So normally I won’t do a whole lot of this versus this or this product is better then this product type entries. Just because I’m not always good at comparing products when they are so similar. But there will be times when I will. This is one of those times. It actually works out well to. Because sometimes when people have never heard of a certain brand and product, its sometimes hard to understand what exactly it is. But in this case because I will be comparing it to a well known product, it may be easier to understand. I really look forward to writing this. This will probably be long, sorry I’m detailed like that.
Like I said in my previous entry, I discovered Paul Penders about a week or so ago. My first discovery with his company and his products was a product called ICT. Short for Intensive Clarifying Treatment. I didn’t know what it was. I read the description. And instantly it was like a lightbulb for me. It sounded very similar to my Philosophy Oxygen Peel, only with good clean ingredients.
Philosophy Oxygen Peel
If you’ve been following me, you know there are a few things in my routine that aren’t the greenest or sans chemicals. One of those things is my Philosophy Oxygen Peel. Only because my skin hasn’t found other things it likes. I thought that the Philosophy product which claims to be as good as going to the spa, was pretty decent. Having never been to a spa, and comparing it to something from drugstore, it was significantly better. It did help clear any blemishes I had, reduced redness, but it didn’t really clean CLEAN my pores so to speak. I still had dirt in my pores. But I was still slightly happy with the results. Its concept is a 2 step concept as well, little enzyme capsules, that you mix with water, you then apply the gel to your face. then you take step 2-the oxygen foam and rub it over the gel. It feels a little bubbly, similar to the feeling of hydrogen peroxide on a cut. The entire mask once mixed together feels gross, because it feels like you have a layer of shaving cream on your face, its disgusting.
Then I tried Paul Penders ICT. ICT is a mixture of 23 Certified Organically Grown LevensESSENTIE™ herbs, essential oils, naturally derived ceramides from sunflowers, antioxidants and vitamins A and E. Its world renowned, used by professionals, and uses fresh oxygen to clarify the skin. (More on the fresh oxygen thing below). I was so excited to try it that I forgot to take pictures. I was bummed. I wanted to do pictures of the mixing and what everything looks like and all that, and forgot. I’m usually way more detailed then that, shame on me. We’ll blame it on my excitement. I tried this in a sample form. It is 2-steps powder and a liquid. I love masks that have this concept. There’s nothing better then feelin’ like suzy homemaker and makin’ fresh masks. I love doing that.
Anywho. You put the Herbal powder in a bowl and put the Fortified liquid in and gently stir it up. Then you let it set for 2 minutes to all ingredients to interact, releasing, fresh oxygen and other nutrients. While this is happening you do a “Facial Workout”. As strange as I thought this was I did it. Its a facial massage that boosts the benefit of the ICT. Developed by Paul Penders and based on a fusion of several ancient Eastern acupressure techniques, this 60 second exercise makes your skin more receptive to ICT. Once you are done doing the massage, it recommends that for first time users or for those with dry skin to HCS (Paul Penders Hydrating Control Serum) or your favorite moisturizer prior to application.
Paul Penders ICT (Intensive Clarifying Treatment)
My Thoughts?
For starters, once I put it on I started feeling a burning sensation. I won’t lie, it was a little intense. It states on the instructions “if any discomfort is experienced, simply rinse face with water. Repeat treatment after applying additional moisturizer prior to re-application. But as someone who knows that sometimes that happens sometimes with masks and facials, and having experienced worse feelings I told myself to suck it up, and that it would mellow. And it did.. I side tracked myself with some stuff and a few short minutes later, I didn’t feel it. It says 10-30 minutes. I got busy and left it on for 45 minutes. Felt like a normal clay sort of mask, only a lot better and did not have obnoxious fumes/smells or burn my eyes. And it didn’t give that super dried out feeling. So when 45 minutes was up, I took a wash cloth and washed it off. (TIP: I use and suggest a cheap foundation brush for application of all masks)
My Results?
Simply the best! I could not believe how my skin tone had evened out. It left my skin with AMAZING! clarity. I don’t know if that last sentence really speaks loud enough volume. Where as on my philosophy box CLEARLY states “releases a burst of pure oxygen ONTO the SURFACE of the skin”. This ICT literally infused my pores with oxygen and cleaned them out. Not onto my skin, INTO my skin. Not only were my pores a lot smaller, but they were clean. They were not blocked. They were not discolored. They were clean. My face looked fabulous. One treatment and my face looked amazing.
Philosophy recommends their treatment as once a week, as does Paul Penders. Only Philosophy,…recommends the first time you use it, or if your face is having hissy fits… that you use it 3 days in a row, and then once a week after that. Now I have done this before. And yes it does give your skin pretty good results, but you’ve also used it 3 days in a row. I got a million times better results using Paul Penders ICT once, then I did using Philosophy’s Oxygen Peel 3 days in row. When I was done. Before I put moisturizer on, I sat there. I’m about to make a crazy statement. For the first time ever, my face felt the cleanest its EVER felt, and it felt like it was breathing. It was amazing. And the next day my face looked even better.
More on FRESH oxygen….
1. Freshly made oxygen is more potent. 2. To maintain oxygen stably for a long period of time, chemicals must be used that, in our opinion, have little to do with natural skin care. 3. LevensESSENTIEGold™ herbs and many other natural ingredients are mixed in dry form in ICT. Only after mixing the two ICT components does the action start and these dry ingredients become available. Indeed an ingenious product, and no other can provide you with the same great immediate results.
Ingredients
Paul Penders ICT:
(ICT I-Powder):Pharmaceutical grade kaolin clay, Organic LevensESSENTIE Gold™ (angelica archangelica (angelica), arnica montana (arnica), calendula officinalis (calendula), matricaria recutita (chamomile), sambucus nigra (elderflower), zingiber officinalis (ginger), panax quinquefolium (ginseng root), lonicera japonica (honey suckle), humulus lupulus (hops), equeisetum hyemale (horsetail), juniperus communis (juniper), lavendulavera (lavender), melissa officinalis (lemon balm), urtica dioica (nettle), centella asiatica (pegaga), mentha piperita (peppermint), rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary), salvia officinalis (sage), hypericum perforatum (st.john’s wort), curcuma longa (turmeric), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel), archillea millefolium (yarrow)), avena sativa kernel meal (oatmeal), menthol, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf essential oil, rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) essential oil, sodium hydrogen carbonate, citric acid, spirulina, ceramide III (potent anti-aging encapsulated in liposomes), chlorophyllin-copper complex
(ICT II-Liquid):
Organic rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract in distilled water, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, acetic acid (organic apple cider), sorbic acid, sodium hyaluronate (natural moisturizer), L.ascorbic acid (vitamin C), retinyl palmitate, tocopherol acetate (vitamin E)
Philosophy Oxygen Peel:
catalase enzyme capsule:
catalase, mannan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, magnesium stearate, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, stearic acid
oxygen foam:
water, cetyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, polysorbate 40, sorbitan palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
Further proof that mother nature is good for your skin. Yes, Paul Penders ingredient list is long..but its also good stuff, and you can pronounce every word. Philosophy’s list is short. But you can’t pronounce anything in it, And now that I’m reading it, I’m wondering if I would have achieved the same results with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The list is useless junk, I’m wondering how it ever did anything good for my skin.
In the US, Paul Penders, is sold exclusively online at All Natural Cosmetics
Its $76 for 8-12 treatments. 12 if you just do your face, less if you include your neck. It breaks down to $6.33-$9.50 a treatment. So if you only did your face like I do, you’d pay $6.33 a week, and you’d get 3 months worth of awesome facials.
I would not say it is comparable or “like” going to a salon. Its better then that. Reasons why..
#1- Because it IS going to the salon. On your time, in the privacy of your home, a professional strength/quality treatment.
#2- The price difference. Show me where you can go to ANY salon and pay under $10 for a rockin’ facial, and I’ll shake your hand.
#3- MOST salons do facials, but do they do natural facials? There are SO many chemicals, not to mention HARSH, in them.
#4- Budget Friendly. Beauty Mama is on a tight tight budget, her babies come first. But when I do spoil myself it can’t cost me much. Yes, $76 is a big chunk of change. And I don’t normally have it. But I would justify this as a purchase, because of the cost when it breaks down. So its on my wish list for someday…*sigh*
As for my Philosophy….I’m frugal. I’ll finish it, only because I don’t want to waste it. I won’t buy it ever again though. But I will be wishing it were ICT everytime I use it.
If you’ve read this far, then I thank you. I like to be detailed. I like to give the honest truth.
This product is fabulous, and for me someone with acne prone skin, was life changing. It stomped all over philosophy. I can’t say enough about. I love this Paul Penders products, and can’t wait to try other skincare products of his. And again for those of you who follow me, you know that when I find and get to replace a regular product in my routine with a natural one, its a special day for me, its an honor to try something so spectacular.
*Mother Nature is good for you, and good for your skin, embrace her!*
Hugs & Lip Gloss,
Beauty Mama
**DISCLOSURE**
This product was given to me in sample form for review purposes @ Beauty Like No Other, by Marj at All Natural Cosmetic and Paul Penders, and I am forever greatful, for being able to try such an amazing product.
Beauty Like No Other 