Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics

[meep]

Does anyone use any Dr. Hauschka cosmetics, either skin care, body care or make-up?

I bought their skin-care starter pack yesterday and used it for first time last night and this morning; and I'm impressed!

They are based on an organic, natural philosophy so contain lots of natural ingredients (all organic) and as little chemicals as possible. I was brought up with a 'white-witch' mum, so have always known of and loved natural oils and remedies (my favourite is a hot bath with either patchouli, jasmine or chamomile oil ) So their products immediately struck a chord with me.

I have naturally very good skin, and only started a skin care routine about a year ago. I started off on Vichy on a friends recommendation, but then changed to Clinique as Vichy made my skin quite greasy. Have enjoyed Clinique so far, but was beginning to get concerned that after using the face wash and before toning and moisturising, my skin felt tight; which it never does naturally. So I thought, if a soap I'm using dries my skin out just so I can moisturise it afterwards to replenish lost moisture, it's a bit of a vicious cycle! I'd seen Dr. Hauschka before in John Lewis and Napiers, and as I said, always felt drawn to their natural philosophy.

They do have a different technique which is quite interesting. Rather than scrub, rub or wash with any of the cleansing, toning or moisturising products, you instead do a "pressing and rolling motion". For example, mix the cleaning cream with water in your hands, press all over face and neck, then with both hands press with your fingers and roll off starting from pinkie to index finger. You do this repeatedly all over your face, in a slow, calm motion. It felt strange not to 'scrub', so-to-speak, and I was worried that it wouldn't be as thorough in cleaning, but my skin felt silky smooth after. The reason behind the press and roll is because scrubbing can remove more layers of skin cells than it needs to, not just the completely dead ones.

So, after only 1 day of using the face products I'm impressed! Have got their foundation on order too (Napiers didn't have it in my tone, 01) which was very light and moisturising to try!

Dr. H isn't the cheapest of products, but it's no more expensive than Clinique!

Just thought I'd share my discovery with you! The website is here:

http://www.drhauschka.co.uk/index.php?linkid=1

[angieh]

How interesting - thanks for the link meep. I may look at the range for older skin! My usual Neutrogena which I've used for years is not feeling quite as nourishing atm!

[meep]

I know the feeling Angie! Part of what prompted me to reasses my skin care is the colder, winter months ahead. In winter I always get really red cheeks, nose and dry skin around my nose. Not full-blown rosacea but verging on I think (have a few tiny broken cappileries as well). The blessing that is celtic skin! So looking for some extra nourishment for the winter months!

[yola]

I have naturally greasy skin (I was the ultimate spotty youth), which can still be prone to breaking out. I use Este Lauder which are lovely products and seem to agree with my skin's chemistry. HOWEVER - I do know for a fact that they're not that hot when it comes to lab testing on animals which is a constant niggle for me.

It was recommended I try Dermalogica skin products but I found they made me even more spotty. They have a good record for not testing on animals.

I will look this product out tomorrow meep, we have a John Lewis . The only slight concern I have is that my skin doesn't like to come into contact with water (on my face that is ), but I'll chat it through with their consultants.



**Edit to say, I've just had a look through their website and they have a great range of products, 3 of which I can immediately see would benefit. Deffo off to JL tomorrow for a chat with them

[meep]

Fantastic Yola! I was in JL on my lunch break looking for the foundation, as Napiers had run out when I went in to buy yesterday, and my JL don't stock the make-up although they have the fullrange skin care. So I would recommend Napiers if you can't find what you're looking for!

I would also recommend the small £15 trial box which is what I got. The sample bottles of each product are tiny but it gives you three different moisturisers to try, and the standard cleanser, make-up remover and toner. If you do have particular skin requirements it might not be ideal as some of their more specialised creams aren't in it. But I personally wanted to try the rose cream for sensitive skin, which is supposed to help reddening and roseacea, and it's included!

Also, the products smell lovely. Not necesarily immediately sweet and scented, but they smell natural and very...earthy. Also, my skin felt velvty soft after the first use, and actually moisturised rather than as if I'd put a fake layer of moisture on top and therefore greasy...

Good luck with your chat, I hope you come away satisfied

[yola]

To answer your question in the DT meep;

Well we don't have a Napiers but JL did stock them. Just displaid on the shelf mind you without any consultant. The Clarins girl got a bit sniffy when I asked her where the products were

Sooo - I bought the cleaning milk as I'm almost out of Este Lauder cleanser. I've used it once but without the water (just on cotton wool to wipe the make up off). It seemed very thorough and yes, it did smell nice. As you say, not perfumed but clean and fresh.

I'll continue using it and if all goes well, I'll get the toner once my EL one runs out.

[dandysmom]

I noticed recently that the cosmetic section of Whole Foods have added them.
Was thinking about trying; let me know your results, Yola and Meep! I have just average skin, neither dry nor oily. Does the cleanser do a really good job of removing eye makeup?

[yola]

Yes, Eileen it does. I wear 3 different eye shadow colours + waterproof mascara and it cleaned it all off very well.

[dandysmom]

Thanks, Yola; that's good to know. I think I'll check it out tomorrow when I'm at Whole Foods. A recommendation from a friend means more than an advertising blurb or a cosmeticians comments, at least to me!

[meep]

Yola - glad you hear you managed to get some, despite sniffy shop assistants The cleansing milk is lovely, very light but does a good job. In the wee starter pack I got, it recommends using the cleansing milk as a make-up remover then the cleansing cream as an actual cleanser. It has little bits of 'scrub' stuff in it, but you don't actually scrub, and instead do the 'press and roll' movement; basically you press it all over your face then slowly and methodically press it in whilst rolling your fingers off the skin several times. I've done that three days and nights in a row now and my skin looks great! I found after cleansing with clinique face wash (which I would rub like a soap) my skin was clean but looked dry and lacking in any natural 'sheen' but the dr. h cleansers give it a nice sheen but not oily.

The toner is fantastic, and I think one of the best items in the range. In the starter pack I got there was a mini phial of it, but I went and bought the normal one y'day, as you're supposed to spray it, or mist it, over your face and then just pat on gently with finger tips. The mini one didn't have a spray and it didn't work as well with just dabbing it on. So I 'misted' it on for the first time last night and it's wonderful! It smells slightly alcohol-y (and I'm assured by the label and marketing blurb that it's natural) but isn't drying at all. Dr. H also say not to moisturise at night at all, even eye creams, as this is counter-productive. It stops your skin producing it's own moisture, can make skin overly greasy, or overly dry if you stop moisturising. They say if you stop moisturising at night when first using Dr. H your skin might feel a little tight, but it will get better quickly. Luckily mine has been absolutely fine and I actually prefer not moisturising at night, as when I used to with Clinique I would always wake up with a greasy film especially over my T-Zone; and I'm not naturally oily.

There are several different creams, and it's worth buying the one that's right for your skin. I think I'll be opting for the Rose Cream as although it says good for mature skin, it also says sensitive skin, then in winter I might layer it with the daily moisturiser for a little extra when it's cold!

Phew, sorry for the long post! Just wanted to share my thoughts on it.

DM - I am really, really pleased with results so far, although it has only been 4 days or so! Like yourself, my skin is just 'neutral' but does get dry and red in winter which is why I'm reassesing my skin care routine now! The new technique of applying them all does seem a bit weird, but I would say it's already made a difference, and I would say the pores on my cheeks have already visibly shrunk a wee bit (they were looking quite dialated which worried me as they never normally are, another reason why I decided to move away from Clinique.)

DM - you could always try the £15 facial care starter kit which I have done. Quite cheap, even though the tubes of stuff are small, and you get to try it out before commiting to big tubes and bigger prices!