I’ve noticed an interesting trend in organic skincare. We’re starting to find affordable certified organic skincare in our local pharmacies and if you ask me, that’s super! I will be the first to say that I don’t frequent organic grocery stores nor beauty stores that sell only natural or organic products so being able to find properly certified organic products in our local pharmacies is such a boon.
A relatively new player on the scene is the Himalaya Herbals Organique range of organic skincare, certified by EcoCert. EcoCert is supposed to be one of the more stringent certifiers of organic products, and I’ve been told that getting the certification isn’t easy. They also aren’t loathe to take it away if the brand does not comply with their conditions!
The Himalaya Herbals Organique skincare range sits beside their regular range so you will find similar products in both ranges. I don’t think it means that their normal range is any worse, just that if you want an organic alternative, you have it. As an example, both the products I’ll tell you about today – Exfoliating Walnut Face Scrub and Purifying Neem Face Wash – are available in the regular product line up as well as in the organic line up. How do you tell them apart? The regular Himalaya Herbals skincare range comes in white packaging, while the organic range comes in a deep blue-green slim packaging that personally strikes me as being very masculine.
Purifying Neem Face Wash
This face wash has a rather strange jelly texture to it. I hesitate to say gel, because it isn’t a runny gel. It is very much like a jelly. Like many organic products or products without SLS or SLES, it does not lather up very much. That is not to say that it does not clean the skin, because it does in a gentle manner. The key ingredients are neem and turmeric – both widely and easily found in Asia and which have been used through the ages in skincare. There is a herbal sort of scent that is either love or hate. I like it, and it does not dry out the skin so that too is nice. I however, find that it doesn’t do much of a job in purifying my skin if I’m supposed to understand its name correctly. It doesn’t cause breakouts, but it doesn’t soothe them either, the way I’m used to my Vichy Purifying Cleansing Gel doing. Its just a decent, gentle regular face wash and if you don’t have much expectations, it’ll do.
Pros: Affordable organic skincare, Certified organic by EcoCert, Gentle and not drying
Cons: Does not “purify” my skin very well
Ingredients
Exfoliating Walnut Face Scrub
I personally like this one quite a lot, but not quite for what it is meant to do. This is a face scrub with walnut shells that act as a physical scrub, in a cream base. I personally think that the crushed walnut kernals (if that is what it is) are too large and too harsh on the skin. If someone was unfamiliar with the product and applied too much pressure while scrubbing their skin, I can imagine that the crushed kernals can cause damage to the skin. So be warned and use a gentle hand.
(1) Purifying Neem Face Wash – note the jelly texture (2) Exfoliating Walnut Face Scrub
However, what I do like about this product is that cream base. This slightly tinted cream base contains Kaolin as one of its ingredients, and Kaolin clay has, as one of its properties, the ability to draw out skin impurities and absorb oil and clear the skin. You will usually find Kaolin as an ingredient in most mud type face masks.
When I use this facial scrub, I usually apply a layer to my face and very lightly spread it, but I do not “scrub” due to the harsh texture of the hard bits. I do however, leave the scrub on my face a little while before washing off, and after washing, my skin feels impressively smooth and clean. It feels almost like as if I’ve just washed off a mud mask and my pores almost immediately look smaller – again just how Kaolin works. If I’m facing a bit of a mild breakout, using this scrub for a few days consecutively does help me (I cannot emphasize enough that I do not “scrub” per se but more like, leave it on) The presence of hydrating ingredients ensure your skin does not feel tight and dry after use.
As for scent, there is quite an interesting cinnamon scent which I enjoy, mainly because I like the smell of cinnamon (cinnamon with apple pie or cinnamon buns anyone? 😀 ) You may notice that the red cap on my bottle has a hole in it – I’ve dropped the bottle a few times and each time I drop it, another piece of the cap breaks off. I will soon have no cap left. Bit of a bummer that. The plastic used for the cap is more brittle than that used for the body so perhaps that might be an area of improvement as well. Interestingly, I’ve dropped the other bottle of face wash as well, but that cap didn’t break.
Pros: Scrub makes my skin feel very clean and smooth after use and pores look smaller, Not drying, Affordable organic skincare
Cons: Scrub bits are too large and abrasive, Cap of the bottle breaks easily when dropped
Ingredients
In a nutshell, based on just these 2 cleansers I’ve used, I am suitably swayed by the products to consider trying others. I have used Himalaya Herbals products before this and am also using the Neem face pack which I will tell you about some day. Their products are in the main, affordable and decent for the price tag – just easily overlooked, because they just aren’t very “sexy” are they? Well, the Organique range hopes to change all that.
Oh and here’s an interesting titbit – Himalaya Herbals originates from India – did you know that? 😉
Have you tried anything from the Himalaya Herbals Organique range? Or have you tried anything from Himalaya Herbals in general and have thoughts to share on their products? Perhaps you have a fave you’d like to recommend 🙂
Paris B
Himalaya Herbals Organique Exfoliating Walnut Face Scrub and Purifying Neem Face Wash Price: RM39.90/150ml Availability: Selected Watson’s Personal Care stores
Lily says
January 5, 2012 at 8:55 amI haven’t tried this brand before but I am testing out an organic range myself. It is a salon brand, RVB (Italian, I think) and though pricey, it works quite well on my skin.
And erm… I don’t like cinnamon. The reason I don’t eat apple pies is because of cinnamon. Heh!
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:11 pmHmm haven’t come across RVB but good to know its working for you. I love cinnamon and nutmeg on apple pie or erm… anything! hehe 😉
sesame says
January 5, 2012 at 8:58 amLooks interesting. I haven’t seen them here yet but the ingredients are looking better than their usual range. I like that they contain tumeric. Might give it a try if I spot it or if they introduce like a body wash cos I’ve never tried any of their products. But just one gripe – don’t like their green washing name ‘Organique’ cos only a handful of their ingredients are certified organic.
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:12 pmI’m sure you’ll see it in Singapore soon (or maybe its there already?) I think they have a body wash too. I’m told by a friend that the regular neem body wash is quite nice too.
cat says
January 5, 2012 at 9:04 amI am using their Neem Face Mask on a regular basis to clean out impurities and stop pimples. Works well for me but will dry out skin if use too often.
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:12 pmYes I do find it drying too so I don’t use it very often, only for clearing up spots and pimples. So far, so good! I’m quite happy with it although its a pain to wash out 😛
xin says
January 5, 2012 at 10:39 ami do agree on the macho packaging, like ‘for men’ kind of thing. if i was really interested to try the scrub till u mentioned about the cinnamon scent 🙁 me and cinnamon don’t click. i will cover my nose each time i pass by the cinnabon
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:16 pmHaha that’s exactly what I told them when I saw it. I said this looks like either shampoo or men’s care – so its a bit odd 😛 Aiya how can you not like cinnamon?? Nevermind, more cinnamon buns for me 😀
Nirah says
January 5, 2012 at 11:34 amInteresting. I have been using Himalaya for a long time but never seen the Organique range. Himalaya is a bit of hit and miss but, what I absolutely love are their Baby products, they beat Johnson & Johnson in every respect (price and quality) and lot of other expensive brands in that line.
Oh I am from India btw. 🙂
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:17 pmHi Nirah! Glad to hear from someone from India and familiar with the brand! I hear its very cheap there and whilst it isn’t super pricey here, its not bad. I haven’t tried many products, mostly the shampoos and the face washes and mask. Thus far, I’m happy with the ones I have tried. We don’t get the baby products here I think but it would be nice if we did so I can gift them to friends with babies! 😀
Swati says
January 5, 2012 at 1:08 pmthis is interesting to note because this is an Indian brand and it does not get marketed like this in India and even the products consistency and texture are different but I have heard that the face wash is a holy grail for many people though I personally didn’t like it and the walnut scrub particles are too big just like you said and they can really tear at the skin.
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:21 pmI’m told the Organic range is new. Is it not available in India? If not, that would be odd 😛 The regular neem face wash isn’t bad – I think I prefer it to the organic version. And yes, the scrub particles are just too harsh! They should do something about that.
shah says
January 5, 2012 at 1:19 pmi have been a fan of himalaya’s pure herbs range for many years now, especially when i discovered how efficacious their neem was in controlling my eczema. i’ve now added daily health as my multivitamin supplement. a satisfied customer here 🙂
as for their facial care range, i swear by the ANP cream to control my pimple breakouts. i get immediate results the following day! unfortunately, because it works too well (since i use so little of it), i end up throwing out a good amount at the end of its expiry period 🙁 i’ve also had good results with the neem face wash. the only reason i stopped buying it was bcos i got tired of having to de-cant it, since i travel quite a bit. guess i’ll get back to it once my supply of vichy cleansers finishes
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:22 pmIts nice to know this brand works for you Shah 😀 I always peep at their supplement range when I walk by the pharmacies but have never thought to try them. A friend told me the neem body wash is nice so I might try that next. How opportune for you to tell me about the ANP cream! I’m battling some sporadic breakouts so I might give it a go – following day results? Thank you! 😀
chuishia says
January 5, 2012 at 2:06 pmHi, I’m your constant reader. Love your reviews on all products. Usually have been silent, but since this post is on organic skin care which I’m a huge lover of, thought I’ll share my thoughts…
I have been using himalaya products on and off for several years now. And I love them!! haven’t tried their organic range yet though.
I generally find that if you compare efficiency of organic products to non-organic products, you’ll of course find the non-organic stuff to work much faster since it’s got chemical compounds in it.
Just to share, I’m currently using Paul Pender’s Organic range of skin care. And its working wonders for my sensitive skin. I’m also using Tanamera facial wash that does a good enough job without leaving my skin feeling tight. Every now and then, I use the Himalaya Fruit mask that has firming abilities. 🙂
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:24 pmHi Chuishia! 😀 Thanks for dropping by to comment. I do agree that organic or natural based products do tend to take a bit longer (and more patience) for it to work. I have some not so pleasant reactions to natural/organic products because even those can cause problems, so I am a little bit more wary. That said, Himalaya Herbals has thus far, been quite good to me 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experiences and don’t be a stranger y’hear? 😉
espenine says
January 5, 2012 at 2:32 pmI don’t quite like the packaging, like what you said, manly. It is perhaps marketed towards (Indian) men?….:P
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:24 pmHaha I don’t think its race/nationality targetted but it does make me think “shampoo” and “men’s skincare”. A lighter packaging might work better I think.
Applegal says
January 5, 2012 at 3:01 pmI’ve tried the neem face wash before, in the clear squeeze tube with what looks like green jelly. I have the same sentiment as you, I don’t think it cleans my face that well. I think I tried the clear one as well but I didn’t like it either so I chucked it out!
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:25 pmYes! I used that one too – the green jelly 😀 It does a fair job but I think it does a better job than the organic one – not sure why since its all neem and purifying 😀
miith says
January 5, 2012 at 3:50 pmLOL, i thought it is a new hair product
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:26 pmIt does look like it doesn’t it? 🙂
dom says
January 6, 2012 at 12:11 pmThanks for the review! Was super curious about them but am not anymore. HH is dirt cheap in India though. Wish it was the same here 😉
Paris B says
January 6, 2012 at 1:36 pmI don’t know India prices, but its not exactly bank breaking here either for what is a quiet sort of brand. 😉
beaty says
January 18, 2012 at 11:34 amlast night I saw it at Watson and thought it is a shampoo and conditioner. he he he
erm may be gonna try the scrub..
my current face wash is eucerin but I shifted to Esmeria (for acne prone skin) before eucerin finished off. Yeah this eucerin really make may facial skin looks terrible. i have skin peeled on my chin and my nose after 2 weeks using them
gonna buy the toner and moisturizing of esmeria
kaisara says
January 5, 2019 at 9:49 amWhich product is suitable for oily and pimply facial skin?