In conjunction with our Summer Scrub Down Contest, I’m reviewing some Manor Hall Soap Company Products and I figured we’d kick off the reviews with one of my favorite item so far - which is…
Facial Cleansing Grains - Almonds & Honey
The facial cleansing grains come in different flavors. I got the Almond & Honey, but there’s also Lemon and Rosemary, and Lavender & Rose. Oddly, I actually got the ones I would have wanted, if it had been up to me. I love honey and almond.
Ingredients: Kaolin clay, ground oats, corn meal, ground almonds, ground rose petals, ground lavender, honey powder.
Use: From the Manor Hall Soap website; “Suitable for all skin types, these grains will make light work of dry and dead skin, while nourishing and improving surface circulation. Featuring the gentle emollience of ground almond meal, these facial grains moisturize readily as they are worked into the skin, loosening and lifting the dead cells from the surface. Together with oatmeal, ground botanicals and honey powder, these all natural grains bring a healthy glow, leaving skin soft and baby smooth.”
Cost: $8.35 for a 4 oz jar - net wt 2.5 oz
What I think: I’m a sucker for scrubby grains. I’ve loved them for years, but hate paying a lot, so I make my own. In fact, I posted some recipes here. You can also just grind up plain old oats and nuts, mix with H2O and use those as well. Thus I was skeptical. However, I LOVED these.
Pros:
- These grains were ground so much better than my blender will grind grains. With these grains you get a very soft, non-harsh texture.
- All the little extra touches - no way am I going to grind up rose petals, and deal with clay, plus more than two grains at a time in my kitchen, not for just one scrub anyhow.
- They worked awesome. My skin felt ultra soft and totally smooth after using them once.
- These grains smell absolutely great; earthy, light, nutty. They leave a subtle lingering scent, but nothing so powerful that someone sensitive couldn’t use them. I’d even give them to my scent sensitive aunt.
- It took such a small amount that this jar will last a super long time. For the price, this is a super deal on facial grains. Most face scrubs you can buy cost more, and also have plenty of stuff you can’t pronounce in it. Not cool.
- I didn’t have to make them! All I did was open a jar. Wow.
Other issues: Packaging is recyclable and simple plus pretty to look at (yeah, I’m a little into cute stuff). The website page for this product is excellent, offering user tips, ingredients, and best of all warnings that it may not be suitable for your skin, and that you should do a test spot. Just an overall nice user experience.
Cons: Just one, and that’s the fact that while they’re natural, they’re not organic. Non-organic grains are a moot point, because pesticide residue is low in all grains, however, I’d like to see organic lavender and rose. There’s an reason that this company is not totally organic though, an issue the owner and I were discussing, and later I’ll post about it. Other than this, I don’t have any cons. Honestly, I really loved this product. It’s perfect for you or for a nice gift basket.
Keep in mind that my skin is pretty used to whatever I toss at it. I have normal non-oily, non-dry skin, so if you have skin issues your results may vary. These grains are so smooth though that I think they could work for almost anyone. My best friend has sensitive, problematic skin, so I may have her try some to see what she thinks. If so I’ll update with her sensitive skin review.
Points: 
+
Six out of five - Five for being an excellent facial grain product with a super nice smell. The bonus point is because I haven’t bought face grains in over eight years (I always make them), but I’d actually pay money for these.
Visit Manor Hall Soap Company to learn more. You can also enter our Summer Scrub Down Contest to win Manor Hall products.
Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008
[Image via Manor Hall Soap Company]
Tags: beauty products, Contest, natural soaps, organic soapsShare This
