Skincare 101: Michael Todd True Organics Acne or Oily Skin Regimen

Acne or Oily Skin Regimen

(The regimen I got came with the Honey and Oat Cleanser, not the Charcoal Detox Cleanser and the Antiox Serum instead of the Carrot Serum)

Price

 $131.00 $70.00 (Sale price until June 30th)

Website Description

A serious organic approach to clearer skin for those suffering with acne! These products are formulated with NO added water. Just the ingredients you need to unclog pores, kill bacteria associated with acne, calm inflammation and keep the skin hydrated. This is the perfect solution in four simple steps to clear skin without the use of harsh chemicals that can dry and irritate. 3-4 months supply.

I cannot get over how wonderful this has been for my skin in the last month I have been using it.

Unfortunately, I don't have any before and after shots of my skin with this product, but I will explain it to the best of my abilities and then go into the pros and cons of each product that is in this regimen. 

Before using this line of skin care, I literally tried everything I could think of. Since I am on a budget, I could not afford the higher end skin care lines, thus, stuck with mostly drug store and at-home remedies. I suffer from acne and I have a weird skin type: very dry, and very oily. There is no in-between. Choosing any type of foundation for me is a nightmare because the ones that are specifically for oily skin, dry me right out where as the ones for dry skin make me an oily mess. I also have hyper-pigmentation and acne scarring. So I tried Clean and Clear, and Neutrogena, and Olay (which, by the way, helped to balance out my skin type so I definitely recommend the Fresh Effects line if that is what you are troubled by), Garnier, etc. I even tried the ever-famous, acne.org regimen and low and behold, nothing changed. My spots were becoming out of control and it was making me so self-conscious, I didn't even want to leave my house. So I was becoming desperate. 

After watching multiple YouTube beauty gurus talk about their holy grail skin care products, almost every single one of them had something by Michael Todd. I went onto their website and purchased the Anti-Aging Regimen for my mom for Mother's Day (this is still on sale as well, if you know of a special woman you could buy this for - my mom loves it and I will do a separate review on it in another blog post). My girlfriend decided to buy the Anti-Acne Regimen for me because not only was I becoming desperate, but so was she. 

This cleanser smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean without over-drying. It is so soft on your skin and gets deep into your pores to remove impurities and toxins without causing any damage to your skin. This cleanser is now a must-have for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gentle cleanser that does exactly what it says it does. 

Website Description:

Start your routine with this ultra-hydrating sweet-lemony honey and oats facial cleanser in a base of refreshing aloe vera juice.  Gentle deep pore cleansing effectively removes makeup and impurities in one simple step and you'll love how the honey puts back needed moisture that other cleansers fail to deliver. The delicate aromas of honey and sweet lemony citrus awaken the senses and the light foaming cleanser washes away easily. Sulfate FREE "no tears" formula does not irritate eyes. Rinses completely without residue leaving the skin clean, fresh and hydrated.

For me, personally, I am not too fond of this scent, but it is not enough to stray me away from this product. I have noticed a huge difference in the pigmentation and evenness of my skin-tone. It seems to balance out the color in my face smooths out the texture of my bumpy skin. I notice a subtle glow after applying this product and not a shiny glow, a healthy, youthful glow (which is nice, because I am only 22). This is good for all skin types except sensitive. 

Website Description:

Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE work synergistically to visibly resurface skin's texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores, to reveal a radiant and healthy complexion. This serum includes a range of antioxidant vitamins in a base of healing aloe vera juice to help fight free radicals and environmental stress. To this we added extracts of oranges, lemons and cranberries and essential oils of sweet orange, lemon, lime, tangerine and bergamot to soothe, moisturize and nourish. This unique serum will give your skin the boost it needs. 

If I were to only be able to choose one product out of the entire line, this would be it, I think. The Jojoba wax beads exfoliate your skin so gently, it does not cause any further damage to your skin while the activated charcoal works as a magnet and pulls out any toxins and impurities from your skin. Sometimes, when I use this, I allow it to sit on my face for a few minutes and let the charcoal do a little extra work. I have definitely noticed a reduction in blackheads and when I do get a spot, they aren't nearly as large and inflamed as they were before I started using this and I definitely believe it is due to this product. This is now a definite holy grail product in my skin care routine.

Website Description:

Unique facial scrub formulated using the powers of Jojoba Wax Beads and Activated Charcoal to effectively remove dead skin, impurities and toxins. Gentle enough for sensitive and acne prone skin types. Jojoba Wax Beads provide gentle exfoliation without leaving microlacerations on delicate skin. Highly absorbent Activated Charcoal penetrates deeply into pores to draw out impurities and toxins. Refines texture and encourages skin renewal, leaving skin smooth and refreshed.

This product smells awful, but works wonders. It is a clay mask with a smooth yet chunky texture and I use it once or twice a week (If I remember). I have used multiple clay masks before and they all seem to dry my skin out, but this one leaves your face feeling so fresh and soft (like a baby's bottom!) and you can feel the clean in your skin. The redness in my face is visibly lessened after using this product and the morning after I use it, my face still has that "youthful glow" that we all love! If you can get past the smell (and it could be hard for some people), then this is a must-have as well.

Website Description:

A soft purifying clay mask using the exceptional absorbent properties of white and red clays and sulfur to detoxify the skin, replace minerals and reduce oil production without dryness or irritation. Utilizes black willow bark to clear the skin and kill bacteria, and green tea to sooth and calm irritation and redness. Tightens pores and significantly improves smoothness. Balances oiliness and aids in the elimination of blemishes. Perfect for use 2-3 nights a week as part of your weekly exfoliation routine to clear your skin! 

This product kind of dries my skin out, but not to the point where a moisturizer or serum won't help it. It smells fresh and takes any inflammation down in my skin when it is a little bit irritated. It leaves your face feeling fresh and since it is non-alcohol based, it does not leave your skin feeling kind of "burned" as some other alcohol-based toners do. I don't know if I would purchase this on it's own, but having it in the set is not a let-down. Maybe I will try another Michael Todd toner and see if I like it better. However, with that being said, it is not a bad product and I do recommend it for anyone who wants a toner that will not cause any further irritation and inflammation and redness to their skin.

Website Description:

Rich in vital nutrients, trace elements and amino acids, organic blue green algae and kelp in combination with Hyaluronic Acid penetrate deeply into the skin to speed the elimination of toxins, promote cellular renewal, naturally nourish and remineralize the skin. Highly moisturizing and moisture balancing, with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Cleans and maintains the skin’s proper pH without the drying effects of alcohol. Aids in the treatment of acne prone and problem skin. Prepares skin for serums and moisturizers. Contains black willow tree extract recognized for thousands of years for its healing power and fresh, warm, spicy tea tree oil a powerful immune stimulant to help fight infections and promote clear skin.

Final Thoughts:

I LOVE this entire line of products and I am looking forward to trying out different products from Michael Todd (like the Pumpkin Mask and the Detox Cleanser and the Charcoal Mask, to name a few). I definitely recommend this line for anyone with acne-prone/oily skin. My pores are smaller, my spots are smaller, my skin tone is balanced and the texture is even. My scarring has faded quite a bit and I have only been using it for, maybe, a month. I cannot wait to see what the next month looks like for my skin and I will keep you updated on any changes, good or bad, if/when they occur. If you are looking for a new line of skin care products to try, then go visit www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com and take a look at their individual products or their regimens that fit each skin type (From oily, to dry, to acne-prone, to sensitive, to anti-aging, and hyper-pigmentation and sun damaged skin).