Tag Archives: indian skin care brands

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

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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Skincare

5 Skincare Products I absolutely loved during Quarantine

I have been in quarantine for almost 2 months now.I guess most of you are as well.Staying home for such a prolonged period was unprecedented but anyway I could put the time into some productive use as well. Also in these last 2 months I have not used a single make up product and mostly focused on my skin care regime.So here are a list of 5 products that I used almost everyday or every alternate day.

Facial Mist: I never really used facial mists/sprays earlier and did not have an clear idea what they are used for. So these facials sprays are absolute blessing during a dry summer. Just a few quick splash and I feel all rejuvenated. So I use Rose water spray from Kama Ayurveda (INR 275) and the most pocket friendly Dabur Gulabari. Both of them are available in a 100 ml spray bottle.There is another one which I recently discovered is from the brand Urvija. It is their Lavender Mint Facial Spray with clay sage.

Urvija Lavendar Mint Facial Spray

It is a home grown brand and the product retails for INR 190 for a 100 ml bottle.The uniqueness about this particular spray is that along with an amazing smell they it gives an amazing glow and a cool refreshing feeling even if you don’t refrigerate it.

I also made some DIY facial sprays all by myself and it is actually pretty easy and does not cost much. First one is a lavendar and aloe spray – I just took an empty 100 ml spray bottle and filled 80% of the bottle with distilled water.Then added 5-6 drops of lavendar essential oil and just one table spoon of aloe vera gel. You can use your home grown aloe and extract the gel from it as well. Now coming to the other spray this one is also very simple to make. Just extract some fresh cucumber juice (around 2 table spoon) and add 1 spoon aloe vera gel in it and fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.

Face serums: I am currently using 2 face serums alternatively and both of them are from the brand Dot&Key One of them is their GLOW REVEALING VITAMIN C SERUM CONCENTRATE and another one is their WATER DRENCH HYDRATING HYALURONIC SERUM CONCENTRATE.

Dot & Key Vit C serum

Both of them cost around 900 INR for 30ml of the product and trust me if you have oily skin or if you don’t really like to use all those thick creams these 2 serums should be in your shopping cart. Hyaluronic acid is also much talked about these days because of its anti-ageing property.I love to apply these serums and then massage slowly using my ROSE QUARTZ FACIAL GUA SHA stone for my night time skin care routine.

Hair oil: I will have to admit I was kind of really reluctant to use hair oil but because I got to stay at home during this lockdown period I got plenty of time to apply hair oil.I am currently using BRINGADI INTENSIVE HAIR TREATMENT OIL from Kama Ayurveda.It retails for INR 650 for a 100ml bottle.

Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive hair treatment

This product is meant to prevent hair loss, dandruff and premature graying. It is also a natural conditioner for lush hair growth. In addition, it cools the head. The herbal formula includes indigo (neeli), Eclipta Alba and gooseberry to promote hair growth; liquorices which acts as an anti-fungal agent; and balloon vine which prevents scalp infection. I have very thick wavy hair and this oil never made my hair sticky; not even a greasy scalp.It has definitely given me volumes and the smell kind of de-stresses me everytime I use it.

Eye cream/gel: Because I have a job which requires me to constantly look at the screen for atleast 7-8 hours and even if I don’t include that my screentime is definitely not less than 12 hours everyday. Although I don’t get deep dark circles around my eyes; I have noticed some dryness and hence, I started using an eye gel from the brand Aroma Magic.Most of the available eye creams/gels cost a bomb to be honest but this one is really pocket friendly.It costs just INR 195 for 20gm product and does its job too.

Aroma Magic Eye Gel

I am not sure if it will be that impactful for heavy dark circles but if you just want an eye cream to refreshen and moisturize your under eye area this product will work for you.

Lip masks: I have already talked about this Laneige lip sleeping mask and how amazing it is. So obviously it is part of my lipcare routine. Also I used the organic juicy chemistry lip scrub twice a week for exfoliation.It retails for INR350 for 10gm of product and goes a long way.

Hope you liked this post! Stay healthy!

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