REVIEW: L’Oréal Sublime Radiance Sensational Cleansing Oil

L’Oréal Sublime Radiance Sensational Cleansing Oil

Yes, I jumped on the cleansing oil bandwagon. To be honest, I never really thought I would be that person. But then, as I started to use sunscreen regularly, I started noticing how my sunscreen wasn’t always completely off my face after just using a regular cleanser, which I believe was one of the reasons I still had textured skin. After pursuing the drugstore isles one day, I found this oil cleanser on the shelves, which I believe was the cheapest out there… and I thought: “eh, let’s give cleansing oils a shot.. what could possibly go wrong?”

And that folks, is how one fine day, my skincare-routine revolutionized.

What is it and what does it claim to do:

“Beyond makeup removal, this incredibly gentle oil removes traces of makeup and impurities to reveal skin that looks amazingly hydrated, sublime and glowing. This radiance-infused formula instantly removes traces of makeup (even waterproof), for face and eyes, with no greasy finish.”

Ingredients:

Paraffinum Liquidum, Mineral oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Searate, Isohexadecane, PEG-20 glyceryl, Trisostearate, Aqua/Water, Tocopheryl acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum/Fragrance.

You can find the in-depth analysis of all the ingredients here.

Packaging:

The cleansing oil comes in an orange pump bottle that thankfully, does not leak. I quite like the bottle and the pump dispenses just the right amount of product too.

Texture and scent:

It has a very synthetic fresh-floral sort of scent to it. The oil itself has a very lightweight texture with a great slip to it, so you can massage it easily on to your skin. I love how it isn’t very thick and doesn’t feel very heavy on the skin.

How I use it:

I wipe my face first with some miceller water on a cotton pad, and wait for it to dry a bit because otherwise the oil will emulsify. Then I take 2 pumps of this in my clean, dry hands and massage this onto my face for around 30 seconds. I feel this step really helps breakdown all the sunscreen off my face and is also very relaxing. After that I just add some water to my hands and using a massaging motion, just emulsify the oil until it turns into a milky texture. Then I’ll just rinse it all off with some water and proceed with my second cleanser.

Thoughts:

I’ve used this cleansing oil almost everyday since January, and for the price point, I think this is actually a good basic oil cleanser.

My usual everyday cleansing routine involves wiping my face first with miceller water, oil cleansing and then using a clay/water based cleanser. I don’t wear makeup, not even concealer but I do wear lipstick/lip tints and sunscreen fairly regularly. The only reason I thought I should incorporate an oil cleanser in my routine is because I felt that my usual clay cleanser wasn’t doing a really good job in getting rid of all the sunscreen on my face and I couldn’t afford to wash my face twice with it.

This, in my opinion, is a decent oil cleanser. It’s quite moisturizing and hydrating, and not harsh or heavy but has a lovely lightweight texture which means you can massage it onto your face easily without that heavy oily feeling. It breaks up all the sunscreen and everything else quite gently. Does it leave an oily filmy layer on the skin even after emulsifying with water? No, I don’t think so. It does however leave the skin quite soft and hydrated afterwards. Either way I do follow it with a clay/water based cleanser, so it doesn’t matter much to me. Does it leave the skin ‘sublime and glowing’ in the long run? I think if you have a good cleanser that is as moisturizing and hydrating as this, and one that does its job of cleansing thoroughly, be it the long run or short, it will eventually leave your skin glowing. And lastly, does it actually work to cleanse even waterproof mascara etc?

In my usual cleansing sequence (miceller water-cleansing oil-clay cleanser) this works perfectly to cleanse my skin of all the grime and dirt and the lip tint/lipstick gently. Since I don’t wear makeup, I thought I’d do a test run for all the other claims including waterproof eyeliner.

From left to right: Maybelline Waterproof Gel eyeliner, NYX cream blush (Glow), Colourpop Liquid Lipstick (November), Maybelline Color sensational lipstick (Glamorous red), Bourjois 123 Foundation

After using just a pump of the oil (no micellar water) and gently massaging it for around 30 seconds.

This was after just using the oil cleanser and not the miceller water or the clay cleanser. A pump of this, and you can see that it got rid of all the foundation, lipstick, blush and even the Colourpop matte liquid lipstick but a little smudge of the Maybelline waterproof gel eyeliner is still left behind.

PROs:

• Decent oil Cleanser for the price point
• Breaks up all the sunscreen and makeup quite gently
• Lightweight texture with a good slip helps to massage the face and does not feel heavy on the skin
• Does not clog pores
• Rinses off thoroughly, no greasy finish
• Leaves the skin quite hydrated and moisturized without stripping it off
• Decently priced

CONs:

• Contains fragrance, so may irritate sensitive skin
• Does not get rid of waterproof makeup entirely on it own. You will have to use either a cleansing balm or miceller water in conjunction with it.

Would I repurchase this? Definitely yes! I love the price-point, the texture and it does a decent job of being an everyday oil cleanser for me. I’ve used it almost everyday since January and there is still a tiny bit left that might last me 2 weeks or so. I’d recommend it to those who actually want to try to incorporate an oil cleanser in their everyday skincare routine but are really scared of committing to a higher price-point than this (because God knows they are expensive out there!), and especially if like me, you don’t apply a lot of waterproof makeup everyday or if you just want to try out an oil cleanser and see what the fuss is all about.

REVIEW: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

I switched from using the Pixi Glow Tonic for acid toning to The ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning solution a little less than a year ago, just before the winters started. Before I jump into the review, let me put it out there for any newbie reading this: I started using the Pixi Glow Tonic as my stepping stone for my acid toning routine. Whatever is my experience with this product might not be for you especially if you are just starting into acid toning or even if you are a pro and use multiple acids and retinols in your routine. Now that we have that out of the way, lets start with the review.

What is it and what does it claim to do:

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a water-based toner with glycolic acid and botanical extracts. This treatment gently exfoliates the skin to restore a clear, radiant appearance. It improves the look of uneven tone and texture with regular use.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Key Ingredients breakdown:

• Glycolic acid: an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the surface of the skin.
• Tasmanian Pepperberry: a botanical extract that reduces the irritation associated with acid use.
• Aloe Vera and ginseng: botanical extracts with soothing and radiance-boosting benefits.
• Amino Acids (namely Aspartic acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid and Arginine): every amino acid has a different effect but to summarize: all of them together in this formula provide hydration, have healing properties and help improve the appearance of wrinkles by restoring collagen synthesis in the skin.

You can find the in-depth analysis of all the other ingredients here.

Packaging:

Combined with the sleek design that is The Ordinary’s signature, the toner comes in a bottle with a twist up cap that makes dispensing the toner on the cotton pad so much easier. Absolutely love the design because this gives me a lot more control on how much toner I want on the cotton pad.

Texture and scent:

The toner itself is very watery and appears colorless on the cotton pad. I couldn’t smell any fragrance on it. On application, it sinks right into the skin and there is no tightness instead I felt it was a little hydrating.

How to use it:

Now comes the tough part, using this with other skincare products. As much as I loved using this and how it worked on my skin texture, it did almost next to nothing for skin pigmentation on my cheeks and so I had to rack my brains on what else to use and how to make it work.

• DO NOT TRY TO USE IT TWICE A DAY: The ordinary website says that this should be used only once a day, and I whole heartily agree!! I once tried to amp it up and used it twice a day for around two days till my skin was over-exfoliated and I just knew I had to tone down the enthusiasm a little bit after that and follow instructions (lol).
• Again, this is an acid toner and has a considerably lower pH (3.5-3.7) so it is better if you use it right after cleansing on a clean, dry face. Sensitive skins, beware if this burns, please discontinue using it.
• DO NOT FORGET USING SUNSCREEN: Anything with glycolic acid will make your skin super prone to sun damage even 2 weeks after discontinued use, so please don’t take your sunscreen application lightly.
• Wait times: 15-25 mins of waiting between your next step in skincare will save you from the dreading breakout and burning.
• DO NOT USE RETINOL or RETINOIDS WITH THIS: see the capital letters? That’s because that experiment was tried and tested by yours truly and it was the biggest failure ever. Please don’t attempt unless you really want to burn off your skin. If you want to still use retinoids and the likes, you might want to alternate them (something I’ve stared doing recently)
• Serums and moisturizers containing Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid work amazing with this: your skin will definitely be super bouncy and bright and more clearer looking the next day!!!
• Vitamin C: not active vitamin C (like L-Ascorbic Acid) but perhaps stabilized Vitamin C (like Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate or such derivatives). As a rule of thumb, just remember if its vitamin C but has ‘Acid’ at the end of it, its probably safer to not use it with more acidic products like AHA, BHA and retinol.

Does it work?

Yes, it does work and it works faster than the Pixi Glow tonic. My very first application of this was during fall and I did experience the tingling and flushing of face that is very characteristic when you use a stronger active for the first time. What I feared most was if this would purge my skin and I am happy to report it did not break me out. I used this twice a week for the first 2 weeks and then started to lessen the break times and now have taken to alternating it with my retinol serum (also from the ordinary). While I used this alone, it did absolute wonders for the texture of my skin! You know those crazy bumps you get on your forehead and around your nose? 1 week of using only this, and they were so diminished, it was almost a miracle. Constant use also made me notice how this almost refined the textured skin on my nose and cheek. Also I remember that I had a case of flaky skin last fall and since I’ve been using this almost religiously every other day, my skin is all glowy and happy and not tight and flaky anymore.

Now that I’ve covered the texture part, let’s talk about the uneven skin tone part. Does it live up to its claims there? Sadly, no. I couldn’t see any drastic change in my sun spots or anything that evened out my skin-tone. There is more clarity, less new blemishes forming but that was about it. This was a bit disappointing but at the end of the day, its still glycolic acid, not vitamin c or niacinamide so I wasn’t expecting any miracles either. Your skin will look like you’ve exfoliated it everyday but there wont be any drastic change in skin-tone.

PROs:

• Works drastically to refine the skin texture
• Hydrating and not stripping, absorbs almost instantly
• Smoothes out the skin and works to diminish the bumps on forehead
• Provides clarity to the skin (which may be due to blemishes)
• Curbs new blemishes from leaving marks
• Inexpensive (A whooping 240ml that costs only 12.50 USD!! The amount you get will last you for atleast a year!!)

CONs:

• No drastic effect on skin pigmentation
• Will make the skin super sensitive if used more than once a day
• Hard to find products that will work well with this since it is more concentrated

Bottom Line:

I’ve been using this every other days for a little more than a month now and that has barely put a dent on the amount in the bottle. For the price point, I think this is great value for the money, especially if you are looking for anything that will help you get smoother skin texture or get rid of bumps on your forehead or just work against general skin congestion. The only disappointing factor is that I didn’t find it worked for hyper-pigmentation as much as I would’ve liked and it was verrryy hard pairing any of my other skincare products in routine with this.

That being said, would I repurchase it? Yes. Because for my student budget, this seems like an amazing deal for me and I do suffer from skin congestion during summers and fall.

 

Note: This product was purchased by myself and NOT provided for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own. Do not expect any miracles if you are not consistent with your skincare, have a bad diet or go rouge without sunscreen more than ‘occasionally’. Also, everybody has different skin types and what might have worked for me may not necessarily work for you. (But I really hope it does, though 🙂 )

REVIEW: KLAIRS Supple Preparation Toner (ORIGINAL)

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At the beginning of my skincare journey, I honestly didn’t believe much in the power of botanical extracts doing anything for your skin. By that time I had used countless The Body Shop products (namely the tea-tree and seaweed range which were marketed for combo skin) and was sorely disappointed every time. Not many things worked and raving HG products were just a no-no. In lieu of that, my first toner was just such a fail (an extremely raved one by countless influencers) that for the longest time, left me hating toners. But delving more into the whole skincare world, I found out that toners were of different types and I just needed to look for one that catered my skin needs, instead of what was marketed towards my skin type or age. So after the longest search, I found this toner, and since then I’ve never looked back.

What is it and what does it claim to do:

The Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is a non-irritating toner that rejuvenates and restores hydration to the skin. It balances the skin’s pH level and improves the effectiveness of the entire skin regime. Consisting of various plant extracts and soothing ingredients for calming, it provides full hydration deep within the skin.

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1

Key Ingredients breakdown:

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe vera): World renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti septic and healing properties.
• Tocopheryl Acetate: A form of vitamin E which is a natural skin-conditioning agent and antioxidant. It enhances the efficacy of active sunscreen ingredients, reduces the formation of free radicals from exposure to UV rays, promotes the healing process, strengthens the skin’s barrier function, protects and reduces water loss from the skin.
• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that functions as an antioxidant and is very effective for brightening an uneven skin tone. In addition to this, it also has anti-aging properties and may stimulate collagen production in the skin.
• Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract (Licorice Extract): A soothing and healing botanical extract which also has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It may also help to reduce skin-discoloration and age spots due to its natural skin-lightening properties (but little research has been done on this aspect).
• Natto Gum: A fermentation product of soy protein, it has potent antioxidant effects which include diminishing appearance of fine lines, skin brightening and moisturizing effects.
• Sodium Hyaluronate: A sodium salt of Hyaluronic Acid, this has a smaller molecular size than hyaluronic acid and so has a stronger humectant effect in the skin, being able to hold more water into the skin and thus resulting in less wrinkles and more smoother skin.
• Centella Asiatica Extract: It is has powerful skin soothing and smoothing properties as well as abundant anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties, which may explain why this is a favorite ingredient in acne treatment products.
• Beta Glucan: A polysaccharide sugar derived from yeast or oats, it has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties and may also be a potent wrinkle reducer, promoting scar and wound healing. This also helps reducing skin irritation.
• Arginine: a powerful antioxidant that helps in collagen production.

Apart from all these ingredients, there are a bunch of essential oils like lavender oil, eucalyptus globus leaf oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil and Cananga Odorata Flower Oil which are seemingly only there for scent and are not highlighted as active ingredients.

You can find the in-depth analysis of all the other ingredients here.

Packaging:

The toner comes in a dark plastic bottle with a standard toner dispenser.

Texture and scent:

This has the lightest herbal scent which is present very verrryyy faintly present and disappears within a few seconds. The texture is watery, but not too much.. kind of like a watered down gel serum.

Does it work?

I’ve used it on and off for around 4 months now, and I can safely say that yes, it does work. The first time I used this, my skin just drank this up. It absorbs well into the skin, within a few seconds if its winter, and within a few minutes if its extremely humid. You don’t need much, but that also depends on how do you want to use it. You can use it like a hydrating toner for the kbeauty 7-skin method or just as a hydrating or even as a pH balancing toner.

Upon immediate application this soothed my skin and lightly hydrated it. I waited for this to absorb into my skin before patting in another layer and was pleasantly surprised to see much of the redness toned down and my skin was a bit bouncy. After 2 weeks of using this, most of the tiny bumps along my jaw line and on my forehead were smoothed out, my skin appeared brighter and was just bouncy, plumper and well hydrated. After a month of usage, I think I was in love: my skin was deeply hydrated, softer, less sore from the scorching sun, more brighter and a bit even toned. If I had any potential hormonal breakouts, they never reached the red zone or inflamed stage and just disappeared after a day or too. If I had (sun)burnt my skin during this time, I would quickly start the 7-skin method with this toner and my skin would heal faster without as many blemishes. I think the most prominent effect this had on my skin was calming it after a day out (nothing ever works in this regard), healing and hydration. I cant say much about it helping to layer other skincare products because I like to keep my routine very minimal, but I can vouch for this: it didn’t interfere with the absorption of the VC effector or the Retinol Serum in my routine( the only 2 products I used after this)

PROs:

• Makes skin calmer and soothes it
• Hydrates skin making it more bouncy
• Smoothing effect on skin

CONs:

• Skin gets tacky if a lot of layers of this toner is used (for the 7 skin method)
• If you have an extremely sensitive nose, I’d suggest to go with the unscented version

Bottom Line:

Definitely going to repurchase this and stock it up for eternity!

This is a great toner if you want to just amp up your skincare game but are scared of the crazy ingredients in the market or have extremely sensitive skin or compromised skin barrier due to over-exfoliation. You might not see immediate results (trust me, I was the most critical with this product, as I am with all the highly raved ones), but you WILL see the difference. I love this toner especially for the fact that I can use this if I get a sunburn or when I have over-exfoliated and this just works phenomenally and does not burn my skin. Also, using this with the 7-skin method has just been amazing for my skin, almost akin to using a sheetmask on those days.

Note: This product was purchased by myself and NOT provided for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own. Do not expect any miracles if you are not consistent with your skincare, have a bad diet or go rouge without sunscreen more than ‘occasionally’. Also, everybody has different skin types and what might have worked for me may not necessarily work for you. (But I really hope it does, though)

 

Review: Retinol Advanced Brightening Serum

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For the longest time, I was on search for a serum that helped even out my skin-tone. And this was way before the skincare bug bit me, before skincare was even a thing. My only source of info about skincare products was the internet but it was hard to find them where I lived back then. And adding to that was my student budget.

I had already gathered that vitamin C and Retinol (the most notorious ingredient in all the magazines and everywhere) were what I should be looking for. But coming across products that had either of the two and in a price range ( The ordinary wasn’t even born yet) that suited me was a struggle.

And then, one fateful day there was a sale at Centrepoint, and as the loyal shopaholic I was, I pursued every aisle and nook of the skincare section searching for those prized ingredients till I stumbled upon this gem. Slashed off at 60% discount, it was only 27dhs (from 125dhs) and it was a retinol serum aimed not only at reducing wrinkles (which wasn’t a concern back then) but also evening out the skin tone.

I knew I had struck gold.

Fast forward 4 years now, this is the serum I just cannot replace with any other, and has saved my skin from breaking out (especially after some horrendous sheetmasking disasters and DIYs) as well as kept it as even as possible. Read on for an in-depth review.

What is it and what does it claim to do:

Advanced Brightening Serum is a weightless, fast absorbing serum, formulated with the highest potency of brightening ingredients:

Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate):

• Brightens, revitalizes and helps improve skin tone, clarity and texture.
• Antioxidant protection helps prevents environmental damage.

Retinol:

Dermatologists’ Gold Standard in Brightening and Anti-Aging.

Melavoid: Unique innovation in brightening:

• Improves the appearance of uneven skin tone
• Prevents loss of radiance and luminosity

Ingredients:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propanediol, Glycerin 99.7%,m, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-40 Stearate, Retinyl Palmitate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Citric Acid, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Butylene Glycol,Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green tea) Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract,Morus Alba Root Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract,Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid.

Key Ingredients breakdown:

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe vera): World renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti septic and healing properties.
• Tocopheryl Acetate: A form of vitamin E which is a natural skin-conditioning agent and antioxidant. It enhances the efficacy of active sunscreen ingredients, reduces the formation of free radicals from exposure to UV rays, promotes the healing process, strengthens the skin’s barrier function, protects and reduces water loss from the skin.
• Retinyl Palmitate: Combination of retinol (pure vitamin A) and the fatty acid palmitic acid. Retinyl palmitate converts into retinol (or vitamin A), which in turn is converted into retinoic acid by specialized enzymes in the skin. This long process makes it a less irritating and gentler form of retinoid which maybe useful for sensitive skin. It helps in plumping the skin and increasing collagen production.
• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that functions as an antioxidant and is very effective for brightening an uneven skin tone. In addition to this, it also has anti-aging properties and may stimulate collagen production in the skin.
• Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract: has skin-soothing effects and anti-oxidant properties.
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green tea): known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
• Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract (Licorice Extract): a soothing and healing botanical extract which also has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It may also help to reduce skin-discoloration and age spots due to its natural skin-lightening properties (but little research has been done on this aspect).
• Morus Alba Root Extract (Mulberry Extract): It has natural cleansing and antioxidant properties and is used to lighten age spots and uneven skin tone.
• Oryza Sativa Bran Extract (Rice bran Extract): known for its skin soothing and anti-oxidant activity.
• Salix Alba Bark Extract (Willow bark extract): It is astringent, anti-inflammatory, soothing and conditioning properties is famous for containing salicylic acid, a BHA that is a natural exfoliant and is used in many acne treatments because of its ability to help skin shed dead cells and clear pores; it can also stimulate new cell formation.

You can find the in-depth analysis of all the other ingredients here.

Packaging:

The Serum comes in a heavy plastic pump bottle.

Texture and scent:

It has a very light floral scent. In terms of texture, it feels more like a thin lotion but thankfully absorbs really well within minutes. Be careful of overdoing it though, because its just then that this begins to feel heavy.

Pro-Tips:

• Introduce this to your skin slowly: Especially if you want to avoid breaking out your skin. This does contain retinol, so don’t forget to double check your skincare routine when you use this.
• Use it at least twice a day to see the results: I started introducing it by using it once every other day and then once everyday and didn’t notice any significant difference except that my face felt more hydrated. It was only after I started using it twice a day, I started to see the results.
• Use it as you last step in skincare. I cannot stress this enough. This step should be right before you use a sleeping pack or night cream.
• Stop using this if you have a breakout or redness or just a flare up of spots or if you had a sunburn.
• Do not forget to use sunscreen every single daybecause your skin will be more prone to sunburn after using this.

Does it work?

Yes, it does work. This has been the only serum that has worked for me and believe me, I’ve tried many. As I said, my main concern has been uneven skin tone and this has worked to brighten it out. In addition, it has always calmed potential breakouts, especially the ones I had over my nose, which I think might be the effect of the other botanical ingredients. Wrinkles has never been such a concern of mine so I cannot completely vouch for that, but I’ve noticed that when I am using this not only does my skin appear to be more even in color and soft, but somehow it is more plumper and I can see a lot less of my faint smile lines than when I stop using this. That said, this does have a very mild form of retinol and I might not be the best judge of it working for wrinkles.

PROs:

• Brightens and evens out the skin-tone
• Makes skin more softer and moisturized
• Calms potential breakouts

CONs:

• None, really.

Bottom Line:

Definitely going to repurchase this for eternity! This has been the best skincare purchase I’ve ever made and something that really hooked me onto skincare. I haven’t come across any serum that delivers such fastidious results in such an affordable way. The best part about this is that it contains such an effective amalgam of skin care ingredients that you just cannot go wrong with while using it. You have all the antioxidants and skincare ingredients packed in here and if you use this alone, you are bound to see results. I guess the whole approach to skincare matters alot. If you want a minimal skincare routine, and want to use antioxidants and a mild retinoid, then this is your best bet. If you want to use a single ingredient approach in your routine, then I think you are better off with The Ordinary skincare products and so on. I’d recommend this serum for anyone who wants to start using retinoids (because this is a very mild serum and didn’t breakout my sensitive skin) or who just wants a minimal skincare routine but all the effective ingredients or someone like me struggling with uneven skin tone.

Thanks for reading! 😊

Note: This product was purchased by myself and NOT provided for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own. Do not expect any miracles if you are not consistent with your skincare, have a bad diet or go rouge without sunscreen more than ‘occasionally’. Also, everybody has different skin types and what might have worked for me may not necessarily work for you. (But I really hope it does, though 😉)

Review: Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

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Long ago, when I was nothing but a fetus in the skincare game, I used to use abrasive physical exfoliants on my face at least once a week in the name of skincare. You know, the ones with the walnut granules and what not? Granted, they are much more milder now, but back then, boy were they a riot! I remember using them right after a hot shower (because who gets cold water in Dubai summers really?), every week diligently, scrubbing my face raw, thinking that this would actually help the sunburn marks on my face fade into oblivion. And the crazy part? I wasn’t the only one: my friends used to do it too. Hows that for group motivation.

That was, until I discovered skincare blogs and AHAs and BHAs.

And the Pixi Glow tonic.

Which is now my holy grail exfoliating toner.

Read on to why and how to use this elixir and save your skin really.

What is it and what does it claim to do:

Product details (from their website): Exfoliating facial glow tonic™. It helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin. For all skin types. Alcohol free.

• Exfoliates and purifies the skin with Glycolic Acid
• Ginseng improves circulation and energizes
• Aloe vera soothes and hydrates
• Refines the appearance of pores
• Gently accelerates cell renewal to reveal a brighter, glowing complexion
• Balances, heals and soothes for radient, healthier looking skin
• Alcohol free
• Suitable for all skin types
• Not tested on animals

Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Biotin, Panthenol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Caramel, Red 4 (CI 14700).

Key Ingredients breakdown:

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Or more commonly called Aloe vera: World renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti septic and healing properties. You know this toner is going to be bomb with aloe vera as the first ingredient.
• Glycolic Acid 5%: This is the main ingredient that helps the toner work its magic, Glycolic acid is a water soluble, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It has the smallest molecular weight, a property which helps it penetrate the skin more easily but also makes it more potentially irritating. It is a chemical exfoliant the exfoliates the surface of the skin, and may reduce scarring, wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation. You can read more about this ingredient and how ti works here.
• Glycerin: A natural humectant and emollient, that provides hydration to the skin and softens the skin.
• Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract: This is a strong anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Panax Ginseng Root Extract: An antioxidant that may also help to lighten skin hyper-pigmentation.
• Urea: A non-pH dependant, powerful exfoliating agent that sloughs of dead skin.

You can find the in-depth analysis of all the other ingredients here.

Packaging:

The toner comes in a small, orange, plastic bottle with the signature mint green and gold rose label of Pixi Beauty.

Texture and scent:

The toner has a rose like scent, kind of like an old-school rose perfume, that disappears after application. The toner itself is transparent with a water like consistency. I feel like because of such a consistency, a greater amount of the product is required and if you are buying the 100ml, chances are that the bottle wont last very long (something I am regrettably facing now). On application, the toner sinks right in and thankfully does not leave the skin oily.

How to use it:

Here’s my list of pro-tips I gradually learned while using this:

• Because this is a pH-dependant toner, how and when you use this matters a lot. Essentially, you would use it right after cleansing the skin, before applying any vitamin c serum (ascorbic acid) or retinoids. This step will save you from any potential breakouts or irritating your skin more if you are using active serums.
• Wait times between using actives also matters: I started using this as a regular toner and lets just say that the result was not that impressive at all. A bit of a research on how to use it made me realize that you need to wait at least 25mins between using this and an ascorbic acid serum or a retinol serum for everything to work.
• DO NOT USE THIS TWICE A DAY IF YOU ARE NEW TO ACID TONERS: I am serious. Don’t be over enthusiastic. You need to introduce new skin care products gently, especially anything with low pH. I started using it once every 2 days, then gradually increased the usage. Also, I do that with every new skincare product I use, but more on that philosophy later. 🙂
• Don’t use cotton pads or toner pads, they will waste the product more. Just use a tiny amount on your palm and spread it on your face. 100ml will be gone in a snap if you use a cotton pad. And don’t worry, your palms wont flake. 😉
• Do not forget to use sunscreen every single day because your skin will be more prone to sunburn after using this. I love how there is a warning on the label about this as well:

Does it work?

Yes, if used correctly with the wait times and between the appropriate steps, it will do wonders for your skin. If not, your skin will flare up, especially if you use a vitamin c serum right after. I have sensitive, combination-dehydrated skin and it did not break me out or give me an allergic reaction or flare up my skin. I remember using it for a month before the exams and everyone kept complimenting me on how ‘fresh’ I looked. (While I was using this, I did keep a very minimal skincare routine, though) It didn’t break me out at all and my skin became a lot smoother and more refined. I loved how hydrating this was otherwise acid toners can be more stripping sometimes. I cant say it did anything for my blackheads, but the white heads on my chin and forehead are gone now. My skin became more even toned and I actually think it was this and the Its Skin VC effector working their magic together that made it happen. I had no dry patches this winter because of these two, and I couldn’t be more happier.

PROs:

• The most mildest form of everyday exfoliating toner
• Alcohol free
• Paraben free
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Makes the skin more smoother and refines pores
• Brightens the skin and evens skin tone
• Hydrating and doesn’t make the skin dry

CONs:

• For the amount you are getting, expensive
• If you are allergic to any of the other ingredients

Bottom Line:

I bought the 100ml bottle and I’ve been using this since December last year and stopped using it just when I realized I needed to review it before I finish it. I used it every night only, without fail, and stopped using it in April. After using it for so many days, I am left with only half the bottle now. I wouldn’t say you should be using it twice a day, but their website says you can. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants gentle everyday exfoliation, or get a smoother skin texture. Definitely going to repurchase a larger bottle once I run out.

Thank you for reading!
xo

Note: This product was purchased by myself and NOT provided for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own. Do not expect any miracles if you are not consistent with your skincare, have a bad diet or go rouge without sunscreen more than ‘occasionally’. Also, everybody has different skin types and what might have worked for me may not necessarily work for you. (But I really hope it does, though 😉 )

Review: It’s Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector with Vitamin C Derivatives

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Let me tell you something about me: I have the most typical combination skin and having it is not easy. Especially having combination skin during your teen years: as life wasn’t already very complicated, imagine me explaining my mother about my skin type and why I cannot use Pond’s Cold cream as a moisturizer on my whole face everyday like her other dry skinned kiddos and being told that I was not Frankenstein’s child and I cant have two possible skin-types on one measly sized face. Not to forget all the years I have assaulted my face with products, DIYs and more products, trying to figure out a way to control the oil slick on my T-zone as well as my Sahara dry cheeks, which ultimately left me with nothing but issues and then some more: Pores right, left and center of my nose plugged in with a handful of blackheads, uneven skin-tone patches along the cheeks serving as a very much inverse highlight along my cheekbones (something I’ve attributed to longtime sun damage from living in the desert and being an idiot with the sunscreen) and last but not the least: a healthy sprinkle of bumps on my forehead.

With the beginning of the new year if there was anything I really wanted to work on in 2018, it was my skincare game. Fast forward a couple of sheet-masks and toners, and here I am, ready to review a serum that has changed my outlook on what skincare should be like: The It’s Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector with Vitamin C Derivatives.

*phew*

Now since we’ve gotten that ultra long name out of the way, let’s talk about this potion:

What is it and what it claims to do:

A Concentrated Brightening & Pore Reducing Facial Serum-Enriched With Vitamin C & Green Tea Derivatives To Effectively Suppress Melanin Production-Stimulates Collagen Synthesis To Reduce The Appearance Of Skin Discoloration. Refines Skin Texture & Reduces Enlarged Pores. Unveils A Smoother Brighter Even-Toned & Healthier Looking Complexion. Dermatologist-Tested.

Key Ingredients:

• Vitamin C or rather its derivative, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate. This is a lighter, gentler and more oil-soluble form of vitamin c that is known to penetrate the skin faster and more easily. As with all the other Vitamin C derivatives: it fights free radicals that may cause premature aging, has collagen rebuilding properties (so may promote firmness in skin), increases UVA/UVB photoprotection and lightens dark spots and skin discoloration. The only difference between this derivative and others is that it absorbs faster in the skin and so there is less potential for it to oxidize and more for it to work its magic.
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract commonly known as green tea extract which is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
• Polyglutamic Acid. Not much has been researched yet about this ingredient but it is known to have deep moisturizing effects.

Other Ingredients:

WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, POLYGLUTAMIC ACID, ASCORBYL TETRAISOPALMITATE, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, ETHYL HEXANEDIOL, CARBOMER, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE, DISODIUM EDTA

You can find their in-depth analysis here.

Packaging:

It comes in a glass dropper form which I currently have a love/hate relationship with since the last few drops of the serum can be a bit pesky to try to get out. But I love the measuring scale markings at the side of the bottle which I thought was quite a nifty idea since it did allow me to track down how much of the product I used up in a week or month. I wish every serum bottle had this design really.

Texture and smell:

It has a very faint citrus scent that doesn’t linger around very much. The serum itself is of a milky color and has a very thick consistency, something between an emulsion and a water based serum but thankfully it sinks right in after application and does not leave the skin oily.

Thoughts:

I started using this serum in mid December every night quite religiously and I love it! This has been a staple in my night routine ever since!!! You don’t need a lot: I only used a whole dropper worth amount to cover my face and neck area, and its been almost a month and I am still left with half the bottle. I dare say it lives up to its claims of giving a smoother skin! It has made my skin so soft and smooth, I literally cannot stop touching it! And it has reduced the appearance of the pores around my nose a bit too, which, to be fair, I was not really expecting, so that was quite a nice surprise. As far as the brightening properties goes: Yes, it has brightened and evened out my skin-tone up a notch (especially my dark circles), but the effect wasn’t as dramatic as its smoothing properties.

PROs:

• Gentle Vitamin C serum
• Moisturising
• Relatively cheap
• Smooths out the skin
• Brightens the skin

CONs:

• If you are allergic to any of the other ingredients

Bottom line: This is a very mild for of Vitamin C serum. I’d recommend this serum to anybody who wants to try an affordable Vitamin C serum, just try one for the first time, those who want to get rid of skin texture issues (aka pesky bumps) and mild uneven skin tone or even fainter dark circles. Also, since it is essentially a Vitamin C serum, do not forget to wear your sunscreen once you start using it. I’ve only used it at nights and not in the mornings (call me old-school) but I did not skip my sunscreen any day.

All in all, do not expect any miracles if you are not consistent with it, have a bad diet (because obviously, you are what you eat) or go rouge without sunscreen more than ‘occasionally’. Also, everybody has different skin types and what might have worked for me not necessarily may work for you. (But I really hope it does, though 😉 )

Where do you get it: If you are in Pakistan, I purchased this from The Skin Maskuerade. Internationally, I am sure you can find it on Yesstyle.com or other similar sites.

Thanks for reading!
xo

Note: This product was purchased by myself and NOT provided for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.

An Epilogue.

Hi there!

We all knew this day would come. Well, at least I personally did. Especially since IG blogging has word count limits and my rambles are usually in the form of free flowing meme raps.. Anyhoo, WELCOME TO MY BLOG!!!

Here is a formal introduction to those who don’t know the brains behind these rants: Hi there! I am a 23 year old university student/nerd studying in Pakistan and so basically living and residing in my books. My personality is made up of books, baking, skincare, makeup and a huge chunk of Harry Potter. This blog is just a place where I hope I can rearrange all of my different personas with their banter and hopefully get away with it all.. (as well as being a little cute while I’m at it.)

Welcome to the craziness. I hope you enjoy it!

(If not, oh well, there is a plethora of better blogs out there… and tumblr. 🙃)