German + Roman Chamomile – Organically farmed and harvested exclusively for Laurel in the Pacific Northwest, both variations of Chamomile are cooling and soothing to irritated and problem skin.
Grapefruit and Blood Orange – Non-photosensitizing Citrus oils are ideal for balancing the skin’s natural oil production, and make for a refreshing cleanse. These oils are distilled fresh for Laurel by an artisan distiller in California.
Calendula – Calendula two ways; in Hydrosol form as well as a whole plant extraction. Calendula is ideal for cleansing by encouraging cellular turnover, regeneration and improving anti-inflammatory pathways.
Safflower and Sunflower – Our two favorite raw and freshly pressed seed oils for cleansing are in perfect balance here to decongest pores and minimize their appearance by attaching to our own oxidized oils so they can be easily wiped away.
Honey – Our small batch, raw California honey has naturally occurring enzymes that help with gentle and healthy cell turnover.
Burdock, Dandelion, Licorice, Echinacea – Our in-house Root decoction is purifying, cleansing, brightening and stimulating for surface immunity. These are all prebiotics for a diverse microbiome.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Contains malic and lactic acids that help soften and exfoliate the skin. It is powerful, and we only use it in a very small quantity, keeping this very gentle and suitable for all skin types.
French Pink Clay – Pink Clay is the gentlest of clays and doesn’t dry out the skin. It improves circulation and promotes the release of deep pore congestion.
Full Ingredient List: Chamomile Hydrosol˚, Calendula Hydrosol˚, Lavender Hydrosol˚; House Made Aqueous Extracts of Burdock˚, Dandelion˚, Licorice˚, Echinacea˚; Safflower Oil˚, Sunflower Oil˚, Rosehip Seed Oil˚, Coconut Oil˚, Honey˚, Olive Wax (Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate), Vegetable Glycerine˚, Vegetable Lecithin˚, Jojoba Oil˚, French Pink Clay, Citrus Extract˚; House Made Whole Plant Extracts of Licorice˚, Calendula˚, Rosemary˚, Cleaver˚; Apple Cider Vinegar˚; Essential Oils of Grapefruit˚, Blood Orange˚, Sandalwood˚, Roman Chamomile˚; Scarlet Pimpernel Flower Essence˚, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate
˚organically grown ingredient
Moisten hands and face with water. Pump a dime size (3-6 pumps) into fingertips. Massage well over the skin, especially in congested areas or around eyes for makeup removal. Remove with a warm towel. Using a warm towel to remove cleanser will easily remove make-up and sunscreen; cleanse twice for heavy make-up. For initial use: SHAKE WELL. This facial cleanser may need to be shaken occasionally to strengthen natural emulsion.
Store this product in a cool, dry and dark place. Use within 6 months of opening and use within 1 year from the manufacture date, which is noted on the bottom of the bottle.
Cleansing for Barrier Health
Did you know that despite being one of our best selling products, our Support Cleanser is still one that we also get frequent usage questions about? Often when people are using a non-foaming cleanser for the first time, they express that their skin doesn’t feel ‘clean’. Really, this ‘unclean’ feeling is just your skin’s natural barrier. Make friends with this important part of your skin! It prevents aging and inflammation by protecting you from the elements and is home to a plethora of beneficial bacteria. Without your skin’s protective barrier (which foaming cleansers remove), you are making your skin more vulnerable to UV damage and harmful bacteria. If you have been using stripping cleansers for most of your life, then this transition to feel comfortable ‘in your skin’ can take as much as 2 weeks.
Comedogenic Variables
Coconut Oil. 1) Is it really comedogenic? 2) And why is it in a Cleanser for congested skin? Great questions! 1) The comedogenic scale was originally created using oils that were not well documented, but assuming they were standardized cosmetic oils that means they were refined with all antioxidants and nutrients removed, as well as enzymes denatured. Our brand’s oils are different: they are all raw with antioxidants, nutrients, and enzymes intact – which actually means that the entire comedogenic scale does not apply to our brand whatsoever. Those beneficial parts of the oil that have not been removed ensure that our oils are food for our microbiome, food for our skin, and can be more easily broken down and utilized. 2) Both of our cream cleansers contain Coconut Oil in a very small percentage – 4% to be exact! It is perfect for our cleansing formulas because it adds to the creamy consistency and makes for an easier and more effortless cloth removal of the cleansers. Specifically, Coconut Oil also keeps fungal acne at bay, and is one of the only oils specific to that type of acne. While we don’t recommend using Coconut Oil straight on most skin types, in our cleansing formula it is not of any concern whatsoever when it comes to being comedogenic.