I was on the lookout for a good product to treat acne since a long time and that is when, I read about how tea tree oil works wonders for acne. My main concern, was deciding whether to buy the Fabindia one or The Body Shop one but, I came to the conclusion that I’ll buy the fabindia one given that, I’ll have to shell out only half the amount .So without further ado, I headed straight to the fabindia store and bought myself the tea tree oil which is supposedly to work wonders for acne as well dandruff the latter not being a major problem in my case.. To know more about my experience with the product read on.
Price and quantity: Rs. 350 for 10 ml
What the product claims: This oil helps combat dandruff and acne. Fumes help in easing nasal congestion
Ingredients: Tea tree essential oil.
My views on the product
The product comes in a dark blue colored glass bottle with a screw cap which, has a dropper inside that makes sure that, you use the product sparingly which is very important in case of essential oils. I wouldn’t carry the product around as; I would have the constant fear of breaking it. I apply a few drops of the oil with a Q tip at night only on my acne avoiding the eye area. The oil has an extremely strong fragrance and causes a stinging sensation as soon as applied which, I am ready to forsake if it actually worked for acne. But to my disdain it did not, and the next day I saw 2 new pimples on my face. The effect probably varies from person to person but for my skin it clearly did no good .I continued using this product for a few days only because I didn’t want to waste my money but, it did nothing about the acne or the scars.
This product has ensured that I wouldn’t buy any product with tea tree oil in it cause of the recurrent acne that I saw on my face with regular usage of the product.
Pros:
Lasts for a long time since you have to use only a few drops in a single application
Comes with a dropper
Comes with a screw cap which prevents leakage
Cons:
Doesn’t reduce acne or scars
Causes stinging sensation
Overpowering smell
Can cause dry patches on skin
Not travel friendly
Final word
I would not recommend this product to anyone since, it has proven to be a complete waste of every penny spent and would do nothing about the acne instead, it would cause more harm like dry patches on skin. So, if you are looking for a good tea tree oil then, this is definitely not the one.
Rating: 1/5
Editor’s Note: Oo..I am surprised this didn’t work because I have heard a lot of good things about the Fabindia oils too. The Body Shop one is definitely amazing, I have tried that. I think you should try The Body Shop one.
Have you tried the Fabindia Tea Tree Oil? Did you have the same experience?
Touch Nature Lemongrass Essential Oil Review, Benefits, How to Use
By Nidhal
They smell heavenly. They are perfect pick-me- up items to uplift your senses and lull you into a soothing slumber. Popularly used in aromatherapy sessions, essential oils, EO for short are highly concentrated, potent and therapeutic oils that need to be necessarily blended with a carrier/base oil for external use (and they are strictly not meant for internal uses). A base oil is simply any oil that mellows down the potency of the essential oil to the extent that its goodness isn’t reduced but it becomes conducive for use on skin.
The bottom line- Always, without fail, dilute essential oils in a base (or more than one) oil such as- virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO in short), virgin sesame oil and so on and so forth for use on skin/hair. Also, add only a few “DROPS’ and not teaspoons/tablespoons of the essential oil into the carrier/base oil. You stand the risk of scalding your skin if you add more than a few drops of essential oil to the base oil.
With these basic ideas in my, I zeroed in on TOUCH NATURE NEPAL LEMONGRASS ESSENTIAL OIL one fine afternoon as I was strolling the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal in 2014 🙂 The people are the epitome of courtesy , warmth and civility by the way. Coming back to the topic, let us begin with how the essential oil fared for me and how I used it for my skin and hair.
PRICE – 350 INR for 10ml (Buy similar from Soulflower HERE)
DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Dilute in a base/carrier oil of your choice, depending on your skin’s condition and use topically.
INGREDIENTS- Pure lemongrass essential oil
WHAT IT CLAIMS- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) is a perennial plant in the Poaceae grass family and is native to the tropical and subtropical area of India, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It flourishes where the soil is slightly sandy and the climate moist and war. Lemongrass essential oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant, astringent and diuretic properties.
MY EXPERIENCE-
Packed in a minuscule glass jar with a plastic cap on top and a layer of plastic covering with already perforated holes inset, the packaging of the essential oil is simple, spillage-free and travel-friendly. Yes, the provision of the double layer packaging makes it easy to carry without the fear of leakage. However, I wish a dropper was furnished so that drawing out the oil would have been easier. So, that is my input.
The oil has a riveting aroma. It uplifts you truly! The oil does not have a greasy/oily/thick texture but is fairly runny (as I see). One is not supposed to put it on one’s skin without dilution hence, I never risked doing the same.
FOR MY SKIN – I blend 3-4 drops of this lemongrass essential oil into two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and then, massage it on my skin especially after a bath for that ensures better absorption 🙂 Result? My skin feels hydrated, smoothed out and softened throughout the day besides emanating a lovely aroma that keeps me fresh
FOR MY HAIR- I mix 2 drops of this lemongrass essential oil with 2 tablespoons of virgin sesame oil (which is slightly warm for I prefer hot oil massages). Never mix the oils and then heat the resulting mixture. Do not even heat virgin sesame oil too much else or it may emit flames of smoke, indicating that all its goodness is going in for a toss. Simply heat the virgin sesame oil for a minute or two on LOW FLAME and then after a minute or two, add 2 drops of lemongrass EO. Mix well and apply on your scalp.
Keep it overnight and then apply a mask (optional step) the next morning, shampoo and condition as usual. You will end with shiny, hydrated and softened hair which I did Oh yes, as far as my experience goes, I find it suitable for use by all skin types except those with excessively dry skin. All hair types can go for it.
GOOD-
1. Riveting aroma. It sends one’s olfactory senses into a tizzy. In one word- Heavenly
2. Well-packaged
3. Well-priced. Most essential oils are within this range so, one is not being overcharged.
4. Perfect for aromatherapy sessions.
5. Can be added to hair masks with a foul odour to camouflage the smell.
6. Can be added to face masks in order to elicit a soul-stirring aroma.
7. Imparts a glow. I have added a few drops of the same to extra virgin olive oil and used on my face and neck (which is dry)every night for two months. Hence, can vouch for it. Please note, I said “drops”.
BAD-
1. Very difficult to find. I have not been able to find it in India. It is obvious since it is made in Nepal but even if searched online, one is unable to find to find it.
Top 10 Types of Essential Oils, Their Uses and Benefits, How to Use, Buy Online
By Simran
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
An oil is ‘essential’ in the sense that it contains the ‘essence of’ the plant’s fragrance—the characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived.
Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades with the popularity of aromatherapy, a branch of alternative medicine that claims that essential oils and other aromatic compounds have curative effects.
In addition to these impressive qualities, they often also transfer very pleasurable sensory experiences within minutes because of their fragrances and restorative natures, making them impactful on our brain chemistry, emotional well-being, and spiritual wellness. This makes for a highly vast and diverse list of uses for essential oils.
Rosewood is a decorative tree and used to make furniture, chopsticks, and show pieces; it is a versatile and durable tree that grows abundantly in Brazil. It is commonly called sheesham in India. But rosewood is more than just a raw material used in manufacturing.
Benefits/uses of rosewood essential oil:
Rosewood oil has tissue-regenerating properties that help prevent wrinkles and premature aging.
You can use it to reduce the onset of pimples and blackheads while controlling the amount of sebum secreted by your oil glands
It even has wound-healing actions, making it an ideal first-aid remedy for cuts and insect bites.
Aroma therapists use it to help treat depression, as it is said to impart feelings of happiness and strength.
How to Use: You can dilute the oil by using a carrier oil like coconut/olive oil and apply it on your face or use it as a massaging oil. Add a few drops to your bath to relax your body. You can even mix it in your unscented shower gel to achieve a sweet smelling shower gel which relaxes you.
Tea tree oil is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant, a member of the myrtle tree family, which is native to Australia.
Benefits/Uses of Tea Tree essential oil:
Tea tree oil can be used to cure acne, fungal and bacterial infections.
It can even effectively be used to get rid of dandruff.
Tea tree essential oil can provide relief from muscular pain, aches, and sprains because its strong chemical properties can work as an anti-inflammatory and also encourages blood flow.
How to Use: Mix the oil in your moisturiser or Mix a drop or 2 with a smidge of coconut oil and use a cotton swab to apply on your face to effectively fight acne. Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil with 1 cup of water and dip your toothbrush in it once a week to get rid of bacteria on your toothbrush. Use the oil as your deodorant since it fights bacteria and helps you smell fresh.
Orange essential oil is obtained from the peels of orange by cold compression. Although most of you know the common name of oranges, perhaps you don’t know the botanical name, Citrus Sinensis.
Benefits/Uses of orange essential oil:
Orange essential oil is known to relax muscular and nervous spasms.
Curing acne and constipation.
Improves complexion.
Inhibits growth of microbes in wounds and helps reduce inflammation.
How to Use: Use it with your moisturiser, since Vit. C helps in repairing skin and fighting wrinkles. Add a few drops of oil in water and use it as a kitchen cleanser. Diffuse Orange with Lime, Lemon, or Tangerine for a sunny warm-weather scent, or diffuse it with Cinnamon and a hint of Clove for a festive smell perfect for the holidays.
Lavender oil is extracted mostly from the flowers of the lavender plant. The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used for making potpourri for centuries. Traditionally, lavender essential oil has also been used in making perfumes.
Benefits/Uses of Lavender essential oil:
Lavender essential oil is known to Reduces anxiety and emotional stress
Heal burns and wounds.
It helps in Improving sleep
Restores skin complexion and reduces acne.
It Slows aging with powerful antioxidants.
How to Use: Put a drop or two in your bath water to instantly relax your body after a long day. If you have trouble sleeping, put 2-3 drops on your pillow case to help you fall asleep faster. Mix several drops of Lavender oil with a nut or vegetable mixing oil (coconut, sesame, etc) and use topically on acne.
Cedarwood essential oil is extracted from wood pieces of the cedar wood tree. Cedarwood contributes a great deal to its health benefits.
Benefits/uses of Cedarwood essential oil:
Cedarwood oil promotes hair growth
has anti-inflammatory agents
cures toothaches
strengthens gums
It clears out toxins and helps cure acne and fungal infections.
Reduces skin irritations
regulates menstruation
stimulates metabolism
tightens muscles
How to Use: Just add a few drops of Cedarwood oil to your shampoo or massage it directly into the scalp to promote hair growth. Simply add a few drops of cedarwood oil to your skin cream and rub it into the affected acne areas or you can add 4 or 5 drops to your bathwater to help soothe the skin. You could also add cedarwood oil to coconut oil and some oatmeal to make your own facial scrub. If you are feeling in any way tense, stressed or depressed try inhaling cedarwood essential oil from the bottle or put a few drops on a handkerchief and breathe it in whenever you feel the need.
Chamomile oil is extracted from the flowers of the Chamomile plant, which is very popular as a flowering plant. There are two types of Chamomile; The Roman Chamomile and the German Chamomile.
Benefits/uses of Chamomile essential oil:
Chamomile oil is best known throughout the ages for its sedative and soothing qualities.
Endowed with an overall calming effect for the stressed mind and tense body
Chamomile essential oil can also be used to ease feelings of grief, anger, discontent or over-sensitivity.
It helps in fading scars and spots on your skin and treats sunburn.
How to Use: Rub a few drops of Chamomile essential oil on your pulse points like behind the ear or neck; it will help you fall asleep better. Add 1–2 drops to your favourite moisturizer, shampoo, or conditioner to promote youthful looking skin and hair. Add 1–2 drops to herbal teas or hot drinks to soothe the body and mind.
Cinnamon originated in tropical Asia, and was particularly widely used in Sri Lanka and India. Now, the shrub is grown in almost every tropical region of the world. The spice, owing to its vast medicinal uses, has found a prominent position in traditional medicines, especially in Ayurveda, which is the traditional Indian medicinal system.
Benefits/uses of Cinnamon essential oil:
It increases circulation and fights viruses.
The oil possesses anti inflammation properties and hence cures acne effectively.
Helps alleviate sore muscles and joints
How to Use: Place 1 drop Cinnamon essential oil in hot water or tea and drink slowly to soothe your throat. Dilute the oil with a carrier oil like coconut or mineral oil and apply on your face for glowing skin and decreasing acne. Place one drop on your toothbrush then add toothpaste for healthier gums.
Sweet Basil/Tulsi Essential Oil
8. Sweet Basil essential oil:
Sweet basil oil comes from basil, a plant with a thick foliage and small white flowers. Fresh basil leaves taste sweet and pungent, and exudes a fresh and floral aroma, while the dried ones have a spicy and earthy scent. Basil was widely used in ancient times and still used in India for various medicinal purposes.
Benefits/uses of Sweet Basil essential oil:
Sweet Basil essential oil Soothes sore muscles and joints.
It enhances the lustre of dull-looking skin and hair.
It helps cure acne and improves circulation.
Apply to minor skin irritations
For sensitive skin, dilute with fractionated coconut oil.
It is anti bacterial
How to Use: Mix it in your shampoo or moisturiser for lush hair and glowing skin. Use basil essential oils topically on the feet or by diffusing them aromatically to fight fatigue.
While the aroma of peppermint essential oil may be synonymous in some minds with the candy, it’s a lot more than flavouring. The essential oil of peppermint has been used for centuries for digestive problems, sinus and respiration and more. The aroma of the oil can be very sweet, and obviously minty, in nature.
Benefits/uses of Peppermint essential oil:
It nourishes skin and improves texture of oily skin
Promotes hair growth
Improves mental focus and relieves headaches.
How to Use: Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to your regular morning shampoo and conditioner to stimulate the scalp and energize your mind. Use a drop or two on your temples to help enhance mental clarity. Inhaling peppermint essential oil can stave off the munchies and can help you feel full faster.
Lemongrass is an herb that belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. Lemongrass oil has a light and fresh lemony smell with earthy undertones. It is stimulating, relaxing, soothing, and balancing.
Benefits/uses of Lemon grass essential oil:
It relieves head and stomach aches
Helps reduce acne and oiliness of the skin
Helps in reducing fatigue or insomnia, even menstrual cramps.
How to Use: Diffuse or apply Lemongrass essential oil to bottoms of feet at bedtime for a restful night’s sleep. Drink two cups of lemongrass tea a day to relieve pain associated with your period. To help clear up acne, add one drop to a carrier oil and dab on to affected areas once or twice a day.
These essential oils are also available in a set of 6 (HERE) and set of 12 (HERE), different combinations.
Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review
By Nidhal
Remember those days when we used to vacuously smear that colourful bar of soap that smelled heavenly and looked comely on our skin (and sadly, on our faces too) while unleashing the inherent model in us in our bathrooms? 😛 Days would roll by but all what it left was dry, parched skin that felt smothered after the ‘wash’. Quite naturally, it was bound to. Why? Did you care to read the labels? “Ummm… not really”, says a voice in your head right now. So, that is the reason my friend.
Cut to present and markets like always are inundated with soaps of myriad shapes, sizes, colors, flavours (err…chemicals) and packets. One thing is constant and that is our incorrigible habit of ignoring the labels. Having emerged delusional with soaps years ago, I switched over to ubtans (homemade powders for cleansing), however, one fine day, I came across a brand that used 2 words in its name which caught my eyes- Ancient Ayurveda. Intrigued, I began scrolling down their range of products when I came across their soaps. The realisation dwelled upon me that it would be just one of “those brands” that pull wool over consumers’ eyes by printing catchy words like “invigorated with XYZ essential oil”, “handmade” and so on but I was in for a pleasant surprise. The brand is the textbook definition of being ‘ethical’.
While most brand publish what their products contain, Ancient Ayurveda upped its game and went on publish what all their products do not contain IN DETAIL (see the picture for better understanding). Impressed, I zeroed in on ANCIENT AYURVEDA INVIGORATING TAILPATRA WOODASH SOAP to see how far it performs (or flounders). So here goes my review of the same 🙂
DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Smear on your drenched face and body with a natural luffa. Wash off after scrubbing gently.
INGREDIENTS- Homogenous coconut shell charcoal, coconut tree inflorescece charcoal flaxseed wheat germ oil, Ashwagandha tailam, Ark tailam, black cumin seed oil, bala taimbu, somaraji tailam, chandan bala, lakshadi tailam, jatyadi tailam, karanj tailam, virgin coconut oil, kasisadi tailam, zest of soapnut, kumkumadi tailam, rice bran oil, rice bran wax, nilibringhadi tailam, castor bean meat, whole pscralea corylifolia oil, zest of ‘Koshtum’, castor oil, coconut water, coconut meat, cow’s milk, zest of copra, grapeseed oil and neem oil.
A detailed list of fillers/items not added into the soap is provided as a leaflet once you place an order. And… You will be left speechless on seeing that most of them have been added in even the so-called handmade soaps that you use. Handmade does not mean ‘natural’.
WHAT IT CLAIMS- This soap does not contain Steric Acid (animal derived hardening agent, primarily from butchered pigs and cows) which makes the mainstream handmade and commercial soap melt-less.
MY EXPERIENCE-
GOOD-
Packed in a simple paper packing with the soap enclosed in a plastic cover, the packaging of the soap is quite simplistic. I disliked the plastic cover but realised that in India’s tropical weather, if the soap were packed in a plastic/cloth pack, it would have melted and rumpled the entire product rendering it useless.
As a result, given the product’s composition (which is primarily a blend of oils), the packaging is legit. Though it cannot be carried while travelling yet, I won’t pinpoint to it as a drawback because carrying soaps anyway is inconvenient while travelling. In a nutshell, the packaging is fine 🙂
The soap has a hard texture when stored in the fridge but take it for 5 minutes and witness the magic as it melts (all thanks to Sun God who unleash their fury on us from May to June all the more) 😛
I prolong its use by cutting it into 10 pieces 5 minutes after taking it out from the fridge (so that it softens enough for my knife to work). Each time I step into the shower, I take a piece (1/10 th part of the soap) with me along with a natural loofah/luffa. I smear it on my drenched skin and gently rub a luffa. 1/10 th part is sufficient for a use. I do not overdo or use beyond requirement. I know we Indians have a tendency to slap products in excess if it works but that is what we need to control. Use enough not in excess 🙂
After scrubbing my skin with the luffa for 7-8 minutes, there is a little froth which I rinse off and step out of the shower. My skin feels soft and deeply hydrated. This spells cheer for my skin is dry and this is the first time that my skin’s moisture level has not witnessed a nosedive 🙂 With use overtime, I noted a subtle glow too that looked natural. Besides feeling clean, my skin looked clear and refreshed. My mother who has normal skin used it and has been singing paeans since then. I recommended it to a friend of mine who has oily skin and so far, even she is impressed with its performance. While I can’t vouch for its efficacy for oily skin, I can safely say that it will become the HG soap of those with dry and normal skin 🙂
In one word, it is phenomenal!
1. The most natural soap one can land.
2. Mentions what it contains and what it does not (which is quite informative) clearly. Hence, the epitome of ethics.
3. Works wonders in softening skin.
4. Made in India
5. Associated with the NGO- Prajwala which works to rescue sex-trafficked women. There is a sense of complacency one experiences in contributing to such a noble initiative.
6. Highly impressive ingredients’ list
7. Imparts a subtle glow. No, you won’t glow like an incandescent LED that is shown (read: exaggerated beyond description) in TV adverts. The glow is subtle but noticeable.
8. Works well for all skin types but best for dry skin. It won’t weigh down oily skin but works exceedingly well for dry skin. I wonder how it does so.
9. Easily available. You can place an order on Amazon India.
10. Heals chapped skin overtime.
11. Price is reasonable given its effectiveness.
BAD-
1. Since it a blend of oils, it melts (yes, you read it right M-E- L-T- S) when the temperature rises to 33 degrees or above. In fact, since India is predominantly warm for most part of year, a major bugbear is the storage of this soap. It actually liquefies. To allay this, I let it out at room temperature for a few minutes. It softens somewhat when I cut it into 10-12 pieces with a knife. I use one piece each time I step into the shower and stash all the remnant pieces into the refrigerator 🙂 So, that is the only limitation which too, is taken care of.
RATING- 5/5
Editor’s Note: That sounds fantastic Nidhal and what a detailed review! I am surely trying this. Also I saw a few other soaps they have, all look great!
