Rustic Art Algae Organic Bathing Soap {Product Review}

Price: Rs 155 for 100gms

Ingredients

Pros

just like all handmade soaps, gentle on skin and doesn't leave skin stretched

can be used easily on a baby as well 

doesn't melt so easily and does last around a month with two usages per day

Cons

not as moisturizing as it says

expensive!!

My Experience

I totally love natural handmade soaps and love to try out various different ones so this one was on my radar since I got Rustic Art products for review. The usage of Algae made me curious to check it out. But, the soap is nothing in fancy in looks. In fact, its a dull dark brown in color and no fragrance at all. 

As it says "an ultimate moisturizer", I thought it would leave my skin really soft and not very dry. It didn't leave my skin dry at all nor did my skin feel stretched even if I forgo the moisturizer but I do feel one needs to moisturize immediately afterwards. I felt as if the Algae did nothing extra!!

Ok, it will be unfair to say any product should be doing a double duty and moisturizing is a routine one must not forgo in any case. Surprisingly, the product didn't melt as soon as I feared it would. It did last me around a month of good usage. The best part of the product is it is organic but I do feel its expensive as well. 

Other products from Rustic Art:

Rustic Art Spa and Lotus Organic Bathing Soaps
Rustic Art Aloevera Gel

My August Haul

SOS Organics Handmade Soaps

I had talked about my haul sometime back. Since, I was running short of ideas and since some of you had requested for the haul and reviews, I am putting up the snaps. Do check them out :)

Puro Room Freshener and Episoft face wash

Soul Tree Shampoo, Auravedic Skin Lightening Oil, Rustic Art Algae Soap, Rustic Art Aloevera Gel and Neutrogena Sunscreen

Tea light Candles and Diffuser...should have ordered a match box as well :D

Oh, I did receive following products from PR.

  

Soul Tree travel size samples - both shampoos and one shower gel

Clean & Clear Fairness Cream and Face Wash (had been drooling on the product when I saw the ads!!)

Related Posts:
Episoft Cleanser
Rustic Art Aloevera Gel
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

Home Remedies for skin dryness {DIY}

I received a comment from Khushboo asking me how to deal with skin dryness and bring a glow to the face and how to make the skin look fresh. Its a huge complicated thing and probably I can write many many posts on that. So, I thought I would start with home remedies for skin dryness.

Banana
Rub a slice of banana on your face and neck. It helps with anti-aging, tightening the skin and also moisturises your skin simultaneously.

More DIY's with Banana
Get a glow you deserve
A recipe for faster hair growth and beautiful looking skin
Your hands tell your age 
Keep your skin moisturized this winter with Banana
Get rid of the blemishes and dark spots on your body

Honey
Apply a thin or thick mask of honey on your face and let it stay for 15-3 minutes or more if you can manage. Wash off. Amazing for dry skin and not messy at all.

More DIY's with Honey
Honey as face cleanser
Sugar Body Scrub with a twist
A simple tip for a glowing face
Get rid of those Large Pores
Orange Sugar Body Scrub

Aloevera Gel
Natural aloevera gel is extremely beneficial for dry skin as it improves the hydration power of the skin from inside. Yes, it is drying for the skin so apply it first and follow with a moisturiser if you feel your skin has become stretched. It also is a great after-sun treatment and acts best when used as a night moisturiser.

More DIY's with Aloevera Gel
Aloevera: A Miracle Plant 
Natural Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Skin dryness and burning?
Aloevera for soft skin
How to treat Sunburns?

Products Recommended
Rustic Art Aloevera Gel
24 Letter Mantra Honey
Image Courtesy:iblue.hubpages.com,strangehistory.net,hansaaloevera.com

Moisturizer for dry skin? {Reader's Query}

Since I hardly stick to any moisturiser in the long run and till date, I have liked only three moisturisers long enough to consider re-buying, I would definitely need all the help from you. So, the lady asks me:

"I am 28years and I discovered some few wrinkles coming up. I take care of my skin and body as much as I can. I always do home remedies and I also use chemical brands. I have recently used bodyshop vitamin E moisturisers, cleanser, undereye cream but I didn't notice any good improvement. So Now it has been a week that I am looking for a anti wrinkles cream...I still dont want to apply anti aging stuff but I am really confused which brand to use and which is good for skin. You know how many brands are there in the markets but hardly you can find something that suits the skin. I am writing to ask you if you know any brank that will serve this purpose. and also any good moisturizer, sunscreen and cleanser."

Regarding the moisturisers, I advised her for Aloevera Gel from Rustic Art and Biotique Wheatgerm Cream which I had used in these winters and I would be posting the review in these winters but just for the record, its really good and I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, I am also considering other creams from Biotique but they are heavy and best used in winters unless you have dry skin. Also, I did like Liz Earle moisturiser but its pretty expensive when you include the shipping costs. I also advised the lady for cleansers from Lush. She is already using one from Lush. So, hoping to get more suggestions from you all :)

Also, the lady needs reviews and thoughts on the following 3 products:

• Kiehls - Ultra Moisturizing Eye Stick SPF 30
• MAC - Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Eye Cream
• Prevage Eye Eye Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 15

So, what are your suggestions, ladies :)

Image Courtesy: truegirlonline.com

Rustic Art Aloevera Gel

Price: Rs 150ml for 100gms

Ingredients

Aloevera Gel, Lemon Extracts (lemon extract acts as a preservative)

Pros

- perfect for oily or combination skin or even normal skin, especially in summers

- firms up the skin

- gives a glow

- increases the skin's hydration levels

- dries up and gets absorbed very quickly into the skin

- products lasts really long

- can be used as a night treatment

Cons

- doesn't do anything for pores size but then it doesn't really claim that!!!

- its not organic :(

- don't know if it really removes tanning

My Experience

The gel is colorless and comes in a sturdy plastic jar from which you can scoop out the gel. It smells of nothing, just a faint aloe vera smell. The texture is just like a dehydrated aloe gel. It goes a little (very little) sticky in the end just like the actual aloe gel does which can be simply washed off. The product will last you two-three months which is pretty good.

I really like it. The gel feels cool on the skin but that doesn't last more than 10 seconds. It gets dried up and absorbed very very quickly so you have to apply it as quickly as possible otherwise it will dry up on your palm. The pros really say everything about what I experienced after using the product for the past one month. And, I have already recommended it to many people!!!

Dry skin people should also use it and since I was facing dry skin in the past month, I used to follow this with oil. And, gradually, I noticed that my dryness reduced and my skin became more supple and hydrated even though I was taking less of water. And, there is a glow on my skin which I completely love. I can also see that it has firmed up my skin really well, not that my skin was loose but I can see the difference.

Ok, so, the product is not organic which had disappointed me and I would love it if they get an organic variant too. And, I don't think that it did anything for my tanning but I am not really sure on this point. If I do see a difference in the future, I will definitely report back. I also tried using it as a leave-in conditioner in my hair but it didn't really work out. I shall try that again, though!!

Availability

Online - NaturalMantra.com

PS: Product provided by brand. Images taken from Rustic Art Picasa Web Albums.

Other Rustic Art products:

Rustic Art Spa and Lotus Organic Bathing Soaps

Rustic Art Spa and Lotus Organic Bathing Soaps {Product Review}

Rustic Art is a USDA certified Organic Brand. So, that thing got me excited and so, here comes my reviews of the two soaps. Btw, these are also real soaps. I had talked about difference between soap and beauty bars long ago. If you missed it, check it out here.

Price: Rs 155 for 100gms (both)

Ingredients

Spa Soap: Organic corn oil, Organic coconut oil, Organic castor oil, Organic neem oil, Olive oil, Caustic Lye, De-mineralized water, Oil extracts of wheat germ, Shea butter, Rice bran oil, Natural fragrances

Lotus Soap: Corn oil, Coconut oil, Castor oil, De-mineralized water, Caustic Lye, Pungama oil, Aloe vera, Essential oil of Lotus, fine fragrances of Lotus and Water flowers

Note: The cover says key ingredients instead of ingredients. And, also notice how one of the ingredient list includes organic word and the other misses it out. Btw, I got my confusion clarified and the key ingredients list is the entire list of ingredients.

Pros

- Spa smells really strong and Lotus is milder. 

- Spa is very moisturizing and melts very very fast. The soap lasted me just 15 days!!!

- Lotus is also moisturizing but it doesn't really melt as fast as Spa soap.

- My skin doesn't feel stretched or dry after having bath but yes, a little moisturizer doesn't go amiss but one can always skip it. Even I do except for on weekends.

- The soaps do feel relaxing. I think its the smell :)

- I really like the cloth packaging.

Cons

- they melt too fast :(

- they are expensive too!!! But, to be frank, not as costly as Lush so that's fine!!

Overall Verdict
I really liked the soaps in spite of the cost and they have really different kind of soap ranges and I would really like to try the Algae soap. And, I am definitely curious about the brand and let me tell you a little about their aloevera gel. Its fantastic :) Detailed review coming soon!!

Availability

Online - Naturalmantra.com

PS:Products sent by the brand. And, I didn't include the My Experience part as these are soaps and they don't really need to be explained on the usage part or anything and I think Pros and Cons really cover it all!!! 
Image Courtesy:Rustic Art Images