Category Archives: Skin care

My Current Favourite Skin Care Products Step by Step, Indian Skincare Blog

My Current Favourite Skin Care Products Step by Step

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My Current Favourite Skin Care Products Step by Step

Hi guys,

So I did this skin care series on my Instagram, and if you follow me on Instagram you would know I am obsessed with skin care. I thought of sharing the same here on my blog as well.

I absolutely love skin care and I feel good skin is the base for any makeup look, you don’t need super heavy coverage foundations and concealers if you have good skin, the layers will only end up making your base look heavy and cakey. A major % of how your skin behaves depends on genetics and diet. You can only control the diet part of course and regular skin care with good diet can solve a lot of your skin concerns.

I have been super regular with my skin care since more than a year now and have noticed a huge difference in my pores, lines, texture, pigmentation around the mouth, etc. I do have a detailed skin care routine video on my channel, but the products keep on changing as I experiment and review new brands and as per how my skin is feeling, the order is the same though (Watch HERE)

Step 1: Double Cleanse


Starting with Step 1 which is Double Cleanse, as the name suggests it means cleansing twice. First cleanse with an oil/balm especially if you are wearing makeup/sunscreen. Oil or balm will melt all the makeup/dirt/grime from the pores. You need to massage the oil or balm well for 30-40 seconds and then emulsify it with water for 10-15 seconds. Then follow with the second cleanse, which will be a gentle foaming cleanser. It will wash off all the excess oil/dirt left, if any. You can also use a reusable cloth wipe to remove the makeup after first cleanse, only water also works for me.

I haven’t bought makeup wipes in years and would not recommend them at all, they are very harsh on the skin + not bio degradable. I do have a few bio degradable ones which I use, only when I am travelling.

Coming to micellar water, you can use it as a first cleanse but you absolutely need to do the second cleanse with it unlike the ‘no rinse’ marketing claim. Micellar water is made of small micelles which leave a surface residue on the skin. I am not a fan of micellar waters because oils/balms do the best job in removing makeup for me, plus some micellar waters sting my sensitive eyes.

Products shown:

1. Isadora Cleansing Oil
2. Pixi Beauty Hydrating Makeup Remover with coconut & probiotics
3. Heimish All Clean Balm
4. Pixi Double Cleanse Balm
5. Clinique Take The Day Off
6. Pond’s Cleansing Balm
7. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
8. Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash (soap free)
9. Suganda Centella Green Tea Face Wash
10. Forest Essentials Kashmiri Saffron & Neem Delicate Facial Cleanser
11. Kama Ayurveda Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam with Sandalwood & Aloe Vera

Step 2 is Tone/Treat, it’s CTTM now in place of CTM. Treat is a very essential step in skincare and all your actives, serums, essence are a part of Treat.

Toners and Serums can be exfoliating or hydrating. If you use an exfoliating toner, go for a hydrating/calming serum and vice versa. You can also use both hydrating (if you have exfoliation in your cleanser/moisturizer) but don’t use both exfoliating because we don’t want to sensitize our skin. I like actives (Vit C, Chemical Exfoliants, etc.) in the form of toners and serums. Things you should add in your skincare routine, if you haven’t already:

Vitamin C
AHA/BHA
Niacinamide (optional)

Vit C (Ascorbic Acid) increases production of collagen, reduces hyper pigmentation and evens out skin tone, brightens skin and protects against pollution and sun damage.
Best used in serum form (10-20%) Start with 10%, when used in the mornings before sunscreen, boosts the protection from sun damage.


Alpha Hydroxy Acids i.e. Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, etc are water soluble and work on surface layer of skin, works better for dry/dull skin.
Beta Hydroxy Acids i.e. Salicylic Acid is oil soluble and goes deep into the pores to unclog the pores and hence works well for oily, acne prone skin.

Both AHA/BHA unglue the bond holding dead skin on the surface and exfoliate the skin. Also help improve the texture, bumps, minimize the appearance of pores and uneven skin tone, etc. But you need to be regular to see results.

If you are a beginner at chemical exfoliation, start with Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic which has 5% Glycolic Acid and is gentle enough for everyday use as well.
Suganda AHA/BHA serums are also very gentle for beginners as they are balanced with Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) and Green Tea.
Paula’s Choice 8% AHA gel works well for dry skin and 2% BHA liquid exfoliant for oily/acne prone skin or those with enlarged pores.
Dr.Sheths Gulab Glycolic Toner is also very, very gentle for daily use. (You can use my coupon code ‘BHUMIKA’ to get 20% off on Dr.Sheths products)

Niacinamide (Vit B3) helps in reducing inflammation, redness, regulates oil production & minimizes the appearance of pores. Works best with Zinc, in serum form. (5-20%, can start with 5-10%) You can add it at a later stage.

Step 3 is Repair/ Hydrate which will again have serums and essences, now if you have used an active serum/toner, you can use an hydrating essence to balance and calm. This will include mostly calming, repairing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, cica, honey, propolis, ceramides, etc. Some repairing serums/essences may have little actives, so on some days you can skip actives all together and just use this.

The Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid and the Olay Retinol24 Serum fall under actives but I use them on non active days or just with Niacinamide (not with AHA or BHA) and they have a cream gel and a serum like consistency + some hydrating ingredients.

Products shown:

Secret Key Multi Cell Night Repair
May Coop Raw Sauce
Guerlain Abeille Royale
Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Serum
Dr.Sheths Cica & Ceramide Repair Serum
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Serum

Step 4 Moisturize

Now you generally wouldn’t go wrong with a Moisturizer, it’s a pretty basic skincare product and most brands make a good one. The only rule you need to remember is keep it simple, less ingredients, and no fragrance if possible.
Moisturizer should have occlusives, humectants and emollients.


Occlusives (petrolatum and other oily substances) hold the water in. Humectants (glycerine, honey, panthenol, etc.) pull water both from the air and from deeper layers of skin. Hence occlusives and humectants are used together, to trap the moisture in, and to not let it pull from the skin. Emollients like some fatty alcohols fill the dry, flaky skin with fatty substances, called lipids, which make your skin smoother and softer.

Other ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamins, etc. are added benefits.

Now you can use the same Moisturizer day and night if you like, but I would say use a night cream with a slightly heavy texture or a sleeping mask, which will help repair the skin. Also since most people now sleep in an air conditioned room, the added moisture and sealing helps.

Products shown:

1. Clinique Moisture Surge
2. Pixi Beauty Rose Ceramide Cream
3. Pixi Retinol Jasmine Lotion
4. Nellietier Face Cream
5. Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer
6. Etude India Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream
7. Etude Moistfull Collagen Cream

Night Creams:

1. Dr.Sheths Haldi Hyaluronic Sleeping mask
2. Iunik Propolis Vitamin Sleeping Mask
3. Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Overnight Rice Mask
4. Pixi Vit C Caviar Balm
5. Dr.Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream

Apart from these, I also really love Suganda White Lotus Moisturizer in summers and the Rosehip Moisturizer in winters.

Step 5 for daytime and the most important is Sunscreen.

You may spend thousands on skin treatments and expensive skin care products, but even few minutes of direct sun exposure without sunscreen can negate all the effects.

UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer and lead to premature aging, wrinkles and sun spots.
UVA (Aging) rays can cause tanning and aging and UVB (Burning) rays can cause burning, your sunscreen should be broad spectrum meaning protect against both rays.

Chemical exfoliation and actives make your skin photosensitive, so you cannot skip your sunscreen at all.
Sunscreen can be physical (with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, etc.) Or chemical (with avobenzone, octisalate, oxybenzone, etc.) Earlier, physical sunscreens used to leave a strong, white cast but now you most physical sunscreens use nano technology and the nano particles blend in better. Physical ingredients block the UV rays and chemical absorb and scatter. I like a mix of both in my sunscreens, but if you are allergic to any chemical ingredient, make sure you check the ingredients before you buy.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) denotes the time your skin can be protected from UVB rays i.e.burning. If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes.

You can use SPF 30 or 50, but the key is reapplication every two hours!
PA denotes protection from UVA rays and PA+++ is the best and highest level (some countries have researched and included PA++++ in certain products)

So SPF 30 PA+++ should be good enough, but make sure you reapply. You can reapply in spray or powder form if you have makeup on through the day. Also you need one teaspoon qty for face and one shot glass qty for entire body in one application (especially the exposed skin)

Products shown:

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ PA+++
2. Brinton UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel SPF50 PA+++
3. Biotique Bio Aloe Vera SPF30 (good for indoors or entire body)
4. Skin & Lab FreC Sun Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++ (with Vit C)
5. Organic Harvest SPF 60 PA+++
6. Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF

Weekly Treatments

Apart from my daily skincare routine, I also use some masks and additional exfoliation products once a week or once in 10-11 days.

You can increase Retinol to once in 2-3 days once your skin is past the ‘Retinization’ phase, I am using it once a week currently. I use the @deciem Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%. Granactive Retinoid has hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), a retinoic acid ester with a similar action on the skin as Retin-A. It is not the same as Retinol, and hence 2% of that is actually equal to very less retinol comparatively but there is no exact proven measurement.

Also once your skin gets used to regular acids, you can try the 30% AHA, 2% BHA from Ordinary which is an amazing at home exfoliating peel. But do not try it if you have very sensitive skin or your skin barrier is compromised or you can’t tolerate acids. There are a lot of precautions you need to take like skin should be dry, not to keep longer than 10mins, follow with a rich Moisturizer and loads of sunscreen, etc.

For beginner level, I would recommend the Secret Key lemon sparkling peeling gel, Pixi Peel & Polish.

My favourite masks when my skin is feeling dry are Fresh Rose Mask, Biossance Squalane + Vit C Rose Mask and Glamglow Thirsty Mud. For breakouts, Glamglow Supermud, Raw Nature Dead Sea Mud & Charcoal, Pixi T zone Peel off mask.

Also apart from these, pretty much all of The Body Shop Masks. I am not a fan of sheet masks, I haven’t bought a sheet mask in years (also most are not bio degradable). But I do have a lot of them from PR which I am trying to finish.

Let me know your skincare routine and your current favourite skin care products in the comments below 🙂

Top 3 Basic Steps To Take Care Of Your Skin While Travelling, This Will Change Your Skincare Game

Foreo, Skin care, Travel, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 3 Basic Steps To Take Care Of Your Skin While Travelling, This Will Change Your Skincare Game

Hi guys,

Many of you have often asked how I take care of my skin when I travel or what’s my basic skin necessities while I travel. It’s difficult to carry a load of products when travelling, especially the big, bulky bottles or tools that I use for everyday basics, but I have some tricks that have helped me. Read on to know more…

As you guys know, cleansing the skin is of most importance and for me as it’s very important to remove all the makeup completely and thoroughly. I have mentioned more on skincare and cleansing in my previous post HERE

Further to investing in my FOREO LUNA2 I have never looked back on deep cleansing, as it has really helped my skin remove dirt, clogged pores and prevented blackheads from occurring while being gentle at it and also helps with anti-ageing especially after I hit my 30’s. But it’s quite big to fit in my travel pouch on days when I want to bag pack. However since I can’t live without my LUNA2 and my love for it even when I travel, I thought I should get something handy and travel friendly, so I got myself the FOREO LUNA Play. It’s the size of a macaron that fits well in my bag yet still cleanses the skin powerfully and thoroughly.

My New Mini Travel Cleanser The FOREO LUNA Play

Moving on to the skincare routine, I remove my makeup with a cleansing wipe from KAYA to get rid of all the basic makeup. I go over with a cotton ball and micellar water by Garnier to take off any waterproof makeup remnants that still sticks to my skin. I gradually use the LUNA Play with a facewash by Vichy as the final step, to ensure complete removal of makeup, dirt, grime. When you are travelling and out the whole day, there is a lot of dirt, sweat, pollution etc. in your pores which when not cleansed properly, will result into break outs and damaged skin.

Once the skin is completely cleansed, I use a hydrating moisturizer from Clinique and a toner from Pixi Beauty. But for travel I generally pick sample sachets from dutyfree and use them as and when needed or transfer small quantities from the big containers into small containers to travel with.

Moving on I use Kiehls Eye Cream with avacado along with my FOREO IRIS eye massager around my eye. The IRIS’s two tap eye Tsonic technology helps reduce visible signs of crows feet, dark circle, eye bags and beautifully absorbs all the ingredients from my eye cream. Inspired by the lymphatic eye massages practiced in Asia, the innovative IRIS enhances the visible benefits of this technique beyond the capability of fingertips alone. Its unique T-Sonic technology features 2 modes, each designed to gently massage and smooth the eye contour. Not just that my eye feel completely relaxed after a long day out travelling in the sun and time difference, that often leads to jet lag and I can’t sleep well when I travel and it shows under and around the eyes immediately with dark circles, under eye bags and puffiness.

After My Skin Cleanse I Switch To My FOREO IRIS to relax my eyes

IRIS helps with blood circulation around the eye area, so this is a must have when travelling. You can be rest assured there will be no puffiness or under eye bags if you use every day during your travel.

Lastly, I use a face mist to keep the skin fresh and hydrated. Of course, lots of water to keep the skin and body hydrated internally.

My Travel Skincare Essentials That I Swear By

That’s about it, not too many products but these two tools have definitely helped keep my skin clear and fresh when I travel. Most products I use are definitely towards cleansing as that is the most important step in skin care as I already mentioned.

How do you take care of your skin when you travel? Let me know in the comments.

5 Effective Skincare Products for Women in their 30’s | Current Skin Care Routine

Foreo, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 Effective Skincare Products for Women in their 30’s | Current Skin Care Routine

Hi guys,

While skincare has always been a constant change for me, I have realised that moving from the 20’s to the 30’s your skin is also diversifying through age. So I have decided to share my skincare routine that has worked for me during my 30’s. While I am testing products that suit my skin I have a few constants that I maintain on regular basis, here are some to try for starters.

Let’s begin with the eyes, a rich night cream and an eye cream are products that are absolutely necessary for your 30’s. While I suggest that these products can be used at 25-26 for early preventive measures for anti aging. For instance, whenever I skip an eye cream for some weeks in between, I instantly notice dryness around my eyes and it also accentuates the lines more when I apply makeup/concealer.

Second most important thing to add is a serum, especially a hyaluronic acid based one. It’s a powerful humectant that retains the moisture and plumps up the skin. I also use a Vitamin C based one during night time.

Now coming to acne, there is no such thing as ‘You break out only in your teens’. It’s a myth, break outs occur anytime due to hormonal imbalance (that time of the month) or your skin/pores are clogged and not cleansed/exfoliated well. Yes, now coming to cleansing, which is the most important step in skincare. While you can skip a serum or moisturizer but never for daily skin cleansing! Especially when you wear makeup, be it little or more. Even sunscreen needs to be cleansed/taken off completely. I use oil to take off my makeup, it melts the makeup completely and most of it comes off with water. And then I double cleanse with a gentle face wash.

I realised that, I was breaking out a lot around my chin and on the sides close to ears. The break outs near the ears could be due to lymphatic fluids but I know that it was time to make a change in my cleansing routine.

After much research I decided to invest in the Foreo LUNA2 which is by far the best skin cleansing device I have bought online. When I say investment, it is because the device is on the expensive side. However, after much anticipation and watching several review videos online plus a 4.5 star rating, I knew it had to become mine. So I waited for Sephora India online which is known as nnnow.com to have a sale. The minute I saw a 10% sale I quickly got mine.

The Luna 2 cleansing device comes in four variants i.e. for each skin type – Normal, Combination, Sensitive, Oily. I bought the Normal skin type which came in pink. The cleansing device has two sides to it, one side is meant for cleansing and the other side for massaging, which makes it the perfect device to invest in, for your 30s.

The LUNA2 gently exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores and removes 99.5% of dirt, oil and any
remnants of makeup. So after wiping my skin with oil, I double cleanse with my Luna 2 with a gentle face wash on it and go over for about a minute. You won't believe the amount of makeup that still comes off after cleansing, which would never come off otherwise just with your hands.

Then I go over the other massaging side for a minute, which uses lower frequency pulsations to massage the face and reduce fine lines around the eyes and mouth, giving the skin a firmer, lifted appearance over time. It helps in blood circulation and lymphatic drainage too. Your skin care penetrates deeply, making it more effective.

Touchwood, I haven’t broken out even once since the time I have started using my LUNA2 cleansing device and super content with this investment. Just one hour of charging lasts 100+ uses, so almost over 4 to 5 months. It is made of medical grade silicone which is non porous and naturally resistant to bacterial build up, hardly needs any cleaning and looks almost as new even after months or years.It is super soft and very gentle, compared to the brush based cleansing devices. The latter also needs frequent cleansing and changing brush heads, adding to the cost later.

After cleansing and massaging, I use a mild, exfoliating toner on alternate days to get rid of dead skin build-up and smoothen the texture of the skin. Every now and then I do use very gentle and mild toners which can be used daily for sensitive skin as well. Since my LUNA2 is a good exfoliator I only keep alternating toners as over exfoliation can make your skin dehydrated over a long time. I am currently switching between Dr.Sheths Gulab and Glycolic Toner & Pixi Glow Tonic.

For my serum, I am using the Skindeva Matrixyl Synthe ‘6 Serum with Hyaluronic Acid which helps in deeply hydrating the skin and preventing wrinkles, for day time. And for night time, I am using Skindeva Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid serum or the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

I follow it up with an eye cream and a moisturizing sunscreen during day time and a night cream + eye cream at night. Currently using Avene SPF 50 High Protection Sunscreen for day, Dr.Sheths Multitasking Miracle Cream for night and Dr.Sheths Date & Quinoa Eye cream.

To sum up, if you are touching 30s or in your 30s you need to definitely add these things in your skin
care routine –

• A cleansing device and a massaging device or both in one, like in Foreo LUNA 2
• Serum, preferably Hyaluronic Acid based one for day and Vitamin C based one for night
• Mild Exfoliating Toner, alternate days
• Eye Cream
• Rich Night Cream

Apart from these regular for all ages..

• Sunscreen
• Face Mask, once a week

Are you in your 30s and doing something specific for your skin? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or ask any queries/doubts about any of these products or skin care in general.

Konjac Sponge Company Angel Cloth Bamboo Charcoal Review

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Konjac Sponge Company Angel Cloth Bamboo Charcoal Review

Hi guys,

This review was long pending, I had used the Konjac sponge cloth for quite some time and had written this review, it was in my drafts. Finally posting this 🙂 I really like the idea of konjac sponge and cloth, and was glad I could try it.

About the Konjac Sponge Company: The Konjac Sponge Company is the original and leading supplier of premium Konjac Sponges to stores all over the world. You can find us in luxury stores such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick. Our sponges originate in South Korea and are a staple feature in Korean beauty regimes – the gentle exfoliation and deep cleansing is their secret to silky smooth skin! 100% natural and mineral rich, our Konjac Collection is certified Vegan and Cruelty Free. Not only are they perfect for even the most sensitive skin (including babies); they contain different French clays so you can be sure there is a sponge that will suit your skin type.

As the original Konjac Sponge Company, we take pride in the quality of our products. All of our sponges are handmade and tested for authenticity and purity, unlike mass-produced Chinese copy brands. We only produce sponges free from chemicals, colouring and additives for a nourishing, skin-friendly exfoliation. Always check for our logo to ensure you have the genuine product!

About Konjac: The Konjac Potato or Konnyaku is a perennial plant native to Asia, and can be found growing wild at very high altitudes. A totally natural food source, Konjac is 97% water, rich in mineral goodness and low in calories. Naturally alkaline, Konjac is pH neutral which leaves skin perfectly balanced.

Konjac vegetable fibre is blended with the following clays and powders to target specific complexions:

  • 100% Pure Konjac: All skin types/ normal
  • Charcoal powder: Oily and spot-prone
  • Green French clay: Oily t-zone and combination
  • Red French clay: Dry, damaged and mature (also, eczema & rosacea)
  • Pink French clay: Tired and devitalised
  • Chamomile powder: Soothes angry, irritated skin
  • Green Tea powder: Antioxidant-rich to purify and calm skin

*How to use – Soak in warm water for a few minutes until the dry sponge becomes squishy and soft like jelly. Massage on the skin in a circular motion to reap the full exfoliation and cleansing benefits.

*After use – Gently but thoroughly squeeze out the excess water from your Konjac Sponge and hang by its string in an airy, dry place (eg. Radiator or heated towel rail.) It is important not to leave it in a pool of water or hanging from a tap, as this will cause the sponge to go mouldy or even disintegrate. With correct care, our Konjac Sponges can last from anywhere between 1-3 months.

They have normal konjac sponges and recently they have launched angel cloth which is shaped like an angel but is in cloth form and is kind of like a muslin cloth on the skin. They had the basic white one it which won many awards, and now they have launched the Bamboo Charcoal one in the angel cloth. Bamboo Charcoal making it ideal  for oily and spot prone skin.

About Konjac Angel Cloth:  Our amazing innovative facial cloth. Shaped just like an angel.

But once wet, the angel cloth unfolds to a soft exfoliating cleansing cloth. Perfect for cleansing with both hot and cold cleansing systems or to simply to replace using a muslin or flannel. Also ideal for removing face masks.

The angel cloth is kinder than muslin or flannel which can be too harsh and over exfoliate the skin. Our angel simply exfoliates and leaves the newly formed skin conditioned, fresh and undamaged, so no tightness or dry patches. After use, skin is refined, looks radiant and has benefited from the deep yet gentle kiss of our Konjac angel. The wafer like cloth made of 100% pure konjac fibre should be hydrated under warm water and then gently squeezed out. Simply add a small amount of your favourite cleansing products, to remove your make up. If you are wearing water soluble make up, or no make-up at all, no additional cleansers will be needed. The cloth should then be rinsed out before being hung on a towel rail to dry.

The cloth is delivered in dry form, hydrate in water before use.

The black bamboo and charcoal one is specifically meant for oily and acne prone/spot prone skin. You can use this either with a cleanser or even directly, also if you use a cleanser, you need very little amount with this. I have tried it both ways.

Dry
Wet

It is not at all harsh like other facial brushes or exfoliators, it feels just like a cloth and exfoliates very, very gently. You would not notice a major difference or it doing anything on your skin initially. It takes about 7 to 10 days of regular usage and you start noticing a difference. Initially you might even break out, just as I had explained in the cleansing brush video HERE, since all the dirt comes out from the pores on the upper layer, one tends to break out when skin starts clearing up!

It is a little expensive but you can use it everyday for about 3 months if maintained well and the results are astonishing! You are not using any external product or applying anything on your skin and yet just by cleansing with a cloth, you see difference in your skin! It is 100% natural and recyclable and does not have any chemicals or does not harm the skin in any way.

You have to use it regularly though to see visible results, but I am sure you will when you see the noticeable results. If you have oily, acne prone/spot prone skin and it starts clearing up completely, you will absolutely love using this every single day!

I love it and highly recommend it!

Have you tried Konjac sponge or cloth before?

The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam Aloe Face Wash Review

Face Wash, Reviews, Skin care, The Face Shop, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam Aloe Face Wash Review

By Divi

Hi guys,

I am sure you must have heard of the Korean brand called ‘The Face Shop’. It’s white seed and chia seed range was a super hit. But to be honest, it was expensive. I haven’t tried either of it’s range but I did tried one of it’s face wash, it is called The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam Aloe Face Wash. If you’re thinking, it’s not that expensive.

Continue reading to read my review on the product!

Price: MRP 300/- for 170ml

Skin Type: It is for all skin types.

How To Use: Massage over wet face and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Claims: Formulated with aloe extracts, this mild botanical foam cleanser leaves skin moisturized.

Ingredients:

Packaging & Texture: The packaging is pretty simple and travel friendly. It is a white colored tube with an aloe plant on it because I ordered the aloe variant. The instructions on the back are written in korean language and english as well. It has a creamy texture and is white in colour but has a slight tone of green which isn’t very noticeable sometimes. The texture is not too thick or too thin which makes it perfect for all skin types.

Experience: I was looking for a good face wash from a long time and after looking through many face washes,I came across this face wash. I was surprised to see an affordable product from a high-end brand. I purchased this face wash while a sale was going on, so I got a better deal. When I got the product, I was really impressed to see the size of the product as it was quite a huge tube than what I expected. I ordered the aloe variant. It also has various other variants to choose from. It has a mild fragrance of aloe vera in it which I really like.

Read More: Face Wash Reviews HERE

You literally need a pea-sized amount of this face wash as it foams up real good. I’ve been using this face wash for three months now and the product isn’t over yet. It still has a long way to go. It leaves my face squeaky clean and makes it glow. It removes almost any impurities from my face. I have combination skin and it doesn’t make my cheeks dry nor does it leaves my t-zone oily or shiny. It perfectly balances out everything. So if you’re looking for a good face wash,try this out. It won’t disappoint you!

Pros:

● Travel Friendly
● Easy to Use
● Affordable
● Good Quantity
● Nice Fragrance
● For all skin types
● Foams up nicely
● Remove all impurities

Cons:

● Available only online

Rating: 4.5/5

Do try this product if you’re looking for a good face wash as you won’t regret spending your money! I totally recommend it!

Best Skin Care for Hyper Pigmentation in India?

Melblok, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Skin Care for Hyper Pigmentation in India?

Hi guys,

I recently came across this brand Melblok and have been trying a few products since a few weeks. I am religiously using this Advanced Home Kit which is meant for hyper pigmentation and includes a day cream and a night cream.

About the Melblok Advanced Home Kit as mentioned on their website: The Melblok Home-Kit Advanced, developed after extensive research, is especially formulated to address an array of skin issues at the root. The all-in-one skin care kit not only helps reduce pigmentation, it also addresses various other skin problems such as acne, wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone, and other common issues, giving you brighter, clearer, and younger looking skin.

Use the Advanced Night Cream along with the Advanced Day Cream for 28 days and the skin appears transformed from dull, uneven tone to Clear and Bright skin that looks young with a healthy pinkish glow. No need for Serums, Moisturizers or Sunscreens, this all-in-one Power Combo covers all your skin needs.

Works on – Everyone as well as for deeper stubborn problems like dark patches (melasma), dark spots, dark circles, acne marks, age spots, dark tanning, dullness, etc. Helps Improve skin clarity, brightness and vibrancy while reducing lines, wrinkles, open pores, and roughness for smoother, firmer & younger looking skin.

Will help achieve – You feel a change in the first week of use. Up to 30% to 60% results by the end of the first Home-Kit. Better and better skin over time.

Helps reduce and prevent acne | helps strengthens skin | helps oily or dry skin becomes normal | dermatologically tested | for sensitive skin | no steroids, hormones or other harmful chemicals | No preservatives | no unsafe fragrances

Melblok Advanced Day Cream

Claims: The Advanced Day Cream is an anti-pigmentation moisturizing day cream for Pigmentation prone skin. The Day Cream for pigmentation, with the proprietary Melblok Complex, brightens and clarifies skin from the root, while providing 12-hour full-spectrum UV protection. Melblok Advanced Day Cream’s unique formula helps protect your skin from bacteria, dust and pollution, keeping it young and healthy.

Ingredients: Aqua, Niacinamide (Vitamin-pp), Ethylhexylsalicylate, Titanium Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerine, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyoxyethylene 100 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin-e Acetate), Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin-b5), Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Ethyl), Ethylenediamine-tetraacetic Acid Disodium, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Ci 45430, Ci 16035

MRP: Rs.2850 for 50ml

Melblok Advanced Night Cream

Claims: The Advanced Night Cream is an Anti-pigmentation & Anti-Ageing Night Cream for Pigmentation Prone Skin. The Night Cream, with the proprietary Melblok Complex, brightens & clarifies skin from the Root and at the same time Repairing skin damage caused during the day for bright, smooth, firm & younger looking skin the next morning!

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerine, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Urea, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Triethanolamine, Lactic Acid , Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Disodium, Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, Epigaea Repens (Trailing Arbutus) Flower Extract

MRP: Rs.2850 for 50ml

Both together as a part of this kit, cost Rs.4950 instead of Rs.5100.

The day cream comes in a pump packaging with a lock and a plastic transparent cap. The night cream comes in a flat tub/jar.

The day cream is baby pink in colour and the night cream is like an off white. They have a very faint smell but nothing too bothering or over powering.

The day cream is slightly thick but blends in well. It’s matte and not at all greasy. It also offers 12 Hour full spectrum UV protection, it works well under makeup too.

The night cream is much lighter and not at all greasy. 

The initial few days you start using this kit, you might see a little redness or irritation, but it settles in 2 days and it works fine 3rd day onwards as the skin adjusts to it. There would be dry patches and skin peeling at certain places the next morning, it is only renewing the skin.

They do recommend doing a patch test before you start using it though, so do a patch test for both the day and night cream and wait 12-24 hours before starting to use all over the face.

Now I know I do not have that much pigmentation, but I do have few acne marks, dark circles and open pores which it also claims to work on.

I broke out in Jan, got two big pimples and it left behind ugly marks right on the centre of my cheeks and it’s been more than 4 months. Once I get any pigmentation or mark on my skin, it literally takes months to go. Even when I get tanned! I saw difference in my acne scars in the first week itself of using this kit!

Although they claim 14 to 28 days for 30 to 60% difference, you will notice immediate difference in the first week. There are very few brands and skin care products that actually deliver something they claim in the first week itself.

If you have acne scars, melasma, pigmentation issues, I definitely suggest giving the Melblok Advanced Home Kit a try! It definitely works. Although you can buy only the day cream or night cream, it works better together.

I would give this kit a 4/5

I have a special discount coupon for you guys, get 20% off using ‘BHUMI20‘ on Melblok website.

Have you tried any hyper pigmentation skincare brand/product in India that really works? Leave it the comments below.

6 Ways to use Potatoes for Skin Care

DIY, Skin care, Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Ways to use Potatoes for Skin Care

By Aakriti

We all desire flawless skin. While some beauty products do give us temporary results , I for one tend to stay away from chemicals. I prefer to use enzymes and chemicals present in natural foods to address my skin skin care needs.

One such holy grail product in my vanity is potatoes.

Since potatoes grow easily they are cheap as well as most likely to be organically grown. Potatoes are also packed with nourishing nutrients which can help address skin care needs if used in the proper way. Following is why potatoes are beneficial for the skin.

  • Potatoes contain potassium which helps to add moisture and hydrate the skin
  • They contain calcium which helps in healing dry skin
  • Calcium also helps to protect and renew the top layer of the skin
  • They contain an enzyme called catecholase which is responsible for reducing acne scars, blemishes and dark spots
  • They also contain magnesium which helps to fight free radicals which are responsible for causing wrinkles and fine lines
  • Topical application of potatoes provides some mild bleaching by reducing melanine production.

Below I have mentioned ways in which you can incorporate potatoes in your skin care routine-

1. For removing tan and achieving an even complexion

Cut a potato wedge and rub it in a circular motion all over the face. Let the juice sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Alternatively, one can grate the potato and squeeze the juice. Apply this juice on the face and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing away with cold water.

The best time to do this is when using potatoes for cooking. This way you do not need to remember and prepare specially.

2. For treating dark circles

Grate about 1 tablespoon of potato. Apply the grated potato on the under eye area. Lay back and relax for 10 minutes. Wash with cold water. Regular application of this helps in lightening the dark circles significantly

3. Face mask for treating age spots and tan removal (dry skin)

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with two tablespoons of honey to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

4. Face mask for treating age spots and tan removal (oily skin)

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with 1 tablespoon of fuller’s earth and 1 tablespoon of potato pulp to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

5. Face mask for hyper pigmentation and tan removal

Grate one potato and squeeze the juice from the grated potato. Mix one tablespoon of potato juice with two tablespoons of tomato juice to prepare a face mask. Apply this evenly on face and neck. Sit back and relax for 20 minutes. You can combine this with the grated potato eye mask to use the entire potato at one time. Rinse away the mask after 20 minutes with cold water.

6. Face mask for glowing skin

Mix one tablespoon of potato pulp with one tablespoon of cucumber pulp. Add 1/2 a teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1/2 a teaspoon of lemon juice. Add in a few drops of rose water for toning. Apply this mask for a maximum 10 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.

One important point to keep in mind- After using any treatment with potatoes, avoid direct sun exposure for at least 3-4 hours and always apply sunscreen. ( This is because topical application of potatoes leads to mild bleaching of the skin)

Have you tried any of these?

P.S.: Images from Google. I don’t own these

4 DIY Powders For All your Skin Care Needs

DIY, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

4 DIY Powders For All your Skin Care Needs

By Aakriti

Hey Guys,

With all the focus on natural skin care now-a- days, natural skin care brands are cropping up everywhere. Everything from natural powdered face washes to body scrubs is being presented in fancy little jars. Our grandmas are not the only ones promoting these now!

Although these brands do feature promising deals, they do come with a hefty price tag. What if you could make the same concoctions in the comfort of your home without the ugly hole in your precious pair of denims? I am here sharing 4 do-it- yourself miracle powders which you can add to your multani mittis (fullers earth) and besan (bengal gram) and be assured of the purity of it.

I say it’ll do half the good to your skin just because of the psychology (in that being it is 100% pure without any preservatives and additives)

So here we go.

DIY Neem Powder

Grab a handful of neem leaves from a tree near you (they are easy to find, practically planted all over India). Or, if you’d rather not , than you can buy neem leaves easily. Wash them thoroughly with water and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Lay them out in a single file out in the sun for 1-2 days. They will crisp up (meaning all moisture will be soaked out). Now all you need to do is powder them in a food blender and store in an airtight jar.

This one wont get spoiled for years and years (provided you had been patient enough to let the sun do its magic)

Recipe for neem powder face mask:

You will need- 1 tsp besan (powdered bengal gram), 1 tsp neem powder, 1 tsp multani mitti (fuller’s earth) , a pinch of turmeric , 1 tbsp milk, a few drops of rose water

Mix all ingredients thoroughly for a glowing face mask

2. DIY Orange Peel Powder

Eat 3 oranges to get your dose of Vitamin C. Save the peel 😀 Lay them out in the sun to crisp up and shrink ( for all the moisture to be soaked out). Powder them in a food blender and store in an airtight jar.

This too will not get spoiled for years and years. (provided you had been patient enough to let the sun do its magic)

Recipe for orange peel face mask:

You will need- 1 tsp orange peel powder, 1 tsp neem powder, 1 tsp besan/ multani mitti, 1 tbsp
milk, a few drops of rose water

Mix all ingredients together for a weekend face mask.

3. DIY Cinnamon Powder

You will need : 4-5 cinnamon sticks, 1 pan

Warm up the pan on a medium flame. Toss in the cinnamon stick and roast them for one to two minutes. Remove pan from heat and let the cinnamon sticks cool down completely. Once cooled completely, powder them in a food blender. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe for cinnamon powder spot treatment

You will need- 1 small pinch cinnamon powder and 1-2 drops honey.

Simply mix the honey and the cinnamon and apply overnight on any upcoming pimples.

4. DIY Oats Powder

You will need a cup of quick cooking oats (I use Quakers quick cooking oats). Roughly blend the oats in a food processor and store in an airtight container.

Recipe for a skin softening and nourishing body soak/ foot soak :

Add a cup of oats to your warm your bath for a body soak. Add a couple of drops of an essential oil. For a foot soak, add 3 tablespoons to warm water and soak feet for 15 minutes. Powdered oats can also be used to replace your face wash. Simply use a tablespoon of powdered oats and work them in a circular motion on your face. Helps to keep skin clear of acne.

Hope you guys find some useful tips and use these homemade powders to create your own luxurious concoctions.

P.S: I do not own the images

5 ways to use Onions for Skin and Hair

DIY, Hair Care, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 ways to use Onions for Skin and Hair

By Aakriti

Hey Guys,

As odd as it may sound, onions are very beneficial for skin and hair treatments. These sweetly pungent dumplings are extremely effective for treating various skin and hair conditions if used in the right manner.

Onions are a rich source of vitamins A, C and E; sulphur and B-complex, thereby helping to improve blood circulation which in turn helps in rejuvenating a dull complexion and protects the skin from free radicals. Onions also contain a plant pigment known as quercetin which is known to be one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. Quercetin helps to fight free radicals which in turns protects our bodies from diseases. Onions also help fight acne since they are antiseptic and contain anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Onion juice helps in unclogging blocked pores which can help treat various skin and scalp conditions.

The best part about using onions for your beauty care is that they are a kitchen staple in most households and are easily available. They are also most likely to be organically grown unlike most other vegetables.

Below mentioned are some of the ways in which you can incorporate these pungent little beauties for your skin and hair care needs –

1. Acne Face Mask -Onion Juice + Neem Oil + Tomato Juice

Make a blend of 1 teaspoon onion juice with 1 teaspoon tomato juice and 2-3 drops of neem oil. Cleanse skin with a mild cleanser and apply this concoction directly all over the affected areas. Regular application will help to reduce inflammation as well as reduce acne scarring. Onion juice helps to kill the germs in the pimples thereby treating acne.

Also read: Benefits of Onion Juice for Hair

2. Anti-hairfall Hair root treatment- Onion juice + coconut oil or olive oil

Add 2-3 tablespoons of onion juice to 1/4th cup coconut oil or olive oil. Apply this in circular motion all over the scalp avoiding the length of the hair. Keep this mixture for 20 minutes before rinsing off with your regular shampoo followed by conditioner. This pack helps to strengthen hair follicles and stimulate healthy hair growth. Onion juice also helps to reduce and treat dandruff and promotes hair growth since it revives the hair follicles.

3. Face pack for rejuvenating dull skin- Onion juice + gram flour + milk + rose water

Mix 1 teaspoon of onion juice with 2 teaspoon of besan (gram flour). Add enough milk to make a thick paste. Optionally, you can add a few drops of rose water. Apply this pack all over the face and neck. Relax and lay back for 15- 20 minutes before rinsing away the pack with cold water. This mask works as an excellent homemade and natural skin exfoliator, thereby helping to rejuvenate dull skin.

4. Lip pack- Onion Juice + vitamin E oil

Mix a drops of freshly squeezed onion juice with a few drops of vitamin E oil. Apply this mixture on the lips and let it sit for 10 minutes. Regular application of this pack will make the lips soft and pink.

5. To treat insect stings and bites

Insect stings and bites can be very painful. Onions are very effective in treating insect bites and bug stings. In case of such an event, simply slice an onion and apply it on the affected area. This will reduce the inflammation, sting, pain swelling and itchiness caused due to insect bites or bug stings and calm the affected area.

TIP- To make onion juice, grind or mash one onion. Take this onion pulp and strain it through a tight wire
mesh to obtain onion juice.

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Treating Acne

Anti Acne, DIY, Skin care, Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Treating Acne

By Sanchita

Acne and severe breakouts are worrisome. You have to make sure that the acne stops reoccurring time and again and also have to do something about the scars and blemishes thereafter. There are numerous home remedies, drugstore and various other products available in the market that claims to work on acne but finding that efficient one that will work on your skin is surely a gruesome task.

In today’s post, we are going to elaborate how hydrogen peroxide is used for treating acne. Also, keep in mind the side effects if you are using it in the wrong method.

WHY DO WE USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR TREATING ACNE?

Hydrogen Peroxide is mild bleach that work wonders for acne prone skin. If you are suffering from severe acne situation, this is the solution. It is anti-bacterial in nature and thus helps to kills the bacteria that cause acne and pimples. As we are all aware of the fact that acne is caused when your skin produces excess sebum, Hydrogen Peroxide works as a drying agent on the skin. It soaks up the excess oil from the skin and helps the pimples to dry out quickly.

Hydrogen peroxide loses its extra oxygen atom when applied to the skin. It takes an oxidization process which helps to create unfavourable bacterial environment, thereby stop the growth of bacteria and prevents acne. It is also helpful in peeling of the skin whereby the dead skin cells are exfoliated, revealing newer and healthier skin.

Also Read: More DIY posts HERE

THE RIGHT CONCENTRATION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR SKIN

Hydrogen Peroxide is also found in various cosmetic products. As we have mentioned before that Hydrogen Peroxide is a chemical and it may harm the skin if you are using it wrong. The most important aspect is to but the right percentage of the product. One must never use Hydrogen Peroxide of more than 3% concentration on the skin. If you have bought more than that, make sure you add up adequate amount of water to it to bring down the concentration to 3%.

HOW TO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR TREATING ACNE

1) To start the procedure, take off every layer of makeup or any other skin care products from the skin and wash off with a very mild cleanser. Make sure you massage the skin in circular motion with a cleanser to increase the blood circulation.

2) Next, you have to steam the face. This step is not needed for sensitive skin though. Take the steam from the boiling water (maintaining the right distance from the water container) and don’t steam the face for more than 5-6 mins. Do not pat dry the face post steaming.

3) Once the steaming is done, rub an ice cubes or splash the face with cold water to close the pores.

4) Take  hydrogen peroxide (not more than 3% concentration) and a clean and sterilized cotton swab. Dip the cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and apply onto the affected acne areas. You may feel a slight tingling sensation. Once done, do not touch or wash the skin for some time to let the solution get absorbed naturally.

5) After 4-5 mins when the hydrogen peroxide has been absorbed by the skin, apply an oil free light moisturizer. Make sure that the light moisturizer is non-comedogenic and non-greasy.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTION

  • If you have sensitive skin, consult your doctor before applying Hydrogen peroxide
  • The drying effect of hydrogen peroxide can be severe on the skin so be careful when you use and make sure you apply the right amount.
  • You cannot use this too often, it will dry out the skin.
  • The concentration should never exceed more than 3%.
  • If you experience severe itching, burning sensation, redness etc. then it is advised to stop the treatment right away.
  • Do not use hydrogen peroxide near your eyes.

Will you try using hydrogen peroxide for treating acne?