Do You Use the “Yes To” Lines?
You know the ones. With bright colors and pictures of cucumbers, berries, carrots and tomatoes, Yes To is one of the more widely available natural(ish) brands on the market.
While we did mention this line in the book as a cleaner option at the drugstore, the presence of fragrance in certain of their products and a few other borderlines has kept us largely away. But we’re often asked about them. Are any of you Yes To users?
I noticed today that our trusted friends at Well+Good have a review up of their new acne lotion (you can read it here), and this ingredient list looks pretty good, so maybe this brand deserves a closer look.
While we love being able to endorse naturals that are less expensive and widely available, it just drives us right up a wall when brands are almost clean, or totally clean on some products and not on others. Feel me? It just makes it harder for the consumer. To boot, they don’t feature their full ingredients list on their site. Another major pet peeve!
What’s the big deal about fragrance? Well in case you’re new to the party, fragrance is a serious red flag for us because we never know what is used in these formulations.
The fragrance industry is protected under business friendly trade laws that allow them to keep their potions secret, favoring their bottom line over our health (rarara!).
Results from labs show time and again that fragrance formulations contain really sketchy ingredients, notably phthalates—those pesky hormone disruptors—among many others.
Anyhoo, have you had any experience with this brand? And if so, which are your favorite products?
I don’t use the Yes To line–I’ve only smelled the Carrots stuff and the smell gave me a headache, which to me screams synthetic. I’ll stick to my one-ingredient plant oils and apple cider vinegar.
While they are not ideal- I have found them to be a really great affordable option ( I am still getting myself away from Cetaphil). I really like the soothing yes to cucumber cleanser and I have recently started using the Yes to carrots Shampoo and Conditioner which I am a big fan of. I have tried the yes to carrots cream cleanser but I found it was too harsh on my skin.
I tried a couple of the Yes To products, many moons ago… It was because I mistakenly thought they were a properly natural line, and when I read NMDL and started to pay attention to ingredients lists I discovered that what I bought actually still had many of the things I wanted to avoid. I, too, get Very Annoyed when products / lines are “greenwashed” because I feel like someone is trying to trick me and I don’t like being played for a fool. I also never really took to the products because I found them overly scented and I am not at all a fan of synthetic fragrances – even before reading your book I found they would irritate me and now I obviously have a better understanding why I would get headaches and / or nauseus. So bottom line, I say no to carrots / cucumbers / tomatoes / blueberries unless they are on my plate. :)
I got the say yes to cucumber facial wipes and I really love them. They were really cheap and available at Target. I love to use them after working out, pretty much the only time I actually care about washing my face, and they’re incredibly soothing. I go from a full-out flushed face to an even skin tone in a fraction of the time it used to take. I’m seriously considering using more of their products.
About a year ago I had just started getting into “clean” products, so when I came across the Yes to Carrots shampoo/conditioner on sale at Target, I gave it a shot. Mind you, I didn’t know as much as I know now about those sneaky synthetic ingredients they still put in these greenER products. I do remember liking the shampoo a lot; my hair was soft and I felt good knowing I was using a more gentle shampoo. I think I even bought it twice. But since then, I’ve been curious about the Yes to Tomatoes acne line because I STILL cannot seem to get mine under control, but I don’t think I will end up trying it unless someone can convince me that it really works for their acne. As far as hair care goes, I’ll stick with my baking soda-sometimes-natural shampoo regimen because I think I’m on the verge of getting my oily scalp under control that way. I probably won’t buy Yes to Carrots again unless I’m traveling or something and that’s as close as I can get to finding a “clean”, AFFORDABLE, easily available product.
I loooove their pampering conditioner from the carrots line, and the ingredients are actually very nice and totally safe in this conditioner! I’ts the only thing if have tried from the brand though.
I tried one of their lotions and potions a long time ago and was so repulsed by the smell I stopped using it. I also used their make-up remover wipes over summer vacation and they were convenient but, again, the smell was too strong and these left my skin tight.
My sister in law recommended the Yes to Carrots shampoo and conditioner. I tried it and liked it a lot…for about 1/3 of the bottle. My hair was soft, shiny, and pleasantly feminine smelling. (It is a bit powdery, I tend to dislike baby powder smells, but this one was ok). At some point during the use, my hair just started drying out, and I couldn’t use it anymore. A few washes/conditions with Aubrey seemed to halt the issue.
On the other hand, she still likes it and happily took the rest of my bottle off of my hands :)
I’m still looking for a clean go to shampoo/conditioner.
I stopped using their Carrot shampoo and conditioner because of the sulfates and fragrance. It was a mild fragrance, but still. They did work well on my hair, though. I’d love to try their makeup wipes but I haven’t because, again, fragrance.
I also have the YesToBlueberries Age Refresh face lotion with SPF- I got the “age” one because it didn’t have artificial fragrance. It’s sticky and doesn’t rub in well, so I only use it if I’m definitely going to be in the sun for a bit. I probably won’t buy it again. It also smells kinda yicky, though not “fake yicky”, at least.
I do LOVE their lip butter, though! I have the berry one. It’s mostly coconut oil with some other jazz thrown in, and seems to be fairly free of nasty ingredients.
I bought a boxed set of Yes to Carrots, but after using it a few times, threw it out because the fragrance was quite overwhelming to me and it became unpleasant to use. It’s a better option than most you’ll find at stores, but there are so many better options, I think.
I use the cucumber daily moisturizer and I love it. I tried the cucumber shampoo and conditioner but my scalp is ridiculously dry so it didn’t fit well with me. I would like to get away from using unclean shampoos but I can’t find a natural one that doesn’t make my scalp itch like crazy :( Any suggestions?
I’ve been using the Carrots moisturizer with SPF everyday for over a year and love it! I also use the Blueberries makeup removing wipes and Cucumbers night creme. I love this line because it fits into my budget and I can find it almost anywhere.
My preference is to go with companies that are transparent and all their products are clean (not just the ones I’m using). I don’t think that this company is all clean, and they do that thing on the website where they list “key ingredients” and not everything. I think when I’ve looked at products in the store they didn’t seem clean to me, and I know certain things I’ve looked at from this brand aren’t gluten free (a deal breaker in my case).
I use the Cucumbers make-up removing wipes and LOVE them. They really work great, and are perfect for those of us that hate taking the time to wash your face before bed. I’ve recently been using the Cucumbers shampoo and conditioner and haven’t had any issues with it yet, but I’m not in love with it either. I agree with other commenters about the fragrance of the Carrots line. I’ve been using the lotion and body wash and I don’t really care for the smell. The Cucumber fragrance is much lighter. I also use the Tomatoes line Spot Stick and it is probably the best spot treatment I’ve ever used. I see results overnight.
I’ve used their Yes To Cucumbers shampoo and conditioner, I actually still have an almost empty bottle under my sink….I also used their acne line before I started learning that healthy looking labels did not necessarily mean “clean.” and honestly? Their shampoo conditioner is one of the best I’ve ever used, from salon brands to John Masters which I currently use. Aside from fragrance, ingredient wise, it’s not bad. Their skin care (Yes to Tomatoes) for acne wasn’t great for me…Carleys Clear and Smooth is the only thing that’s ever worked for me.
I have been using the YES TO blueberry face wipes for over a year and a half and I LOVE THEM! They remove my make-up easily and make my skin soft. I am heartbroken to hear that they may not be as great as they seem. It seems just when I think I’ve found something natural to use something ‘unnatural’ comes up that is inside it.
It is affordable and better than many lines out there.
I tried the yes to carrots body butter, but had to throw it away because of the smell! It was too fragrant! I haven’t tried any other products because I feared they would be the same.
I use their cucumber wipes. Does a bang-up job in cleaning makeup and smells nice, plus it doesn’t irritate my eyes. It does have fragrance and phenoxyethanol in it, though. I got it for nearly free during a promotion at a website a few months ago. I’d like to try their Yes to Tomatoes Acne Spot treatment someday, though.
They don’t claim that their products are 100% natural so by that rationale they are not lying, and isn’t this still better than most conventional stuff anyway?
I have tried the shampoo, and the conditioner of the Carrots line.
As someone has mentioned above; after a while my hair just got really dry. It felt and looked like hay.
I too am looking for replacement! so ladies, any suggestions (indeed?!)
I am also using the body lotion of the same line, absorbs quite fast, does not get greasy. Can live with the fragrance, even though it is quite ..heavy. But knowing me I will probably look for a better body lotion once I finish this one…
No! Absolutely not-there are much better real natural products out there in the same price range or less. Try Soap for Goodness Sake, Rose of Sharon Acres, Moska and sites on Etsy. You don’t need to spend alot of money for products that are really clean. For me, part of going clean meant simplifying my routine and spending less. I have found cheap staples that I use daily but spend on my sunscreen, so I feel it more than evens out. I dabble with some DIY recipes but am pretty loyal to my favourites-still love hearing what everyone uses and is willing to dish out money for. I think beauty starts in the inside first ( good diet and maybe some supplements) the products are just extra but fun.
I’m with Rebecca on this one. To me, if they’re not 100 percent and at least trying to become 100 percent natural/biodegradeable, then they don’t deserve my money. Every few months I’ll find myself in the Target natural beauty aisle and I’ll eye them up. But it’s like drunk dialing: you might want to do it when you’re vulnerable, but you know what? You’re better than than. You just have to walk away.
@Lesa, we’re all at different places, and I can respect that for many people products like this or similar are a step in the right direction. For me at this point in my journey, cleanER is not what I want – I want actually clean. Of course we all have to make a choice about what “actually clean” means anyway!
I’ve tried the Carrot body wash and I really liked it. I however, really love fragrance. I know it may not be good for you but I’m really big on smell. I’ve also tried their cucumber wipes and they do irritate my skin though for some reason, so I gave them to my mom. Evan Healy makes the best spot treatment that I have ever used, if you’re looking for a good spot treatment. I have also tried a brand recently that I picked up at Target that is awesome, seems clean, and smells deliciously -yummy it’s called Shea Moisture. They have a whole line of body washes and moisturizers. The one that I love has Argan oil, Frankincense, and Myrrh. I love it right now! There’s my two sense for what it’s worth.
Hello ladies and gents!
I use the blueberry face wipes before hot yoga (after work) to clean off my make-up. I figure they are better than any other face wipe options….
Any other suggestions are welcomed!!
Stay gorgeous!
-JK
The only thing I’ve used is their color balms, which are very nice, I like them a lot. I’ve steered clear of their other products for the same reasons you’ve mentioned, but most of their lip products are decent ingredient-wise. (interestingly, I think everything except their regular lip balms is good, but those contain fragrance.)
Also, they do have their full ingredients listed on the website :)
http://www.yestocarrots.com/ingredients-us.html
I have to admit that I say yes to Yes To Carrot/Dead Sea Mud shampoo and condish. (Har har, see what I did there?)
I’m very clean and green in most of my beauty ways (I kinda have to…I’m Jess from Stark Skincare, hai!), but Yes To is SO convenient to find and buy here in Montreal.
I ONLY like Aubrey’s shampoo as far as naturals go, but Yes To is the best option when my bank account is looking a little dismal…and I like the faintly bland, sweet smell for some reason. Also it leaves my hair acceptably clean and soft. You see, I have this thing about my hair….we don’t have the best relationship, so anything that keeps me from hating it is, in my books, a healthy product in some ways.
Also, the copy writing on their packaging is kinda cute, so I like that.
PS. A few years ago tried a face cream by them, also carrot, but that was horrid.
i wanted to try them but they don’t smell natural at all and the ingredients….mmmm suspicious…
My overly sensitive skin and I’ve used a few of their things – Yes to Tomatoes shampoo and conditioner – meh.. straw hair; Yes to Blueberries facial wipes – stinky ick no; Yes to Carrots hand cream – moisturising but way too fragrancy; Yes to Carrots lip balm – not bad but I say that about pretty much all lip balms. However, Yes to cucumbers facial wipes I love. If I can’t get my preferred all-natural chamomile facial lazy-don’t-want-to-wash-face-just-wipe-cuz-it’s-late these are what I buy.
Tried the shampoo I found at my mothers place. It totally destroyed my hair and scalp… the shampoo seemed more aggressive then Head & Shoulders and it took 2 weeks for my hair te become normal again. I also got all these little crusts on my head (I seem to get that from shampoos that contain lots of cleansers like Cocamidopropyl betaine. Maybe I’m allergic to it?
Ditto to Yes to Cucumbers facial wipes – very soothing!
Yes, they’re not perfect, but so many natural products aren’t affordable for most people, and the fact that these aren’t is definitely a bonus.
@Caitie, thanks for sharing the full ingredient list from the website. I feel it is misleading to list only the “key ingredients” – that is, the stuff that sounds clean & healthy – on the product page and “hide” the full ingredients on a separate page. This may or may not be the intent of the company, but that’s how it reads to me.
Ditto to a lot of the ladies on here – I’ve bought their wipes for hiking trips and/or TSA-friendly packing. Since baking soda / plant oils don’t work as well for that, does anyone have cleaner suggestion?
Ok, another JK!
Nope, not using any of that stuff. I tried shampoo and conditioner (both Carrots and Cucumber) and didn’t really like it – like other said before, my hair got really dry, and at the same time I always had the feeling that I couldn’t get rid of all the residue. (I also didn’t like the smell.) I’m surprised how many people like using wipes – I thought those usually have ‘worse’ ingredients anyway bc it’s more difficult to keep those things moist AND hygienic (and still clean)?!
I generally try to avoid companies in general when they aren’t clean all the way – there are exceptions though, but for that the product in case has to be, well, miraculous (waaaaay better than any clean alternatives).
I’ve tried their blemish treatment and a lip balm or two. Nothing to write home about.
To those searching for a natural shampoo and conditioner, I highly recommend Salon Naturals. Theirs score a “0″ on EWG’s site and come in several different formulas for different hair types. They brought back the shine and health to my hair after using WEN for almost a year. You can buy samples of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products for $3.70 each (last I checked) and that includes shipping. Of all the natural brands I’ve tried, it’s the most affordable AND the best!
Oops, and needless to say: that’s hardly ever the case (that you can’t find a greener alternative) – and there are a number of ingredients that are simply a no-go.
I’ve recently tried the yes to carrots intensive conditioner or whatever its called and I am undecided. I recently took out my hair extensions after growing out my relaxer (for YEARS!!) and I’m trying to learn how to properly care for my hair. Anyone who’s chemically processed their hair knows how horrible it is but I feel that black people are particularly at a loss when it comes to options outside of lye, mineral oil, cones, etc. I say this because even though i might not stick with YTC in the long run, I do feel that I am doing something less damaging to my hair. I really wanted to love the Aubrey organucs line but I used it once (Honeysuckle i believe) and my hair turned into dreadlocks.
ANYWAY, I say all this to emphasize that of course I want to be all clean all the time, but it is a process of finding out what works for me.
@C, Lately I’ve been recommending shampoos for people needing to get oils out of their hair, but it sounds like you have the issue I do, which is needing a gentle shampoo and rich conditioner. I’ve been keeping an eye on http://elavabotanik.com/ – I love their avocado line but they’ve been away and say they will be selling again soon. I think your hair would love that stuff. I currently use Green Body Green Planet and I’m very happy with the job it does on my wavy/curly hair (it gets super coarse if I don’t take care of it properly). The GBGP shampoo is super gentle and the conditioner is the richest I’ve ever used (plus you can use it as a leave-in too). Also, have you tried coconut oil? That might be the solution to loving your non-chemically treated hair! Or just straight shea butter maybe??
To C
Have you seen the Shea Moisture line? It is available a Walgeens and Walgreens on line. Very clean and moisturising; they also have a baby line-check them out!
I ve used green products for over two decades (im European) and had always trouble finding a good pleasant feeling SPF cream. I have the yes to carrots SPF 15 which I use and like. I alternate it with an SPF 15 tint. I don’t use any other of their products because of the fragrance but the SPF is one that I could use every day without breaking out or feeling like an oil slick ( I tried them all: vive sana, John masters etc). If People are looking for a budget friendly scent free option, trilogy is doing a good line for sensitive skin (scent and alcohol free) and Paula begoun has just started a scent free green line I’m quite impressed with! It omits alcohol, and a lot of the irritating plant ingredients. It’s based on cold pressed seed oils and amino acids.
Hey guys, thanks for your suggestions!! I picked up Shea moisture this weekend and am doing research on the two lines Rebecca recommended. I am very happy to hear from my fellow curlies! :))
I love the cucumber facial wipes! The smell is a bit strong but they work well and are quite gentle. I’ve also used the Mint chapstick and liked that. I don’t care for the carrot aromas, too strong for me. I’ve also tried the cucumber body cream and it was just ok.
I have been using the Yes To Tomatoes moisturizer for the daytime and it works very well for my (oily & acne-prone) skin. This is the best thing I have found, effectiveness-wise. I would LOOOOVE a true natural option, but only if it works just as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on a like-product?
I like Yes To. I do agree with you on the some products being more natural than others in the line — very irritating! However, for my friends who are new to naturals and extremely budget-conscious, I like to recommend Yes To.
This seems to be a general theme but the cucumber wipes are soothing and they make my skin so soft and wonderful! I just can’t say goodbye to them!
<3 Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com
I have sensitive skin prone to oilyness. I use the Cucumber face wash and moisturizer. It leaves my skin red and tight, it sometimes even burns. And the cucumber line is for sensitive skin?! What a lie! Someone should sue.