I have been using Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser ($32) twice a day for about six weeks now — once in the morning and once in the evening. The description of the product on their website is exactly correct: “A simple, effective cleanser designed to naturally wash away impurities and makeup residue (including eye makeup). Formulated with strawberry oil, an anti-oxidant and exfoliator known for delivering brighter, cleaner, healthier skin. Ideal paired with any electronic cleansing brush.”
I did not use it with an electronic cleansing brush, but despite this, the cleanser pretty much delivers what it promises. I found this product to be refreshing and clean with an energizing aroma of strawberries. What a great way to wake up in the morning! It does not foam up, is very gentle and doesn’t irritate or dry skin out. It really does remove that waterproof eye makeup and leaves my face soft with a gentle glow. The ingredients are simple and full of natural cleansers, antioxidants and moisturizers. The cleanser itself is gel-like, and it really goes a long way — in six weeks, I’ve used less than a fourth of the bottle! I am in my mid-sixties and have normal skin for my age — not overly sensitive but needing moisture — so I found this cleanser perfect for me. It cleans, it moisturizes, and it easily removes makeup. Also, it’s cost effective.
The cleanser boasts no parabens, no phthalate, no sulfates, no artificial fragrances and no animal testing. The company claims it to be 100% natural. But the one ingredient I question is Phenoxyethanol, a preservative. The website lists all of the product’s ingredients along with their use and origin — except for this one. A quick online search led me to a discussion about this ingredient on a forum on the “Indie Business Network.” A discussion contribution by a cosmetic chemist specializing in formulating natural products suggested that listing this as a natural ingredient is questionable, referring to the origin. If it truly is from a natural source, it would be extremely expensive to process, and he claims that it is difficult to purchase as (at the time that was written, it wasn't being sold). I highly recommend this product based on my experience, but I do have a small reservation due to this one questionable ingredient.