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Acne Scars – Causes, Prevention Measures and Home Remedies, Indian Beauty Blog, skincare blog

Acne Scars – Causes, Prevention Measures and Home Remedies

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Acne Scars – Causes, Prevention Measures and Home Remedies

By Archana

Hi all,

After many product reviews, I am back with an informative post today. Acne is one common skin condition that many people suffer from. Though it mostly occurs in teenagers, many adults too face it. In today’s post, I will explain the common causes for acne, prevention measures and some home remedies to cure acne scars.

What causes acne?

The four main reasons for acne are:

* Excessive oil production
* Dead skin cells
* Clogged pores
* Bacteria

When our body secretes excess sebum/oil, they build up in the hair follicles and form a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive in. This bacterial infection causes inflammation eventually leading to pimples. Whiteheads and blackheads too are actually clogged pores with bacteria and oil.

Some factors like hormonal imbalance, certain foods, stress, etc can trigger or aggravate the acne conditions.

How to prevent the occurrence of acne?

It’s always better to prevent the occurrence of acne in the first place with some good skin care routine.

* Keep your face clean by washing your face atleast twice a day to remove impurities, dead skin cells and extra oil.
* Use a separate towel for your face.
* Change your pillow covers and bedsheets weekly.
* Avoid or limit the intake of deep-fried foods, dairy products, sugar, salty snacks and junk food.
* Avoid using oils, gels and fragrances on your hair.
* Wash your hair often as oily hair can add to the oil on your face.

Home remedies for acne scars:

When a pimple occurs, it can leave behind marks and scars. Though there are many pigmentation creams and anti-acne gels available in the market, home remedies are always more effective and with no side effects. Only thing, they need to be followed diligently for atleast two weeks to see improvement. Here is a list of easy remedies at home to cure acne scars:

Lemon mask for acne scars:

* Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
* Honey – 1tbsp
* Milk – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 1 tbsp

Mix all the above together and using a cotton wool apply on the acne scars. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent which helps lighten the scars. The rose water helps to soothe the tingling sensation caused due to lemon.

Aloe vera gel for acne scars:

Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the plant and apply on face. You can leave it overnight. Do it regularly for two weeks for the acne scars to fade. Aloe vera not only soothes inflammation but also helps in regenerating damaged tissues and speeds up the healing process.

Cucumber and gram flour face pack for acne scars:

* Half a cucumber
* Gram flour – 2 tbsp
* Turmeric powder – 1 tbsp

Blend the cucumber into a smooth paste. Add the gram flour and turmeric powder and apply as a face pack. Leave for 20-25 minutes and then wash off. This treatment is good for sensitive skin also to get rid of acne scars.

Potato and tomato mask for acne scars:

* Half a potato
* Half a tomato
* Honey – 1 tbsp

Grate the potato and extract the juice from it. Blend the tomato into a fine paste. Add the potato juice and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this mix all over your face and wash off after 15 minutes. Tomatoes contain the enzyme lycopene which help to lighten pimple marks. Potatoes also have skin lightening and bleaching properties.

Cinnamon and honey mask for acne scars:

Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one teaspoon of honey and apply on your acne scars. Leave it for an hour and then wash off. This mixture has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is effective in treating the acne.

Tea tree oil for acne scars:

This is a proven remedy for reducing acne scars. Tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral essential oil. Just dilute some tea tree essential oil in water and apply this solution on your acne scars everyday. Leave it overnight. Follow it regularly to see visible reduction in scars and blemishes.

Apple cider vinegar for acne scars:

ACV is a natural astringent and balances the pH level of your skin. It is effective in the treatment of acne too. Mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar with 1 part of water and 1 teaspoon of honey. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply on scars. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off. Do this once daily.

Sandalwood and orange face pack for acne scars:

* Sandalwood powder – 2 tbsp
* Orange peel powder – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 2 tbsp

Mix all the above into a fine paste and apply as a face pack. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off. According to Ayurveda, sandalwood is a effective soothing and cooling agent to treat skin inflammations. Orange peel powder helps to lighten the marks.

So these are some of the home remedies you can follow to cure acne scars, pimple marks and blemishes.

Editor’s Note: This was a really well written post Archana and the remedies are fab. I think I always stick to Aloe Vera Gel and the fuller’s earth, sandalwood mix. I will surely try the other home remedies mentioned by you.

Which ones have you tried? Share your experiences below.

P.S: Pics from Google

Curatio Fash Anti-Acne Face Wash Review

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Curatio Fash Anti-Acne Face Wash Review

By Archana

Winters are almost getting over and sunny days have started. I can feel my skin which suffered from excessive dryness during winters is going to back to its usual oily-combination self. When it comes to face washes, I was using more of creamy cleansers during winters. But now I have to change them to a more deep-cleansing face wash which can control oil for a longer time. Thanks to Bhumika, I got to try this Fash Face Wash from Curatio at the right time. Read to know whether it is a hit or a miss.

Product Claims: Fash Face Cleanser is an innovative approach to healthy skin, which regulates the skin ecosystem. With its specially developed formulation, Fash helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil without leaving skin feeling dry. Regular use of Fash cleanser helps maintain clean, youthful and radiant skin.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Wet face with water, pour sufficient quantity of Fash face cleanser on palm, develop a rich lather, and gently massage on face for 2 minutes. Rinse off. Repeat if skin is very oily. Use 1-3 times a day.

Packaging:

The face wash comes in a sturdy plastic tube with a flip-open cap. The blue and white color graphics of the tube looks fresh and energizing. I have carried around the tube in my handbag and there has been no leakage or spillage. So packaging wise, the face wash looks good as well as convenient and travel friendly.

Texture and fragrance:

The face wash is blue colored with a mild, fresh, menthol-kind of fragrance. The texture of the face wash is one of the weirdest I have ever come across. It is gel-like and sticky.

My experience:

I have been using the face wash for the past two weeks and have been pretty satisfied with it. Except for the weird, sticky texture that I have mentioned above. When I squeeze the face wash into my hands, the gel just sticks to my hands. I have a hard time spreading it on my face as it just sticks to the skin, even though my face is wet. I need to massage well for it to work. It doesn’t create any lather as such. But on massaging for some time, the blue gel texture turns into bluish-white paste like a face pack. On the directions, it is mentioned that the face wash has to be massaged for 2 minutes. And I felt, it works well only when used that way.

Initially, I was using it in the usual quick way of applying and washing off like any other face wash and it didn’t work well. Also, owing to the sticky consistency, it becomes difficult to wash off as well and takes time to remove it completely. Even I have a hard time washing it off from my hands. While washing, if any gel accidentally drips into your wash basin, it sticks there as well and you have to scrub to get rid of it.

But for all this hard work in using a face wash, the results are very satisfactory. It deep cleanses the skin and removes all oil, dirt and gives a fresh look. Am not sure if it contains menthol or not, but it gives a nice cooling and fresh feeling just like a menthol-based face wash. It doesn’t dry out skin much and I don’t feel the need to immediately reach for a moisturiser, though that might not be the case with dry skin people. It keeps my face fresh and oil-free for around 4-5 hours which is pretty good. Also, as mentioned in the product claims, I feel that it removes dead cells too and the whiteheads which I used to get frequently are more in control now.

Pros:
* Deep cleanses skin and gets rid of all dirt and oil.
* Gives a nice cooling effect.
* Keeps face oil-free for 4-5 hours.
* Removes dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t dry out skin.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.
* Nice and travel-friendly packaging.
* Free from SLS and parabens.

Cons:
* Sticky texture.
* Difficult to wash off.

Price and quantity: Rs.190 for 100g.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: Overall, Curatio Fash Face Wash is a good face wash for oily-combination skin especially in summers. It gives a nice cooling feeling, deep cleanses skin and keeps it oil-free for a long time. Only con is the sticky texture which takes a while to spread and then wash off.

Editor’s Note: Oo..this is something quite unique and interesting. I have never tried something like that, but since this is specially meant for acne prone skin and controls that, it will be a boon for acne prone people. Nice review Archana 🙂

Have you heard of Fash Face Wash from Curatio yet?

Lotus Herbals Nutranite Skin Renewal Nutritive Night Creme Review

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Lotus Herbals Nutranite Skin Renewal Nutritive Night Creme Review

By Archana

Hi all,

Today, I will be reviewing a night cream, Lotus Herbals Nutranite Skin Renewal Nutritive Night Creme. Winters have started and our skin needs adequate nourishment. Dry skin is the main cause of fine lines and wrinkles. To keep our skin youthful and supple, it is best to add a night cream in our routine, atleast during winters. Night creams are not like regular moisturisers as they work to provide deeper hydration and nourishment. Read on to know how this night cream from Lotus Herbals fares.

Products claims: Nutranite is a luxurious nutrient-rich night cream that helps renew the skin while you sleep. It works with skin’s own repair and replenishment system to undo the damage caused by dehydration and environmental exposure during the day. It boosts skin’s resiliency, strengthens natural defences while restoring firmness and smoothening imperfections. As a result, skin is supple and renewed in the morning.

Active ingredients :- Naturally derived Alpha Hydroxy fruit acids derived from grapes, nourishing Ginseng & Lily nectar.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: After cleansing face with LEMONPURE and toning with ROSETONE, apply NUTRANITE in dots all over the face and neck area. Use finger tips to gently massage spread the creme.

Packaging: The night cream comes in a pretty translucent glass jar with a golden screw lid. There is an outer carton box with blue and silver graphics. The entire packaging feels very luxurious and I feel like am treating myself to something special. However, being glass, its little heavy to be carried around.

Texture and fragrance: It is a milky white colored cream with a very soft, fluffy, whipped texture. The consistency is thinner, more like a souffle. It has a nice fruity fragrance of grapes which I love. The fragrance is mild and pleasant and not overpowering.

My experience: I initially purchased this night cream few months back during summers. But it didn’t work for me then as it made me sweat too much and clogged pores. So, I left it for a long time without using. Now as winters have started, I thought of giving it another try. And I am surprised to say, it works beautifully. I have combination skin which gets very dry in winters. I have been using this cream every night for the past one month. And my skin texture has improved a lot. Just a tiny bit of cream is needed. The soft, whipped texture makes it easy to massage all over my face. I usually massage for around 2 minutes as a regular massage promotes blood circulation and maintains youthfulness. The cream sinks in completely within few seconds without any stickiness or greasiness. My skin feels so soft and supple. When I wake up in the morning, I can feel my skin adequately nourished and little glowing. Also, due to the deep hydration it provides, with regular use, the fine lines on my forehead have been smoothed out. This is an excellent night cream for normal-dry skin. Combination skin people like me can use it in winters. Some might feel its expensive. But as very little quantity is needed each time, a jar will easily last for 2 months.

Pros:
* Soft, fluffy whipped texture.
* Provides intense nourishment and deep hydration.
* Makes skin soft and supple.
* Smooths out fine lines with regular use.
* Contains goodness of AHA from grapes, ginseng and lily nectar.
* Nice fruity fragrance.
* Attractive luxurious packaging.

Cons:
* Might not suit oily skin people.
* Applying more amount of cream in summers can cause sweating.

Price and quantity: Rs.395 for 50g.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: Lotus Herbals Nutranite Skin Renewal Nutritive Night Creme is a good budget-friendly night cream which delivers excellent results in terms of nourishment and hydration. Combination skin people can use it in winters and normal-dry skin people can use it all year round. Oily, acne-prone skin people should stay away from it. Also, if you are looking for a night cream with extra benefits like brightening, anti-ageing, pigmentation, etc, then this is not for you.

Editor’s Note: This sounds perfect for current winter weather Archana, I love using oils and rich creams at night time, especially in winters. Lovely review 🙂

Have you tried the Lotus Herbals Nutranite Night Cream? Which is your favourite night cream?

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

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The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

By Archana

Hand cream is an essential item in my handbag always during winters. I can’t survive without hand creams during this cold, dry season. Recently, I had gone to TBS to purchase a gift for a friend’s birthday and as the SA was giving me a whiff of various fragrances to try, I loved the Moringa variant fragrance and got tempted to picked the hand cream from the range. Read on to know how ‘The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream’ fares.

Products claims: This flowery Moringa daily hand cream helps soften and protect hands with light, juicy moisture. The instantly absorbing formula is ideal for on-the-go hydration. Non-greasy moisture. Wonderfully light gel-cream formula. Absorbs instantly. Enriched with Community Fair Trade Shea Butter from Ghana.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Squeeze a small amount onto hands and massage well.

Packaging:

The hand cream comes in a compact, sleek tube packaging with a tiny black screw cap. The tube is shiny with a very pale yellowish green color. The full ingredients list is mentioned on the back side. I find the packaging very travel friendly as it fits easily in a handbag or even a purse without taking too much space. Also, there is no leakage or spillage whatsoever.

Texture and fragrance:

The cream has a pale yellowish color with a medium consistency, not too thick or too thin. The fragrance is light floral jasmine scent similar to the other products in the Moringa range. Though it is a floral fragrance, it is not very feminine, so its actually a unisex product.

My experience:

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is made with cold-pressed seed oil from hand-picked moringa pods. I squeeze a pea sized amount of the cream and rub it in my hands while massaging. It spreads and blends easily due to its right consistency and gets absorbed completely in a couple of seconds. The fragrance lingers for a while and yes, the scent is a little strong, so that whenever I apply this hand cream in office, my team mates ask where is this jasmine fragrance coming from and start looking around! 🙂

It moisturizes and nourishes my hands instantly and relieves the dry feeling. The moisturization effect lasts for around 3 hours or till you wash your hands. Since it gets absorbed quickly, you can go back to your work immediately without worrying about the cream transferring to other items. Unlike some hand creams which I have used in the past, they used to stain my keyboard with the cream stains if I start typing without waiting for it to be fully absorbed. With this Body Shop cream, I haven’t faced any such issues.

However, this cream might not be for very dry hands. I was travelling for sometime last month and stopped using the cream during that time. After the travel, I fell sick. As I had neglected my hands for a long time, they became very dry and started peeling due to the cold. My hands started itching and there were rashes on my fingertips. During that time, when I tried this hand cream, it didn’t work for me at all. I apply the cream and barely within two minutes, my hands started feeling dry once again. I had to go back to my trusted savior, The Body Shop Cocoa Body Butter, to heal my hands.

Pros:

* Moisturizes and nourishes hands adequately.

* Gets absorbed quickly.

* Does not make hands greasy.

* Doesn’t leave any residue which might transfer to other items while working.

* Nice floral jasmine fragrance.

* Compact, travel-friendly packaging.

Cons:

* Not suitable for very dry skin.

Price and quantity: Rs.350 for 30ml.

Rating: 4.2/5

Verdict:  The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is a perfect go-to cream to have in your work desk in office and in your handbag wherever you go. It is light, gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness and has a lovely floral fragrance. However, if you have extremely dry skin, then it might not be suitable for you.

Editor’s Note: Sounds refreshing for summers, I might give it a try in summers. I love the L’Occitane hand creams though, especially lavender. Also currently loving the Crabtree & Evelyn.

Have you tried The Body Shop Moringa  Hand Cream? Which is your favourite hand cream?

Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme SPF-25 Review

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Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme SPF-25 Review

By Archana

Today, I will be reviewing another product from the Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow range which is the Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme SPF-25. I have already reviewed the serum (Read HERE) from the same range and I had been using this day cream together with the serum for synergic effect. Read on to know how it fares.

Products claims:

WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme is a breakthrough formulation from Lotus Herbals that lightens, whitens & brightens your skin tone.

* Lightens: It lightens skin’s tone by reducing uneven pigmentation.

* Whitens: It unveils visibly fairer skin by reducing dark spots.

* Brightens: It enhances skin’s radiance naturally.

Why Gel Creme: WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme is a revolutionary fairness solution that incorporates the advantages of a gel and a creme.

* Spreads easily on your skin.

* Advanced formula allows for better delivery of active ingredients.

* Good for all skin types including oily and combination skin.

How it works: Clinical trials show that the following plant extracts lighten, whiten and brighten the skin with 7 days of regular use:

* Grape Extract (Vitis Vinifera): Exfoliator – helps active ingredients penetrate into the skin.

* Mulberry Extract (Triter Penoids, Phenyl Flavones): Tyrosinase inhibitor.

* Milk Enzyme: Blocks melanin pathways.

* Saxifraga Extract (Epigallocatechin): Free radical scavenger & tyrosinase inhibition.

Why WhiteGlow?

WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening range is a breakthrough formula from Lotus Herbals. It comes with an advance formula that has triple action on skin – lightening, whitening & brightening. It is enriched with rare fruit and potent plant extracts that penetrate deep into the skin to provide enduring action. The result, your skin looks fairer, flawless and radiant. It is free from harsh chemicals, that generally have side effects.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Use every day in the morning & evening all over face & neck after cleansing thoroughly with Whiteglow 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Skin Whitening Facial Foam. For synergic effect, use in conjunction with Whiteglow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum.

Packaging: The day cream comes in a convenient, squeezable tube packaging with a grey screw cap. There is an outer carton box with all the details of the product printed on it. The entire packaging is compact and travel-friendly. I carry it in my handbag to office and use it in the afternoon for freshening up. There is also a bigger size which comes in a tub-like packaging. But, I prefer tubes over tub as they are more hygienic, so I got this.

Texture and fragrance: Now, actually I expected this to be a gel-based creme from the product name. But it turned out to be not a gel, but a regular cream. I don’t have any issues with that, but I feel that the name is misleading. Someone who is particular about getting a gel creme, might end up with this on seeing the name. Coming to the cream, it is milky white in color with a very light consistency. The fragrance is like the signature Whiteglow range scent, a subtle mix of floral and fruity.

My experience: I have been using this day cream in conjuction with the serum from the same range. The cream is very light and gets absorbed easily without leaving behind any greasiness or stickiness. It also hydrates the skin well, though very dry skin people might need something more. There is a light dewy effect which I love. Unlike other whitening creams, it doesn’t leave behind any whitish cast. It basically performs the role of a day cream well – moisturizes without making face oily and has SPF 25 for sun protection. But apart from that, I haven’t observed any other whitening or brightening effect. To test the efficacy of this, I stopped the serum for a week and was using only this day cream. And there was no visible results as such. I feel the serum and the night cream are the most effective ones in this Whiteglow range. If you wish to try only one or two products from this range, I would recommend only these two. The day cream and face wash can be used additionally for a synergic effect. But alone, they are not helpful much for whitening or brightening.

Pros:

* Light and easily absorbed.

* Moisturizes and hydrates skin well.

* Doesn’t cause oiliness or greasiness.

* Contains SPF-25 for sun protection.

* Gives a nice dewy effect.

* Compact, travel-friendly packaging.

* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.

* Doesn’t cause breakouts.

* Suitable for all skin types.

Cons:

* Parabens.

* No whitening or brightening effects as claimed.

* Not moisturizing enough for very dry skin people.

* Its a cream, not gel. Misleading name.

Price and quantity: Rs.99 for 20g and Rs.345 for 60g.

Rating: 4.2/5

Verdict: Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme SPF-25 is a good day cream for all skin types. It moisturizes skin well without causing any oiliness and also has SPF-25 for sun protection. Two things to be noted are – one, don’t get fooled by its name of gel, its actually a cream, but light in texture. Secondly, there is no whitening/brightening effect as claimed.

Editor’s Note: I really like the sound of the Lotus Herbals White Glow Range, nice review Archana 🙂

Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser Review

Lotus Herbals, Moisturizers, Reviews, Serums, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser Review

By Archana

Lately, I was on the search for a good serum. I have never used serums before, but after reading a lot about the importance of a serum, I decided to get one. Since I was using mostly Lotus Herbals products in my routine, I thought of getting the serum too from the same brand. I have used the Whiteglow range night cream before and loved it. Not for the skin whitening claims but because it suited my combination skin well and didn’t cause any breakouts. So, I ended up with this Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening &Brightening Serum + Moisturiser finally. Read on to how it fares.

Products claims: WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is a breakthrough formulation from Lotus Herbals that lightens, whitens & brightens your skin tone.

* Lightens: It lightens skin’s tone by reducing uneven pigmentation.

* Whitens: It unveils visibly fairer skin by reducing dark spots.

* Brightens: It enhances skin’s radiance naturally.

Why Serum: WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is a proprietary formula which has 2x* more skin whitening and brightening power than a day creme. It comes with excellent carrier properties, penetrates deep into the skin & distributes the potent blend of all natural ingredients.

How it works: Clinical trials show that the following plant extracts lighten, whiten and brighten the skin with 7 days of regular use:

* Grape Extract (Vitis Vinifera): Exfoliator – helps active ingredients penetrate into the skin.

* Mulberry Extract (Triter Penoids, Phenyl Flavones): Tyrosinase inhibitor.

* Milk Enzyme: Blocks melanin pathways.

* Saxifraga Extract (Epigallocatechin): Free radical scavenger & tyrosinase inhibition.

Why WhiteGlow? WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening range is a breakthrough formula from Lotus Herbals. It comes with an advance formula that has triple action on skin – lightening, whitening & brightening. It is enriched with rare fruit and potent plant extracts that penetrate deep into the skin to provide enduring action. The result, your skin looks fairer, flawless and radiant. It is free from harsh chemicals, that generally have side effects.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Use every day in the morning & evening all over face & neck after cleansing thoroughly. For best results, use before Whiteglow Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme.

Packaging:

The serum comes in a translucent, frosty, glass bottle with a pump. The pump has a small plastic cap to cover it. Lotus Herbals surely make all their packagings convenient as well as giving a luxurious feel. Since its a glassy bottle, one has to be careful while handling it. The bottle is housed inside a white carton box which has all the details of the product.

Texture and fragrance:

The serum is between a gel and cream, its translucent. The consistency is perfect, not runny, not thick to spread, just the right texture for a serum. It has a light fruity fragrance, similar to other products in the Whiteglow range.

My experience:

I have been using this serum in conjuction with the Whiteglow Day Cream. The serum is easy to spread and blends easily, without any whitish cast like other whitening creams. It takes a bit of time to get fully absorbed and till then there is a sticky feeling. It moisturizes skin very well and I don’t feel the need to apply a separate moisturiser. Though, dry skin people will need to follow up with a moisturizer. The finish is more dewy and my face looks little brighter and radiant. It doesn’t make my face oily or greasy even for a long time. My skin tone is more evened out and the pores on my face look visibly smaller. It also acts as a good base for makeup.

Coming to the claims of whitening and brightening in 7 days, it is true to an extent. But don’t expect any miraculous changes. It helped to lighten some acne scars and brown spots on my face. But I think it will take a long time and continuous use to fade them completely, unlike other specific spot treatment creams which work quicker. Also, it removed some tan and my face overall looked more healthy, supple and radiant. My only concern is, once I stopped it using for a week, just to check its efficacy, and my skin went back to normal state. So, to retain the effects, the product needs to be used completely.

But I feel, if you really need a whitening/brightening effect, instead of going for those Fair & Lovely, Fairever, etc, creams in the market, this is a relatively better option as it doesn’t just focus on fairness, more on brightening, tan removal and healthy skin and Lotus Herbals is also a trusted brand. Though their products contain parabens (which is the only thing I don’t like about them), they are mostly suitable for all skin types and none of their products have ever caused me breakouts including this serum. Also, I think, to get really good results, you need to use this serum along with the day cream and night cream from the same range.

Pros:

* Nice consistency and blends easily.

* Moisturizes and hydrates the skin.

* Pores look visibly smaller.

* Evens out skin tone.

* Makes skin healthy, supple and radiant.

* Brightens skin and lightens scars and spots.

* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.

* Doesn’t cause breakouts.

* Affordable price for a serum.

* Attractive luxurious packaging.

Cons:

* Parabens

* Takes a long time for the scars and spots to fade completely.

* Need to be continuously used to retain the effects.

Price and quantity: Rs.375 for 30ml.

Rating: 4.4/5

Verdict: Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is one of the most affordable serums available and from a trusted brand. Though it doesn’t give any miraculous results, it does make skin more healthy, brighter and radiant and also lightens scars and spots slowly with regular use. Unlike other fairness creams, this is not overloaded with harsh chemicals. If you are looking to add a good affordable brightening serum in your routine, you can try this.

Editor’s Note: I always wanted to try this Archana, nice review. The product sounds really nice.

Have you tried the Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser?

Khadi Rose Water vs Fabindia Rose Water vs Lotus Herbals RoseTone Facial Toner

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Khadi Rose Water vs Fabindia Rose Water vs Lotus Herbals RoseTone Facial Toner

By Archana

Rose water is a favorite beauty product for almost all of us. It has multiple uses, can be used as a toner, for mixing face packs, as a refreshing facial mist, to reduce stress in eyes and even for hair care. It is one product that suits all skin types, oily or dry skin. There are numerous brands rose waters available in the market. Today, I will be comparing three of the best brands’ rose waters – Khadi, Fabindia and Lotus Herbals. Ofcourse, there are more luxury brands offering rose waters like Kama Ayurveda, Forest Essentials, etc. which are undoubtedly superior, but for this post, am comparing the popular budget-friendly ones. Read on to know which one you need to get now.

Packaging:

Khadi rose water comes in a plastic bottle with a flip-flop cap and a small hole to dispense the product. While Fabindia and Lotus Herbals comes in a convenient spray form which is easy and quick to use as you can directly spray on face. Clearly, Khadi’s regular packaging, though good for body lotions and shampoos, is not apt for a rose water.

Texture and color:

Khadi rose water is just like plain water in color and texture. Fabindia rose water, while you spray onto your hands, foams a little. But apart from that, both Khadi and Fabindia feels just like applying water on your face. Gets absorbed quickly, no stickiness, greasiness and they don’t make your face oily. Lotus Herbals, being a toner, has a slightly more denser juice-like consistency due to ingredients like aloe vera juice. It is light pink in color, obviously, artificial color. Khadi and Fabindia rule in this aspect.

Fragrance:

Fabindia rose water has possibly the most natural, soothing and pleasant fragrance among the three. It smells just like fresh roses, though not overpowering. Khadi’s fragrance is good, though it is more artificial, more like the Dabur and Banjara’s ones. Lotus Herbals too has a nice pleasant fragrance which is a little more on the sweeter side compared to Fabindia and is more artificial.

Ingredients:

Fabindia rose water is 100% pure and made from steam distillation of roses. Khadi rose water mentions only rose petals and water in the ingredients list, but it doesn’t say whether it is prepared through steam distillation or conventional method of boiling the petals and filtering. Steam distillation is the more preferred method as just filtering might not exclude all the impurities. Lotus Herbals on the other hand contains not just roses but also tulsi leaves extract, aloe vera gel, vetiver extract, castor oil and parabens and fragrance too. Clearly Fabindia tops in the ingredients and method of preparation. Lotus Herbals is good if you are looking for extra benefits of other ingredients like tulsi, aloevera and vetiver as well.

Efficacy:

In terms of efficacy, I love Fabindia rose water as its made from 100% steam distillation of roses. So I can use it even for sensitive areas like eyes and also hair care without fear. Since its pure, you can also put few drops into your eyes to freshen and cool your eyes. I have combination skin and when I used it in summers it helped to soothe and calm sunburnt skin and also provide light hydration making my skin appear healthy and glowing. With Khadi rose water, the results are normal just like any other rose water. But I feel its not as hydrating as the Fabindia one. Lotus Herbals , being more of a proper toner, offers extra benefits like minimizing pores and smoothing out skin. But after appyling, it gives a little sticky and greasy feeling. It hydrates and moisturizes the skin very well and makes it soft and plumper. I have combination skin which gets dry in winters and this toner has helped my skin stay hydrated throughout. Sometimes, I even skip moisturizer. Though, I don’t think I can use this toner in summers. Also, it won’t be suitable for oily/acne-prone skin people. And unlike, pure rose water, this can’t be used for eyes or hair.

Price:

Fabindia Rose Water comes at Rs.175 for 100ml which is makes it almost 4.5 times costlier than Khadi Rose Water which comes at Rs.80 for 210ml. And what do you get extra in Fabindia rose water for it? Steam distilled pure rose water, soothing natural fragrance, better effects and convenient spray packaging. Lotus Herbals comes at Rs.265 for 100ml, but being a toner, its more concentrated and only little quantity is needed each time compared to the others. So one bottle will last really long.

Final Verdict:

Clearly, the winner among the three is Fabindia Rose Water. It offers the best results, suitable for all skin types, has a soothing and calming fragrance, is made from 100% steam distillation of rose petals and comes in a convenient spray packaging. Those who feel Fabindia Rose Water is costlier, can try Khadi Rose Water, which is definitely far better and pure than the Dabur Gulabari and Banjaras rose waters. Normal – dry skin people who need more hydration and looking for a proper toner, not just plain rose water can go for the Lotus Herbals one.

So I hope you enjoyed reading the post. Which one is your favorite rose water among the three? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: That was a fabulous comparison Archana! I love the Kama Ayurveda Rose Water but yes it is on the costlier side, I would love to try the Fabindia one.