was like a toner, and it absorbed very quickly into my skin. I liked that my face didn't feel wet for a while like it does with my Aveda toner. The moisturizer was absolutely fantastic! I would totally use it daily. I do wish it had sun protection, as my current moisturizer is SPF 45. Sun protection is a non-negotiable for me, especially in the summer.

This hand cream was not impressive. The distinct rose essential oil was great, but the cream was too thick and very hard to rub in. And, it felt like there was a little separation in the cream - like an oil or water was separating from the shea butter? It left my hands a little tacky. I love, love, loved the rose scent, though. Oh, baby!

The body wash and body creams were really nice, too. I would totally get this body cream and use it regularly in the summer. A little bit of wash or cream goes a lonnnnggggg way, too, which I love, and the scent was awesome! In fact, I applied the cream at night before bed, and the next night when I crawled into bed I could smell it lingering on my sheets. Love it!

My sister is an esthetician, and she spent the night at my house and tried the Sunflower Body Wash. I really value her opinion since she is a skincare professional, has many years of education on skincare, and works as a licensed esthetician. She said,

"I used the organic body wash, and really liked it. I LOVED how aromatic is was! It felt like a 'normal' cleanser on my skin, and I had confidence using it knowing it wasn't toxic for my body or the environment. It's a good product."

If you want to get your hands on some Miessence products or learn more about the company, go to Hannah's site at: www.miessence.com/theoliveparent. You can also email her at Hannah@TheOliveParent.com for more information and an additional 5% off (see graphic below). Just shoot her an email for the discount code.

If you're into organic skincare, or want to learn more, I would highly recommend giving Miessence a shot.

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What are some of your favorite skincare products? Is there a drugstore product that you swear by? Or a more expensive line that is worth every penny? Do you make your own skincare products? Tell us about it!

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