Product Review: Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Towelettes

Much like my other dalliances in beauty products, this one begins in the clearance section at Target. Some time ago, I was picking up some Shea Moisture products, and came across a deal that seemed too good to be true: a Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Face and Lip Kit. The contents included:

• 1 30-count Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Towelettes
• 1 Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Line Reducing Lip Treatment
• 1 Yes to Carrots Sweet Fig Lip Butter

All for $7.48. Yes, $7.48. See what made this a sweet deal I couldn't pass up on was the fact that the towelettes alone are regularly $7.99. Kick in two lip sticks (valued at $7.99 and $3.49, respectively), and you'll quickly understand why I shamelessly picked up all 3 clearance boxes for myself.

Fast forward a few months (right on the heels of my 3-month supply running out), and I happened to catch another Target sale. Not as grand, though. 30-count Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Towelettes and a free Yes to Carrots Berry Lip Butter for $5.99.

Why am I so obsessed with these little towelettes? Let's find out.

Ingredient List: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Sucrose Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sucrose, Mannan, Xanthan Gum, Galactoarabinan, Sodium Hydroxide, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Pectin, Fragrance (100% natural), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Calcium Gluconate.

Ingredient Analysis:

• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: An oily mixed ester composed of caprylic and capric fatty acids derived from coconut oil and glycerin. Mainly works as an emollient, dispersing agent and solvent. As an emollient, it both quickly penetrates the surface to condition the hair, and provides a lightweight and non-greasy barrier of lubrication. As a dispersing agent, it helps enhance the delivery of vitamins, pigments and other active ingredients contained in a solution so that they become evenly spread out and fully absorbed . It's oily texture helps thicken cosmetic formulations and provides a slipperiness, which in turn allows for the easy spreadability of solutions and a smooth after-touch.
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air.
• Gluconolactone & Sodium Benzoate: A natural preservative that is a combination of a naturally occurring food additive glucono delta lactone, derived from corn, and a food grade preservative sodium benzoate, the sodium salt of benzoic acid, along with a trace amount of calcium gluconate as a processing agent.
• Sucrose Palmitate: A monoester of palmitic acid and sucrose, serving as a skin conditioning agent, emollient, and surfactant (cleanser).

Availability: You can find Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Towelettes pretty much anywhere. Online, Target, CVS, Walgreens, WalMart...the list goes on.

Affordability: At the prices I paid, you really can't beat the value with a stick. I'm still honestly on the fence about whether I'd take the full-price plunge on these towelettes...and I pray that day never comes. Lol, it's why I stock up during sale time. The regular $7.99 tag isn't terrible... I'm just cheap.

Product Claim/Description:
With Apple + Lemon Peel
To Cleanse and moisturize
All-In-One

Yes to Blueberries collection features products that help improve skin firmness, protect skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and nourish age-damaged skin. It's a recipe for youth-enhancing goodness!

• Made with biodegradable, natural cloth: FSC fabric
• 99% natural; enriched with organic blueberries, lemon peel, and apple for a brightening cleanse

Performance/Delivery: On most days, I use 2 towelettes: one in the morning, and one after working out. Since I began using the towelettes, I have noticed my skin seems more moisturized, smooth, and even. I can't vouch for all the anti-wrinkle talk, because I don't have wrinkles yet. But perhaps it is a testament to the preventative nature of the towelettes. I really do believe the glycerin plays a major role in the moisture-retention factor here, which leads to better hydration of the skin and less wrinkles. Its a great morning refresher, and gets skin pretty clean after a good workout. However, it is by no means a substitute for a good face wash!

Bonuses: The smell is invigorating. I expected something sweet and berry smelling, but the lemon peel really comes through as the star of the show. It's brightening without being overbearing.

Drawbacks: Unfortunately, all of the ingredients I was looking to make miracles on my face are at the bottom of the list. I can appreciate that Yes to doesn't completely engage in deceptive practices, by marketing the Blueberries line with a bunch of free-radical, anti-oxidant hokum.

Bottom Line: I like the wipes, they are my favorite thus far, of the ones I've tried. If you're looking for a gentle mid-day cleaning, or something to wipe your post-gym sweat without drying you out, this is a great option. If you're looking to take 10 years off your face, I don't think this product can help you. Even though the good stuff (sweet almond oil, blueberry, lemon peel, etc.) are toward the bottom of the list, the product is still effective at what it sets out to do: gently cleanse and moisturize. I can't be mad at that!

Have you tried any of the Yes to products? Which are your favorites?