Review: V&M Naturals Karma Cleanse Soap

Who would have thought that a combination of olive oil, coconut oil, emu oil, castor oil, and peppermint essential oils would actually make for a less oily face?

V&M Natural's Karma Cleanse soap has natural oils to both soothe and moisturize skin, while French green clay and kaolin clay help to both clean out and tighten pores.

Price: P295 for 135g or avail of My Soap Arsenal (available during sale/bazaar weekends)which is P1,000 for any 5 V&M Naturals soaps

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Emu Oil, Castor Oil, Genistein Extract, Activated Charcoal, French Green Clay, Premium Kaolin Clay, Frankincense, Peppermint Essential Oils

Ok, why bother with manufacturing and expiry date lines if they're not going to be filled out?

This is what it looks like out of the packaging. I cut it in half because "organic" soaps usually melt fast. Doesn't that marbling look delicious? You can actually see the little black charcoal dots on the white parts.

I was actually a little worried that the different oils would make it greasy and difficult to wash with, but it actually lathers quite well, plus the peppermint oil lends some cooling effect. Note for those with sensitive skin: the area around my sink smelled like peppermint for the first few days, so this might be a bit strong for you. (Unfortunately, this brand usually doesn't have available testers, especially not for their soap). I sometimes also get some grittiness from the charcoal at random intervals. While like the exfoliation potential, I'd have preferred it to be consistently gritty, if that was indeed what they were going for. I always get some black bits, so it's hard to tell

It manages to push back oil-slick-face time by 2 hours or so, and reduces the amount of facial oil for a little bit throughout the day, at the expense of some tightness. I've been using this for 3 weeks, and it doesn't seem to be contributing to the pimple parade.

But why is this so expensive!? And the SA at Megamall (she used to be at SM North, I remember) is so good at selling me their other stuff. She looks at your face, follows you around for a bit, then BAM she hands you a little tub that promises to rid you of your deepest insecurities that you never even mentioned. I really should ask for her name sometime, and maybe get her to host a sales talk seminar.

Pros:

• Pushes grease-face back by 2 hours. reduces sebum production on face a little bit throughout the day
• Minty feel
• Smells great (peppermint with a subtle earthy tone)
• Doesn't melt fast for an organic soap (because of the clay?)
• Not breaking me out so far (3 weeks)

Cons:

• A little bit of tightness
• Unpredictable grittiness
• THE PRICE

Verdict:

• Scent: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5
• Price: 3/5
• Performance Rating: 4/5

Karma Cleanse is a good start for the mattifying regimen; it even has some cooling effects for a good morning boost before the daily struggle with the tropical heat. it's Now will somebody please split a My Soap Arsenal with me??

Have you tried any V&M Naturals soaps lately? Did Ms. Super SA convince you to take a chunk out of your next paycheck?