Tag Archives: Indian skin care blog

Product Review, Skincare

OLAY Luminous Niacinamide + AHA Super Serum Review

I have already reviewed OLAY luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C super serum. You can read that review here. This range of serums is pretty new to the market and believe me they are super effective. They mean business. When I was younger I always thought OLAY specializes in products for matured skin but now they are experimenting with their product range. So, I wanted to share my experience of using the OLAY Luminous Niacinamide + AHA super serum. I am currently on my second bottle and I have definitely seen a marked improvement in my skin after using this product.

Price and Quantity: The actual price of a 30 ml bottle is 1999 but you will get it at a very good discount almost all the time at Nykaa. Right now it is selling at INR 1399.

Description: Olay has a total of four super serums in this range. All of them include niacinamide as the base and the second ingredient is vit C/AHA/ Hyaluronic/Cica. the Niacinamide + AHA serum is specifically targeted for acne removal and blemish mark reduction. It claims to remove acne marks of 5 years within 4 weeks and 2X clearer skin in 8 weeks. AHA (Lactic Acid) acts on skin surface while Niacinamide penetrates 10 layers deep to effectively target root causes of spots across skin layers. Dermatologist tested formula. Does not clog pores. Fast absorbing and non-greasy epidermis layer.

Ingredients: Well, one disappointment is I could not find the full ingredients list. It just mentioned that it contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), AHA (Lactic Acid), Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin C. It is free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, petroleum and mineral oils. It is not fragrance free.

Packaging and Use: It comes with an auto-dropper glass bottle like the other super serums by Olay. You just need to twist and turn the cap to automatically draw out the serum. Then simply press the pump to dispense on palm. They recommend to use it twice a day after cleansing and toning. If you are using it during daytime, make sure to apply sunscreen first because this does not contain any SPF. I personally prefer to use it at night after cleaning my face. I don’t like to put any additional moisturizer post this. However, now that it is almost winter in India, I have noticed that I need to add a light moisturizing lotion after 10-15 minutes of application of this super serum.

Does this work as it claims? Here comes the most interesting part. Does this product actually works as it claims? So, let me start with the consistency and texture of this product. It looks like a transparent, white, water based serum. The consistency is not exactly watery but also not too thick. I take two pumps on my palm and that is enough to spread over my entire face and neck. It gets absorbed very quickly. Does not make skin oily or greasy. It almost gives a dewy finish. Now coming to the effectivemess of the product, it gives my skin the much coveted glass-skin like appearence. My skin looks very bight, glowing and almost everybody around me notices the difference. Even if I am under stress or working really hard, this serum ensures that my skin doesn’t appear to be dull. I can totally say that you will notice a difference in your skin’s texture and appearance after using this product.

Now, did this remove blemishes on my face? Well no it did not. I have some very old acne marks. I did not notice any difference in their appearances. It made my skin look bery bright and may be that is why you will not get to notice those small acne marks that much but it definitely did not fade them away. I recently had a few bumps here around my chin, must be due to hormonal imbalance. I was using this serum at that time and now I noticed that they did not leave any spots on my face. I cannot say for sure that this is because of this serum alone because I was also using other acne treatments.

Overall I really loved this serum and I will continue to use it. This is my second bottle and it lasts me for a month. Hope you found this review helpful. Let me know in the comments section your experience of using it. 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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Product Review, Skincare

Dot&Key – Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum AND Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum – Review

I remember I first came across the brand Dot & Key sometime last year and within a year you can tell that the brand has grown from its increased product line.I must say their products are quite unique at least for Indian market.

I recently tried my hands on 2 of their serums and this review is about them.The first one is the Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum and the second one is the Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum.

Product Description:

Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum:

  • Boosts Collagen Production
  • Gently Soothes Sensitive Areas
  • Rejuvenates with soothing Lavender
  • Contains Shea Butter to moisturize
  • With the healing of Argan Oil
  • Calms Irritated Skin

Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum:

  • Glow Serum for normal to dry skin
  • Contains Skin conditioning Actives
  • SPF 15
  • Ultralight Moisturizer in Serum Technology
  • Hydrates deeply
  • Reduces signs of dullness

Price and Quantity: Both the product retails for INR 695 and comes in a 50ml beautiful bottle.I got them for 10% off on each of them at Nykaa.

My take on the product:

Packaging: Firstly, let’s talk about the packaging. The outer packaging of the products came with a box made of thick paper or like a cardboard kind of material.You can re-use them to store small knick-knacks.The bottles containing the product is very cute and aesthetically pleasing. All of their bottles or tubs come in sea green or lavender or baby pink or chromatic yellow shades.

DOT&KEY MOISTURE BOOSTING SERUM
DOT&KEY MOISTURE BOOST SERUM
DOT&KEY ILLUMINATING GLOW MOISTURIZER IN SERUM

The bottles have small pumps which will help you to get exactly the amount of product you need. They have recently started a drive on their official website where you can send back the empty bottles and get rewarded.

Ingredients: The moisture boost serum contains some amazing ingredients like Vitamin C & E, Lavender essential oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Argan Kernel Oil and Shea Butter. None of their products contain Paraben /Sulphates/phthalates and they are not tested on animals either.The illuminating Glow Moisture in Serum contains Frangipani Flower Oil and Ylang Ylang Flower Oil.

How they feel on my skin: So I bought the Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum First and completely fell in love with it because of its very light; almost airy texture.I don’t like to put on thick creams on my skin as I feel that my skin will not be able to breathe.This serum is an absolute dream.It did not cause me any break out.A little product like one pea size portion is enough for your entire face. The smell is like camphor.It does not look like usual transparent serum.It looks like a lotion but feels like feather on your skin.Due to peppermint oil there is a certain tingling cool feeling attached to it.

Moisture boost serum: Consistency

It instantly gives me the morning hydration that my skin needs in a very dry weather (where I stay).This product will work for all skin types. I have been using it for almost 2 months now and I can see that there is a very clear glow in my skin without making my skin look oily or causing me any acne.

The Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum is rather new in my collection.As it says moisturizer in serum it actually is a face moisturizer than a serum. So keep your expectations right. It is definitely thicker than the moisture boost serum in terms of texture although not too thick.It does not have that airy feel but it feels like an actual moisturizer. Good! because that’s what it is!

Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in serum : Consistency

This one as well did not cause me any break outs but I use it every alternative day after shower.It contains mild SPF (15). So I guess it’s best to use it in daytime.The smell is floral but not over powering.It definitely gives you the instant glow and makes your skin supple.I think this one works better for people with dry skin.For combination or oily skin I will recommend it to use it in a regulated quantity but yes definitely this serum will feel more relaxing and light on your skin than the thick creams or lotions.

I will recommend you to try both of these products based on your needs as they are quite affordable and definitely good for your skin.Hope you liked this review. Have a nice day 🙂

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