Dr. Alkaitis’s motto is: “If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your face.” Now, I won’t say that I’ve gone so far as to try to eat these products, but I can understand how someone might, in a pinch! This raw organic skincare line uses completely edible, unheated, plant-based ingredients. The rules that apply to your diet should also apply to the products that you put on your body, because for better or worse, every lotion, every cleanser and every masque you put on your skin is absorbed into the bloodstream just like food. Most commercial cleansers use harsh detergents (sulfates) that strip the skin of its natural oil layer, and without it, toxins from lotions that contain carcinogenic preservatives (parabens) find it that much easier to penetrate the barrier of skin.
Dr. Alkaitis’s product line is based on aloe and extra virgin olive oil, a much gentler means of cleansing and moisturizing. I’ve been using them for several months now and I’m very impressed. Be aware that the fragrance of these natural products might take some getting used to, especially for people who are accustomed to commercial skincare with its synthetic fragrances. The entire Alkaitis line smells very earthy, very herbal. It’s almost a masculine scent, but it fades very quickly. I’ve learned to love it, and now I cannot stand the smell of synthetic fragrances. Below is an overview of the products I’ve tried from the Alkaitis line. I have oily skin with a tendency to break out, so according to the consultants at SaffronRouge.com, these products are the best for my skin type. But the beauty of these products is that they can work for many skin types, so don’t hesitate to try them.
Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser
This cleanser has a castille cleansing base, and uses shea, jojoba and coconut oils. The herbal skin repair complex includes such ingredients as chamomile, nettle, and sea wrack. It has a texture kind of like fruit preserves, and it goes on smoothly. It’s worth noting that this cleanser doesn’t bubble up like ordinary cleansers. It’s meant to exfoliate the skin without scratching it, which can often happen with sugar scrubs. It washes off cleanly without leaving the skin dry or tight.
Organic Herbal Toner
Best if used right after the cleanser. Its base is made from aloe vera, witch hazel and a combination of herbs, so it has a very strong scent, but it doesn’t last long. It’s recommended that you use your fingers to smooth this onto your face, without using a cotton ball. Unlike other astringent toners, this one also acts as a moisturizer, especially for oily skin types. It improves the circulation of blood in the skin, so after applying this, your face will have a healthy glow.
Organic Soothing Gel
Like the toner, this gel has a base of aloe vera and witch hazel, but it has a much thicker consistency. It can be used as an acne treatment for the whole face, or for individual trouble spots. Moisturizer is not necessary for most people after the use of this gel. It is an effective anti-inflammatory, so in addition to acne it can also be used for razor burn, rosacea, eczema, and as a balm after hair removal treatments.
I would say that the only drawback to these products is the price. I don’t mean to say that high quality products should cost the same as the toxic substances sold at Wal-Mart, but at roughly $50 per bottle, no one is exactly going to buy these on a whim. They do offer a travel kit with decently-sized samples, enough for a shopper to make an informed decision. You can order directly from the Alkaitis site or from SaffronRouge.com.
