Ever since the sticky summertime heat sent my combination skin into oily overdrive, I’ve been on the prowl, looking for a cleanser to break up all of this excess oil action.
Lately, I’ve been reaching a lot for Yes To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash ($10).
What’s with the tomatoes?
It’s a facial cleanser designed to remove excess oils and impurities from both oily and combination skin, and I expected it to smell like, well, tomatoes. Nope — it actually smells really good, like a combination of fresh, ripe watermelon, lemons and floral soap (but nothing like tomatoes).
Then where does it get its name?
From a key ingredient: lycopene.
According to the company (Yes To Carrots), “Lycopene is a natural compound responsible for the gorgeous red color of tomatoes. Its potent anti-oxidant properties are fantastic at fighting free radical damage, and preserving healthy skin cells.”
The compound’s also said to protect hair and skin from sun damage and pollution; promote healthy, softer skin; and to encourage a balanced, clearer complexion.
Yes To Tomatoes is one of three product lines: Yes To Tomatoes, Yes To Carrots and Yes To Cucumbers.
Tightness: yes or no?
A small, dime-sized amount of the gel takes care of my face and my neck. It works quickly, breaking up any oil and grease on my face. After I rinse, it leaves my skin feeling fresh, sans any sticky residue or uncomfortable tightness.
Packaging trubs
The sleek white tube means it doesn’t take up a lot of room on a bathroom shelf. That may seem like a minor detail (and it is), but I’m frustrated by bath products that come packaged in oddly shaped bottles that take up too much room in the bathroom, where shelf space is limited, right?
Anywho, I do wish the cap were a flip-top rather than a screw-on. It’s inconvenient and tough to twist closed with slippery, wet fingers.
Not recommended for use around the eyes, boo!
It seems a little silly for a facial cleanser nowadays, but Yes To Tomatoes isn’t recommended for use around the eyes. No doubt, I’d probably use it more if it didn’t mean having to use a separate eye makeup remover and wash around my peepers.
Organic and natural, affordable price
But Yes To Tomatoes has a lot going for it. The company says it’s made from 99.6% natural ingredients, including organic watermelon extract, which works to remove excess oil, and organic tomatoes (for the lycopene) to fight free-radicals. The formula’s also free of parabens and petroleums and, according to the company, wasn’t tested on animals (it’s Tabs approved!). 🙂
Yes To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash
Price: $10 for a 3.38-oz tube
Use: To cleanse and remove excess oil from combination or oily skin
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
The price is certainly right, considering how similar department store organic/natural facial cleansers by companies like Korres can cost three to four times more, so if you’re looking for an affordable, natural cleanser that removes excess oil without stripping the skin, Yes To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash might be worth a try.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
ParisB says
July 10th, 2009 at 8:15 amI’d love to try this one but we don’t have Yes to anything here – boo! I’d have to agree with you about flip top vs screw top packaging. I have trouble in the shower with screw tops too. Happy Friday!
.-= ParisB’s last blog post… Garnier Search Finalists – Vote your fave now! =-.
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 9:47 amHi ParisB,
That’s too bad. Do you guys have Burt’s Bees? That’s another great drugstore organic line.
Happy Friday to you, too!
Meream says
July 10th, 2009 at 8:27 amYou’re right, flip top is way better than screw caps.
.-= Meream’s last blog post… Top 10 Books on Self-Improvement … =-.
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 9:46 amHi Meream,
Seriously! I end up losing those screw caps all the time!
ines says
July 10th, 2009 at 8:31 ami have very fussy skin… it’s dry sometimes but also combo/oily sometimes and on top of that if i use the wrong product it acts like sensitive skin!
i’ve never given much thought to the carrots line… in terms of natural cleansers i’m a regular LUSHie and burt’s bees type of girl. actually, the paradox is that cleansing oily skin with an OILY cleanser is actually better!
i’ve used LUSH ultrabland (peanut oil based) and shu uemura cleansing oil when my skin is acting oily – and it’s been much gentler. my friend who is a chem major tells me this is because the oil attracts the sebum from the skin, and since the cleansing oil product has an emulsifier (turns into lotion when mixed with water), it will wash off all the oil without making the skin dry or tight.
you should give it a go, if you’re feeling adventurous! in korea, where i’m from, acne-prones use cleansing oil, not foam cleansers, all the time.
ps – thanks for commenting on my blog post! cha cha and i had an AWWWWW I GOT COMMENTED moment this morning over coffee!
.-= ines’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 9:46 amHi Ines,
I’ve tried oil-based cleansers before. I like ’em… I guess I just haven’t found one that really moved me enough to keep it permanently in my beauty cubby.
Ann says
July 10th, 2009 at 9:28 amhmm where can I get this other than on the website? this sounds wonderful.. the summer totally gets me slick!
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 9:42 amHi Ann,
You can get it at Wagreens. 🙂
Alexis says
July 10th, 2009 at 12:09 pmDoes it help to curb oil & shine at all during the day? Philosophy’s Purity does a decent job of that, but it’s quite a bit more expensive :). I might have to check this out. Thanks!
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pmHi Alexis,
I think it does. I’ve noticed that my forehead doesn’t feel or look as greasy. 🙂
Tanya says
July 10th, 2009 at 12:14 pmHmmm, looks interesting. I’ll have to try it out, it might be similar to my favorite Burt’s Bees Tomato Soap- but I’m having trouble finding it now that Longs has changed over to CVS (they no longer carry it). The “Yes” brand is easier to find, so I guess it’s worth a shot!
.-= Tanya’s last blog post… Mario Badescu Sample-Fest!!! =-.
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pmHi Tanya,
Yah! It’s all over the place. I want to try a few more things, like the shampoos and stuff. I’ll let you know if it’s good. 🙂
Saku says
July 10th, 2009 at 1:32 pmHaven’t try their skin line yet. But I’m loving Yes to Carrots hair mask in the bottle, so far it’s good. It makes my curls so soft, I may get the Cucumbers leave in next.
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 2:48 pmHi Saku,
How does it smell? I’m always interested in something that softens curls. 🙂
Tiffany says
July 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pmHow funny, I have always totally ignored this line and the yes to carrots line because I was afraid they would smell like tomatoes and carrots (yuck!)
Karen says
July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pmHi Tiffany,
Ha, me too! I’ll gladly eat a tomato but I don’t want to smell like one.
Jasmine says
July 11th, 2009 at 12:53 amI have dehydrated but oily skin (I guess this means combi?) hmm so I thought I’d try the Yes to Carrots line, thinking it’d keep the skin less thirsty and less dry. Nope. Nada. It had this odd sticky? residue sort of feeling after the wash, and never really made my skin better — I slicked up faster. Maybe I’m using the wrong product, I’ll wait for the Cucumber and Tomatoes to appear on the shelves soon … 😉
All the best to more beautiful skin Karen!
Stephie says
July 11th, 2009 at 9:03 amHmm. I don’t think I’ve seen this in stores yet. Mostly just the Yes to carrots chapstick. Is it like a foaming cleanser? Because I’ve been looking for a good follow up to my Biore cleansing oil. Hmm…
Saku says
July 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pmI thought it was going to smell like carrots. Some people who used it said, it smells lightly of baby powder. To me it does smell like that mixed with something sweet, or floral. But I like to use it as a deep conditioner, and it washes out clean. It washes out well and makes my curls pop, that I didn’t want to put anything else in my hair.
I was thinking if this is that good I can’t wait to try the Cucumbers leave in. Of course everyone hair is different, and it may or may not work. But so far I’m glad I picked it up.
Erikka says
April 17th, 2012 at 8:27 pmThanks for the review! I saw the product in target and couldn’t decide because some “natural” companies don’t work well at all. I am a college student and don’t want to waste money on something that isn’t going to work.
I’ll pick it up next time I’m there!