We were able to try out various products from a clean, vegan, Korean beauty skincare brand. They gifted us two different products and two of us tried one of each (Carrot Ginger & Salicylic Acid Pore Cleanserand the Carrot Ginger Blemish Rescue Patches). We both reviewed the products below.
On their website, “Sweet Chef was inspired by all things natural, healthy, and fresh-pressed. Whether it is a green juice or a protein-packed salad, vegetables are one of the best ways to nourish and detoxify your body and skin.”
Alicia’s review:
Recently I tried out a new face cleanser. I have been looking for a new skincare routine to target my pores and oily skin.
If you have oily skin you know how hard it can be to find a decent product or any at all. So many companies focus on dry skin they forget we exist, or people are dumping all the oily skin products into their carts.
Anyhow, I was recommended this facial cleanser by Sweet Chef, it is a carrot ginger pore cleanser with salicylic acid (BHA). From the research I have done on my own and from the Sweet Chef website, carrots are good for you both internally and skin-wise. It has antioxidants, vitamin A and C that helps smooth the appearance of your skin.
Ginger is a spice that contains many benefits from strengthening hair follicles to being used as a medical treatment against stress, high blood pressure, and other diseases.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ginger tea was in high demand because of its link to the medical world (of course doctors have not approved this, but patients and families who grew up with ginger seem to know all about its significance in our world).
Another key ingredient in this pore cleanser is salicylic acid (BHA). BHA is another high-demand ingredient for skincare. BHA, which stands for beta-hydroxybutyric acid, helps “decongest pores by removing built-up dirt, bacteria, and grime” (Sweet Chef). Not only does it cleanse pores, but BHA exfoliates to reveal a more radiant skin surface.
Enough said, Sweet Chef used all the right key ingredients to build their cleanser.
Oh! I left out the best part, unlike most cleansers, Sweet Chef made the carrot and ginger cleanser free of toxic and harmful ingredients. Many cleansers don’t clarify if they have been tested on animals or if they’re sensitive to skin.
However, their cleanser is free of:
- Silicone
- Parabens
- Mineral oil
- Sulfate
- Phthalates
- Soap
- Essential oil
- Synthetic-dyes
- Drying alcohol
- Cruelty and vegan free
If any of you are like me, it is most importantly FRAGRANCE-FREE!
Yes! I repeat fragrance-free, meaning it is sensitive to the skin.
Now time for the review you all have been waiting for! While trying out the cleanser, my face felt soft and smooth to the touch. Weird right? First, try and already my skin feels different.
I will add, the cleanser has a different look than others. The carrot and ginger smooth over your skin more like a lotion and don’t foam or soap up. You know when you wash your face and you see the cleanser cover your face in a soapy mask? This cleanser did not, although I did not mind. I am a messy face washer and I usually find traces of soap down my neck and around my edges (not fun having to wash that out). So it was a big change from the usual.
Next review: rinsing
Rinsing was a smooth process, I still managed to create my own pool on the bathroom counter, but at least the cleanser rinsed off smoothly. It did not take long or as many rinses as I thought I would need. I have tried other cleansers before such as Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Neutrogena Skin Balancing Clay Cleanser, Bioré Charcoal Pores and much more. Maybe it’s just me, but it has taken me a while to rinse the soap off my skin.
Last review: Aftermath
The Carrot Ginger cleanser left my face feeling soft and brighter than usual after each wash and so on for the entire day. And while I mentioned my skin is sensitive, using the cleanser with serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen from another brand, I didn’t experience any burning sensations as I would often feel (most likely due to the cleanser and the products being fragrance-free).
Much appreciated, however, there was only one downside to the cleanser that I noticed. Later on in the days, whenever I swiped at my cheek or forehead oil residue would stain my hands. This hasn’t happened to me before so I was quite confused, still am, about what was happening. I made the assumption that the cleanser works by draining the excess oil from my skin to help purify my pores, but I don’t know if that even makes sense.
While I did mention I used other products like serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen, they are brands I have been using for months, so I know how they work with my skin.
The flip side is not all products are meant to mix with each other. Meaning the Sweet Chef Carrot and Ginger Cleanser is most likely going to have a better result on the skin when only paired with products from the same brand. Most products (no matter the company) are like that. The reason is, companies put certain ingredients that are unique to their products. While mixing is not bad and could allow your skin to receive various benefits, testing out a skincare line from one company could also be worthwhile.
I plan to do that soon, after doing extensive research on products best suited for my skin type.
In conclusion, Sweet Chef Carrot + Ginger cleanser is an 8 out of 10. Not bad!
Marnique’s Review:
For a couple of weeks, I tried out the Carrot Ginger Blemish Rescue Patches. I applied one or two patches every other night or a couple of nights. My skin is extremely sensitive, and I have a lot of texture and blemishes, so I was excited and hesitant to give this new product a try.
In the past couple of years, organic skincare products are high demand. I never tried Korean beauty products until a couple of months ago, and I should’ve started way earlier. Alicia explained some of the main ingredients Sweet Chef uses in most of their products. An ingredient these patches also contain is hydrocolloid. It is a type of bandage that creates a moist and protected environment that works to absorb fluids. This ingredient is found in pimple patches also, which have become really popular (and work really well)!
How I applied them to my face:
Once I cleansed my face and patted it dry, I then applied the patch directly to any blemishes I had. A blemish is any type of mark, spot or discoloration on the skin, which includes pimples and hyperpigmentation. Sometimes I would put one on during the day for a few hours if I had a pimple that wouldn’t go away. Usually, I would wear them overnight. Then, I would do the rest of my skincare routine for bed.
A huge difference I realized is how my skin felt with them on. With a lot of pimple patches, the area feels tight, and once another brand irritated my skin and left a red, itchy circle after removal. Sometimes the covered area can also feel dry after removal, but Sweet Chef’s patches did not. The amount of redness on my face decreased a lot.
The pack comes with 36 patches, of all different sizes, which I think is a great idea. Some of them even have little carrots and hearts, which look cute on the face. I honestly think they are suitable for any skin type because of the ingredients.
Overall, I will use this product again. I hope to try some of their other products!
Sources:
https://sweetchefskincare.com/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-ginger