Here’s to my first review, and hopefully lots more to come 😀 Having had this product for some time now I figured I should share my experience but let’s start from the beginning…

Before Acne all throughout high-school up until 2 years ago I was not one to suffer from acne at all. In fact, my skin was flawless. People would always compliment me on my skin and even ask me for my regimen. At that time I felt beautiful. After I decided to clean up my diet and and get healthy, Ironically I started to get pimples and cystic acne. I was then informed that the cystic acne came from hormonal imbalance. This feels like post puberty revenge! What I used before no longer worked for me plus I was also trying to find better, natural alternatives to fit my new nontoxic lifestyle. This proved way harder than expected.

My skin type before cystic acne and blemishes, has always been oily but dry around the mouth. My skin stayed pretty much the same except it is now really sensitive. I used to use harsh facial scrubs, cleansers and masks. My favorites were St. Ives apricot scrub, Noxzema classic clean, Queen Helene mint julep mask and AMBI fade cream for blemishes.

Why I chose this brand! After browsing and reviewing the Michael Todd True Organic products I knew I had to try them! This brand is all natural, organic, free of harsh chemicals and doesn’t use water as a base but instead Aloe Vera. The full-sized kits are a little expensive but somehow always on sale; That’s when I bought mines.

(Picture above taken before I opened the products for use – Descriptions extracted from the site unless stated *My opinion*)

The Acne / Oily Skincare Regimen comprises the following:

• CHARCOAL DETOX deep-pore gel cleanser penetrates pores to draw out impurities – 210 ml / 7 fl oz

My Opinion: It comes out of the pump a translucent grey, the smell is fresh and clean. It leaves my skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and soft without it being stripped of its moisture. I love it because it lathers great, is gentle for those with sensitive skin and doesn’t leave a residue.

• ORGANIC LEMON AHA + DMAE toner – 250 ml / 8.4 fl oz

My Opinion: I found absolutely nothing good about this toner. I hated it from day one! It reminds me of sugar-water with a citrusy splash, sounds good to drink but not for my already acne prone skin. I try and I try but it fails me every time. It leaves my skin feeling like there’s still something on my face even after it settles. Plus it barely gets the dirt out of my pores. I would use it and then go over it with another toner and more gunk would come off my skin. NO BUENO!

• KAOLIN CLAY  detoxifying facial mask cooling and detoxifying treatment  – 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz (maximum strength)

My opinion: WARNING: Beauty is pain. It is a brownish orange color when you put this on your face. Make sure to have something to punch or grab cause this ish burns! But I love it cause it works! I actually do notice a difference in the size of my pores after each use and it doesn’t leave my skin dry or irritated. One of the only moisturizing face masks I’ve ever used!

• ANTIOXIDANT CARROT multivitamin serum – 30 ml / 1 fl oz (new and improved formula)

My opinion: I wanted to love this because I’ve never used a serum before and I hear it’s great for anti-aging! Buttt I found no use for it. I wouldn’t use this in the daytime or nighttime because it adds on to the oilfest. Plus it leaves my skin feeling sticky.

• JOJOBA CHARCOAL SCRUB gentle exfoliating facial scrub – 100 ml / 3.4 oz

My opinion: I love this and I use it daily. It’s dark grey from the charcoal, can be used as a mask or face wash. It has gentle jojoba beads that don’t feel like it’s scrapping the surface of my skin off, even when I go a bit insane trying to get a few blackheads out.

Overall Opinion: Would not buy the full kit again. Was nice to splurge but only 3/5 products meet my current skin care needs. Would repurchase the charcoal detox face wash, jojoba scrub & kaolin clay face mask, ONLY.