DermaMed Acne Wash Review

Thus far, all of my review post have have been pretty positive so now I think it would be a good time to blog about a product I absolutely hate. One of the first products that comes to mind is DermaMed's Ance Wash.

I should begin by saying that my skin isn't exactly oily or acne-prone, however it does begin to look pretty wretched come exam time or other stressful periods of my life. For the most part it's usually just groups of small pock marks that appear within my t-zone and occasionally larger blemishes. I usually can manage them well but there are times where my skin is nothing if not unruly. I decided to buy and try this wash during one of those times.

Assuming you actually were able to use this product regularly, a 240 ml bottle would probably last you a couple months. This isn't too bad since a bottle is only about $15 at most drug stores/whole food stores. And here comes the big but: unless you have incredibly oily, acne-prone skin (and I mean full on breakouts every single day), you will likely toss this product just like I did.

I have tried using this product on multiple occasions but come the third day of daily use my skin always looks like a poorly maintained vintage leather handbag (boo leather). It's absolutely awful. Not only does this wash siphon the moisture right out of my skin, it also does very little for my acne blemishes. If anything, it only makes them appear more red and angry-looking. I truly could not be more unhappy. The only thing positive thing I could say about this wash is that I like it's funk green colour (which is at least a little suspicious, especially for something you're going to slather all over your face).

Bottom line: Unless you have INCREDIBLY oily skin, do not buy or try this - you will likely be wasting your money. 

Ingredients: Water, Vegetable Base from Coconut, 2.0% Salicylic acid, Green Tea Extract.

Drink Local: Toronto (Vegan) Beer

I'm not much of a drinker but when I do drink it's almost always beer. As of lately I have really been enjoying local Toronto beer so I thought I would share my enjoyment with all of you.

With regards to local vegan beer, one of my top picks is Stonewall Light beer. This beer is made in Etobicoke by Cool Beer Brewing Company Incorporated.  It has a fairly mild, refreshing flavour so it definitely is a great choice for those of you who aren't very big beer-drinkers in the first place. Aside from taste and being local, I absolutely love the fact that it is made by a small, local company and that it is widely available in Toronto. Oh, and EVERYTHING they sell is completely ethical and animal-product free. What else could a vegan gal ask for? I should note that I have tried their other products (Cool Lager and Millennium Buzz Hemp Beer) but I don't like either quite as much. There is just something about it's light, subtle lime flavour that I adore. A single 275 ml bottle costs only $1.25 at the LCBO.

Next up is Steam Whistle's Premium Pilsner. It is made by Steam Whistle Pilsner right in Toronto's downtown core (the Historic John St. Roundhouse to be exact). It doesn't have an incredibly interesting flavour but it does have that classic North American taste many of enjoy. If you like domestic beer, this is by far one of the best choices could make. One thing that I love about this beer and company is that they are fairly socially and environmentally conscious and ethical. Really, how many other breweries put green initiatives into place? This is a beer I can proudly stand behind. I don't know the cost of single bottles off hand but a 6 pack of 341 ml glass bottles costs $12.95 at the LCBO (rounding up to about $2.16/bottle). 

Another few favourite local beers of mine are created under the brand name Upper Canada. These beers are brewed by Sleeman Brewing located in Guelph, Ontario. One thing I like about these beers is that they have that deep, rich German/European flavour. Loaded with calories I'm sure but the stomach (heart) wants what it wants. It has been a while since I've purchased this beer but I can definitely say that the Lager and Cream Ale were both memorable. Unfortunately these beers apparently do not have a website of their own so I can't say a whole lot more than that. I cannot remember the actual price right now but if I do remember correctly, it is about average for beer. The last time I purchased any Upper Canada beer was from Magnotta Winery located in Vaughan, however they do sell this at the Beer Store and likely the LCBO as well. 

 

Last but certainly not least is Amsterdam Brewery's Oranje Weisse. Not only does this beer come in a funky orange bottle but it's local to Toronto (John Street as well) and completely vegan. I first tried it last summer after a little adventurous trip to LCBO and I was anything but disappointed. The flavour is very unique and fresh. I really could not do this beer justice so I'll just say that you really should go out, buy a bottle, and see for yourself. My only complaint is that this beer is that it is seasonal to summer which means that my winter cravings will just need to be satisfied in other ways. Sigh... Ingredients: Water, malted barley, unmalted wheat, hops, yeast, orange peel, coriander, anise. One 500 ml bottle costs $4.25 at the LCBO.

*** I am not 100% sure if ALL Amsterdam Brewery products are vegan however I will send them and email and give you all an update soon. ***

I hope this was at least somewhat helpful and informative for all my fellow vegans and Torontonians. Happy long weekend and drinking everyone. xx