Category Archives: Skincare

Product Review, Skincare

Favorite Face-wash/Cleansers- 2022

Here is a quick review of four of my current favorite face washes. There is no clear winner. I prefer to use them based on my skin condition. So let’s start with the review.

The first one is the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam. This is part of the anti-blemish pack of Clinique and you can purchase it separately as well. I like Clinique’s products as they are very targeted and always address one specific concern at a time. So, they have an entire anti-blemish routine starting with this cleansing foam then a toner, and a moisturizing lotion as well. For this review, I will stick to the Cleansing foam only.

If you want to purchase it separately without buying the other products in this range, it will cost you INR 2100 for a 125 ml pump bottle. This sounds pricey but tries to buy the combo pack which comes at around INR 2500 along with the toner and the lotion. This way you can try the cleansing foam and see if it works for you.

This cleansing foam has 2% salicylic acid which helps clear and prevent acne and unclog pores. I prefer to use it when I spot a bump on my face or when my face feels a bit oily. The texture is completely foamy. It comes in a pump bottle and when you squeeze the pump you will see a dollop of foam on your palm. Just spread it nicely all over your face and massage it a little. It will get smoothly spread out all over the face and then it is just like any other face wash. Once I clean my face with water, the face becomes super smooth and clean without a trace of extra oil. It does not make my face extra dry. The product is allergy tested and 100% fragrance-free. It is also free of Oil, denatured alcohol, synthetic colors, SLS, SLES, and gluten. It can be used when you already got acne on your face or you can also use it as preventive care if you have oily skin.

The second product is Pixi Glow Tonic Cleansing gel. This is part of their popular Glow Tonic range and is used as a first step in the daily skincare routine. It retails for INR 1950 for a 135 ml tube.

This is actually a glycolic gel that acts as an exfoliator. This is a transparent cleansing gel with no specific strong smell. It contains fragrance in their ingredients list but I believe the quantity is very less. It gives a soothing freshness and a bright glow instantly. I use it sparingly like maybe twice or thrice a week especially while cleaning my makeup. It really cleans well without any irritation or dryness and leaves a very smooth finish on my face. Also, a 135 ml tube goes a long way. So it is value for money. It has aloe vera which calms the irritation and ginseng which energizes the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and we can use it all year round.

Moving on to the third product The Bodyshop Deep Cleansing Seaweed Gel Wash. I have been using it for quite some time. It is really good for controlling excess oils in your face and leaves a very soothing and refreshed feeling on my face. It has a soothing fragrance. However, it makes my skin a bit dry especially if I am using it in winter. So I make sure to quickly apply a hydrating lotion after applying it. It contains seaweed which is known to be good for the skin. I prefer to use it when I have a little dull acne on my face or just to give a good cleaning around the areas of my nose where usually the oil concentration happens. It retails for INR 945 for a 125 ml tube. Again a little amount is sufficient for this face wash and so it will serve you for quite some time. It is suitable for oily or combination skin types.

Here comes the fourth and last product. It is again from the brand Clinique. It is their liquid facial soap oily skin formula. I got a couple of mini versions of this face wash as a free gift when I bought other clinique products and I actually liked it. It lathers up when you use it, so it is not exactly like the other three, I just reviewed.

But the lather is very soft and minimal and does not dry up my skin at all. It maintains my skin’s natural moisture balance. It does not contain parabens, phthalates, and fragrances. This facewash is pricey, retails for INR 2000 for a 200 ml bottle but there is another mini version of 30 ml which retails for INR 850. It is targeted for oily skin people and I think will work for combination skin pretty well.

Hope you found this review useful. Let me know in the comments if you have used any of these and if you liked them. Have a nice day!

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

YBP Barrier Repair Tonic – Review

I am back with a great product review today. I mentioned in one of my previous blogs that I have been using the YBP barrier repair tonic for quite some time now and I wanted to share my experience with everyone. Sadly, due to extremely busy days in the past few months, I couldn’t pull myself to sit and write a detailed review. Firstly, let me share with you this is an AMAZING product which has improved my problematic skin texture. It truly says what it does! How great that is!

I don’t know why this product is not that popular yet. Maybe because it is not available on Nykaa! That is a surprising fact though. I remember YBP used to sell their initial make-up products through Nykaa and their own website but their skincare range is only available on their website currently (at least that is what I am aware of). I think they have a very niche market and their production is also limited compared to their peers. But I gotta say they have an amazing eye for every little detail in terms of packaging and tries to come up with products which really make a difference.

YBP Barrier Repair Tonic

Description: As mentioned on their website, here it says “Barrier Repair Tonic is a multi-benefit brightening/exfoliating treatment that effectively works in reducing excess oiliness, redness and congestion. This luxurious facial tonic helps with improving skin texture and resurfaces and softens skin while significantly improving skin elasticity and the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation. Formulated with gentle yet effective blends of Acids, Zinc Sebum, and Plant Extracts that not only exfoliate dead and strongly pigmented cells, but they also encourage cell turnaround to renew the skin.”

Price and Quantity: 60 ml spray bottle of barrier repair tonic retails for INR 1500.

YBP Barrier Repair Tonic

Ingredients: Aqua, Urtica Dioica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Glycerin, Zinc Chloride + Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein + Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract + Thymus Vulgaris Extract + Malva Sylvestris Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract + Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Sodium PCA, Laminaria Digitata, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol + Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract + Magnesium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactic Acid, Sodium Gluconate

What I liked about the YBP Barrier Repair Tonic :

Packaging: All their products come in handmade paper packaging. The spray bottle is made up of glass and is aesthetically pleasing.
Consistency: The product is water based as you can see from the ingredient list. When you spray a certain amount onto your palm it feels and looks like any other toner. Once I put it on my face it simply gets absorbed. I don’t need to blend or anything. I simply pat it gently over my entire face and the product does not make my skin dry or oily. It just feels very refreshing like it would have felt after a face wash with water.


Does it work? Well, at the beginning of 2022, I had a horrible breakout on my face. It was gut related and I had to make severe changes in my diet. But, along with that, I understood that my skin barrier is compromised and that is when I started looking for something which will improve my skin barrier. Let me tell you, I have never used any product from YBP previously. I thought to give this one a try and it worked!!
 
I obviously became more conscious about eating clean and included more veggies and fruits in my diet before making changes in my skincare routine. I also decluttered my skincare routine because once you have breakouts, there is no point in mixing and matching products. We need to be minimalistic and just use the products which will not aggravate the situation. So, after cleaning my face I simply use the YBP Barrier repair tonic as a toner. Earlier I used to notice a sudden redness post washing my face. Later I realized it is happening as the pH balance is not maintained. The barrier repair tonic completely changed the situation for me. My skin feels very calm and well hydrated after application. One of the product claims was that it maintains the optimum pH balance of our skin and I think it actually does! I don’t see any redness or any type of skin irritation. After applying this tonic I let it get absorbed into my skin and then proceed with a serum or you can use any hydrating face moisturizer. As I understand this tonic will help to lock in the moisture in the skin for hours and also reduce excess sebum production. I have seen visible improvement in my skin texture and I have stopped getting acne completely. I will stress the fact that it is a combination of a clean diet, less stress and the right skincare product which will give us the dream skin that we want. No standalone product will be a game changer.
 
This tonic is going to be a staple in my skincare routine and I sincerely hope that they don’t discontinue the product. I am at my second bottle and this has been definitely a key product which has healed my skin in the last 7-8 months.

What I did not like about YBP Barrier Repair Tonic:

The only two complaints that I have are that I specifically did not like the smell of the product. It has a lot of natural ingredients and does not contain fragrance and maybe that is why the smell is a little weird but I try to ignore it because of the amazing things it does for my skin. The second problem is that it is a bit expensive for a 60 ml bottle. They give some discounts from time to time on their website. So watch out for them.
 
Hope you found this review helpful. Have a nice day!!

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Product Review, Skincare

OLAY LUMINOUS NIACINAMIDE + VITAMIN C SUPER SERUM : REVIEW

I have been using the Olay Luminous Niacinamide plus Vitamin C serum for over a month now and I have almost emptied the first bottle. So, I believe that makes me eligible to review the product. When I bought the product I think it was a pretty new product in the market. Olay launched 3 or 4 of these serums. One of them is the Niacinamide which I am about to review. The other ones were hyaluronic and most probably cica. Now, the motivation for me to try this particular Niacinamide serum was because of its tall claims that it clears spots and brightens skin etc. I was going through a horrible breakout since 2022 started due to extreme stress. But, that’s another story. Anyway, I had to do something to make these acne marks a little less visible. I was open trying anything and everything for a quick result. So, I wasted no time getting my hands on this serum and let me tell you I was not disappointed. Okay, so, let’s start the detailed review and I can share my exact experience with this product.

Olay Luminous Niacinamide plus Vitamin C Super Serum Review

Description:

The descriptions on the packaging says –

Olay Luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C Super Serum is a concentrated formula enriched with Vitamin C and 99% Pure Niacinamide to reveal skin’s even glow from within. It penetrates 10 surface layers deep^ and is easily absorbed to reduce the look of dark spots, for visibly more even tone and texture in 28 days.

-Suitable for uneven skin tone.

-Fast absorption, non-greasy

-Formulated without nasties, which means, no parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrolatum or mineral oils

Price and Quantity:

It retails for INR 1999 for a 30 ml bottle but I have seen almost all the time this product is getting sold at a 30-40% discount. That should bring down the price at INR 1200-1300. Still, I know it is a bit pricey.

Ingredient List :

The product has a long ingredients list. It claims to have 99% pure niacinamide and vitamin C in a concentrated form.

Water, Hexyldecanol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Xylitol, Tapioca Starch, Panthenol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Dimethicone, Boron Nitride, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mica, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Inositol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Benzyl Alcohol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Aminomethyl Propanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Fragrance, Disodium, EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Laureth-7, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, CI 77891, CI 19140, CI 16035

My Experience with the Product:

Packaging : It comes in a glass bottle with a metallic cap. The cap has a pump-button like feature which basically acts as a dropper to get the product on your palm and it also makes sure that you don’t end up getting too much product at one go. It is a more sleek version of a dropper that you will find in a minimalist or ordinary serum. To be honest the bottle was a bit confusing initially to use but I could figure it out and I loved the design. It is totally mess-free and feels luxurious.

Texture : Well, when I think of serums I always visualize something with a transparent watery consistency but the Olay luminous Niacinamide plus Vitamin super serum was nothing like that. This serum is a cream-based serum. At least it looks like so. I can compare the consistency with Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence. It looks and feels like a white lightweight lotion. When I applied it to my skin it simply smoothly disappeared into my skin. It was absolutely non-greasy. As it has a creamy consistency, it is very easy to apply a very small amount of product to your entire face. For many serums that I have used, I always felt like 2-3 drops are not enough for my face because they did not smoothly blend into my skin except hyaluronic serums. But, the Olay luminous Niacinamide plus Vitamin super serum gets soaked into every millimetre of my face like a dream 😀

Fragrance : It has a very subtle soothing fresh fragrance which I quite like when I put it on before going to bed at night. I know fragrances are not good for us but honestly, I will not mind a soothing relaxing one.

Did it improve my skin ? Plain and simple answer, it did. I am honestly impressed with this product. I did not have a lot of expectation as I have seen earlier products which make tall claims most often do not deliver. Sweetly, this is an exception. As I mentioned earlier, I had a bad breakout which left plenty of red blemishes on my face and I was looking for a quick solution to make those spots go away. Obviously it didn’t make the spots go away but the spots have faded quite a bit and my skin has definitely become brighter with a healthy glow. My cheeks were reddish due to the acne marks and it generally looked like I had some rash on my face. I have noticed that is not the case anymore after using this serum. My skin looks dewy and not tired at all. I could visibly see the difference. It didn’t happen overnight. I have used it regularly for a month and I am going to purchase it again for sure because it for sure works!

Also, let me clarify I was also using a skin barrier repair tonic from the brand YBP along with this serum to maximize the impact. I will review the tonic in a separate post as well.

Hopefully you found this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Aroma Magic Clary Sage Moisturizing Lotion – Review

Aroma Magic is a quite well-known brand and their products are pretty pocket-friendly yet good on the skin. I recently tried their Clary Sage Moisturizing Lotion which I bought from Nykaa. This lotion is particularly for people with combination skin and I tend to be on the side of the oily skin. But I tried this one because Aroma magic products are really affordable and they are almost always good. So no harm in trying right!

Price and Quantity: A 100 ml Bottle retails for INR 205. There is a 200 ml version as well. It comes in a clear plastic bottle. The packaging is very travel-friendly and by the way, it is recycled. So pretty great. It comes with a pump dispenser which is super helpful.

Aroma Magic Clary Sage Moisturizing lotion

Description (As mentioned in the packaging):

The Aroma Magic Clary Sage Moisturizing Lotion is rich in natural vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, and the combination of Kokum butter, Aloe vera juice, and Olive oil to nurture and deeply hydrate the skin. The exotic blend of Neroli, Clary sage, and Rosewood essentials oils together with extracts of clary sage, help to preserve the moisture in the skin. Their alliance keeps the skin calm and rejuvenated with each passing day. Extracts of Fennel and Lemongrass revive dull and tired skin to leave you refreshed and your skin reinvigorated.

Features:

  • Has SPF 15
  • Infused with the goodness of natural ingredients
  • 100% free of petrochemicals, phthalates, toxic ingredients, parabens, artificial fragrance, and color
  • For combination skin

Key Ingredients:

Aqua, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Juice, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Olea Europaea Oil, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Foeniculum Vulgare Extract, Salvia Sclarea Essential Oil, Citrus Aurantium Essential Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora Essential Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Food Grade Colour.

My take on the product:

The lotion contains a lot of essential oils and is specially made for people with combination skin types. It has a medium thick yet very soft and creamy consistency. It blends effortlessly with my BB cream. It blends really well into my skin even if I am not mixing with any other product. It also gets absorbed within a few minutes. The lotion feels very light on skin and does not nake the skin look greasy at all.

It has been formulated in a way so that it becomes more suitable for combination skin. However, it did not make my skin feel heavy or sweaty which usually other lotion does. I have been using Aroma Magic’s Juniper Berry oil-free moisturizer for more than a year now and it has been specially made for oily skin beauties. The clary sage lotion is definitely creamier and a lot thicker than the Juniper Berry moisturizer which basically feels like a serum. But the Clary sage lotion locks more moisture into my skin for a longer hour. It gives a soft and dewy finish to my skin. The smell of the lotion is very soothing and pleasant which is a very common factor for all Aroma Magic products.

Like its claims, the lotion provides a rich moisturization to my skin. It instantly makes my skin soft and smooth, and my skin looks healthy too. It repairs the dry, rough texture and keeps my skin hydrated for long. It is not a heavy moisturizer but works well in providing sufficient moisturization to the skin. I think the lotion will work for all skin types but, it contains a few essential oils. So, please check before buying. If you have very oily skin then this lotion may be better for you in Winter or monsoon. It contains SPF 15 which I think is fine for our current stay-at-home situation. I also like to apply it to my neck and to my hands and it keeps them hydrated for quite some time.

Overall, I will give it a rating of 4 out of 5 and will definitely purchase it again in Winter.

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Product Review, Skincare

TONYMOLY Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel – Review

Almost every summer I buy an Aloe Vera gel as they are very soothing and light weight especially in the hot and humid weather. Aloe has great medicinal properties and works well on skin rashes, itches, redness and in general just to freshen up your skin. My mom even grows Aloe plants at our home and encourages me to just directly cut the leaves and squeeze out the gel. However, being a lazy bum I prefer to buy a ready made Aloe Gel…sorry Mom 😦

Last year I bought the Innisfree Aloe Vera gel and it was really good. I made a lot of DIY skincare and hair care items using that aloe gel. This year I wanted to try the Aloe 99% Chok Chok soothing gel from TonyMoly. So let’s start the review.

TonyMoly Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel

Price and Quantity : So it comes in a 250 ml lovely summer green tube and costs INR 400. Look out for occasional discounts and you may find a good deal on Nykaa.

Description (As mentioned in the packaging) :

TonyMoly Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel has been created as an instant soothing rescue for the skin, leaving it feeling calmer, cool and hydrated. This non-sticky formula is made with 99% aloe vera, great for sensitive skin. it can be used on both face and body as it instantly calms and replenishes tired skin with moisture!

Key Ingredients (As mentioned on the backside of the tube):

Aloe barbadensis leaf water (99%), carbomer, tromethamine, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil and fragrance.

My experience with the product :

  • So let me start with when I use it. I store it in refrigerator just to get the cool feeling on my skin. Once I take my shower and apply toner, sunscreen, serum and after that I apply this gel. Sometimes in the afternoon when I look for a quick snack in my refrigerator I also take out a generous amount of this gel and reapply it and it gives me that instant freshness.
  • Coming to the texture, it has a light weight, transparent, smooth gel formulation which blends very easily on skin and does not make skin greasy at all. Its consistency is little watery and simply melts when I put it on my skin. It gives that extra hydration plus moisturizing effect. I found the Innisfree Aloe Vera gel thicker than this. Aloe Vera gels are suitable for all skin types. You can even use it as a moisturizer like I do if you have oily skin. In fact you can use it anywhere in your body. I apply it on my elbows, knees and on summer heat rashes and it instantly soothes the skin. Any Aloe Vera gel can be used as a primer or base before applying make up. It helps create a smooth canvas for application of make up.
  • This product contains fragrance which is sad. The smell is refreshing though. However, I wish they did not use this fragrance. It does not contain alcohol.
  • I will score this 4 out of 5. Minus 1 for fragrance. Overall I really liked this one and simply find excuses to apply it frequently.

P.S. Chok chok means luminous in Korean. Surprisingly there is a similar word with exactly same meaning in Bengali. If you know Bengali you will know what I am talking about :p

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Product Review, Skincare

Minimalist 10% Niacinamide Serum – Review

I have been hearing a lot of noise about the brand Minimalist but didn’t get a chance to try them out. I made a rule to use the products first before buying the next one and because I already had tons of serums I had to wait to try this one. So, finally I bought the Minimalist 10% Niacinamide Face Serum with Zinc which is said to be great removing Blemishes, Acne Marks and Dark Spots from Nykaa.

Price and quantity: The 30 ml bottle of this serum costs for INR599 on Nykaa. Sometimes they offer 5% discounts but those are short-lived.

Minimalist 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Serum Review

Packaging: Okay, so there was a lot of controversy regarding the Minimalist copying the Ordinary products and their packaging. However, minimalist now has changed their packaging and most of their serum come in a simple glass bottle with a dropper. They kept it simple. It looks like a typical medicinal packaging but I totally believe in the product quality and packaging does not matter to me much unless they are unhygienic.

Description : This is what is written on the packaging – “Minimalist Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Face Serum is a nourishing, daily serum packed with pure vitamin B3 and antibacterial mineral zinc that boosts dermal immunity, keeping your skin resilient and healthy. The soothing aloe-based formula contains pure 10% niacinamide that is clinically proven to promote protein synthesis, reduce melanin concentration and improve skin complexion in 2 weeks. This oil-free lightweight serum coupled with zinc balances sebum activity and reduces inflammation, leaving smooth textured skin with no sticky residue.”

Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera Juice, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Ethoxydiglycol, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin

My experience with it:

  • So, let me start with why I decided to buy a 10% Niacinamide serum at the first place. I already did a lot of research on the benefits of niacinamide and its different compounds. You can check out my article here for further details. Niacinamide is known to be great for improving skin texture, removing blemishes and acne marks. Recently I had a few ‘mask-ne’ because of double masking in summer and that too in India. Although the acnes disappeared pretty soon it left behind a few dark spots and that is when I decided to try this Niacinamide serum. I have been trying this serum for last 3 weeks now and let me tell you within 1 week of using this product my skin looked a lot more clearer and brighter. I used it in the morning after cleansing and after applying the cream skin refiner from Laneige. This is not a thick serum and gets absorbed pretty quickly. I take 4-5 drops on my palm using the dropper and then blend it in over my entire face. I wait for around 10 minutes and then I apply a sunscreen. I repeated the same routine at night. Except in place of the sunscreen I used a light night time moisturizer.
  • Now coming to the composition and key ingredients. This product contains 10% Niacinamide and 1 % Zinc (The Ordinary also has an exact similar product). Now a lot of research based articles mentioned that 10% Niacinamide may have adverse impacts on people with pre-existing allergies. They can try the 5% version. In general, Niacinamide can be used twice a day and it is well tolerable on skin for most people. Another quick tip is to never use Niacinamide and Vitamin C together. Both of them are great for skin pigmentation and blemishes but should not be mixed or used one after another. Zinc is also another great ingredient which works great for lightening blemishes. If you are not comfortable using 10% Niacinamide you can also try the 5% version from Minimalist. I plan to do so in future as I noticed a grey area there. People have mentioned that 10% Niacinamide can cause redness and irritation although personally I have not experienced that.
  • This product does not contain essential oil, fragrance, paraben, sulfates, silicon nothing. Great!

Overall this product has worked for me pretty well on lightening up my ‘mask-ne’ marks. I will definitely recommend it. As I mentioned earlier, if 10% Niacinamide worries you try their 5% version first. I will try and provide my review 🙂

Have a nice day!

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Product Review, Skincare

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

Ok so if you have been following my blog for some time you must know how big of a fan I am of Laneige. I have loved each of their products that I tried in the past and some of them are part of my daily skincare routine. Now I cannot say that Laneige products are affordable. They are definitely pricey, however, they work and that definitely matters. So I bought the Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence from Nykaa almost 2 months back. It was part of their holiday edition. The entire holiday edition contains two Laneige Cica sleeping mask(10 ml each) and two water sleeping mask(15ml each) and the moisture essence (70 ml). Surprisingly this limited edition package costs the same if you would buy only the moisture essence. So if they are still available on Nykaa or elsewhere, I would suggest you to buy the holiday edition for better value.

Price and Quantity : The 70 ml bottle of moisture essence costs Rs 2590. The holiday edition costs the same but we get 4 small sample size sleeping masks as well. Laneige products are hardly on discount but fortunately I got it at 20% off on Nykaa.

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

Description :

WATER ZIPPER TECHNOLOGY FOR SKIN MOISTURIZING AT THE FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL : LANEIGE’s original technology boosts the skin’s moisturizing mechanism from generation to lock-in and purification to moisturize the skin from within, at the fundamental level.

ANTI-OXIDATION EFFECT, GARDEN CRESS : Garden Cress suppresses and removes active oxygen to purify the skin and create a clear bright luminous complexion.

HIGH CONCENTRATION OF MINERAL EXTRACTED, OCEAN BREW METHOD : LANEIGE’s original Ocean Brew method ensures the complete preservation of a high concentration of minerals extracted at a low temperature for five hours.

Ingredients : Water / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Pca Dimethicone, Sea Water / Maris Aqua / Eau De Mer, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance / Parfum, Disodium Edta, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera (Brussels Sprouts) Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside.

How to Use :

So as described by the Laneige product development team, the moisture essence should be used as a toner or emulsion. You can take 2-3 drops and then massage by your fingers or take a cotton pad as well. I prefer to use my fingers. We can also add 1-2 drops of the Essence to our foundation or BB creams to create dewy glowing skin. It will make sure the skin looks flawless and stays hydrated from within. Also, we can soak cotton pad in Water Bank Essence and make our own sheet masks.

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

My take on the product:

I will start with my overall verdict first. I just loved this product. This has completely changed the texture of my skin within 2 weeks of use. My skin looks dewy with a subtle glow (exactly what I want). My skin texture has become even. I had to achieve this kind of finish with the help of a BB cream previously but this essence has worked wonders on my skin. I feel confident to go out without putting on any make up on my face. So now you know how much I loved it. My skin looks recharged and fresh after I have started using it.

The essence is not too watery. I think the hydro essence is more water based than this one. The moisture essence does not feel like a lotion either. The consistency is between a cream based toner and a lotion. It will not make your skin feel greasy or oily. Gets absorbed very quickly and instantly gives a smooth and even base for you to apply your make-up on.

The only thing that I did not like about it is the presence of fragrance. It smells somewhat like a shampoo :p. Anyway, people with inflammatory skin condition should avoid it. I have read a few reviews before buying it and some of them praised it a lot and some of them did not like it that much. It obviously depends on personal experience but I will definitely buy it again.

Hope you found this review useful. Please keep following the blog. I will be encouraged to write more. Happy Sunday 😀 !!

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner Review

I got my hands into the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner finally after hearing rave reviews about it. When I first checked out the product on nykaa I was little confused about the ‘Skin Refiner’ part. As per the product description it was written that it is a “Miraculous skin fortifier, deep hydration repairs and strengthens skin barrier. It is a toner with new formula in which a whole bottle of cream is dissolved with safe ingredients to keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Leave your skin moisturized at the first step of your skin care routine with Cream Skin Refiner.” From the description I felt this is a toner but may have a moisturizing effect as well and decided to give it a try. So here is my review of the product.

Price and Quantity: The product comes in 2 sizes. The 150 ml bottle retails for INR 1850 and the 50 ml bottle retails for INR 750. I bought the 50ml one just to try the product first. It comes in a simple translucent white sturdy plastic bottle with a white cap. You just need to simply pour the product on your palm. There is no pump or anything like that; very standard packaging as expected from a toner.

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner
Laneige Cream Skin Refiner

Features:

  • – A two-in-one formula that preps and softens like a toner and moisturizes like a cream
  • – With Cream Blending Technology™ exclusive of Laneige, a jar of cream is dissolved in skin toner
  • – With White Leaf Tea Water having content of amino acid enriched through the specialized shadow-growing method
  • – It strengthens the skin barrier and provides a lasting moisturizing effect
  • – Cream Skin Refiner is filled with mild and safe ingredients which provides moisturizing effects for dry and sensitive skin

Ingredients : Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl- 10 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Disodium Edta, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol.

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner

My take on the product :

  • Price point wise I feel the product is pretty reasonably priced if we compare it to other K-beauty toners.
  • The packaging is on-point. Whenever I think about Laneige packaging all their products are packaged in a way which is user friendly with high quality material and muted yet beautiful colors. Their lip sleeping mask comes in pink tubs, water sleeping mask comes in blue tubs and hence cream skin refiners come in white bottles. No surprise. They want to visually send a message to the customers of their product’s intended usage. I dig that.
  • Now coming to the ingredient list. Obviously I do not have any professional qualification about this but I do check the ingredient list and do my research. The first ingredient is water as this is a water based toner. Their ingredient list mentions Meadowfoam seed oil which acts as an emollient that creates a protective seal over our skin to lock in moisture. It contains butylene glycol which is a Conditioning agent that add a layer of softness or improved texture to our skin. 1,2-hexanediol is used as a synthetic preservative and moisture-binding solvent which creates the clear liquid consistency and also helps to dissolve other substances. This does not contain any nasty chemical like paraben or phthalates.
  • When I first pour the product onto my palm I saw a milky white water like/ runny consistency which is what a toner is supposed be like. I simply applied the toner on my face and pat it dry slowly with my fingers. It got absorbed quickly and instantly my skin felt very moisturized and hydrated as well. This is not exactly how we feel after applying a toner right. This is where the cream skin refiner part is coming into play. It looks like a toner and feels featherlight on skin but leaves the effect of a moisturizer. This product is supposed to work great for normal and dry skin. However, it worked really great for my oily skin in relatively cold and dry weather. Not sure how it will feel in a hot and humid weather though. Laneige claimed to use a whole bottle of cream inside a bottle of toner using their trademark cream blending technology. That sounds scary for someone who has oily skin but it felt absolutely nourishing and hydrating for me without having any greasiness or any discomfort to be precise. This is indeed a magic bottle.
  • Coming to how I added it to my skincare regime, I firstly washed my skin with a cleanser and then applied this toner and after that applied the Laneige water sleeping mask before going to bed. When I woke up my skin looked super glowing and felt moisturized. This toner works great with a night cream or a light moisturizer and it will not make your skin heavy or greasy for sure.
  • Am I going to repurchase this? YES! for sure 🙂 It won my heart.

Hope you found this review useful. Please keep following the blog. Happy Sunday 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

My favorite Skincare Products in 2020

2020 has been all about skincare for a lot of us owing to lockdown. I really feel good about this aspect that I became aware of my skin and what it loves and what it doesn’t this year. This is a big achievement for me. I also made some informed decision while buying good skincare products. Thanks to all the research I did this year 🙂

So here is a quick recap or you can say “my recommendations for 2021 skincare products to look out for“ as well. For most of these products I have already posted my reviews in my blog. So I will just post links to the reviews.

Face Mist / Toner: Facial mists are something which I use all the year around; at home, at office, while traveling (obviously before quarantine) especially in summer and even in winter as well for that quick touch of freshness. I prepared a couple of DIY face mists at home which are super easy to make and great for our skin too. Please check the post here and here where I have shared some quick tips. I also loved the  Lavender Mint Facial Spray with clay sage from the brand Urvija.

Face Masks : I specifically used 2 face masks this year. One is from the the brand Plum. I love their Green Tea clear face mask which makes my skin look very smooth and clear instantly . The second one is the Super volcanic pore clay mask from Innisfree. This one is obviously very popular and needs no introduction. While the tea tree face mask costs almost half of the volcanic one but I want to mention that it really makes my skin bright and refreshed after every application. Also, one extra point to Plum for being a Made in India brand as well :p

In this category a special mention to Tony Moly Tightening Cooling Pack (Click on the link to check my review.

Serums: I invested quite a lot on face serums this year. In general I really like the concept of serums. My most liked serum for this year is the Hyaluronic serum from the brand Dot and Key. Absolutely loved how light and refreshing it feels on my skin and also for that glow. I have tried Dot and Key’s other products but this one is hands down the best. A special mention to their Morning awakening serum. Check out my review for it here.

Hand-creams: Tried and tested quite a lot of hand creams. I reach out to my hand cream almost every hour owing to my dry hands. The one and only thing that have worked for me is the Bodyshop shea butter hand cream. Absolutely love the smooth and soft hands it gives me.

Face Lotions/ Moisturizers : Loved the Innisfree jeju Cherry Lotion (a little pricey) and Aroma Magic Juniper oil free moisturizer(very pocket friendly) for their feather light oil free texture.

Sleeping Pack : Two clear winners in this category- Laneige Water sleeping mask and Etude House Moistfull collagen sleeping pack. A special mention to the cult favorite Laneige Lip sleeping mask as well.

Hair Care : Mostly used virgin coconut oil that I bought from Kerala and the Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment Oil through out the year. This year I started using herbal Henna for the first time. I specifically used the Khadi Natural Nut Brown Henna and the Shahnaz Husain Henna Precious Herb Mix. I will do a separate review on the henna later as I am not using them in winter.

All of these mentioned products are going to be part of my beauty bag in 2021 as well. Hoping to discover some amazing skincare stuff next year as well. Thanks for following the blog!

Merry Christmas 😀

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Product Review, Skincare

Dot and Key Time Reverse Retinol Serum Review

Given the fact that there are not many retinol serums available in Indian market I decided to try the Time Reverse Retinol Serum from the brand Dot and Key. The decision to use retinol serum was based on the numerous great reviews I have got from famous youtubers and bloggers. However, some of the most popular ones are either very expensive or not available in common platforms. I guess Dot and Key is one such brand which is trying to create a lot of different types of serums which have high public demand in India. I have tried their Hyaluronic acid serum and Vitamin C serum and I liked them. Now let’s give you my review on the retinol serum.

Price and Quantity : The product comes in a 30 ml bottle with a dropper and it retails for INR 1195. You can buy the product from Nykaa or from the official Dot and Key website.

Description :

  • This supercharged anti-ageing serum promises a three-pronged action :
  1. Reducing fine lines
  2. Fading dark spots
  3. Enhancing skin’s elasticity.
  • The retinol serum contains Tripeptides and Retinol, that slows down skin ageing by capturing free radicals and promoting collagen regeneration.
  • Infused with a botanical blend of Rosehip, Ylang Ylang & Geranium Oils, and highly moisturizing vitamin E & A

Ingredient List :

Purified Water,Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Methylsilanol Mannuronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptied -5, Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxy Ethyl cellulose, Vitamin A Palmitate, Rosehip Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Geranium Oil, Helichrysum Oil, Perfume.

My take on the serum :

Let’s first talk about why we do need retinol. You will find plenty of blogs to understand what Retinol does and why people are going gaga over it. However, I did some digging into actual scientific research papers and found some interesting facts. First of all let’s understand that ageing of skin can be of two types. Chronological ageing is an inevitable process whereas photo ageing is the premature ageing of skin occurring due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.  Photoaging is the superimposition of photodamage on intrinsically aged skin generally bringing about premature aging. This specific damage occurs by chronic exposure of the skin to UV light. Hence, the skin becomes coarse; epidermis thickens initially and then thins resulting in loss of elasticity. Hence, our skin can experience wrinkles, irregular hyperpigmentation etc. The pores of the skin become larger. Although retinoids show promise in the treatment of skin aging but it can cause irritant reactions such as burning, scaling or dermatitis. Other retinoids mainly represented by retinaldehyde and retinol are considerably less irritating. The importance of retinol (vitamin A) was discovered during World War I. The modern history of retinoids, however, began in 1909 when an essential factor in the fatty extract of the egg yolk, called vitamin A, was discovered. Vitamin A cannot be synthesized by the body; hence it needs to be supplied to the body. Various studies have confirmed that retinol should be effective in the treatment of aging and photoaging. Another research was conducted on usage of retinol with other anti-ageing products and a successful study published that repeated topical application of a preparation containing both retinol and vitamin C could reverse, at least in part, skin changes induced by both chronological and photoaging.

So, before using the product I knew that my skin will take some time to adjust to retinol serums. There will be skin purging or break outs. Thankfully I did not experience any breakout but I experienced dryness and a few bumps here and there. I have been using the product for 4 months now but not everyday. I have limited the usage to twice a week with a 3 -4 days gap. Another important point to note that retinol serums must be used at night as they can react in sunlight. After applying the serum I apply a cote of a light vitamin c based lotion to restore the hydration.

Now coming to the ingredient analysis of this particular product; Dimethicone crosspolymer is a silicone derivative that is used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to improve texture and help condition the skin and hair and it is considered to be safe for skin. Methylsilanol Mannuronate is an anti-ageing agent and is an organic derivative of seaweed that binds moisture in the epidermis therefore firming and strengthening the skin. Palmitoyl Tripeptied -5 is also another known agent for anti-ageing. Vitamin A Palmitate is the source of retinol in this product. They also have added some essential oils like rosehip (known for anti-ageing) and Geranium (to dilute the consistency of serum and also for removing wrinkles). They did not mention the exact percentage of these ingredients in the product.

Because I have this bad habit of rubbing my eyes; I noticed a few lines around my under eyes. Although I used an eye cream/gel separately earlier but they did not remove those lines. I put a small amount of the serum around my eyes and around my lips. These two areas I feel show the early signs of ageing. The serum is little runny and looks transparent. I did not feel any heaviness after applying it. It got absorbed quickly. After using it for the third week I suddenly realized that the fine line that were showing up in my under eye area completely vanished. I should have clicked a before and after picture as a proof but I myself could spot the difference. However, it did not remove any blemishes and I experienced dryness after applying. So may be in winter we need to supplement this serum with hydrating moisturizers. Please note that I did not use any expensive under eye cream in these 3 weeks but used a vitamin c based lotion on my face. That’s it.

I know there are some very good retinol serums but they are crazily high priced. So at this price point I really liked this serum given the result and will continue to use it in future as well. So a few key points I want to reiterate

  • Do not apply retinol serums during daytime
  • Do not use it everyday. Use it at a regular interval.
  • Listen to your skin. If you feel dryness use a natural/organic moisturizer which is hydrating.
  • A break out is common while using retinol products for the first time.

Hope you found this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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