It’s been three weeks since I got my Marie Veronique Organics package. And I’m probably the last one to jump on this bandwagon! If you wonder why I’ve waited such a good length of time to write a review, it’s because I don’t want to write a biased review while I’m still much in my excitement. Besides, it takes time to know whether a product works, or doesn’t work, right?
Gentle Cleanser: Disappointment
The gentle cleanser was the first product I tried. Upon screwing open the bottle, I knew it would be unlike any other cleansers I’ve used. For one thing, it has a strong herbal fragrance. For another, it isn’t foaming. Upon use, I do agree that its cleansing ability is less ideal than other cleansers with foaming agents (it does deserve the name “gentle”), so I had used double amount for my first trial. Only later did I feel more comfortable to use a normal amount.
My face feels clean and soft after use, though I have to admit, it “seems” my face is oilier than normal foaming cleanser is used. But no, my skin isn’t clogged or breaks out in any way. So, you may wonder, where does my “disappointment” come from? Read on.
A few minutes after washing my face with this gentle cleanser, my face experienced irritation and redness. Fortunately, the signs left quite soon, but this was enough to turn me off. I hoped (against hope) that’s just my bad luck popped up in a particular bad night, and it wouldn’t happen again. But the same thing had appeared every time I used this cleanser, so that leaves no room for doubt. I heard people rave about how this cleanser could work on the most sensitive skin, but unfortunately it doesn’t work on mine.
Anti-Aging Mist and Anti-Aging Oil: Simply Good
The anti-aging mist and oil are perfect match. I’ve loved this dual the first time I used it! The mist has a light rose aroma, which I love. It hydrates my skin very well. Three squirts are the right amount for my entire face. It doesn’t load my face with moisture. With it as a base, the anti-aging oil applied later on can be absorbed quite effectively.
The Anti-Aging Oil’s color and aroma remind me of dong guai (also called Angelica sinensis, a Chinese plant with medicinal properties to heal menstrual cramps. We Chinese believe that oral consumption of the plant can replenish lost blood.). But going by the ingredient list on MV Organics, the oil doesn’t include this plant. Something is probably wrong with my nose…
I read from MV Organics that this anti-aging oil can be used around the eye area, so I also use it on my eye area. Although it does no magic of removing my eye wrinkles, after using it for one to two weeks at the time of writing, I notice that my eye wrinkles are softened, and my skin feels softer and more supple. The improvement is so amazing that I think it does deserve a steep price tag.
Moisturizing Face Screen: Good But… the Tint Isn’t Right
I purchased the light tint and got a free sample of medium tint. Both of them are said to have SPF30, providing UVA and UVB protection with 20% zinc oxide. I’m now using a Sebamed sunscreen, which basically doesn’t leave any white cast on my skin after application. So, it takes a little bit of time for me to learn to accept a tinted sunscreen (well, I still have the impression that I was applying foundation, not sunscreen).
However, the problem is, both tints don’t match my skin tone. The medium tint is way darker than my skin. I started with a pea size and tried to spread it across my face and hoped it might work. Of course, it didn’t. With the medium tint, I look tan as if having bathed in the sun for hours.
As for the light tint, it has a slightly pinkish tone that doesn’t match my yellowish skin (see the face and neck difference?). The photo above just fails to reflect the reality! If I slathered my neck with the same sunscreen, I could sure get a pass. But I am not going to do so. Not that I don’t apply sunscreen on my neck, but I hate to apply something that doesn’t match my skin tone. Yes, I’m as stubborn as that.
For coverage, it delivers light to medium coverage for the redness on my face (the redness on my skin isn’t as pigmented in real life, but in photos, it’s horrible). Also note that I didn’t apply liberally in the photos. My skin looks smoother as a whole, though some marks still show. But I did zero touches (e.g. color or shade) on the computer, so what you see is what it is.
I notice that when my face is properly exfoliated, the face screen is easier to spread. Though it still takes some skill to hide the pores (e.g. blackheads on nose) and smooth out the streaks. Apply too much, and you will have the difficulty of evening it out. So, start with small amount.
Love Or Hate?
Even though you discount the gentle cleanser and the fact that the face screen doesn’t match my skin tone, I still love this Anti-Aging Travel Kit as a whole. For me, the goodies I get from the Anti-Aging Mist and Anti-Aging Oil are way too far for me to consider other minor defects important. But ravings aside, if I am to repurchase, I think only the anti-aging mist and oil will get my love.
P.S. The writing and photo-taking has taken more than hours away from me. The longest post so far.
Judging from your skin tone on the photos–because it’s the first time I’ve seen your skin, lol–the “no tint” or currently the “extra light tint” version would suit you better. When I first got my MVO sunscreen, I was a bit tanned and I hated that the No Tint version made my skin look pale and pasty while the Light Tint version which I got as a sample looked perfect on my skin. But lately I became a tiny bit fairer–and to my misfortune– I bought the light tint version this time around and it doesn’t fit my skin tone as perfectly as it used to. It tends to make my face look dark after a while. The No Tint version, on the other hand, blends better on my yellowish and pale complexion.
I actually quite like the face screen. With it, I don’t have to wear makeup on normal days. So, if there is another tint that can fit my skin, I’m willing to try!!! But I wonder if the extra light tint is the same as no tint. Everybody is talking about “no tint,” but it’s something I can’t find on MV Organics. By the way, I thought extra light tint is for very fair skin like that of a Caucasian’s, so for yellowish Asian skin like mine, wouldn’t be too light?
yes, the extra light version is similar to the no tint version. I think it was renamed.
Hmm.. actually, the good thing about the Extra Light Tint/No Tint version is that when it starts to settle on my skin, the tone matches my yellowish skin better. The current Light Tint seems to make my face darker after 2 hours. Probably, next time you should get the Extra Light Tint/No Tint as a sample first and see how it blends with your skin. Oh, there was also a period when I had both the Light Tint and Extra Light Tint version with me and I blended the two to get the right shade for me.
I try your method this morning by mixing the light tint and medium tint together, and you know what? I get a much better shade than either of them is used alone. And you are right. Next time, I will try to get a sample of extra light tint to see if it works for my skin
Thanks for this great and detailed review!!! *___*
Many organic cleansers are not foaming, especially the ones being labeled as gentle, because they’re basically cleansing milk textures. sigh. I understand that you’re questioning their cleansing ability. I have the same problems.
I’ve never tried tinted sunscreens before but judging from your photos I really love how it’s able to cover the redness. I’m very prone to red skin so it’s great if a product can even out my skintone. If the product matches my skintone that is. Btw, I’m impressed by your fair skin. I’m more tanned than you and boy I’m living in Germany where the sun never shines (plus I don’t take sun baths!!). It must be the genes. lol ^O^;;
I think its cleansing ability is fine as long as your face isn’t much oily. My main problem is irritation. Sigh…
Fortunately, my skin isn’t acne-prone, so the face screen is able to cover the mild redness on my face. I have yellowish skin, and far from fair. The photos were taken in the bathroom where white tubes is used
Plus we girls often have the impression that the other gal’s fairer than ours 
I know a little bit how it’s in Germany. I had been there for one month in the past. The hiding sun faked me into believing that it’s not sunny, but I ended up having tan skin after my trip…
I don’t like the cleanser either but I like the exfoliating cleanser although I use it more for exfoliating purposes.
I’m good for the extra light tint or no tint previously…it works like a makeup base for me. Still cannot find another alternative that match this although I’ve been trying other zinc oxide sunscreen and that’s why I keep raving about it.
I use Anti-Aging Oil Plus and it’s also my favorite. Haven’t tried the Anti-Aging Oil but I think the plus works for my age.
I mean to try the extra light tint in the future. I really love the appearance this face screen gives to my skin. Finding the right tint is a problem though.
I think the Anti-Aging Oil/Anti-Aging Oil Plus must have something. I LOVE it so much. Up to now, its the only thing that really helps a little bit for my eye wrinkles. And I’m glad that I bought this set!!
I would love to give the exfoliating cleanser a try and all the oils of course with them and yup, the tint in MFS is a problem but its great as a sunscreen!! I did like ECS too – its more matte so perfect for oily and combination skin.
I want to try MVO exfoliating cleanser too, but it’s low on my priority list. For now, I’m most intereted in sunscreen!! The tint of MVO face screen is a problem, but I’m getting used to mixing two tints. Kind of unconventional, but it works!
oh mixing tints works for you??? I did try it but it didn’t work. It became streaky
good that it works for you 
Really? Maybe you can try more times. Practice makes perfect. It is only when I use too much amount that it becomes streaky.