Product Review: Shaklee Gentle Cleaning Bar and Balancing Moisturizer

I receive many requests to review products but most of the time they don't fit the scope of my blog ... going green gradually. But when Sommer Poquette emails you asking to try to a product, you take notice.

Sommer is the mastermind behind Green and Clean Mom and site Mommy is a Blogger which explains to children and the world what moms online might be doing with their blogs and also offers tips for mom bloggers.

I was pretty honored she emailed me being that my blogging hasn't been too consistant due to working full time, taking care of a family full time and being pregnant. She also presented me with a line of products that I was having a hard time greening -- beauty products, in particular a facial cleaning soap and moisturizer.

My beauty routine for my face had been using Dove Soap and Olay Moisturizer -- both a 4 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.  Both contain parabens and SLS. I used a host of natural products and then I discovered the natural products where really bringing out my rosacea. Everything I tried was too harsh for my skin given that it was all natural. I don't normally have tricky skin and I was pretty lucky to never have an acne problem -- just rosy cheeks. I gave up and started using my Whole Foods Whole Body Wash on my face and Whole Body Lotion on my face. I still wasn't satisfied but my skin wasn't turning red anymore.

I was asked to pick two product to try for free and review from Shaklee. I had heard from friends that maybe I should try Shaklee but I don't know anyone who distributes it locally and I really don't have the time to take on the task of being a distributor. Shaklee offers a variety of green and natural products for nutrition, weight, home and beauty.

Shaklee's mission, according to their website is "to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone. We do it by making natural products that are so exceptional, you just have to tell your friends. Every product that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to improve health, work without compromise, and be gentle on the planet. When you pick Shaklee, you will know three things to be true. It is always safe. It always works. And it is always green."

After browsing through the website, I picked out two products from the beauty line Enfuselle -- Gentle Action Cleansing Bar (Retail Price: $19.05 Member Price: $16.20) and Balancing Moisturizer (Retail Price: $24.70 Member Price: $21.00) both paraben free. I will note, they only have a couple of products on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database but the ones they do are rated 0-2 but their back label is full of ingredients I can't pronounce (Gentle Action Cleansing Bar label and Balancing Moisturizer label)  but I went back to their mission above.

About the Gentle Action Cleansing Bar:

• pH balanced and specially formulated for use on sensitive skin
• Additional vitamins E and A boost skin’s softness and moisture retention
• Rich lather leaves skin clean and refreshed
• Perfect for shaving
• Ideal for use in the shower
• Hypoallergenic
• paraben free

Basically I placed the bar in the shower and used it to wash my face instead of the Whole Body Wash I was using. Lather, put on your face and rinse -- that simple.

About the Balancing Moisturizer 

• Lightweight, non-sticky formula doesn't add oil, yet it deeply nurtures and hydrates skin, rebalancing it so that it feels smooth, firm, and fresh with a long-lasting matte finish
• Triple-patented Vital Repair+ supports the skin's natural defenses against UV-induced collagen breakdown.
• paraben free

After out of the shower, before applying make-up, I put a quarter size amount of the moisturizer all over my face. 

The result: for the past month I've been using both products and I'm happy to report my skin looks great! Neither product made my face angry red and my skin has been pretty smooth with no break outs. I would buy this product again and what I'm particularly jazzed about is their line of baby products (which are rated on Skin Deep as a #2). If you're a Shaklee rep who lives in Central Oregon, I would love to talk to you.

Disclaimer: I was given the product to try at no charge. The opinions are my own.