Tag Archives: Skincare blog

Product Review, Skincare

COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster: Review

Let’s set the scene: It’s 7 AM. You’ve hit snooze three times. Your face looks like it just lost a pillow fight. You need a miracle. Enter: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum, the skincare equivalent of a triple shot espresso, but with peptides instead of caffeine.

If your skin feels tired, rough, or just… meh, this might be the glass of peptide-powered hydration your routine’s been missing. So let’s dive into this bottle of Korean skincare goodness and see what it’s really all about.

What Is It?

Name: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Price: ₹2,050 INR (depending on platform)
Skin Type: All skin types, especially dull, tired, or aging skin
Texture: Lightweight, watery, essence-like
Key Benefits: Smooths skin, improves elasticity, hydrates, preps for better absorption

This is not your average serum. It’s actually a “booster”, which means it’s designed to be the first layer after cleansing — prepping your skin to absorb the rest of your products more effectively, all while delivering its own skincare punch.

What’s Inside? A Peptide Party

The magic lies in the 6 types of peptides packed into this little bottle. If you’re new to peptides, think of them as tiny protein messengers that tell your skin to get its act together — increase collagen, repair damage and hydrate better.

Here’s the list:

  1. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (a.k.a. Botox in a bottle) – Smooths fine lines
  2. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 – Boosts collagen
  3. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 – Reduces inflammation and dullness
  4. Hexapeptide-9 – Improves texture and firmness
  5. Oligopeptide-29 & Oligopeptide-32 – Overall skin conditioning and rejuvenation

Plus, it contains panthenol, allantoin, and sodium hyaluronate — three skin-soothing heroes that hydrate and calm like a mini facial in 10 seconds.

Texture, Feel & Absorption

If you’re expecting a thick serum, surprise! This one has the consistency of a hydrating essence — think watery, fast-absorbing, no stickiness. It glides on effortlessly, almost vanishes in seconds, and leaves your skin feeling fresh, hydrated, and plump.

It plays well with others, meaning it won’t pill or clash with your moisturizer, retinol, or sunscreen.

Pro tip: If you’re in a rush, you can layer this under just moisturizer and sunscreen and still feel like you did something good for your skin.

The Results: Does It Actually Do Anything?

After 2–3 weeks of using it morning and night, here’s what I (and many others) noticed:

✅ Softer, smoother skin — that “baby cheek” feel
✅ Visible plumpness — your skin looks less tired
✅ Fine lines slightly blurred — especially on the forehead
✅ Better absorption of serums/moisturizer — skin just drinks them up
✅ No breakouts or irritation — it’s incredibly gentle

The effect isn’t dramatic like a retinol, but it’s the kind of change that sneaks up on you. One day you just realize your skin looks… healthier.

Who Should Use It?

This serum is for:

  • Skincare newbies who want anti-aging without harsh actives
  • Barrier-repair lovers who use too many exfoliants
  • Peptide enthusiasts
  • Anyone with dehydrated, dull, or stressed skin

Not ideal if:

  • You want immediate, drastic transformation
  • You prefer rich, creamy textures
  • You’re a skincare minimalist who sticks to 2 products max

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula
  • Contains 6 powerful peptides
  • Plays well with any routine
  • Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and gentle
  • Good price for the ingredients

Cons:

  • Might be too light for very dry skin (layer with thicker cream)
  • Results are subtle and build over time
  • Not a replacement for retinol or stronger actives

How to Use

AM & PM Routine (after cleansing):

  1. Dispense 2–3 drops into your palm
  2. Gently pat it onto your face
  3. Follow with serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (AM) or night cream (PM)

Bonus: Try layering it twice if your skin feels extra thirsty.

Is It Clean Beauty?

Yes! COSRX prides itself on being cruelty-free, with minimalist formulas that skip fragrance, essential oils, and known irritants. It’s also hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested — ideal for sensitive skin types.

Final Verdict: 9/10

COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum isn’t flashy, but it’s quietly effective. It’s the introvert of skincare: low drama, high impact.

If you’re looking to introduce peptides into your routine in a non-intimidating, hydrating, and budget-friendly way, this is your go-to.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely.
Would I use it on days when my skin is screaming for a break? Definitely.
Would I gift it to my friend ? 100%.

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Product Review, Skincare

An Honest Review of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum: Glow Goals or Nah?

Let’s talk about something we’ve all been chasing since our teen years—clear, even-toned, glassy skin. If you’ve ever stared at your reflection and muttered “Why is my face a patchwork quilt?”, this one’s for you.

Enter: the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum. Yep, that’s a mouthful. But is it worth a spot in your skincare lineup? I tried it for two weeks straight, and here’s the good, the glowy review.

A hand holding a box of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, showcasing its sleek packaging design with the product name and size prominently displayed.

The Price Tag

Depending on where you buy it, it usually retails around ₹1800–₹2000 (~$20–25 USD) for 30ml. Not drugstore-cheap, but definitely not wallet-shattering either. And considering the ingredients? It’s pretty darn reasonable. In India, it is available on Nykaa.

Ingredients Breakdown:

  • Niacinamide 10% – A skincare classic. Known for minimizing pores, evening skin tone, strengthening the skin barrier, and basically making you glow like you slept 8 hours (even if you didn’t).
  • TXA (Tranexamic Acid) 4% – A powerful brightening agent. This acid is your hyperpigmentation’s worst nightmare. Great for fading dark spots, acne scars, and melasma.

Together, these two form a brightening dream team. Think of Niacinamide as the chill, hardworking employee and TXA as the overachiever who quietly handles all the tough stuff.

A hand holding a bottle of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, showcasing its sleek and modern packaging.

First Impressions

Let’s start with the packaging: sleek, minimal, and no-frills—basically the skincare equivalent of a white T-shirt. It’s giving “I’m not like other serums. I’m focused.”

The texture? Lightweight and watery-serum-ish. Not sticky, not oily. It sinks in faster. One pump covers your whole face, and it layers beautifully under moisturizer and sunscreen.

Smell? None. Which is chef’s kiss because nobody asked for perfume in a brightening serum.

A close-up image of a hand with a drop of clear serum sitting on the skin against a plain white background.

The Experience: Week by Week

Week 1: The Calm Before the Glow

My skin felt a bit irritated on the first two days. There was slight redness. I got a bit scared and waited for two more days before applying again. Since the third day the redness disappeared. Skin felt slightly smoother and a bit more even in tone. No irritation. No drama. Just polite skincare behavior.

Week 2: Pore-less Possibilities

That subtle inner glow started peeking through. A few acne scars on my cheek started lightening (not gone yet, but noticeably faded). Also, my skin looked less “meh” in the morning.

What’s the Catch?

Okay, it’s not perfect.

  • Not hydrating enough on its own. You’ll need to pair it with a good moisturizer, especially if you’re dry or combo.
  • If your skin is very sensitive, patch test first—10% niacinamide can be a bit intense for some.
  • It’s more of a slow burn than a “wake up and see magic” type of serum.

Who Should Use It?

This serum is a recommended option for:

  • People struggling with hyperpigmentation, PIH, or melasma
  • Oily-to-combination skin types
  • Beginners in actives who want a powerful yet gentle brightening boost

Maybe not ideal for:

  • Super dry skin (unless paired with a hydrating routine)
  • Ultra-sensitive skin types who react to niacinamide

Final Verdict: Add to Cart?

Yes, if you want a glow-up that’s subtle, steady, and sustainable.
No, if you want instant results or if your skin gets cranky with active ingredients.

✨ Rating: 4.5/5 — deducted half a point for the slow pace, but this is one of those serums that wins the long game.

Let me share your thoughts in the comments section if you have tried this serum 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch – Review

If you are someone who has got dry under-eye skin, then this review is for you. I have been noticing that my under-eye area became quite dry due to longer hours in front of screens. Eye creams helped definitely but I also tried the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel eye patch and I quite liked it

Price:

One pack(84gms) of the Petitfee Hydrogel Eye patches retails for Rs 1599. It contains 60 patches (30 pairs). I got it from Nykaa. They are also available on the Petitfee website.

Product Description:

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patches contain a blend of premium ingredients focusing on treating dry skin. They actively work on reducing dark circles and wrinkles and provides instant recharging and hydration to your skin while moisturizes it. These gold patches are soaked in the essence of 24k gold powder and ginseng extract and act as your 15-minute nutrition recharge routine for treating dry skin. These under-eye patches improve skin elasticity and help in skin tightening while leaving your skin deeply hydrated. Made with a skin-friendly pure hydrogel containing seaweed, these patches hold a lot of water in them to provide immense hydration and cooling to the skin.

Ingredients:

Water, Calcium Chloride, Glycerin, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Chlorphenesin Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. Betaine, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Limonene, Mineral Oil, Gold.

  • Tidy the skin of your eye rim with toner after facial cleansing.
  • Scoop the patch with a spoon and apply it to fit the shape of your eye.
  • Take off the patch after taking a light rest with a cool feeling for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Gently massage the area after use.
  • Wrap up with a moisturizer if necessary.

Note: This product is a hydrogel type. Be cautious as it may tear off if handled roughly when applied. You can keep it in the refrigerator for an enhanced cooling effect.

My Take on the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch:

Packaging: They come in a plastic golden tub with a small spatula to take out the product. I store it in my refrigerator for that extra cooling effect. It contains 60 very thin films of eye patch. It may get teared apart while taking out. So, be careful. The patches are super slimy and has a gold shimmery effect.

Ingredients: They contain fragrance. I don’t understand the need of it. I couldn’t smell much of it though. I am not sure of the 24k gold part but overall they contain a lot of hydrating ingredients.

Texture: The eye patches are soaked in a slimy hydrating liquid. I put on the masks and also slowly without any pressure blend the liquid around my eyes. I keep it on for maximum 20 minutes and it leaves a visibly hydrated and bright under-eye area.

Am I going to repurchase this? This is more like a good to have product for self-care. I will probably try out some other eye patches in future but these are also not bad.

Have you tried any other eye-patches? Let me know in the comments section.

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream – Review

Hello! Here I am with another review of one of the very popular Korean skincare product. I have heard a lot of good reviews about the beauty of Joseon products. A little history here. Beauty of Joseon is a brand that has reinterpreted the unchanging beauty and the traditional methods from nature in a modern way according to the wisdom of Joseon women. Based on the ‘Gyuhap Chongseo’, 100-year-old book which is referred to as the encyclopedia of the Joseon Dynasty, they have included the beauty methods of women from, the uppermost classes of the Joseon Dynasty.People of the Joseon Dynasty regarded flashy adornment to be obscene and low class. As a result, women from, noble families put on makeup with minimal colors and focused more on creating clean and clear skin rather than on applying makeup and adorning themselves. Well, even now Korean products are more focused on creating clean and clear skin. This is what I love about them.

Anyway I have tried the famous ‘Dynasty’ cream from Beauty of Joseon and I am wondering why I didn’t purchase this earlier! Okay, so let me tell you all about it.

Price and Quantity:

The dynasty cream is widely available on Tira, Amazon and on Nykaa. The printed MRP is around Rs 2050 for a 50ml tub but I found it at 10% discount on Tira beauty.

Product Description:

From the brand page, “This all-in-one cream is filled with good-for-skin ingredients like rice bran water, ginseng water, squalane, and niacinamide. These ingredients help to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and balanced. Its firm texture sinks into your skin, providing moisture and nourishment from deep within.

Long-lasting moisture
Enriched with 2% niacinamide and 2% squalane, it balances oil and moisture and protects skin from external stimuli.

Subtle glow finish
This cream provides a gentle, glowy finish.
It creates a natural and healthy glow when used with foundation.

Key ingredients

Rice bran water 29%
Rice bran is the finest inner bran of milled rice. In the Joseon Dynasty, rice bran water was used like the toner of today. It was called ‘Beauty Water’, used for beautiful skin. Rice bran, rich in amino acids, minerals, and vitamin E, helps to keep the skin moist and healthy.

Ginseng root water 5%
Ginseng is the most important herbal ingredient in Korean history. In the Joseon Dynasty, it was called ‘Shincho’, meaning herb from the gods. The rich saponin contained in ginseng helps to make the skin healthier and more energized.

Squalane 2%
Squalane, which has properties similar to sebum, helps to balance oil and moisture and acts as a moisture barrier to protect the skin from external stimuli.

Niacinamide 2%
Niacinamide is a water-soluble B vitamin.
It helps to prevent excessively dry or oily skin by regulating sebum secretion.”

Ingredients:

Water, Oryza Sativa (rice) Bran Water, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Hydrogenated polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Dextrin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

My Take on the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream:

Packaging: Completely fuss free simple packaging. It comes in a white transparent glass tub with a white lid. There is a small spatula to help you take out the product.

Ingredients: The first 4 primary ingredients are water, rice bran water, glycerin and ginseng root water. Just looking at this ingredient list I can say that the focus is on hydration and locking moisture in the skin. It also contains 2% niacinamide and 2% squalene which are again quite nice on the ingredient list. It is a fragrance free product too.

Texture: It has a velvety, creamy texture which feels really luxurious on the skin. It gets absorbed easily without making my skin oily. It blends very easily and can be used as a moisturizing primer. It instantly gives a glow after application! My skin looks nourished and hydrated. I have applied it as a night cream and every morning when I wake up my skin feels amazingly smooth and soft after using this.

Am I going to repurchase this? Absolutely yes! For oily skin beauties finding a good balanced moisturizer is really hard! This one will work for dry, combination and oily skin people across the year. Maybe if you have super dry skin, I will not recommend it for winter but it can be a good product for summer.

If you have tried the Dynasty cream by Beauty of Joseon please let me know in the comments section.

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Product Review, Skincare

Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid Face Serum – Review

…Continuing from where I left with my last post about healing and clearing my skin from a severe break out.

As I mentioned, I got severe acne attack recently. This is something which happened after almost a decade. I get pimple here and there but this was a severe break out and my skin barrier definitely got damaged. I tried the d’you barrier repair moisturizer to calm my skin down during the first week and it did a good job. I started using the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum from second week onwards which worked great on my skin earlier to treat the dark spots. You can check my review here. Unfortunately I had very tiny amount left in that tube and it’s not readily available in India. So, I searched for something similar from Minimalist and stumbled upon their 3% Tranexamic acid serum. This specifically formulated for targeting melasma/acne scars/hyperpigmentation.

Let’s start with my review –

Price and Quantity:

Minimalist serums are quite affordable. The 30ml bottle of 3% Tranexamic acid comes for INR 649. It is available on Nykaa.

Product Description (As per Brand website):

Tranexamic acid is a new generation molecule that inhibits melanin synthesis by interfering with the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocyte through inhibition of the plasminogen/plasmin system. External skin disruptors, such as UV light or injuries (like acne), cause the keratinocytes in our skin to produce plasminogen, that further start several processes like inflammation, increased tyrosinase activity, melanocyte differentiation, and transfer of melanosomes to upper skin layers. Tranexamic acid decelerates these processes by interfering with plasmin activity, and hence, in turn, indirectly inhibiting melanogenesis. Studies have shown that tranexamic acid, when applied topically, shows results similar to hydroquinone in the reduction of hyperpigmentation. It is also one of the most proven ingredients for the treatment of melasma.

Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid (Radianskin) complements tranexamic acid as it has an innovative mechanism blocking the release of melanin by the melanocytes, an alternative to the inhibition of tyrosinase. HPA reduces melanogenesis by up to 86% and shows a greater depigmenting effect than ascorbyl glucoside, kojic acid and arbutin, and equivalent efficacy to hydroquinone without cytotoxicity. The formula also contains exfoliating acids like mandelic acid (3%) and salicylic acid (0.3%) which gently remove the dead cells from the top of the skin, boosting the performance of tranexamic acid and hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, hence accelerating the reduction of hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Mandelic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate.

My take on the Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid:

Packaging: Standard Minimalist dark glass bottle with a dropper. Nothing to add much here.

Texture and Color: I was quite surprised that the serum looked like a yellow oil when I first took it out. Usually most of the serums except vitamin c ones are white/transparent. I am not sure why the color is such bright yellow but in their official website also the pictures confirmed that it is supposed to be yellow. I also spotted turmeric root extract in the ingredient list. Not sure if that is the reason for the color. However, the texture is very light and blends really well. I just need 3 drops to cover my entire face.

Ingredients: Apart from the 3 % tranexamic acid, this serum also contains 3% mandelic acid, 1% HPA (Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid) and salicylic acid as well (not sure about the percentage though). It is fragrance free and also does not contain any essential oil. Tranexamic acids are proven to target hyperpigmentation, melasma and UV damages. Mandelic acid and the salicylic acid, both have exfoliating property which also helps to clear the skin. I am quite unsure about the Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid. In some articles I read that it prevents melanin formation and that’s why works well for hyperpigmentation but some other articles mentioned it can be irritating for eyes/skin. So, it’s important that you do a patch test before applying it on your face. Overall, I think it has a lot of very strong ingredients. So, please check with your dermatologist for suggestion and also if you are using some other AHAs or retinoids, please double check with your doctor if this is going to be too much for your skin.

Did it work for my skin? First disclaimer is that I have used it for only 2 weeks and to actually see results I think I should wait 2-3 months. I will try to update the post to share my final verdict once I am done with a full bottle. For now, I want to mention a few things. I use it only for my night time skin care routine as it has a lot of exfoliants which are supposed to work overnight. When I got severe break out I waited for a week before putting any serum with active ingredients. When I started using the Tranexamic acid, I still had large red pimples on my cheeks but they were no longer painful. I used it for 2 weeks. On the first week, I used it on alternate days and second week onwards I am using it every night. I didn’t use any other serum during this period. After a week the pimples are now tiny brownish red spots although quite visible. There are no bumps or zits on my face. I don’t have any active acne anymore.

I am going to continue to use it till the bottle lasts and will update you with the final results…

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Product Review, Skincare

d’you in my defence | Barrier Building Moisturizer| Review

Hello! Hope all of you doing great 🙂

I haven’t been able to post in the last few weeks due to my insane workload. However, I have tried out a lot of new and great products in the recent few months and cannot wait any further to share my reviews of them. So, there is a lot of reviews of beauty products coming your way soon!

Let’s start with my review of the d’you In My Defence barrier building moisturizer with all you lovely people. I am sure all of you who look out for new skincare products in the market, have heard about the d’you IMD moisturizer. Especially when Alia Bhatt while sharing her skincare routine in a Vogue shoot also shared that she used this moisturizer and it instantly got viral. I know the name is kind of confusing. I had to look it up and as per their own website, it is pronounced as ‘due’. The d’you brand was founded around 2019 or 2020 by Shamika Haldipurkar. Although it is an Indian brand, the formulation is done in Seoul, South Korea. As per their website they have only 3-4 products at the market right now and out of all the products looks like the IMD barrier building moisturizer and the Hustle multi active serum are the most popular ones.

Did Alia Bhatt influence me to purchase the IMD moisturizer?

Can’t say no :p

When I first saw the d’you products on Instagram ads, their cute packaging made me think that it is another Korean skincare brand. However, only when I saw Alia using this barrier building moisturizer, I looked it up and found out it is actually an Indian brand.

Now, coming to why I bought this. A few weeks back while travelling, I used a facial razor for the first time in my life. The very next day when I woke up and cleaned my face, I could see an unusual redness on my face and in the next 2-3 days I developed several pimples all over my face. This was really upsetting as after a lot of time my skin was looking all clear and healthy and all of a sudden here we are!

So, then at one hand I started treating the active acne and on another I started looking for some barrier building moisturizers and then I thought of purchasing the d’you In my defence Barrier Building Moisturizer. If you have followed my blog, I used YBP barrier repair tonic during one of my previous acne episodes and it gave me great results previously but it is basically a toner and this time I just wanted to go minimalistic with just a cleanser, moisturizer and a sunscreen routine. Yeah, so that’s the very long story behind purchasing this ceramide based moisturizer 😀

Price and Quantity:

This barrier repairing moisturizer is quite expensive though! The 50 ml bottle comes at Rs 3500. My usual go to gel moisturizer from Neutrogena comes at almost 1/4th of the price. However, the d’you IMD moisturizer goes a long way. I have used it for 3 weeks only but I can say it will go at the least 2-2.5 months because I just need one pump to spread it all over my face.

Product Description:

We hear a lot about ceramides these days and how it protects the skin’s barrier. I know CeraVe is one such company who formulates products with a strong focus on ceramides. Lately I am seeing a few Indian skin care brands also creating products with ceramides as the hero ingredient.

“D’you’s In My Defence moisturizer protects your skin barrier with its patented 5-ceramide blend. It’s a first-of-its-kind product that uses 1% pure ceramides (which is 20X higher than industry standard) along with a 3:1:1 ratio of skin’s essential lipids.“

Ingredients:

Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, (-)-Alpha-Bisabolol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Allantoin, VInyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, , Phytosphingosine,, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Arachidic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance (0.03Ml)

My Take on the d’you IMD Barrier Building Moisturizer:

Packaging: Very cute packaging with a typical Korean signature. This moisturizer comes in a baby pink plastic bottle with a pump. There is also one additional cap to protect the pump from accidental leakage. The nozzle of the pump is very thin which helps to take out just the amount you require. Overall a very travel friendly packaging.

Ingredients: The first ingredient on the list is the Portulaca Oleracea Extract is a popular Korean ingredient which has antioxidant properties and also known to calm the irritated skin. So, I think it’s a good start. The second and thirds ingredients are water and glycerine, No complaints on that too. I could spot 5 ceramides in the list and as per their claim they constitute 1% of the formulation. This product contains fragrance although I couldn’t have figured out this if I didn’t check the ingredient list.

Texture: I loved the texture, It is feather light. One surprising thing that I noticed is if you take out just a tiny amount of the moisturizer, say half a pea-size, on the palm and then start spreading it on the face, it somehow will magically cover the entire face. Yes, you need a very little amount and that’s why one bottle should go for 2-2.5 months easily based on usage. It is non-greasy. My skin feels nourished and soft and looks hydrated after application.

Did it help with my acne healing?

It did not directly help in improving the acne situation that I had but within 3 days of usage I could feel my skin has become very soft. Due to the breakout, my skin felt very rough and there were a lot of tiny zits around my nose and upper lip area. These zits were not completely gone easily but when I touched my face after 5-6 days of usage, I could feel that my skin has started healing. It felt a lot smoother. Now, after 3 weeks of usage I would say I did not see much accelerated healing from using this moisturizer alone. I started using other serums which helped me to get the acne situation under control much quicker. What I felt is that this barrier building moisturizer kind of soothed my skin and prevented any further breakouts. Also, one point worth mentioning is that when I had the severe breakout I got very scared to apply anything on my face and at that point this moisturizer definitely didn’t irritate my skin yet gave it the necessary hydration.

Am I going to repurchase it?

It is definitely a good moisturizer especially if you are living in a humid weather or you have oily/sensitive/easily irritated skin. I always look for gel based moisturizers because I feel usual face moisturizers make my skin super greasy and they are completely a disaster in a hot and humid weather. The d’you IMD moisturizer is definitely a welcome change because of its non-greasy lightweight formula along with the skin soothing properties. It is also a good option for those who do not want to invest on tons of different skin care products and just want to follow a cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen routine.

It’s a good to have moisturizer if you have sensitive skin or if you want a fuss free minimal skincare but don’t expect any miraculous result because you are spending Rs 3.5 k for a 60 ml bottle. I think I may repurchase it just to use it while I am travelling or have very little time to follow a rigorous skincare regime but this is not going to be my regular moisturizer.

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum | Remedy for Hyperpigmentation| Review

My battle with hyperpigmentation has been quite a struggle. Even though I am quite particular about using sunscreen and maintaining an effective skincare routine, I was not like this when I was in college. At that time, I absolutely hated applying anything on my skin. No skincare, no makeup. I also had severe acne issues, like most teenagers and young adults. Now that I am very much invested into my skincare regime and have a fair idea about what works for my skin, I have been doing a lot of research to find out what actually can help me to get rid of hyperpigmentation. I have tried a lot of natural, homemade remedies but they did not work as much as I expected. Finally, my relentless search led me to a great product to put up a good fight with hyperpigmentation and that product is the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum which contains 2% Alpha Arbutin and 0.5% Squalene. I saw some great results and here is my review.

What is Alpha-Arbutin?

Alpha-Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone which has skin lightening properties. Now hydroquinone is banned in many countries due to its potential side effects but Alpha-Arbutin is not banned and it is safe to use everyday. Alpha Arbutin has depigmenting properties similar to hydroquinone. It works on age spots, acne spots and any sort of dark spot. We encounter dark spots in our skin from an enzyme called tyrosinase which is responsible for secreting melanin. The melanocytes cells in our get triggered when the skin encounters UV light for a longer period resulting in freckles and sunspots. Now, Alpha arbutin gets transformed into hydroquinone in our skin over time and it impedes tyrosinase and thus prevents creating any further dark spots and also improves the appearance of existing dark spots.

The fact that Alpha arbutin gets transformed into hydroquinone in our skin, it is less potent than the original hydroquinone and thus does not have much risk of side effects. It is also available without prescription as a topical cream/serum.

In this post, I am particularly going to review the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum which contains 2% Alpha Arbutin.

Price:

This product is not available in India at the moment. I bought it from StyleDotty for Rs 1638 for the 30ml tube. You can get it from a lot of Instagram sellers who source products from UK/US/Canada. It’s original price in the Inkey List website is $12.99. One 30 ml tube should last you for 6-8 weeks as you just need a pea size amount everyday.

Product Description (From the Inkey List’s website):

A concentrated 2% Alpha Arbutin serum to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots and keep skin at an optimal hydration level. Derived from the leaves of the bearberry plant, this non irritating serum helps to brighten the skin and improve overall skin tone. Added Squalane helps to increase skin hydration and smoothness.

Targets:

  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Scarring
  • Uneven Skin Tone
  • Redness

My take on the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum:

The Brand: Inkey List is a UK brand which focuses on ingredient driven skincare. Their moto is kind of similar to the Ordinary. They focus on one or two ingredients for effectively targeting specific skin concerns. Their products are vegan and cruelty free.

Packaging: They have a minimal packaging but the serum comes in a tube which seemed very inconvenient to me. Almost every time I take out more product than I actually intended. I would have preferred it to come in a bottle with a dropper. Not sure if they had a scientific reason to package it in a tube. I also saw some leakage issue as I did not screw the cap tightly enough. Overall, I found this tube like packaging quite inconvenient.

Texture and smell: It is fragrance free which I absolutely loved. The consistency is actually watery and not like a gel. In their website the color of this serum was milky white but surprisingly when I received the product it was already oxidized and turned into chocolate brown color. I got to know that a lot of other people also experienced the same and the Inkey list also addressed the issue and clarified that it is totally okay to turn into brown as it contains natural ingredients. It does not impact its efficacy and rightly so, it worked on my skin totally and did not cause me any irritation.

Ingredients: The ingredient list looks solid. I did not spot any problematic ingredient. Water (aqua / eau), Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-arbutin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Squalane, Phospholipids, Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan isostearate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sodium hydroxide, Glycine soja (soybean) sterols, Hyaluronic acid, Tocopherol.

Performance: Now coming to the most important part, did it deliver? Yes, it did. I am writing this review after using it for 6 weeks as recommended and I can see some of my very stubborn dark spots have lightened up significantly. I don’t know if you can see it clearly in the photo, but some of the spots I had were quite prominent but now they have faded at least by 70%. I used to have some red spots around my nose, I can hardly spot them now. I am definitely going to continue to use it. It delivered!

It is very easy to spread on my skin because of its runny consistency. You can use it both at AM and PM. After cleansing, preferably use a hyaluronic acid based product and then after waiting for a minute or so apply the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum. You can apply your moisturizer after this or use you sunscreen as well but just give it some time to fully absorb into your skin. You can skip the moisturizer too because it has squalene in it which also gives the skin the required moisture it needs.

Hope you found this review helpful :)Let me know what you use for hyperpigmentation, in the comments section.

** Disclaimer – This is not a sponsored post.

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% – Botox in a Bottle?

I came across the Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% on an Youtube shorts almost a year ago. The video claimed this product to be ‘botox in a bottle’. I immediately got intrigued and started digging a bit more. I watched a couple of more videos from the skincare experts whom I have started trusting over the years and also did a bit of independent research to understand this ingredient well. According to various articles that I have gone through, Argireline is a synthetic peptide that has several different potential wrinkle-fighting and anti-aging effects. It is claimed that, similar to Botox, Argireline prevents the muscle movement that leads to wrinkle formation. So, it can be effective for areas where we usually see repetitive muscle movements such as the forehead and around the eyes. Since Argireline also boosts the function of collagen, it helps to fight fine lines and improve overall moisture levels in the skin.

Product Description

It is supposed to be the part 2 of the skincare regime as suggested by the brand itself. It is formulated to treat dynamic lines, signs of ageing, crow’s feet.

Argireline Solution 10% offers an advanced formula targeting dynamic forehead, “eleven eye”, and smile lines in an effective, “non-injective” way. By incorporating a high concentration of Argireline™ , this lightweight serum improves the appearance of facial areas prone to deep-set lines, resulting in smoother, more relaxed skin.

Use the solution, daily, on the forehead and around the eyes, before moisturisers, in AM and PM routine.  

Patch Testing is highly recommended. Discontinue using, if any sensitisation or irritation persists and approach a Dermatologist. It is free from Alcohol, Animal Testing process, Esters, Oils, Gluten, Nuts and Silicone.

Ingredients List

Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gellan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Isoceteth-20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Key Ingredient – Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Where to buy it in India

I couldn’t find it available on the Nykaa website which usually retails all the Ordinary products in India. So, I ordered it from Styledotty.com. They basically sell a lot of beauty products from UK/US/Canada to Indian customers. That’s why the price is in a higher range compared to other Ordinary products available in India. This 30 ml bottle costs Rs 1650 on their website. It came with a ‘use before 12 months’ tag. The shipping is free for first time customers and you can look out for some offers they give from time to time. In the official Ordinary website it retails for EUR 10.10.

My Take on The Ordinary 10% Argireline Serum:

What is it ? This serum has a lightweight watery consistency with Argireline™ Peptide complex which is known to be a proprietary solution of Acetyl hexapeptide-8. Peptides are amino acids which are known to be the building blocks of essential proteins for our skin like collagen and elastin. I have come across a lot of multi-peptide serums offered by the prominent skincare brands but Argireline solution provides more targeted solution for dynamic lines/wrinkles among all other peptides. It mimics the impact of botox by limiting the movement of facial muscles around eyes or laugh lines. However, what I have understood from my research and after using this product that we should not expect a very significant impact similar to botox because it is after all a non-injectable solution and there is no solid proof that it penetrates the deepest levels of our skin like what botox does. Hence, it may not have a very long lasting impact too.

Who is it for? If you are someone into preventive skincare and not yet sure about doing botox or any other cosmetic procedure then you can give this serum a try for overall smoothing effect on your soft wrinkles. Also, I personally felt that this serum boosts the moisture level of the skincare other than its wrinkle smoothing properties. So, if you have dry skin, this will give you a plumper skin.

Did it work on me? So, let me say first that both me and my mother used it. My mother is in her late 50s and me in my early 30s. The impact was different for both of us. I thankfully still don’t have crow’s feet or prominent lines on my forehead yet. Also, from all the reviews that I read and from the brand’s own description, I understood that this serum should be used only on the targeted areas and not on full face. So, I applied it only on my forehead, around my eyes and on the laugh lines. I used it for 6 months and I am still using it. I cannot claim that I saw any conspicuous effect of limitation of muscle contraction around the areas I used it. I deliberately tried to frown a couple of times 😀 after I used this serum and I actually could do it :p. However, this is also true that I did not see any new wrinkle/fine lines appearing on my skin in the last six months and the area around my eye look super tight. Due to working long hours in front of screens, I was noticing that my under-eye area was looking very dull and dehydrated. After using the Argireline solution, it looks so much better now. So, from a preventive skincare point of view, I am going to continue to use it.

Now, coming to its impact on my mother’s skin, it actually did not do much as we hoped for. She obviously has deeper permanent lines around her eyes and on forehead and neither she nor me saw any improvement whatsoever in terms of smoothening those lines. However, she has dry skin and she felt that this serum gives her skin a glowing, hydrated and youthful effect. She uses it on her entire face.

We did not experience any allergic reaction, still I would recommend everyone to do a patch test before using it. I used it after I cleansed my skin with the Neutrogena hydro boost cleanser and sealed it with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel moisturizer. The Ordinary Argireline 10% serum works well with other peptide serums like The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA (I did not try this combination though).

Hope you found this review useful. Let me know in the comments section, if you have used the Ordinary Argireline 10% serum.

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Product Review, Skincare

Sadhev Aloe vera and Saffron Gel Review

My recent inclination towards Natural or Ayurvedic beauty products made me discover an Indian luxury Ayurvedic brand from the majestic land of Kerala. Sadhev was launched in 2019. In their own words, all their products are “infused with precious insights from traditional Ayurveda, delicately blended with pure ingredients, sourced responsibly and carefully from Sadhev’s own 80-acre sustainably grown organic sanctuary- Sadhevana in South India.”

Sadhev offers an exciting range of Face care, Hair care and body care products. The most amazing part is that all their products are “natural, vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, free from petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, synthetic colours, artificial fragrances, additives and other synthetic substances.” They source most of their natural ingredients either from their own 100% organic firm or in a sustainable way from other exotic locations. Their packaging is made in a way to preserve the bio potency of the ingredients.

In this post, I will review Sadhev’s Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel with Kumkumadi Tailam.

Price

Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron gel with Kumkumadi Tailam comes in 3 sizes. The 15 gm tub costs Rs 375, the 50gm tub costs Rs 1100 and the 100 gm one costs Rs 1950. I bought the trial version of 15gm at first. The pricing of course put the product in a luxury brand category for the Indian market but if you really want great quality chemical-free products for your skin, then this price makes sense. Also, they are sometimes on a 5-10% discount on the Nykaa website. So, you can buy it from there as well. Another option is to buy a refill pack of 100gm which costs Rs 1650. This is again a thoughtful attempt towards sustainability.

Description

I got to know from Sadhev’s website that they came up with the aloe vera and saffron gel after getting inspired by Mughal empress Nur Jahan’s secret rich beauty ingredients like Saffron and the Green Aloe Vera that grew in her royal gardens.

My Take on the Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel

Ingredients

I love using aloe vera gel all year round. One of my favourite Aloe Vera gel is from Tony Moly. Primarily in summer I sometimes use only aloe vera gel as a moisturizer and don’t put anything else on my face. It contains vitamins C and E and is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It works for all skin types. Sadhev’s product has added a nice twist to the otherwise popular aloe gel by adding saffron sourced from the valley of Kashmir. Saffron contains an active compound known as Crocin which has antioxidant properties. It protects against UVA rays and fights inflammation/redness of the skin. The most amazing thing is that I could actually see the saffron strings in this product.

They have added ‘Kumkumadi Tailam’ which is basically saffron oil. It used to be this miraculous elixir in the Indian mythological scripts describing the skincare routines of the queens. This is known for healing wounds. However, as per recent studies, for oily/combination/sensitive skin people, this oil may cause acne. They use 50mg of Kumkumadi Tailam in each 10 gm of their product. In my personal experience, I did not find this product to be greasy at all and it did not cause me any breakout.

This product use preservatives like undecylenoyl glycine, capryloyl glycine and benzoic acid. It also contains perfum and natural oil in their base.

Texture

It has a light and airy formulation. You can compare the texture to widely popular gel-based moisturizers like Clinique Moisture Surge or Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel. I can easily use it in hot and humid weather. It does not make my skin oily but I don’t go all out as I do for my other aloe vera gels. I treat it like a face moisturizer and just put 4 dots around my face, partly because it is quite expensive and partly because it contains saffron oil.

Did I notice any benefits?

Yes I did. The texture of my skin became super smooth and soft after using this. Also, it gave my skin a very radiant glow which I usually notice only when I use Niacinamide based serums. I do not have any acne at the moment. So I can’t comment anything on its acne healing properties but it definitely did not cause me any breakout. So far I have only used it in summer and it kept my skin hydrated throughout the day. I usually spray the Kama Ayurveda Rose toner on top of it and it keeps the moisture locked.

What I did not Like

One thing that bothered me was that they use perfum/fragrance. Saffron already has a very distinctive smell, so, I don’t understand the need for using additional fragrance even if it is natural fragrance derived from essential oils. The perfum did bother my sensitive nose. This is why I don’t use it before bed because strong scent troubles my sleep. Also, both artificial and natural fragrance can be drying for skin and may cause irritation in the long run.

Overall I liked the Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel for its efficacy but I did not like the fact that they use ‘perfum’ in their natural base.

Hope you found this review helpful. If you have used this product, please let me know what you liked or disliked in the comments section.

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Product Review, Skincare

Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water – Review

When it comes to ‘Made in India’ pure Ayurvedic skincare products, Kama Ayurveda definitely tops the chart. Their products are all about authentic Ayurvedic formulations without harmful chemicals. Their brand prioritises long-term efficacy and wellness over short-term temporary results that can harm the skin.

I am in that phase of trying out many balanced natural skincare products without any harmful chemicals. Many Indian semi-luxury brands are doing a great job at creating this perfect solution for customers like us. On that note, I recently reviewed the Pahadi Local Rose Oil which I think is a hidden gem. If you haven’t already, please check that review. While looking for face mists to tackle the Indian summer, I picked up the Kama Ayurveda Rose water and here is my quick review of that.

Price and Quantity: The Kama Ayurveda Rose water comes in two variants – 50 ml and 200 ml. Price of the 50 ml bottle is Rs 495 and the 200 ml bottle comes for Rs 1445. I know it isn’t exactly pocket-friendly but sometimes good things come at a price 😀

Product Description (As per the brand website): “Our natural Rose water is made from the roses of Kannauj – a region in North India rich in white soil conducive to roses’ growth. The Kannauj Rose is considered special due to its similarity to the Bulgarian Rose. Its aroma is rich, floral, and emotionally uplifting. The steam distillation process used to create this Rose water toner ensures a high level of hygiene and unmatched purity.”

Kama Ayurveda Rose Water Review

Packaging: The rose water comes in a dark brown plastic spray bottle with a transparent plastic cap. It is very easy to carry while I am travelling or going to the office. Interestingly, this bottle does not come with any outer paper/cardboard packaging. I would say that is quite an environment-friendly choice.

My take on the Kama Ayurveda Rose water:

  • First of all, rose water itself is a versatile product. We can use it as a toner/face-mist/cleanser/make-up remover etc. Even sometimes when I am making some DIY face masks I use rose water instead of plain water. Now this Kama Ayurveda rose water does not have any overpowering smell which I noticed in the other rose-water brands available in the market. It has a very calming yet refreshing effect on my skin. I simply spray it 3-4 times from slightly at a distance and let it get absorbed on its own or sometimes I put gentle and quick pressure with my fingertips.
  • In India, this product is a perfect solution when the heat touches the roof, for a quick rejuvenation. When I wake up in the morning, after cleaning my face, I spray this rose water and then simply put the sunscreen in the summer. This Rose water acts as a natural astringent. It balances the skin’s pH and moisture level and helps to reduce any sort of inflammation. Even when I am going out for the office I just use this rose water as a primer and do some quick touch-ups. This product claims to effectively tighten pores. I haven’t noticed any big difference in my pores. However, since it is an alcohol-free toner, it works great for oily or acne-prone skin.
  • This product did not give me any sort of irritation. It stayed true to its promise of pure Ayurvedic formula. It makes my skin look hydrated and glowing with just a few spritzes.

Overall, I really liked this rose water cum toner from Kama Ayurveda. I know it is a bit pricey but it is top quality. Let me know in the comments section if you have found any good natural rose water brand which can give tough competition to this.

Have a nice day 🙂

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