Tag Archives: Skincare

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Body Lotion, Creams, Day Cream, Himalaya Herbals, Lip Balm, Lip Butter, Night Creams, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Hi guys,

If you don’t already know, I have got a fracture and I have been on bed rest since the past three weeks. I am at my parents’ place and the only thing I carried along with me in terms of skincare is this Winter Bundle I got from Himalaya Herbals.

I am so glad that all the things I would need in this winter season are a part of this bundle. I have been using these since the past 3 weeks and let me tell you my thoughts..

Starting with body care, I have three body lotions from Himalaya

  • Himalaya Herbals Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion (With Cocoa Butter & Wheat Germ Oil- for extra dry skin)
  • Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Body Lotion (With Aloe Vera & Winter Cherry- for normal skin)
  • Himalaya Herbals Soothing Body Lotion (With grape seed and almond oil- for dry skin)

Each one is priced at Rs.140/- for 200ml (Buy HERE)

They all come in the standard white Himalaya Herbals packaging with the green flip cap. They all have Hydra-Nutri Balance which is ‘Hydration’ i.e. locking skin’s moisture and increasing skin’s capacity to hold moisture and ‘Nutrition’ which is some ingredients that help benefit the skin. Each body lotion has different blend of ingredients, as per the skin type.

I don’t have very dry skin but it does get more dry during winters. Especially the hands and legs. I use the Nourishing or Soothing Body Lotion during the day time and the Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion during the night time. My skin remains soft, supple and moisturized. It does not crave moisture and I don’t get white patches or flaky skin after few hours. I am really enjoying these body lotions and I would recommend the Cocoa Butter one for people with dry skin and the other two for normal skin.

Coming to the face creams, I have

  • Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream (Lightens Skin tone & UV Protection- with Licorice & White Dammer) MRP: Rs.250/- for 50g (Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Revitalizing Night Cream (Restores moisture balance, nourishes & repairs- with White Lily & Tomato) MRP: Rs.200/- for 50g (Buy HERE)

Day Cream Claims:

Ingredients:

Night Cream Claims:

Ingredients:

They come in a clear glass jar packaging with a curved green cap and a white separator in between. The day cream is beige in color while the night cream is white. They both are super light in texture and doesn’t leave any greasy/heavy feeling. They get absorbed instantly. The day cream has a soft licorice smell while the night cream has a soft lily smell, as the ingredients in it.

The day cream also has Cinnabloc which helps in UV protection, but the SPF is not mentioned, so I would not advise skipping your sunscreen. Additional UV protection though is always welcome. It has licorice extracts which help in fading dark spots/acne scars and evening out your skin tone.

The Revitalizing Night Cream from Himalaya Herbals is one of my Holy Grail products, I have done a detailed review years ago HERE. It was my first night cream.

I absolutely love the affect of this cream on the skin overnight. In just 3-4 days, you will notice a difference in your skin. Both tomato and white lily are very good for your skin and it does make my skin very supple and plump, leaves it evenly moisturized and hydrated with no dry areas in the morning.

And there are two face and body creams, which work for both..

  • Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Skin Cream (Light & Non Greasy- with Indian Kino tree, Aloe Vera, Winter Cherry) MRP: Rs.125/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Winter Defense Moisturizing Cream (Dry/Extra Dry Skin- with Jojoba Oil, Wheat Germ, Almond Oil) MRP: Rs.125/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)

These can be used for both face and body. I use the nourishing skin cream on my face & hands right after bath. It is not very heavy, but if you compare it to the day cream, then yes it is heavier. If you have dry skin, you would like this Nourishing Skin Cream more than the day cream, coz your skin will need more hydration.

And the Winter Defense Moisturizing Cream is very heavy, I would recommend using it for dry patches on the body like the knees and elbows and the feet. I love applying a thick layer of it on my feet and cover my feet with warm socks and keep them overnight. If you have cracked feet, this will help you in healing them. Do it daily for 7 days, and your feet will be super soft with no dryness or cracks.

Coming to the lips, I have..

  • Himalaya Herbals Natural Soft Vanilla Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Strawberry Shine Lip Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)

They both come in a standard lip balm twist up packaging with matching caps. The vanilla one has white and beige vanilla-cocoa swirls on the inner tube. I love the way it looks and smells, absolutely love the soft and warm vanilla scent. It is clear and a perfect night time lip balm. It hydrates the lips overnight and keeps them soft through the day. I have super chapped lips, they are dry as a desert throughout the year and more so in winters. But thankfully this time around, these lip balms have kept me away from chapped and painful lips which I suffer from each winter.

Strawberry Shine one has a soft pink tint which is good for day time, not a fan of the scent of this one though.

I love the fact both Himalaya Herbals lip balms are free of mineral oil and petroleum jelly. I know most of us have used petroleum jelly for our lips before, but what it does is, it seals/locks the lips and does not allow the external moisture to reach the lips. Lips and the skin around eyes don’ have oil glands and cannot get moisturized (produce natural oils) on it’s own. So when it comes to lips, they start feeling dry and require constant application when petroleum jelly is used. I also read it in Dr. Rashmi Shetty’s book ‘Age Erase’ recently. She recommends beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. based lip balms, and hence these are absolutely perfect. You can feel these are free from mineral oil and petroleum jelly, the texture is very waxy and not oily.

Overall, I would say I am in love with most of these products and they are absolutely perfect for winters. I am only using these since the past three weeks and I have carried only these with me. Highly recommend them! My favourites are the day and night cream, body lotions and the vanilla lip balm.

Have you tried these products? Let me know your current winter skincare routine.

Top 10 Innisfree Products Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

innisfree, Skin care, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Innisfree Products Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

The launch of Innisfree in India got me really excited and the thought of getting the products delivered at my doorstep made me list down all the products which I always wanted to buy. It is a Korean skincare and it is the first natural brand that has been dedicated to share the clean and pure energy of nature for healthy beauty. Innisfree shares the benefits of nature from the pristine island of Jeju, allowing for vibrant beauty and pursues an eco-friendly green life to preserve the balance of nature. Their products work like a magic on every skin and no wonder it is widely popular. The botanical ingredients used are sourced from an environment free of polluting. This is why their ingredients has no side effects and allergic reactions. Here’s the top favorites from Innisfree.

1. Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum – Price Rs. 1950 for 80ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum comes in a green pump dispenser bottle. The serum is transparent, lightweight and gets absorbed within a minute leaving the skin looking wonderfully matte. However, it also nourishes the skin without getting greasy. The with organic Jeju green tea and green tea seeds that hydrate your skin from deep within and the green tea seed oil creates a strong moisture barrier to keep your skin moisturized longer. The product is best suited for normal to combination skin.

2. Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask – Price Rs. 1100 for 100ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is one of the bestselling product worldwide. It comes in an opaque jar and has tight and thick clay mask. You need to dampen your face to apply this. It helps to cleanses, exfoliate, brighten and removes dead skin cells (it has AHA) from the face. It instantly gives you a cooling sensation and effective in removing sebum and other impurities. It is a magic face mask for oily, combination and acne prone skin type. It dries up the acne pretty fast and prevent them. The super volcanic cluster capsules powerfully absorbs sebum to intensively resolve pore concerns. Overall, you get an amazing clear and smooth skin.

3. Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream – Price Rs. 2000 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream is best suited for normal to dry skin. It comes in a pretty purple jar with a beautiful floral scent. The texture is of gel-crème and extremely lightweight. It hydrates the skin beautifully and works as a night cream. The highly enriched Orchid enriched cream strengthens inner skin cohesion, keeps the wrinkles at bay and improves elasticity, skin tone. The rich and resilient texture wraps the skin and contains natural high molecules to form a micro barrier to leave the skin resilient. It lasts a long time so the price is justified.

4. Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener – Price Rs. 900 for 180ml (BUY HERE)

Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener comes in a slender dark bottle. It has a translucent medium consistency and acts as a gentle exfoliator. It is great for sensitive skin and gives an instant cooling sensation and soothes the skin. The skin feel soft, smooth, refreshed and hydrated without any oiliness. It is a clarifying treatment for newly exfoliated skin and helps the skin recover faster and generate new and healthy skin cells fast. The product is enriched with wine extracts from France, Wine creates a clear and smooth jelly-like skin by gently lifting away dead skin cells and providing hydrating moisture.

5. Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Sheet Masks – Price Rs. 100 for 20ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Sheet Masks are one of the bestselling product worldwide. The sheet mask is also one of the important part of Korean skincare. Each sachet has one sheet mask that has to be applied on the face evenly and let the ingredients in the mask get absorbed by the skin well. It helps to make the skin smooth and radiant. There are so many variants available like Rose, Lime, Green Tea, Tea Tree, Aloe Vera, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Cucumber, Bija, Manuka Honey, Black Berry, Shea Butter, Kiwi and Bamboo for different skin type and purposes

6. Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam – Price Rs. 650 for 150ml (Buy HERE)

Innisfree Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam is best suitable for oily skin with enlarged pores. It comes in an opaque tube. The face wash is white in color and relatively thick. It has the tendency to lather and the very small volcanic pore particles for better absorption of sebum and some scrub action. It has been formulated for pore cleansing which it does effectively and purify them thoroughly. The skin is left matte but not over dried at all. It will not irritate the skin at all as it is free from harsh chemicals.

7. Innisfree Peach Hand Cream – Price Rs. 300 for 30ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Peach Hand Cream comes in a medium sized tube. The hand cream is light weight, creamy textured and white in color. It smells heavenly of flowers and peach and the aroma is divine! It melts into the skin like a dream and feels non-greasy and non-sticky. It makes the hands soft and smooth with it’s with deep moisturizing properties and a sweet scent of Jeju peaches. It gives a long lasting hydration and also rejuvenates the skin. For this winter, it is the perfect pick.

8. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin – Price Rs. 1200 for 200ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin is a star product for the normal to combination skin type. It comes in a plastic green packaging. The product is basically a toner with water-like texture but thicker. It feels cool, fresh and light on the face. It applies smoothly and absorbs fast without any stickiness. There is an instant cooling sensation and, the green tea scent is lovely. It balances the skin beautifully and imparts a healthy glow to the skin. It does feel slightly pricey but the product is surely worth it. The product is free from parabens, synthetic colorants, mineral oil, animal-originated ingredients, imidazolidinyl urea

9. Innisfree Green Tea Moisture Cream – Price Rs.1300 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Green Tea Moisture Cream is best suitable for dry to very dry skin. It comes in a pretty green tub. The cream is thick and white in color but spreads so easily and smoothly on the skin. It gets absorbed and immediately puts a layer of hydration to the skin. It is formulated with freshly squeezed green tea to instantly form a moisture barrier to offer dewiness, preventing skin from moisture loss. Further, it has green tea seeds for deep hydration, green tea leaves harvested on Jeju Island is rich in amino acids and minerals and keeps skin moisturized for longer. The tub will last a long time.

10. Innisfree Camellia Essential Hair Oil Serum – Price Rs. 900 for 100ml (BUY HERE)

The Innisfree Camellia Essential Hair Oil Serum comes in a beautiful red bottle with a pump dispenser and a protective cap. This serum also has a beautiful floral fragrance and the consistency is medium – neither thick nor thin and spreads easily on damp hair. It gets instantly absorbed into the hair, nourishing the hair strands and also helps in detangling. The double- caring of Jeju camellia oil and fermented camellia oil that helps damaged hair and keeps it healthy. It lessens the frizz, adds a bounce and subtle shine and the camellia oil coats the cuticles, preventing split ends. It is great for dry and damaged hair.

Editor’s Note: I have the entire Jeju Volcanic Clay range and it’s amazing, especially for oily, acne prone skin. The Green Tea Range is excellent for dry skin and I love their sheet masks too. I would also like to add the Sleeping Creams, pretty good and you wake up with amazingly soft and moisturized skin. I have heard so much about the Wine Peeling Jelly Softener and it’s on my wishlist.

Have you tried these Innisfree products? Your favourites?

IngredientSpy.com: Check and Analyze the Ingredients before Buying

Lifestyle, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IngredientSpy.com: Check and Analyze the Ingredients before Buying

Hi guys,

With the option of 100’s of products available these days for each skincare product, we often get confused and sometimes end up buying things that may not necessarily be suitable for our skin.

I came across this website called Ingredientspy.com. It’s goal is to help women easily figure out what’s actually inside cosmetics, before they buy them. I think this is a very good idea and super helpful for us who would really want to know what are the ingredients in the products we are putting on our skin and body.

One can analyze the ingredients of any product by pasting the list of ingredients or uploading a clear picture of the ingredients. Or one can just explore different ingredients as to which ingredient helps in what.

Also if you have a specific skin type or concern and looking at specific ingredient in your skincare, you can find products based on the ingredient. This I feel is the most helpful feature. For e.g., if you have acne prone skin and looking for something with salicylic acid, you can find that and if you have dry skin, something with hyaluronic acid, and so on and so forth..

The idea behind the website is to build a piece of software which can recognize ingredients and show visitors whether a product is worth trying or not. The data which feeds into the system comes mostly from the National Institute of Health website.

All products on the site are compared using their ingredients. Each ingredient displays a short explanation and is categorized based on its properties. Some properties include anti-aging, moisturizing, healing, etc. Ingredients are also marked as being great, good or unfavorable – great being a perfect fit for the specific type of products it’s used in, good being good in general and unfavorable signifying known (documented) unwanted side effects. When all this is taken into account, a numeric score is derived and stored as the ingredient rating of each product on the site.

The website has a database of a couple hundred products separated into categories. If you’re looking for an anti-aging cream it’s pretty easy to compare the ones on the site and see which ones have the ingredients you want most.

The site also offers an Ingredient Analyzer which makes it easy for visitors to paste a list of ingredients or upload a clear photo of the ingredients on the product’s packaging, which the site will transform into text and attempt to read through. This is my favourite feature, you can just click a picture using your phone and analyze the ingredients instantly.

I analyzed the Himalaya Herbals Orange Peel Tan Removal Face Pack and here are the results..

New products are added a couple times per week. I hope they soon cover most of the brands and products. This website is really helpful and if you are someone who would like to be aware of what you are putting on your skin, this will be of great help! Definitely recommend checking Ingredientspy.com

Best Saffron DIY Face Packs to Get Fair & Glowing Skin

DIY, Home Remedies, How To, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Saffron DIY Face Packs to Get Fair & Glowing Skin

By Nidhal

The bright red-coloured, minuscule strands of saffron (called Kesar in Hindi) are exactly what you need to incorporate in your skin care regimen. Saffron is one spice that is capable of burning a hole in your pocket. It is used for adding flavour to dishes. It is a rich source of health benefit nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, foliate and minerals like zinc, potassium and sodium that rejuvenate skin cells and promote the regeneration of new cells. It helps in the removal dark spots and blemishes.

So, let us concoct some skin treats from the comforts of your kitchen using saffron (kesar).

1. SAFFRON, RAW MILK & BESAN MASK

Saffron is an excellent skin toning agent. It helps in eliminating blackheads and unclogs clogged skin pores. Saffron also scavenges free radicals and promotes better circulation of blood, thereby ensuring that skin looks toned and firm.

Raw milk, rich in B-vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, calcium and other potent antioxidants, has innumerable skin benefits! It works to nourish skin cells from deep within and keep skin moisturized for long. Besan is used to cleanse and exfoliate skin.

PROCEDURE- Soak 3-4 saffron strands in raw milk for two hours. After that, the colour of the concoction will turn yellow wholly provided the saffron you have used is authentic. Add a tbsp. or two of besan flour and mix well. Apply on your face as well as neck. Let it dry for around 30 minutes and then, wash off. Feel rejuvenated, don’t you?

2. SAFFRON & CURD MASK

Packed with various vitamins such as A, C, and the B vitamins, saffron-the wonder ingredient is known to possess skin brightening properties. Acne and pimples can leave behind scars that take a long time to fade. Using curd and teaming it up with saffron will speed up the process of healing. Sounds exciting?

PROCEDURE- It is as simple as it gets. Just soak 3-4 strands of saffron in a heaped tbsp. of curd/yoghurt for two hours. Post two hours, the concoction will turn yellow completely given that the saffron you have purchased is authentic. Smear it generously on your face as well as neck. Let it dry. It will take around half an hour to dry. After this, wash off your face with adequate cold water.

3. SAFFRON, MILK & SANDALWOOD POWDER MASK

The inherent anti-inflammatory nature of saffron arising from the high presence of antioxidants enables saffron to be used as a potent tool against various skin conditions such as pimples, acne, and Rosacea. To top it all, if we have milk (raw one please) which boosts collagen production, slows down fine lines and wrinkles, protects skin from free radicals that cause premature aging, helps fade dark spots and marks, reduces acne and promotes skin elasticity, you know it’s going to be “Good times” for your largest organ aka your skin. Finally, sandalwood powder owing to its fragrant and soothing aroma will act as the binding agent in this recipe. It also absorbs excess oil off one’s face and neck. Time to cheer oil-skinned ladies, isn’t it?

PROCEDURE-Soak 3-4 saffron strands in raw milk for about two hours. Add a heaped tbsp. of pure sandalwood powder (known as Chandan powder in Hindi) and mix well. Once a smooth and consistent paste id formed, generously daub a fine layer of it on your skin. It will take around 30 minutes to dry solely. Wash off with cold water and admire the newfound glow.

4. SAFFRON, ROSE WATER & COCONUT MILK MASK

The moisture absorbing and enhancing nature of saffron makes it an ideal home remedy for dry, chapped and rough skin. On the other hand, we have rose water (known as Gulab Jal in Hindi) which helps to maintain skin’s pH balance, fight acne, dermatitis and eczema.

Rose water also hydrates, revitalizes and moisturizes skin. It helps to tone one’s skin. It also helps to revitalize aging skin and keeps fine lines at bay. So many virtues rolled into one! Didn’t that get you ecstatic? Add to this, coconut milk needs no elaboration when it comes to moisturisation.

PROCEDURE- In a tbsp. of pure rose water, add 3-4 saffron strands. Let them soak into it for 2 hours. Finally, add a tbsp. of coconut milk. The final/resulting concoction will be predominantly liquid. That goes without saying that application would be messy but do not fret. You’ll be blown away by the results if not immediately then, definitely over a couple of uses periodically.

Winter Skincare Routine | The Body Shop Vitamin E Range Review + Giveaway

Giveaway, Reviews, Skin care, The Body Shop, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Winter Skincare Routine | The Body Shop Vitamin E Range Review + Giveaway

Hi guys,

I have been using this Vitamin E range for more than 2 weeks now and here are my thoughts..

Vitamin E Cream Cleanser

This light cream cleanser gently lifts away dirt, make-up and impurities.
• Gently but effectively cleanses
• Softens and conditions
• Leaves skin feeling smooth and supple

How to use: Apply to the face and neck with fingertips. Wipe away with a cotton pad or muslin cloth.

MRP: Rs.795/- for 200ml

It comes in a long slender bottle with a flip cap. It’s a little thicker lotion and you need to squeeze the bottle to dispense the product. It takes off the daily dirt and grime from the pores and some basic makeup like a tinted moisturizer/BB Cream, etc. It leaves the skin super soft and moisturized. This won’t work on water proof makeup, so for your heavy duty eye makeup, you will need to use a separate remover.

Vitamin E Moisture Serum

This pre-moisturiser provides intensive, continuous hydration and protection.
• Pre-moisturiser
• Gives extra hydration
• Immediately smoothes skin

How to use: Apply to face and neck using fingertips before moisturising.

MRP: Rs.1295/- for 30ml

It’s a pre moisturizer treatment and also has rice bran oil apart from the basic wheat germ oil this entire Vitamin E Range has. It is very light weight and gel like in texture. You just need half a pump for each use and it does make the moisture locked in the skin for a longer time.

Vitamin E Moisture Protect Emulsion/Day Lotion with SPF

A lightweight, milky formula to moisturise and protect your skin against UVA and UVB damage.

– Locks in moisture for 48 hours of hydration, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth
– Antioxidant properties protects against free radicals
– Powered with Biofermented Hyaluronic Acid

How to use: Apply a pea-sized amount onto fingertips and massage onto the face and neck in an upward motion after your serum. Best applied as part of your morning regime and/or before being exposed to the sun.

MRP: Rs.1495/- for 50ml

This is the new launch in the Vitamin E Range. It comes in a very handy and travel friendly, sleek bottle with black cap and pump packaging. It is very runny, so make sure you pump carefully. I need 1.5 pumps per use and it covers whole face and neck well.

I am glad this has SPF 30 PA+++ protection and works as both moisturizer + sunscreen. I don’t use a separate sunscreen and the biofermented hyaluronic acid keeps the moisture locked in the skin. Even after 5-6 hours my skin is soft and hydrated, and does not feel dry or stretchy even once.

Vitamin E Night Cream

This rich night cream replenishes moisture levels while you sleep.
• Intensively hydrates
• Works when skin is at its most receptive
• Leaves skin soft and smooth

How to use: Apply to face and neck just before bed, after cleansing and toning.

MRP: Rs.1195/- for 50ml

This is the only product out of the 4 I am using  hat is slightly rich. It has Cocoa butter as one of the ingredients and that makes it intensely moisturizing. You just need a pea sized amount and you are good. I prefer a little heavy moisturizer during night time and this is just perfect. My skin is all soft and hydrated even the next morning.

Usually by end of Nov and start of Dec, my skin starts feeling dry and stretchy. I am glad I started using this range early Nov and my skin has not been dry at all this time. No dry spots or flaky skin, it is all plump and hydrated.

I definitely recommend the Vitamin E range, especially for winters. Dry skin definitely can use it throughout the year, but specifically for winters, this range is amazing.

I am giving away two of the products i.e. the cream cleanser and the new day lotion/emulsion to 3 winners on my YouTube, so make sure you participate 🙂

Do let me know your thoughts about this range in the comments below, have you tried it?

Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India

Hair Care, Skin care, Top 5, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India

By Nidhal

Tossing away all those chemical-laden cocktails into the trash seems a herculean task given the paucity of alternatives at hand at present, isn’t it? Not anymore. You do not have to repine anymore for there are some niche brands that are not just environment-friendly in their approach but also cent per cent transparent about the ingredients’ list of each and every product of theirs. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?

No need to glower at your high-end chemical-laden product anymore for burning a hole in your pocket and not throwing any commendable results for here you go with a list of Indian brands- all of which sell via Amazon India, that are not just safe for topical application but also budget-friendly.

1. MAHAGRO – A small but incredulously devoted team based out of Hyderabad, MahaGro may have entered the natural skin, hair and body care market recently (2012) but earns a thumbs up from one and all thanks to their nourishing all-natural, chemical-free, preservative-free, artificial-fragrance- free and cruelty-free products.

Offering not just beauty products (like- herbal bath powder, pimple pack, face pack, hair wash powder, etc.) but also ingredients that can be used to whip one’s own recipes (like orange peel powder, tulsi powder, etc.), their products don’t cost an arm and a leg if you’re contemplating adding the same to your shopping carts. Owned by the obliging Krishna Karthik, they are about to launch herbal soaps and shampoos soon in addition to shipping products PAN India.

My vote of approval goes to the following products-

(a) Herbal bath powder- Enriched with the benefits of myriad herbs in dried form with a lingering aroma of camphor predominantly, Mahagro’s herbal bath powder makes for an efficacious face pack too in addition to being a bath powder. Ideal for use in summers when the mercury rises to unprecedented levels, it cools one’s skin instantly, thereby soothing it.

Price- 179/- INR for 200g (Buy HERE)

(b) Herbal hair wash powder- To those who are fond of giving a wide berth to chemical-laden hair masks/packs, Mahagro’s herbal wash powder is of use. Composed of only dried herbs and leaves sans any chemical preservatives, teaming it with one’s base ingredient of choice say- coconut milk, would work wonders for one’s mane. Regular use will obviously throw much more flattering results vis-à- vis a single use.

Price- 179/- INR for 200g (Buy HERE)

2. TARIKA AYURLABS- The picture-postcard Pondicherry (called Pondy by the locals) gives one’s eyes not just sights to behold but also one’s skin and hair, oodles of unadulterated nourishment through a brand that targets beauty woes through the ancient Indian science- Ayurveda. Not even 1% of the composition of any of their 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and chemical-free products contain any nasties that’d compel you to grimace.

Crafting a wholesome combo of products, ranging from hair oils, face serums, face masks to face scrubs, each product impresses with its unique composition. From offering products that seek to address the woes of aging, pimples/spots, foul body odour, excess hair fall to having lacklustre skin, they offer beauty combos that work wonders in allaying the same with regular use.

I would recommend Tarika’s daily facial sandal face mask as well as night oil for face (saffron) to all those whose skin loses its lustre and glow thanks to the barrage of chemical-laden cocktails we pour on ourselves daily in a bid to get the same. A little goes a long way that’s what I realised after using both the gems! Versatile enough to be blended with raw milk and neem decoction, the mask suits every skin type, leaving your skin inherently cleansed and nourished NATURALLY.

The cherry on the cake is Tarika Night oil for face (saffron). The aroma is ethereal, heavenly…a sort of aphrodisiac, taking your olfactory senses to a ride. Upon applying, with a little massage, it blends in with one’s skin easily. Sleep with it for within a few days, you will wake up with skin that looks restored to life. Let’s be rational- one or two uses won’t throw wondrous results. Given the kind of environs we inhabit, we need to be persistent in application. And if we are, the beauty combo from Tarika Ayurlabs leaves you chuffed.

PRICE-

Daily Sandale Beauty Mask: INR 480 for 50g (Buy HERE)

Night Oil for Face Saffron: INR 695 for 30ml (Buy HERE)

3. ISHAAN ENTERPRISES: RAYAAN HERBALS- Based out of Hyderabad, this all-natural venture helmed by Mrs. Reshma Thakur believes in giving a wide berth to chemical preservatives. Incepted in 2013 with a vision to craft exquisite skin, hair and body care products sans any hogwash (read: chemicals), Rayaan Herbals (the brand) that comes under Ishaan Enterprises (the company) came to the rescue of all those fraught with seeing chemical-laden products inundate markets! With an expanding range that seeks to cater to varying needs of its customers, if you are at the sea, don’t repine for you can touch base with them (Facebook) and get products tailor-made to suit your needs. Another feather in their cap is that they manufacture the products themselves so every facet is scrutinised to the backbone.

Coming from raw parts of a plant say- stems, flowers, roots, leaves, etc. their herbal products are intricate mixes of herbs. In my humble opinion, one should give a shot to their Hair shining pack. A natural fix for those whose locks look lustreless and drained off gloss, mixing it with the base ingredient that’s most compatible with one’s locks will ensure that it packs a punch at other hair woes too like- lack of softness, brittleness, etc. Dedicated use overtime will surely leave one with more thunderous results than single/two-time uses. It performs to a great extent on what it claims, however, do not get dispirited within a few uses for everyone’s hair condition differs and depending on how damaged one’s locks are, it will work.

PRICE- 550/- INR for 100g (Buy HERE)

4. IRAYA- ‘From the earth’ as is meant by its name in Sanskrit, Iraya- based out of Ahmedabad brings forth to our notice, the bountifulness of nature, which when harnessed ethically nourishes us to the backbone. Without elaborating much on what all the brand offers (Because we all know that! Iraya is a established name. One needs to be living under the rock to be unaware of it), what the USP of Iraya is to me, is that they not just ferret out the most esoteric herbs and blend them to concoct nourishing skin treats but also name their products in a way that is strongly reminiscent of the days when people relied on Ayurveda and natural remedies to tend to her beauty woes instead of store-bought products.

The product I recommend is the Kantivardhak Lepa which does justice to its name- imparts a winsome glow (Kanti) to my face and neck within a few applications without stinging it. Versatile enough to be blended with as many base ingredients (such as- curd, buttermilk, rose water, etc.) as you can come up with, it gets my vote of approval. I find it apt for use by all skin types. Slough it gently while removing to aid the process of scrubbing. Wouldn’t that be equivalent to saying that we are getting the best of both worlds- scrubbing as well as getting a glow? Yes, it surely would be.

PRICE- 445/- INR for 50g (Buy HERE)

5. RAW RITUALS- Handcrafting taken seriously- that’s how I delineate Raw Rituals. Based out of Ahmedabad, this organic skin and hair care venture is helmed by the warm and welcoming Mrs. Lovina Aggarwal and makes no about doing everything manually be it- boiling, whipping, blending, packaging, or designing. If that’s insufficient then, they have all the feathers in their cap to sweep you off your feet- cruelty-free, organic, preservative-free and cent per cent transparent about the ingredients added.

Offering lip balms, face packs, face scrubs, hair oils, body massage oils, face serums and cold-pressed soap- all free from chemicals, there is no reason why Raw Rituals doesn’t deserve a place on our list. I would recommend Raw Rituals’ peppermint and orange lip butter to all those looking to soothe their perennially dry lips that yearn for all the more moisturisation as the mercury goes down. The USP is that it is colourless, thus apt for use by men/boys too. The subtle aroma is capable of sending you into a tizzy thanks to peppermint essential oil which it is replete with.

Read the reviews of the orange lip butter HERE and their Ethereal Face Serum HERE

PRICE- 150/- INR (Buy HERE)

Editor’s Note: That’s quite an interesting list Nidhal. I have tried and loved Iraya. Tarika sounds pretty interesting and I would love to try that!

Have you tried any of these natural brands? Your favourite natural brand and product?

DIY: Get Instant Soft & Glowing Skin for Weddings/Parties, etc | Remove Sun Tan

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

DIY: Get Instant Soft & Glowing Skin for Weddings/Parties, etc | Remove Sun Tan

Hi guys,

Today I am sharing this quick DIY that I often do before special occasions for that soft and glowing skin!

All you need is a ripe banana, lemon juice and honey.

Take half a ripe banana and mash it really well with a fork, add 1 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. lemon juice and mix it really well.

Apply a thick layer of it all over your face and keep it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with normal water and pat dry.

You will see instant glowing skin!

Let me tell how and why it works..

Bananas are high in vitamin A, B, E and are a good source of potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. They are good for dry and oily skin alike. They are ultra moistuzing and instantly soften the most dehydrated skin. They are also rich in B vitamins and zinc which help to fight free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C in bananas may also help improve the appearance of dark spots and acne.

Lemon is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid and is full of antioxidants. It helps fade acne scars & blemishes and gives an even skin tone and brighter looking skin. It controls oil and shine to an extent and being anti bacterial also works on acne and blackheads. It also acts as a gentle exfoliator on dead skin cells.

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into the skin and ensures it’s retained it in the layers for penetrating, long-lasting hydration. It is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, hence helos in calming redness and acne, and also helps to decrease the appearances of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration

That’s it! Super quick and easy. I hope you like this DIY and try it. Do let me know how it works in the comments below 🙂

Patanjali Saundarya Aloe Vera Gel Review

New Launches, Patanjali, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PATANJALI SAUNDARYA ALOE VERA GEL REVIEW

By Simli

Hi lovelies!

Aloe vera gel has almost become part of our life. Almost everyone in our beauty regime include aloe vera gel in one or the other way. Patanjali is well known for its aloe vera gel (read review HERE) and recently they introduced a new product in there beauty range. The new product can be called as a updated version of their previous aloe vera gel.

Like their previous aloe vera gel this has also become an essential part of my daily skin care routine. Apart from aloe vera which is the key ingredient it also contains kesar chandan which is well known for its skin brightening property. I have been using this product for almost a month now and I’m quite satisfied with its results.

Packaging:

The packaging of this product is quite similar to the previous patanjali aloe vera gel. It comes in a plastic tube with flip open cap which makes it travel friendly. The cap doesn’t opens on its own, its quite hard. The plastic tube is transparent but it has golden print on it. On the body of the product its written that it contains kesar and chandan. On the lower portion of the packaging the uses are mentioned and it says that it is a instant solution for pimples , wrinkles and glowing skin.

Price : Rs 50 for 60 ml.

Ingredients: It says that every 5g contains:

Aloe barbadensis – 89.00%

Crocus sativus (saffron)– 0.01%

Santalum album (sandalwood)– 0.10%

The base material : Vitamin E, permitted colour and sugandhit dravya.

Texture:

The texture of the gel is perfect, not too runny not too thick. But it is somewhat less thicker than the previous aloe vera gel by patanjali. The colour is golden-yellow. Apt for application and its very much cooling.

Uses:

Useful in roughness and dryness of skin, it helps to remove pigmentation , dark spots and increase skin glow.

How to use it: The product also comes with three different ways of using it (all the ways are mentioned in hindi):

1. Apply on face and keep it overnight , next morning wash your face with lukewarm water.

2. Apply on face 30 minutes before bathing.

3. Apply on blemishes leave for 5 minutes and then wash off.

My experience:

I have always a huge fan of aloe vera gel because of its cooling effect This new product have already become a part of my daily skin care routine as mentioned earlier. I use this everyday before going to bed and after washing my face with face wash. The consistency of this product is very good , its actually the consistency that I prefer personally in any gel. Its neither too runny nor too sticky or too thick. It glides onto my skin very smoothly.

The colour of the gel is yellowish. It has a strong kesar fragrance which I kinda like, sensitive nose may find it very strong and dislike. After applying this gel it gives the same cooling sensation like any other aloe vera gel. It doesn’t feels heavy on my skin too. It takes very little time to dry up and after drying it gives a warm glow. Though the glow doesn’t lasts longer. I have few blemishes on my skin but this product did no good with them.

As the gel is very light it is not fit for the coming winter and can’t be used as a moisturizer . It can be used as a base for makeup too. It isn’t sticky at all and its one the reason I like about this product very much.

Saffron works on lightening the scars & blemishes and sandalwood calms and soothes the skin and gives a natural glow.

In all it is a good product for daily use in summers. Can be used as a base regularly. As it is a herbal formula it will not do any harm to your skin.

Pros:

  • Good for regular use.
  • Easily available in any patanjali store.
  • Value for money.
  • Good consistency.
  • Has saffron and sandalwood which works even better on blemishes with regular use & are cooling on the skin.

Cons:

  • Very strong smell.
  • Has parabens

Rating: 4.5/5

Editor’s Note: I recently got the regular Patanjali Gel, definitely trying this once I am done with the current one.

Have you tried the new Patanjali Saundarya Aloe Vera Gel?

Clean & Clear Pimple Clearing Face Wash Review #BreakUpWithPimples

Clean & Clear, Face Wash, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Clean & Clear Pimple Clearing Face Wash Review #BreakUpWithPimples

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing a product which would help every teenage/college girl out there. Actually anyone who suffers from those unexpected zits/pimples, but that happens a lot during teens, so this one is especially for them.

What it claims: Neem and Lemon work together to give you a much needed breakup from acne!

For: Those who are stuck in an unhealthy relationship with acne or pimples.

How it works: CLEAN & CLEAR® PIMPLE CLEARING Face Wash is a gentle yet effective way to cleanly breakup with your pimples. This ensures that you and pimples never get back together. The neem-lemon formula works well on skin prone to pimples, and within 7 days, will set you on the path to a far healthier relationship with clear skin!

Directions: Apply a small amount on wet palm and work into a rich lather. Gently massage onto face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off thoroughly. Use twice daily for skin that’s beautifully clean and clear!

Ingredients: Water, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose, Fragrance, o-Cymen-5-ol (Isopropyl Methyl Phenol), Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), Benzophenone 4, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat., Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract (Neem), Yellow 10 (CI47005), CI 61570

MRP: Rs.55/- for 40g, Rs.99/- for 80g (Buy HERE)

It comes in a ombre green tube packaging with a slight curve at one end. It has a flip cap and is quite easy to use and travel with. The neem and lemon symbol and the bright green color of the tube make it quite attractive and easy to identify among other tubes.

It is transparent and gel like in color with a green tinge, neither thick nor runny. It has a refreshing smell, a mix of neem and lemon but not too herbal.

It foams pretty well and removes the basic dirt, grime and makeup. Also it does not dry out the skin or leave the skin stretchy craving for a moisturizer.

We all face those occasional nasty zits that come uninvited, especially during that time of the month and spoil a big event or a special day! Pimples are basically like bad boyfriends and we need to break up with them and come out of that bad relationship. Been there, done that. We cannot avoid stepping out or travelling which comes with dirt and pollution and it’s share of harmful effect on the skin, major being pimples.

But we can definitely keep them at bay and get a clean break up from them using the right products. Clean & Clear Pimple Clearing Face Wash is one such product and I am so glad I got to try this. I was getting 1-2 small zits on the sides of my nose and I didn’t want them to spoil my Diwali. Within 1-2 days of using this face wash, those zits dried up completely!

Lemon & Neem extracts work on the pimple from the very first wash & fights the core of the pimple problem i.e. the bacteria causing the pimples! Neem is anti-bacterial and it works directly on the bacteria, so that the pimple dries up and also doesn’t spread around. Lemon also helps with acne scars, so that the nasty zits do not leave any marks. Aloe vera extracts moisturize the skin and don’t allow the product to be too harsh on the skin. It also has passion fruit extracts and glycerin which again act as a moisturizer.

I am using this daily and would continue doing so, it’s very gentle for daily use and teenage skin. This product is perfect for teenage girls. Highly recommended.

So go ahead and #BreakUpWithPimples! Thank me later 😀

Best 10 Moisturizers for Acne/Breakout Prone Skin Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

Moisturizers, Skin care, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best 10 Moisturizers for Acne/Breakout Prone Skin Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

Acne prone skin is toughest to deal with. You can’t use too hydrating moisturizer as it will make the skin oily and break you out even more. If you keep it dry, it will be irritated and the glands will produce more oil, leading to breakout. Therefore, you have to look for a hydrating moisturizer that will nourish as well as keep the skin shine and oil free. Also, there should be certain ingredients to combat the acne problem. With so many products in the market, it is not an easy job. We have listed out the best moisturizers for acne/breakout prone skin available in India to help you out.

1. Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturizer – Price Rs. 80 for 80ml (BUY HERE)

This is undoubtedly one of the best budget friendly moisturizer available in India. It has a unique texture – a blend of cream and gel consistency and it spreads easily on the skin. It gets absorbed in no time, leaving a matte hydrated look. It is great for oily acne prone skin. Also, it has salicylic acid in it and helps to treat the acne and breakouts. The availability of the product is easy and has no side effect on the skin at all.

2. Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel – Price Rs. 80 for 150ml (BUY HERE) (Review HERE)

Having acne prone skin, I know the struggle to deal with it and this Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel has helped out a lot. It is one of the affordable moisturizer for acne prone skin and easily available everywhere now. Aloe Vera plants have medicinal properties and used in treating skin conditions. The gel is light green in color and you need a pea size amount. The gel gets absorbed into the skin very well and gives a cooling sensation. It prevents the acne and also controls oil. It has various uses and can be used with face packs as well.

3. Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer – Price Rs. 399 for 115ml (BUY HERE) (Review HERE)

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer is another budget friendly moisturizer that leaves the skin feeling soft, nourished and oil free. It doesn’t add any shine and ideal for oily acne prone skin. It gets absorbed easily and also non comedogenic hence it doesn’t clog pores. Additionally, it has UVA/UVB SPF 15 sunscreens that help to prevent damage to the skin caused by everyday exposure to sun’s rays. It feels gentle on the skin and also fragrance free.

4. Lacto Calamine Skin Balance Oil Control – Price Rs. 160 for 120ml (BUY HERE) (Review HERE)

The good old Lacto Calamine Skin Balance Oil Control surely deserves to be on the list. The ‘Skin Balance’ formula means it maintains a neutral pH and the skin is neither dry nor oily. It is great for oily acne prone skin and the skin doesn’t produce excess sebum. It has glycerin in it and also acts as a primer as well. It is also enriched with the goodness of Kaolin that acts as an exfoliator and helps in dead skin removal. The product also has Zinc oxide which has antiseptic properties that helps to protect skin from acne breakouts and helps reduce dark spots an blemishes. It adds a healthy glow and you can also use this as a spot treatment for acne.

5. Lotus Herbals Alphamoist Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Oil Free Moisturizer – Price Rs.265/- for 80ml (BUY HERE)

The Lotus Herbals Alphamoist Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Oil Free Moisturizer a white colored lotion and spreads easily on the skin and is absorbed very quickly. It hydrates yet looks matte and is a very light-weight moisturizer which does not clog any pores and prevent the nasty breakouts. It is one of the best for to oily-combination skin prone to acne. The skin feels calm and hydrated skin with a healthy radiant glow in it.

6. Plum Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer – Price Rs. 450 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

The Plum Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer comes in a white opaque pump bottle with a transparent cap. The product is white in color and has a medium serum like consistency. It is extremely light, hydrating and gives a matte shine free look. It gets absorbed in a jiff and the product is formulated with glycolic acid and green tea extracts. The Glycolic acid helps keep skin clear and the Green tea extracts act against the acne formation process. The product is also silicon free, Paraben-free, SLS-free, phthalate-free and non-comedogenic.

7. Forest Essentials Facial Gel Pure Aloe Vera – Price Rs. 1250 for 50g (BUY HERE)

The Forest Essentials Facial Gel Pure Aloe Vera is surely one of the best moisturizer for oily acne prone skin. It comes in a tub and the gel is transparent in color. The gel is light weight and gets absorbed into the skin smoothly. The aloe vera in it is in pure form and acts a natural humectant and adds moisture to the skin. It has healing and soothing properties. The Genhu in it prevents premature aging and reduces ultra violet rays induced sun damage. With the passage of time, you will see the skin’s texture is improved and acne is banished forever. The product is expensive slightly but totally worth it.

8. Kaya Skin Clinic Acne Free Purifying Nourisher – Price Rs. 680 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

The Kaya Skin Clinic Acne Free Purifying Nourisher is white in color with a lotion like texture. It is extremely light weight, non-greasy water-based nourisher that leaves your skin supple and hydrated with its soft and supple formula. It blends into the skin easily and requires a little amount. It has aloe vera which reduce skin itchiness, Almond Oil and Rose Extract contains antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental factors. The product is also non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for acne prone skin.

9. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo – Price Rs. 1350 for 40ml (BUY HERE) (Review HERE)

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo is an award winning product for acne prone skin. It has a very light weight formula and sinks into the skin in no time. It reduces the breakouts in a matter of weeks and enhances the texture of the skin. It helps in reducing the acne scars as well and the skin feels hydrated and soft. It is formulated with powerful acne medication in a unique format to penetrate pores, clear blemishes, and minimize potential irritation. It might sound expensive but for problematic skin, this is a must have product.

10. Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel – Price Rs.499 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

The Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel comes in a white tube and has a clear gel like texture. It spreads onto the skin very well and gets absorbed due to its easy light weight formula. It helps to dry out the breakout and prevent them with the passage of time. It balances out the skin’s pH level, it further hydrates and moisturizes the skin. it also protects the skin against bacteria. Overall, it is a great product that won’t cause any side effect at all.

Editor’s Note: This is a perfect list Sanchita. I love Lacto Calamine and Aloe Vera Gel. And La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is perfect for acne prone skin. Avene has recently launched Cleanance Expert which works like the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo in fighting blackheads/acne and also the Cleanance Mat which is a mattifying moisturizer for oily skin. Even these two are worth adding.

Do you have oily skin? Which is your favourite moisturizer?