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The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review

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The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing these two new products added in The Body Shop Tea Tree Range. I have been using these since about 2.5 weeks now and here are my thoughts..

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask

Claims: A clean and mean multi-tasking cleanser with foaming kaolin clay, volcanic minerals and Community Trade Tea Tree Oil that tackles the appearance of clogged pores, blackheads and shine. Perfect for those with blemish-prone skin. Use this triple threat cleanser as: 1. A daily wash to purify 2. A scrub to clear and tighten the appearance of pores and smooth the skin’s surface 3. A mask to deep cleanse and mattify the skin’s appearance

MRP: Rs.1295/- for 125ml

Ingredients:

This is the star product of this range. It’s a wash, scrub, mask all in one. It comes in a green flip cap tube packaging.

It has a white creamy base with small grey-black granules in it. Now when you use it as a face wash, it doesn’t foam and you actually end up using it as a scrub.

So I feel it should have been scrub/mask only. But as a scrub, it works great. It exfoliates very gently and would be perfect for sensitive skin too.

I love using it as a mask though. And then once it is dried, I wet my hands and scrub it, so basically I use it like both, at once 🙂

It dries super quick, in about 5-7 minutes, since it it clay based. It has a tingly, minty smell and feeling. Skin looks clean and completely matte post washing. It feels tighter and the pores look closed. Since it has tea tree and kaolin clay, this mask is absolutely perfect for oily, acne prone skin.

And the fact that it is multi-tasking is nice, as you can carry only this when you are travelling. Recommended.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range Anti- Imperfection Daily Solution

Claims: Our 100% Community Trade tea tree oil is infused into the NEW Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution for just the right amount of all-over-face application, to pack a punch against blemishes. The result? A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum at an effective dosage.

MRP: Rs.1595/- for 50ml

Ingredients:

This comes in a big glass bottle with a dropper. The bottle is transparent but has a green tint.

The formula of this daily solution is very light, it feels exactly like water. It is runny and you need one pump i.e. about 8-9 drops for using all over the face. It has a strong tea tree smell.

Tea tree oil is a little concentrated and should be used only on acne and diluted with another base oil or water, if you have sensitive skin. This daily solution is already diluted and hence, safe to use all over the face, even for people with sensitive skin.

With time and regular, continuous use, it also helps in fading acne spots. It also has salicylic acid, alfalfa extracts, aloe vera, tocopherol (Vitamin E) along with tea tree oil.

It does not irritate the skin at all. I have not had any major breakouts since the time I am using this. One-two white heads on the nose, which have also settled down, on their own.

If you have always been a fan of the classic tea tree oil from The Body Shop, you will love this too! It may seem a little expensive, but the quantity offered is a lot. Especially for the Daily Solution, it is 50ml and you need 8-10 drops per use.

The main ingredient of this entire range i.e. tea tree is being sourced from Kenya, helping the farmers there and enriching their lives. As always, The Body Shop does it’s bit.

Also they have a special game created for this range ‘Battle of the Blemishes’, you can play it HERE. You can unlock special offers from The Body Shop clearing each level!

I recommend both these products for oily, acne prone skin. These are perfect additions to the Tea Tree Range.

Have you tried The Body Shop’s 3 in 1 and Daily Solution yet?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask Review

Face Mask, Himalaya Herbals, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask Review

Hi guys,

If you follow me on social media, you would have seen this summer kit I got from Himalaya Herbals few days ago including this Orange Peel-Off Mask. I have used something like that ages ago, so I was quite excited to try it again as peel-off masks are fun! 😀

So here are my thoughts on it..

Claims: Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask is an effective blend of the natural skin lightening extracts of Orange Peel and Honey which help reduce skin tan from the very first use. Orange Peel works to control melanin synthesis with the peeling action helping to remove skin tan and lightening the skin tone. Honey soothes and moisturizes skin.

Key ingredients:

Orange Peel effectively lightens skin tone and can be very beneficial as it eliminates excess facial oil without damaging the skin. The Vitamin C and antioxidants present in Orange Peel work collectively to provide even-textured skin while acting as natural cleansers.

Honey contains superior antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties and is extremely nourishing and hydrating.

Directions for use: Apply Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Allow the mask to dry for 10-15 minutes. Gently remove the peel from the side of the face. Use once or twice a week, based on skin type. Do not apply on broken or inflamed skin.

A patch test is recommended before using on the face for the first time. Apply the mask in a 2×2 cm area on the inside of the hand below the wrist 24 hours before facial application. Follow the directions for use to ensure skin tolerance.

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.130/- for 100g (Buy HERE)

It comes in a standard Himalaya Herbals white tube packaging with a green flip cap. The smaller 50g tube is very handy and travel friendly.

It has a prominent orange citrusy smell and looks and feels like a gel. Though it is slightly tacky and dries pretty fast, so be quick in application. You need a very thin layer and it glides on the skin easily.

It dries completely in about 10-15 minutes (thin layer 10 minutes, a little thick 15 minutes), and then comes the fun peeling part. Be mindful of the mask completely drying or else it won’t peel off.

Orange peel is full of Vitamin C which not helps in giving healthy, plump skin but also helps in fading scars with time and evening out the skin. Honey is anti-bacterial, so helps against acne and also moisturizes the skin. The peel-off action basically removes all dead skin cells, and hence with gradual use, removes tan.

Also peeling off helps in blood circulation on the face coz of slight stretch and that gives a nice flush/glow on the skin.

Skin feels fresh, glowing but matte, post the mask. It does not crave moisturizer.

I love using peel-off masks and currently enjoying this. It will help in getting rid of tan with regular use i.e. about twice a week. Recommend this 🙂

Have you tried any peel-off masks? Which is your favourite?

Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

DIY, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

By Nidhal

“What goes on your skin, goes in your skin” is the mantra that we Indians swear by when it comes to skin care. Naturally, we believe in ‘feeding’ in our skin. And since nutrition is best derived in its unprocessed, raw and virgin state from nature with minimal processing, it is small wonder that we Indians nourish our skin to the bounties of nuts, fruits, herbs and everything natural!

On that note, let’s give all Non-Indians a sneak-peak into the spices that Indians incorporate into their skin care regimen. Sounds a good idea or should we better keep our treasure trove well-guarded? Let us be benevolent for a moment and spill the beans today.

1. TURMERIC- I am pretty sure there’d be hardly any Indian mother who wouldn’t have prepared/recommended/forcefully slapped a mask predominantly yellow in colour on their kid’s face while the poor child would’ve either succumbed to her persuasion or hid himself/herself to avoid being daubed that weird-looking and (apparently) unpleasant-smelling mask. Ask any Indian mother on the virtues of turmeric and brace yourself for information will flow at a pace that even Google would hide in shame!

Let me summarize why turmeric is our go-to spice. Turmeric helps one bid adieu to skin hazards such as acne, wrinkles, fine-lines and imparts a bright skin tone. Face packs made up of turmeric not only help to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also diminish excessive oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. It should then not come as a surprise that, Hindu weddings have a ceremony devoted to haldi application in order to impart a winsome glow to the bride as well as groom’s face.

A word of caution from my side. Please use either Amba Haldi or kasthoori manjal/haldi only for skin care. They are exclusively meant for skin care. The one in your masala daani is meant for pakoras not packs. Kasthoori haldi/manjal (whatever you prefer to call it) can be easily purchased online. I would recommend Dhathri’s Kasthoori manjal that is, priced at 25 INR for 50 grams.

2. CLOVES- In order to incorporate cloves in one’s beauty regimen, one has to invest in clove oil for that is how its bounties are harnessed. Clove is highly potent for obviating acne and removal of scars left by the same. It is to be applied topically to the affected areas. It is often blended with face packs or massage creams for application on the skin. It gives a tingling sensation when applied. The reason behind this tingling sensation is the potent nature of clove oil.

Skin woes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, pimples and scaly skin are signs that characterize the skin ailment known as acne. Acne commonly happens during adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. So, if you’re pestered by acne, ditch those over-the- counter medicines and invest in an organic brand of clove oil or you can crush some cloves, add a heaped tbsp. of besan and rose water and voila! Bid adieu to this pesky skin woe!

3. CINNAMON- Next comes the saviour of acne-prone skin. It is tingling but boy, it is effective to the hilt. Cinnamon (Dalchini in Hindi) delivers fantastically when it comes to speeding blood circulation which makes your skin breathe thereby removing acne. This is done by drying the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the outer skin surface. Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cinnamon helps enhance one’s complexion.

However, please always use only a pinch (one-eighth a tbsp.) of cinnamon as a little over that can sting your skin excruciatingly. Personal experience corroborates this. So, do not go overboard 🙂 Just add a pinch of it to all your face masks and you will be good to go.

4. GINGER- Being a potent antiseptic and cleansing agent, ginger helps in keeping the skin clean, smooth and free of blemishes. Besides that, it also invigorates and stimulates one’s skin. It is the best natural acne-fighting weapon as it minimizes the rate of acne formation and eruption by killing and clearing the acne-causing bacteria. Acne-prone ladies, did I see your eyes dilate on discovering the perfect weapon to kick away those acne scars?

The next time you go grocery shopping, you have your reasons to add ginger to your shopping cart, right? Do not just brew it in your tea, let your skin savour its virtues externally too 🙂

5. SAFFRON- Now, comes the spice from the Northern corner of our country which we fondly call ‘Heaven on Earth’- Kashmir. Although this spice is going to be a bit straining for your pockets, yet its beauty benefits will compel you to turn a blind eye to its price at least once. Okay, enough of this ‘Guess my name’ game.

The spice I am talking about is kesar and this is an elixir for our skin. Is there seriously anything that this wonder spice doesn’t do? From imparting an enviable glow to one’s complexion to treating acne, blemishes and blackheads thanks to its anti-fungal content, from softening skin to making it supple, this spice is a must-have (at least 1 gm) in our beauty stashes.

Feel free to add 2-3 strands of it in whichever pack you whip. Let it stay undisturbed for half an hour and once the colour changes to yellow, it is a prefigure to not only slather it on your skin but also that you have bought authentic saffron.

Image Source: 1,2,3

Editor’s Note: Loved this post Nidhal. Have used Cinnamon, turmeric and honey a lot!

Do you use these spices for DIY skincare recipes?

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

Biotique, Reviews, Serums, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

By Archana

Hi all,

If you had read my previous post, you would know that I have recently started with an anti- ageing skin care routine with Biotique products. The set consists of a serum, day cream, night cream and sunscreen lotion. After 3 weeks of using it, am ready with my report and scorecard. Today, I will be reviewing the serum – Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum. Read on to know how well it fares.

Products claims: Dandelion is a rejuvenating herbaceous plant known for its ageless properties. This lightening serum is a rare combination of pure dandelion, rich in Vitamin E and minerals, blended with nutmeg oil. Used regularly, it helps brighten skin, fade dark spots and ease away wrinkles for a flawless complexion.

Ingredients: Bihidana Seeds – 10%, Halon (Chansaur) Seeds – 1.5%, Jaiphal Oil – 0.5%, Badam oil – 1%, Surajmukhi oil – 3%, Khamir powder – 8%, Doodhal (Dandelion) Root – 0.2%, Beeswax – 2.5%, Groundnut Oil – 4.5%, Purified Water Q.S.

Directions to use: Massage a few drops into cleansed face and neck, before moisturizer, morning and evening.

Packaging:

The serum comes in a tiny translucent plastic bottle with green screw-on lid. On opening there is a tiny hole for dispensing the product. The bottle is housed inside an outside carton which has all the products details on it. For travel purpose, you can just chuck the carton as it is bulky and take only the compact bottle with you.

Texture and fragrance:

The serum is white in color, water-based and gel like with a smooth consistency. It has a faint herbal smell which is not strong and won’t bother sensitive noses.

My experience:

I have been using the serum for the past three weeks. Arounds 3-4 drops is needed to cover the entire face and neck. Being water based, it is very light and gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness or stickiness. Like all serums, you need to follow up with a moisturizer. For the first week, I didn't observe any major difference. Biotique products are based on ayurvedic formulations which take time and continued usage to show results. I have seen many people skip on Biotique products because the results were not quick enough. But ayurvedic products contain natural ingredients which take time to show effects, but the results are long lasting and harmless in the long run.

After the second week, I could see visible lightening of my skin. My tan was removed and it evened out my skin tone. I had few dark spots and acne scars. I could see them lightening too. But not faded completely. I might need to use another bottle or two for it to completely fade.

The serum also revitalised my skin and it looked plumper and healthy. There was a slight glow on my face. My pores were also more refined as I initially suffered from large pores. It helps to tighten and firm skin.

The bottle has finished in three weeks. Am going to repurchase this again to see continued results. If you ask me, this is one of the most affordable serums in the market. And its also organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free. You just need to be patient with the results.

Pros:

* Light and non-sticky. Gets absorbed easily.

* Suitable for all skin types.

* Lightens and evens out skin tone.

* Works on fading dark spots.

* Revitalizes skin and makes it look plumper and healthy.

* Gives a subtle glow.

* Tightens pores and firms skin.

* Affordable.

* Organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free.

* Compact packaging.

Cons:

* Doesn’t work on wrinkles as claimed. I had a few fine lines on my forehead and they haven’t improved. Maybe continuous usage is required.

Price and quantity: Rs.230 for 40ml.

Rating: 4.8/5

Verdict: Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum is one of the most affordable and effective serums available in the market. Considering the fact that it is made of ayurvedic formulations, is organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free, what more can one ask for. I would definitely recommend this serum for healthy, clear, bright and glowing skin.

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good, I would give it a try sometime.

Have you tried the Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum?

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

Body Wash, Kama Ayurveda, Reviews, Shower Gels, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

By Pallavi

Hiii Beauties,

As you all might know till now that I am a skin care junkie. I like investing in skin care products. But what you don’t know about me is that I am a bath junkie too. I love bathing and thus investing in bathing products is a must for me. And that is the major reason why I shifted to shower gels and bathing gels years ago. Till date I always buy lots of shower gels. Both from drugstore and high end or luxury brands.

And trust me many of you might think that shower gels are a bit expensive. But no they are not. A bottle of shower gel lasts for at least 2-3 months. And that way you can understand that shower gels lasts quite long and are cost effective??? So, till date I have used a number of shower gels. This time I thought of why not trying with body cleansers and thus here follows the review of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser.

Product Claims: A wonderful shower gel with Pure Essential Oils of Lavender, Patchouli and herbal extracts. Lavender relaxes the body and Patchouli cleanses and purifies. Aloe Vera nourishes and Sugar adds glow to the skin.

Price for Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser: INR 595 for 200ml (Buy HERE)

My Views:

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser comes in a long, slender plastic bottle which is transparent. You can easily see the amount of product which is left inside. The jar has a cap opening which is quite easy to use. The jar has the packaging quantity, claims, and ingredients written all over it which is quite informative for the customers.

The shower gel is of runny consistency. That is why it tends to spill out from the bottle so you need to take care while storing it. The shower gel is of light green colour and it smells of lavender but the smell is not very strong and disappears as soon as you spread it on your body. When you dispense the shower gel on loofah, you don’t need much water to dilute it and it foams easily on your body. The shower gel is very gentle on the skin.

Also, you require a very little amount per usage. So, a single bottle will last you easily 2-3 months.

Now, let me tell you how I use this body cleanser on my body. I take out a bit of cleanser on your loofah. Wet the loofah before the body cleanser. Now, apply the cleanser all over your body. Rinse it with normal water after some time.

Coming to the after effects of the shower gel, it is not at all drying on skin. Normal to oily skin types will not require a moisturizer after this. Even the dry skinned people can easily skip a body lotion in summers. But for winters dry skin people will need a heavy body lotion post usage of this body cleanser.

For dry skinned people like me this shower gel is a total thumbs up. I love shower gels which are gentle and not drying on skin. So, that I can easily skip my body lotions at least in summers. And this one is perfect for that.

Pros of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1. Trustworthy brand

2. Travel friendly size available

3. Easy to use

4. Moisturising on skin

5. Cleanses the body thoroughly

Cons of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1.  Slightly pricey

Rating: 5/5

Last Thoughts: Every skin type can use it in summers but in winters dry to combination skin types will require body moisturiser.

Editor’s Note: I love lavender and have tried almost all lavender based body wash/cleansers 😀 I am definitely trying this!

Have you tried Kama Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser yet?

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Facial Wipes, Kara, Makeup Remover, New Launches, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Hi guys,

If you remember last week I reviewed the new Kara Nail Polish Remover wipes, see HERE. Today I am reviewing all of their facial wipes.

About Kara: Kara is a quality product brought to you by Future Consumer Enterprise Limited. Each Kara wipe is made from Viscose fibres, a 100% natural bio-degradable fibre. It is pure, soft and has high moisture absorption capacity.

Kara wipes are dermatologically tested. They are hygienic, skin-friendly and do not leave lint on the skin. Each formulation is a selective blend of aqua, skin-friendly ingredients and herbal actives with a precise functionality that results in a distinctly superior product experience on application. These are free from harsh chemicals like alcohol.

Enliven and revitalize your face with Kara Refreshing Facial wipes.

Made from 100% viscose, these refreshing wipes won’t leave behind residues of lint. These bio-degradable wipes from Kara are eco-friendly and perfect for boosting freshness.

You can use these alcohol-free wipes for cleaning excess dirt and oil from face and neck.

The wipes are packed in a resealable label making it easy for you to pull a wipe and later reseal the pack.

The unique packing system of Kara Refreshing Facial Wipes help in locking the moisture of the wipes for a long time, thus avoiding dry-up till the pack lasts.

Variants & Price:

  • Refreshing with Mint Oil & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Refreshing with Cucumber & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Moisturizing with Honey & Almond (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Deep Pore Cleansing with Jojoba & Avocado (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Sunscreen with Plum & Aloe Vera (Rs.175 for 25)
  • Makeup Removal with Seaweed & Lavender (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Toning with Rose & Thyme (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree (Rs.75 for 10)

Availability: Available online on Nykaa.com and offline at Big Bazaar, Health & Glow, Star Bazaar, Hypercity, Beauty stores, etc.

First of all I absolutely love the fact that they come in a pack of 1,5,10,20 and 30 so that one can buy according to their needs at a particular time. We all buy the big bulk wipes pack and then most of them dry quickly and not work as well.

You can carry the 1 and 5 pack ones for everyday use or when you are travelling for a few days and keep the 30 pack for use at home. Though I am highly impressed that they did not dry as much as other wipes and still worked well even after 7-8 days of opening the pack.

Each wipe is meant for different use and has different ingredients and properties. Here are the main ingredients and their benefits in each wipe:

Deep Pore Cleansing: Enriched with goodness of Avocado extracts, these tissues are known to be rich in essential nutrients that soothe and moisturize the skin.Infused with jojoba, it unclogs pores, detoxes, and thoroughly exfoliates the dead skin cells.

Refreshing: Kara Refreshing Facial wipes are enriched with the goodness of Aloevera and Mint, Aloevera & Cucumber. Aloe Vera is a natural leaf juice of Aloe Vera plant that keeps skin hydrated and nourished. Cucumber is known to soothe and soften the skin which can get you relaxed in no time. Mint is known for strengthening the skin tissue and helps reduce oily skin.

Toning: Thyme is a great herb for treating acne prone skin and has astringent properties, whereas Rose imparts a fresh and nourishing feel.

Moisturizing: Loaded with goodness of honey, these moisturizing tissues protect and soften your skin. Almond enrichments are great for reducing signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunscreen: The sunscreen face tissue comes with SPF 20 that protects your skin from harmful UVB rays 20 times more than the usual.Enriched with Aloe Vera, Kara Sunscreen Face Tissue protects your skin from sunburns and rashes and keeps it hydrated.Infused with goodness of plum and Vitamin E, these wipes are known to clear lifeless pores, dead skin cells and slow down skin ageing.

Makeup Removal: The facial wipes from Kara contain Lavender and Seaweed extracts that exfoliates the skin in a gentle manner and helps in keeping your skin youthful.

Although these are thin and long and cover the face well, the quality is really good and these don’t tear apart easily unlike a few cheaper brands. Each variant smells really good!

The refreshing ones are perfect to carry in your bag in a humid city like Mumbai where you sweat all the time, this will instantly refresh you, take care of all the sweat and also cleanse your face by getting rid of the top layer of dust and grime.

If you travel a lot whole day, use the Deep Pore Cleansing wipe at the end of the day and you will be astonished by all the dirt and grime that comes out. I really love the Deep Pore Cleansing one, it does it job of cleaning the pores from deep within.

If you have acne prone skin and do not like to use a toner, the Toning ones will do the job of toning plus are really handy to use. Moisturizing ones are good for dry skin. Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree are perfect for oily skin. I am not personally a fan of Sunscreen wipes as I feel it can never compensate the use of sunscreen, but if in case you have forgotten to use a sunscreen and have these, you can use them.

Makeup Removal ones are an absolute must have if you wear makeup on a daily basis or for a makeup artist/makeup professional. These are so moisturizing and remove every bit of your makeup without irritating your skin or eyes or stripping off any moisture from your skin.

My favourites are the Deep Pore Cleansing ones and Makeup Removal ones for night, the Refreshing ones and Cleansing & Refreshing one for travel and day time.

Have you tried the Kara Facial Wipes?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

How To Do A Simple Face Clean-Up At Home

Himalaya Herbals, How To, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Do A Simple Face Clean-Up At Home

Hi guys,

I don’t generally go to salons for facials and clean ups, I prefer taking care of my skin at home and follow the basic skin care routine regularly. If you spend even 5-10 minutes on your skin daily and the scrub/mask routine once/twice a week, you won’t need any fancy or expensive salon facials/clean ups.

Now a clean-up is important coz sometimes the blackheads and whiteheads are not really visible but they do develop when the pores are blocked or there is dirt in the pores which is not cleaned regularly.

Here is how I do a mini clean-up at home:

1. Wash your face with a face wash. My Holy Grail is the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem face wash.

2. Cleanse your face with a milk based cleanser. Now there are quite a few options available, you can also try the Himalaya Herbals Refreshing Cleansing Milk. Massage for a minute to two and wipe it off with a damp cotton ball

3. Take steam on the face. If you don’t have a steam machine, just boil some water and bend your face over it covering with a towel. It will do the job equally well.

4. Extract comedones, either use cotton on both of your hands to press the skin and extract it or use a blackhead extractor for deep rooted blackheads. You get it for about 50-60 rupees. Just sanitise and clean it before using and even after using.

5. Scrub your face. I use the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Scrub when I am breaking out or have 1-2 acne or the Himalaya Herbals Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub if my skin is a little dry or in winters. Scrub for a good 2-3 minutes concentrating more on nose, forehead, chin, sides of nose, etc. Wipe it all off with a damp cotton ball.

6. Toner. You can either use rose water or cucumber water or any alcohol free toner to close the pores. It is very important to close the pores which have opened with the steam.

7. Follow it up with a face pack. Now again I would go with either the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack if I have acne or the Himalaya Herbals Fairness Kesar Face Pack if I want to get rid of tan. Keep it for 10-15 minutes and also use cotton balls soaked in rose water over the eyes and just relax. Take it all off with a damp cotton ball. Wash your face with water if you feel like.

8. Moisturize your face with your regular moisturizer.

9. Apply a sunscreen/sunblock

That’s it, you are done. This whole procedure will take about 30 minutes including the face pack. You can do it once a week on a Saturday or Sunday, you can spend at least 30 minutes in a week over your skin, if not, once in two weeks is a must! Also if you do not do it regularly, the whiteheads and blackheads will not be extracted, the skin won’t be exfoliated. Dead skin cells will form a layer and the blackheads will turn to acne.

Regular skin care is important even if you have good skin, to maintain it. Do not take your skin for granted. Your skin gets regenerated every 21 days, so at least follow this simple clean-up at home once every 2 weeks i.e. 14 days.

Few points to remember:

1. Always use products according to your skin type or how your skin is behaving during that time.

2. Do not be harsh on your skin, do not scrub vigorously or over exfoliate.

3. Always end with a sun block/sunscreen even if you are not stepping out

There are a lot of products available in the market if you do not have extra time to DIY at home. I like Himalaya Herbals products and have been using them since my college days. They are affordable and easily available.

You can check out Himalaya Herbals on Facebook HERE and on twitter HERE and also more from their Face Care Range HERE

How do you do a clean-up at home?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, Astringent Toner Review

La Roche-Posay, New Launches, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, Astringent Toner Review

Hi guys.

If you follow me on Snapchat or Instagram, you must have seen both these products as a part of my skincare routine. I have been testing these out since a few weeks and here are my thoughts..

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + Acne Treatment

Claims: Fresh gel-cream, 24hr hydratation and long lasting mattity. Absorbs quickly for a non-sticky, non-oily finish.

Indication :Imperfection-prone skin, clogged pores, excess sebum.

Properties : Complete care with reinforced anti-imperfection efficacy, thanks to Procerad™, an exclusive anti-marks active ingredient.

Non comedogenic , Hypoallergenic, No paraben

Nickel-tested (developed for people who are sensitive to nickel.

Result :

After 24 hours:imperfections look visibly less red*.

After 8 days: localised imperfections appear significantly reduced*.

After 4 weeks: pores look unclogged, skin texture looks refined. Controls the appearance of shine**.

Efficacy : Active ingredient innovation: anti-red and brown marks efficacy.

PROCERAD™ A patented ceramide helps protect against the appearance of red or brown marks.

This new active ingredient strengthens the anti-imperfection performance of the current active ingredients:

1. NIACINAMIDE The reference anti-inflammatory active ingredient for intensive soothing.
2. PIROCTONE OLAMINE To combat bacterial proliferation.
3. LHA AND SALICYLIC ACID For their complementary keratolytic actions.
4. TARGETED LINOLEIC ACID To regulate keratinocytes, plus target the follicle.

Ingredients:

How to use product: Apply to whole face morning and/or evening after cleansing skin with EFFACLAR FOAMING GEL. Excellent make-up base.

MRP: Rs.1350/- for 40ml (Buy HERE)

Now this is a much raved about product and I got it at the right time when I was having some whiteheads and small zits all around the nose.

I love the easy, travel friendly tube packaging and the nozzle dispensor just dispenses the right amount of product. You don’t need too much with it.

This does have sort of a medicinal smell, you can smell the salicylic acid. It’s a white colored gel-creme and is very light weight and water based. You need a tiny, pea sized amount per application and it gets absorbed in a jiffy.

This does not tingle or burn and  all the white heads are gone in a day and if there are zits, they are considerably smaller in size. There is no redness or irritation around the zit.

I love the fact that it has salicylic acid and LHA which not only fight the bacteria and spread the germs from spreading, it gently micro exfoliates the skin and the niacinamide reduced the inflammation and redness and also helps in healing the skin and not leaving behind a mark of the zit.

As mentioned, you can see the difference in a day and week and with prolong use over a month, your pore size will be a little reduced, your pores will be cleaner and there will be hardly any breakouts. If at all you breakout, it will heal and settle much quicker.

You can even use this a spot treatment only on the zits.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Micro-Exfoliant Toner

Claims: Effaclar Clarifying Lotion helps to eliminate remaining excess oil, unblock pores and visibly reduce their size. Contains LHA’s (Lipo-Hydroxy Acid).

Indications : Oily, imperfection and blemish-prone skin. Irregular skin texture. Suitable for sensitive skin.

Properties : Used after washing, this product helps to eliminate remaining excess oil, unblock pores and visibly reduce their size. Contains LHA’s (Lipo-Hydroxy Acid).

Result / Proof : The pores are tightened, the skin texture is finer and more even.

Efficacy / Action : Astringent micro-exfoliating lotion helps instantaneously reduce pore size and fight against blockage, thanks to the combination of sebum-regulating and purifying ingredients as well as micro-exfoliating LHA.

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.1190/- for 200ml (Buy HERE)

It comes in a long, slender transparent bottle and the liquid is watery with a slight blue tint. It has a strong acidic smell though.

I usually take some on a cotton ball after cleansing and apply it all over the face. Now you can smell the toner and also the eyes would burn a bit for a second. If there are any fresh zits or breakouts, it will tingle for a minute.

Even though they mention it is suitable for sensitive skin, I would advise doing a patch test first coz I feel it will be a little strong for sensitive skin.

It definitely does tighten and cleanse the pores and the pore size appears reduced over a period of time. It controls excessive oil secretion and balances the skin.

It works amazingly well in combination with the effaclar duo, especially if you have oily, acne prone skin.

Both the products are slightly on the expensive side but they do give results! If you have acne prone skin and you get breakouts often, then this range is totally worth the money for you.

If you do not break out as often like me, I would still advise having these in your stash, to use on days when you break out. I am not using this currently as my skin is clear right now, but I am going to get back to it again when I break out, that is once in few weeks.

I totally recommend having these two in your stash or as a part of your skin care regime depending on your skin type. If I have to recommend one, definitely the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, it is totally worth the hype!

Have you tried the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo? And the new toner?

Fabindia Tea Tree Essential Oil Review

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Fabindia Tea Tree Essential Oil Review

By Monika

Hello everyone!!

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?

Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion Review

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Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion Review

By Archana

Hi all,

Today, am reviewing the last product in the Biotique Anti-ageing Skin Care Routine which is the sunscreen lotion. No skin care is complete without a suncare product. Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF UVA/UVB Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion not only helps in anti-ageing but also gives a flawless, radiant skin. Let’s move on to the review.

Products claims: Nectar is the sweet fluid that flowering plants produce each day, used to sustain ageless beauty from the beginning of time. This nourishing and brightening lotion is blended with pure honey, wheatgerm and seaweed. Replaces natural oils and replenishes lost moisture. Softens and brightens skin for a noticebly fairer complexion. Protects skin with SPF 30 UVA / UVB sunscreen.

Ingredients: Ghritkumari (Aloe barbedensis), Methi (Trigo foenum graecum), Madhu (Honey), Ankurit gehun (Tritcum vulgare), Kusumbhi (Carthamus tinstorious), Lotion base Q.S.

Price and quantity: Rs.199 for 120ml.

Availability: Buy online HERE

Directions to use: Apply evenly over cleansed face and neck, before sun exposure, each morning. Wear alone or under makeup.

Packaging:

The sunscreen lotion comes in a tall, translucent cylindrical plastic bottle with a screw-on cap. I wish it came in a pump packaging instead as those are more convenient. The bottle is housed inside an outer carton which has all the details of the product. I have carried this during my travels and haven’t faced any leakage or spillage.

Texture and fragrance:

The sunscreen lotion is white in color and has a medium consistency, neither thick nor thin. It has a faint herbal scent which is not bothersome.

My experience:

I have been using this sunscreen lotion along with the other products in the anti-ageing routine. I have slightly dry skin and this sunscreen lotion suits me perfectly. I sometimes skip moisturizer and use only this sunscreen. So this serves as a dual-purpose product. It gets blended easily without leaving any white cast unlike other sunscreens and gives a dewy look. Only a small quantity is needed each time so one bottle will last for a long time.

It offers high sun protection of SPF 30 and protection from both UVA and UVB rays. I feel it also improves skin texture and makes my skin soft, smooth and nourished. I haven’t faced any breakouts while using this lotion. However, I doubt whether it would suit oily skin as it might cause them to sweat more.

Pros:

* High sun protection of SPF 30 and UVA and UVB protection.

* Does not leave any whitish cast.

* Doubles up as a moisturizer as well.

* Makes skin soft, smooth and nourished.

* Less quantity is needed, so lasts for a long time.

* Impressive natural ingredients list.

* Affordable.

Cons:

* Might not suit oily skin.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: Overall, Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF UVA/UVB Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion is a good ayurvedic sunscreen lotion which also moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It is free from harmful chemicals and preservatives, so you can use this safely. All skin types except oily skin can use it.

Editor’s Note: I absolutely love Morning Nectar, I had the normal version, not this sunscreen version. I used this at night since it is little heavy or during winters. But I love how it make my skin perfectly balanced and hydrated/nourished the next morning.

Have you tried Biotique Morning Nectar/Sunscreen lotion?