Moving Towards A Green Complexion: Facial + Moisturizer

Facials used to be a regular part of my skincare routine. Every 3 or 4 months, I’d go for the relaxing / extracting / masking experience.

And though I used to be weary about buying products from my facialist, thinking she was just trying to sell sell sell me her stuff — I finally gave in, and began buying her recommendations — which were, after all coming from a woman who’d just spent an hour staring at my skin under a magnifying glass. She could see what I needed!

And she did. My skin got really good based on these products. So I kept going. And buying.

Then I started this whole move to a greener complexion, and her products weren’t working for me anymore, on a deeper level.
Yes, my skin looked great. But I could no longer tolerate the questionable ingredients that came along with her regime.

So I stopped getting facials and I started experimenting with greener beauty brands.

Finally, a Gilt City offer showed up which seemed to target my concerns — a company that emphasized cleaner treatments with an accompanying product line, VMV Hypoallergenics.

The name alone intrigued me over to the site. Everything is hypoallergenic — which like natural and nontoxic — isn’t a regulated term. But for this brand, their claims are backed by randomized, double-blind, evidence-based clinical studies, which have been presented and published in medical journals + conventions around the world.

With that info accompanied by the 69 dollar price tag (thanks flash sale!), my facial was booked.

When I arrived at the spa, I was given a several-sheet-long form to fill out. They wanted to know a lot about my lifestyle + habits to help my facialist better treat my skin.

Once on the table, the bright lights went on and my assessment began. It had been many months since my last facial, and I had the blackheads to prove it. My diagnosis was oily. (In the past, I’ve always been told combination / dehydrated / sensitive.) She told me she’d do her best with extractions, but because some were so deep– she didn’t want to prod too intensely. As she picked away, she kept me well informed of the situation– there were some big ones giving her trouble. One would have to be left for next time. I’ve never had a facialist keep me so in the loop of their progress — either I’ve never had blackheads this deep. Or I was never informed on the facialist’s inability in getting them all out.

While she worked, we spoke about the company — they’re from The Philippines. She explained that they’re currently out of their sought after coconut oil because of the winter storms which disrupted their crops.

I told her I was in the market for a new moisturizer. I also asked about anti-aging products as I’m always looking to up my game in that department.

When I went to check out, there were 4 products lined up on the counter — a gentle, hydrating moisturizer, an anti-aging cream, sunscreen (for UV rays indoors and out — what?!? UV rays indoors?!?!) and an acne gel. Needing to mind my budget I bought only the moisturizer. The anti-aging cream seemed great. She used it on me during the facial, and I could feel the treating properties, but it was a little pricey. When I’m ready to swap out this beastly but highly effective night cream, I’ll consider their product. I enthusiastically took the sample she offered.

My face was slightly red upon exiting the spa, so I stopped by their make up counter (they have a full cosmetic line!) for a little touch up.

When I got home, I went over to EWG to scope out VMV Hypoallergenics ratings. Overall, they scored between an acceptable 1- 4. Some of their ingredients, however, hit the borderline 6 – 7 putting those products in the red zone. I’ll need to investigate further, but the moisturizer I bought was well within the safe range.

Do you ever get facials? And if yes, do you buy their products?

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