Clean and Clear Fairness Cream {Product Review}

Price: Rs 120 for 40gms

Pros

controls oil admirably for entire day

leaves skin brighter and matte

gets absorbed really easily

Cons

doesn't suit dry skin at all so stay away!! 

My Experience

The product is light pink in color and very thin in consistency and not at all heavy!! I would say this is a perfect cream for oily skin. Why? Because, it doesn't let my skin get oily and yes, my skin feels a little stretched coz its actually dry combination and these days, my skin is not that oily. Had it been summers, it would have suited me perfectly.

No, its not suitable for dry skin at all. Or, even if you spend a lot of time on AC, I would not suggest this for you. Regarding the fairness claims, I didn't really find it do anything to my skin. But, yes, it probably did make my skin glow but I can't be really sure. But, I did notice that my skin turns a little ashy when I apply more than two pea-size drops of products for my face and neck, one for each.

It does stand true to the claims of oil free so yes, when combined with its counter part face wash, its a perfect recipe to combat oily skin. It would have been great if the products had been launched during summers - quite a respite for oily skin types :) Regarding its sunscreen and UV filter claims, I prefer to use a separate sunscreen. 

PS: Product sent by brand.

Other products from Clean and Clear:

Clean & Clear Skin-Balancing Moisturizer

Clean & Clear Fairness Face Wash

Lakme Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Capsules Treatment {Product Review}

This is my first ever try of Lakme’s skin care range. I have always loved their makeup products but this time I am madly in love with these capsules from their skin care range.

Price: 1250 for 28 capsules (very expensive, I must say!!)

 

My Experience

These capsules contain pale yellow serum which is very light in texture. When I apply it on my skin, it feels so soft!! Its absolutely non greasy and gets absorbed instantly into the skin. My skin is oily and I am, generally, afraid of creams and serums but this one rocks for my skin as it provides perfect moisture to my skin without making it oily. And, the best part is it never broke me out!!

Though the product says "twist the capsule to open it", I prefer scissors. The quantity of each capsule is 0.33gms and its enough for the entire face (I am wondering what about neck?? they could have given a bit more for the neck!!). Currently, I am on my second purchase and I am totally loving it. I can see wonderful glow on my face. (Thanks to my sister who forced me to use it and see the magic).

My uneven skin tone is more even and clearer. And the best part is my dark spots and post-pimple marks are lightened to some extent. It also keeps oil at bay for at leats 7-8 hours (when used at night). I don’t know why they called it a whitening treatment. It’s a great brightening treatment. I am absolutely in love with this serum though it’s little expensive for 28 capsules but its worth it.

Now, my friends are asking me what have I done on my face :D Lakme’s claim of freedom from 6 fairness blocks - dark spots, acne marks, uneven skin tone, oiliness, tanning and dullness is true. I think I have 5 of these problems and the product helped me reduce all of them. I am not tanned (you are so lucky!!). For me, it worked really great so I am going to buy it again.

Editor's Note: I was attracted to the product right form the start and now, your review is literally making me run to the shop and get one for myself but damn the expense!!! :(

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Great review, Punam!! Don't forget to check out her blog here.

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Other product I loved/hated from Lakme: 
Lakme Vital Indulgence
Lakme Perfect Radiance Fairness Facewash
Lakme Fruit Blast Berrylicious Fruit Revitalizing Scrub Mask

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture SPF 50+ PA+++ {Product Review}

Price: Rs 349 for 30ml

Pros

doesn't leave the skin dry if you skip moisturizer

no tint so you can apply enough sunscreen for full protection

Cons

expensive

not for oily skin

gets greasy sometimes (may be depends on skin type)

My Experience

I have been using this suncreen since the time it was launched in June. It comes in a 30ml pack and is way more expensive than its counterpart but I have not really found much of a difference. Anyway, the packaging is a white bottle with a very thin nozzle which dispenses a little product. 

The product is white and creamy in consistency but very thin. But, the weird thing is that even a little product does get greasy on the face so applying enough of sunscreen really becomes difficult. Also, a little excess of product and you are left with a white cast as well. I, almost always, had to blot out the excess of product after applying the product (after leaving it on for 15-20 minutes to get absorbed). 

Regarding the efficacy of the sunscreen, I am really not sure if it gives the same protection as the dry touch. Because, I did find my skin tanned and dark in between and since some days, I have been again using the dry touch which has considerably prevented my face from tanning. And, the skin is looking a little brighter as well. 

So, I am back to the previous sunscreen for now!! But, I do think that this sunscreen will suit the dry skin beauties really well. The dry touch is matte and this one is moisturizing. I do skip moisturizer whenever I use this and it never made my skin feel dry. The only issue is that this sunscreen finishes off in a month :( Well, remember that you have to apply sunscreen adequately for proper protection?? 

Btw, have you used this product? How was your experience?

Other products from Neutrogena:

Neutrogena Deep Clean Shampoo
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock
Neutrogena Body Lotion Light Sesame Formula
Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower and Bath Gel
Neutrogena French Milled Soap
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Clean Conditioner

Just Herbs Silksplash Neem-Orange Rehydrant Face Wash {Product Review}

Price: Rs 245 for 100ml

Ingredients

Neem extract 0.5%, orange peel 0.5%, aloevera 2%, honey 1%, calendule extract 0.5%, cucumber extract 0.2%, chandan (sandalwood) extract 0.1%, cleansing base.

Pros

- Doesn't dry out the face unless used in too much quantity

- Brightens the face

Cons

- Packaging is not very friendly

- Stings the eyes and nasal tract

- Doesn't cleanse well if you have done an oil massage

- Cleansing Base is a mysterious ingredient

My Experience

To start with, it smells nice but I hate the packaging. It comes with a open wide-mouthed bottle which always dispenses more than enough of the face wash and when in hurry, you can see that the product gets easily wasted. The bottle is not easy to handle in the shower either as it is slippery. A stopper or a flip-top cap would have been better.

Also, the product is very runny so use it with care. Very little product is enough for once. The bottle can easily last a month if used properly. Ok, the biggest problem with the product is that it stings my eyes and nasal tract badly. Ok, I cleanse my skin extra-properly because of which the face wash always gets into my eyes and this one gets into my nose as well coz its so runny :(

I have also noticed that it doesn't cleanse my skin well when I apply oil to remove the sunscreen in the evenings. But, otherwise, it really cleanses the face well and shows an immediate brightening of the skin. It also doesn't leave the skin stretched or dry. But, if the product is used in huge quantity, it does dry out the face.

Also, I feel Just Herbs is almost like Biotique because this also uses a mysterious thing called cleansing base in which other extracts have been added. I would love to know the details of this cleansing base. I want to try out their face masks as they seem really impressive and there is apparently no mysterious ingredient in them either. 

PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.
PS 1: Thanks a lot for the amazing response to my giveaway. Its over now and give me sometime to check up on all the entries and announce the winner.

Lactocalamine Deep Cleansing Face Wash {Product Review}

I know this product has been there in the market since quite long and it wasn't a buy either. I got it free with the lactocalamine bottle. Initially, to be frank, I wasn't interested in using it and was wondering "will I get one with every lactocalamine, yikes!!!" Anyway, let's get on with the review and let's see if I really would mind getting it even for free :)

Price: Rs 65 for 70ml

Ingredients

Pros

- it feels really cool when you wash your face, the best part

Cons

- it has SLES
- doesn't really control oil for long time

My Experience

The gel is light purple in color and smells awfully like a bubblegum!!! I don't really like the smell but its not exactly offending. Whenever I apply the face wash, there is an immediate cooling effect like you have applied menthol or something on the face. That's what made me write this review :) Definitely a very useful thing in hot summers :D Right??? It has menthol and raspberry extract too which is pretty interesting. 

It does make my skin feel a little dry after the wash but then, it is meant for oily skin and mine is a little quirky kind which oscillates between dry and oily. So, wouldn't really blame the face wash and even then, it doesn't leave my skin stretched or anything. I can easily grab a light moisturiser and I am good to go. But, the biggest thing is that it doesn't help me with the oil on my nose and chin :( They get oily in an hour or two after washing my face.

Have you used this face wash? What do you like or hate about it?

Other products from Lactocalamine:

Always have a bottle of calamine lotion

Open Pores? {Reader's Query}

"I am having normal to skin, I don't have acne problems but I have some tiny pores around my cheeks and in the forehead. Please do suggest me a solution for this. I don't know how I got this pores , I use to scrub my face once in three days. I thought this should be a problem so I have started to use scrub once in one week."

Open Pores and Causes

Open pores are one of the worst problems of a smooth and flawless look. I do have huge pores on my cheeks, upper lip area and even forehead and sometimes, when my face is too oily, these pores look even bigger which is such a buster for me. Open pores are not exactly a problem but can occur to anyone at any age. 

In fact, the size of the pores is dependent on two factors, neither of which are under your control - heredity and age. Yes, if either of your parents have large pores, your tend to get large pores and sometimes, the size of these pores tend to increase with age or rather the prominence of the pores increases with age. 

How to control the Open Pores

Reducing the size of the pores is impossible. So, any product which promises to do that is lying. Ok, yes, it is possible to get a flawless look with the help of foundations or tinted creams but if you use mineral makeup, sometimes, the pores can get enhanced instead of getting covered up depending on the quality of the product. This can happen with cream foundations too at times if its not blended well. Thus, to get a flawless look, it is essential to have a good brush for application as well as a good product. 

Also, since the size of the pores is more, the dirt can get entrapped more easily and likely, there is more dirt inside so cleansing of the pores becomes essential. Generally, oily skin has larger pore size and consequently, more secretion of sebum. Thus, the pores have to cleansed on a regular basis. Three times a week is a good routine.

Home Remedies to reduce the pore size

These are temporary solutions and can be done as a quick fix.

• Egg White mask: makes the face firmed up, lifted up and pores size also gets decreased. 
• Ice cubes: Cold constricts the pores size and gives a flawless blending of the foundation. 
• Cucumber: Similar to ice cubes effect. 
• Honey: helps in making the skin smooth. 

What do you do for open pores? 

Image Courtesy: ourvanity.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

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask {Product Review}

I am definitely in love with the brand. Almost all of its products work so fabulously. And, I would love to try more of them. So, lets check out how this worked for me?

Price: 13.25 Pounds (Rs 1000 approx) for 75ml

Ingredients 

The sponges are made up of 100% cellulose

Packaging

I love the packaging. The whole thing came in a zip pouch as you can see in the pic. Don't you just love it when you are treated special with such small considerations??? They sent two sponges two along with the mask to wash off the mask. 

the sponges get hard after being rinsed in water but nothing to worry about!!!

My Experience

Ok, so I look almost like Shrek when I have this on my face. As you can see, its a dirty green to grayish in color and smells weird, frankly. It is supposed to have rose-scented geranium but the smell is no where like rose and I don't know what Geranium smells like but it must be bad. The fragrance is also earthy and herbal which makes you feel good about the mask. And, the smell is not at all over-powering so no problems.

So, you are supposed to apply the mask in a generous layer after cleansing with Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser and let it stay for 5-10 minutes before wiping it off. Well, I thought 5-10 minutes is pretty less so I let it stay for 15-20 minutes but actually you can wipe it off as soon as it dries. Now, the mask doesn't dry off like other clay masks and doesn't get hardened. It just dries off and makes the face a little stiff. That's it!! So, you will know its time to wipe it off. So, use the sponges given, take one in each hand and wring it in hot water and wipe off the mask. When the whole thing is gone, splash cool water on the face and follow with a moisturizer. 

So, how does it feel when the mask is on? Frankly, its awesome. It feels hot or warmed up to a comfortable extent (I don't know if its a psychological feeling) and the first time I used it, it did tingle for 2 minutes on my face but never again. And, if feels comfortable to keep it on so you will feel nice. The warmth feeling goes away after probably 4-5 minutes. And, boy, you do feel like its a deep cleansing mask you have applied on. You can actually feel it working. And, what's the skin like after washing off the mask?

Well, I would say nothing special. Yeah, I know. It cleanses the skin well but it doesn't make our face light like a bulb or something. Liz Earle has a separate mask for that. The skin looks exactly the same as before, just that its more dewy and soft and oil-free and may be plump too because it does look a little hydrated. The best part of the mask is that it is so good at removing the excess oils. It doesn't make my face dry or anything. In fact, I would say that the first time I applied the mask, I was disappointed to find not much difference in the face. But, next day, I observed that there was comparatively less oil production. And, with regular usage of the mask, my face does produce less oil but then the temperatures are also cooling off to be fair. And, also after removing the mask, your face feels pleasantly cool and whatever treatment you follow up after the mask is absorbed really quickly into the skin. And, since we are talking about Deep Cleansing, you would definitely want to know about blackheads and pores size. So, as I have shared with you, much of my blackheads problem was solved due to using Groundnut oil for cleansing, the remaining ones did get removed along with the mask. And, the pores size do get reduced but that effect is temporary. Overall, I am very happy with the mask.

My Recommendation

Yes, an unequivocal yes for all the oily and combination skin gals out there. It really works!!!

PS: Product provided by the brand for consideration. 

Also Read other reviews on the same brand:
Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint - Beige
Update on Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

My Skin Care Routine by Ansh {Guest Post}

Hello everyone, I’m Ansh from Vanity No Apologies and Swati has taken a back seat today :P I was quite confused when she asked to guest blog at her place since there were a gazillion topics in my mind but then I picked this one up since I’m a curious cat and like to know about other girls’ skin care routine. So I thought of letting you peep into my treasure of secrets.

For the record, I’ve combination/oily, acne prone and super sensitive skin. Yeah the worst kind imaginable! So, basically very few products suit me and I try not to mess up with my skin care because my skin rules me rather than other way round. Here I’ll share the very basic and natural things I use for my face and body.

Cleansing

I use honey and mix a few drops of lemon (2-3 max since I’ve sensitive skin) and use it to wash my face every morning. Honey is a great cleanser. I sometimes use raw milk and apply all over my face with a cotton wool and wash off after 15mins, regular usage has lightened my dark spots. As for the body, I use the masoor dal and turmeric pack whenever I’ve time. It has helped me with the tanning and reduced the elbow pigmentation.

Toning

We have all heard that rose water is a natural toner, so I tried using the Gulabari spray freshener and it was just HORRIBLE! It made my face red, blotchy and itchy. For a long time, I didn’t use any toner, simply because none of them would suit me and infact would give me allergic reactions. From lakme to aroma magic, I didn’t leave a single toner untried. So, now I resort to natural methods of toning my face. Most of the times I end up using over-the-counter products but keep in my mind to use a natural toner at-least before sleeping. I now use a home made green tea toner. For it, mix green tea leaves in hot water and add a few drops of tea tree oil and lemon. I agree its time consuming but worth the effort.

Moisturizing

I use aloe vera gel all over my face to moisturize. I’ve an aloe vera plant at home and get it direst from the leaf everyday and store the remaining in the fridge. If you don’t have it at your home, there are a lot of brands with aloe vera tubs to offer at great prices. I sometimes use the vitamin e capsules in the over-the-counter moisturizers. Other than that I use Liz Earle and Fab India. Instead of using a body lotion, I use olive oil + coconut oil on my body straight after a hot shower. It takes care of the dryness to a very great extent. Must for the coming winters.

Exfoliating

Take 2-3 tbsp of raw oats and mix it with honey and a few drops of tea tree oil. Regular usage of this scrub has shown a great improvement in my skin texture. I used the lemon and sugar scrub once and it was a disaster! So, this shows no matter how much natural and home made the tip might be, use your brains and go ahead only if it is meant for your skin type. I use St. Ives scrub too, so if don’t have much time then it is a good option as well. And I started using that clean & clear scrub but it’s of no use, save some bucks.

Face Packs 

Earlier I would apply face packs like a maniac..2 per day and then go on for months without even touching them once. No prizes for guessing that it never helped me. You need to keep your patience with the homemade things, don’t expect miracles overnight. Apply face packs atleast thrice a week according to your skin type. Applying a banana or curd pack to a very oily skin would only worsen the situation. So, keep your skin type in mind.

Papaya…yes that not-so-tasty (or the most yuck fruit if I’ve the liberty to say so!), yes that healthy papaya. I don’t even like the smell of it, so ripe and gross. But it does work wonders to your skin. Mash a ripe papaya and apply on your face. If you can’t bear the smell…then breath from your mouth silly and shut up your nose for those difficult 15 minutes!

You see how these mixtures use the ingredients which are very easily available. I agree they take a lot of time but you can do all of this while watching TV or something like that…time management! ;) Hope it helped you and I’m here to answer your queries, if any.

About the Author: Ansh is a Fashion and Beauty Blogger based in Delhi. Check out her blog at 'Vanity - No Apologies'. You will find everything from her dress hauls to her reflections on the products she has used on her blog. Her particular specialty, if I may say so, is in how to deal with sensitive problem-prone skin which is, of course, very useful for all of us as the experience is first-hand. And, don't forget to check out her Nano Style $50 Gift Card International Giveaway. I am sure you will enjoy her blog.

Preview : Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask {Beauty Products}

[Source: Liz Earle Website]

“Traditionally, cleansing masks are astringent and stripping, but this one isn’t. By using nurturing natural ingredients such as manuka honey and propolis, we have created a mask that purifies but also hydrates, so doesn’t upset the skin’s delicate balance.”

Liz Earle - Co-Founder

Deep Cleansing Mask is a highly concentrated clay and botanical formula that helps draw out impurities and excess sebum, leaving your complexion looking clear and clean. This purifying mask was developed in response to customer demand for help with more problematic, combination and oily areas.

Deep Cleansing Mask is a versatile treatment that can be used as and when skin needs a little extra help.  It can be applied all over the face or just to problem areas such as spots and blemishes. 

Apply after cleansing with Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, leave on for five to ten minutes and then wipe away residue with the sponge provided. Naturally active ingredients include:

• Manuka Honey – bees forage on the Manuka bush resulting in this special honey.  Lots of research has been done that supports the healing properties of Manuka honey. It is also famous for its anti-bacterial qualities – the best quality grade has been used in Deep Cleansing Mask. 
• Propolis – known as ‘nature’s penicillin’.  Like the Manuka Honey, this also has beneficial healing and anti-bacterial properties. 
• Organic Aloe Vera – renowned throughout history to have extremely potent medicinal properties, it moisturises, soothes and heals the skin. 
•  Green Kaolin Clay – helps eliminate impurities and absorbs excess sebum. 
•  Geranium Essential Oil – luxurious, premium oil with a divine aroma. Its sweet rose and green notes help to balance and refresh.

PS: Information provided by the brand.

Classic Face Pack Remembered {DIY}

Ok, so, I am not sharing anything new today. But, just reminding you all of the classic face pack which costs a zilch and the results are far better than any pricy product and this one has the simplest of the ingredients and is an answer to almost all the skin problems. 

Ingredients

• Multani Mitti
• Curd / Yogurt

Method

Mix them both and apply the pack on the face. Wait for it to dry. It might take long time, though but the wait is worth it. So, try this on a day when you can laze around. In the mean time, keep two chilled tea bags with you and apply them to your eyes and relax. After the mask gets dry, wash it off and rinse your face with green tea (warm or cold, anything). 

Results

A really fresh, hydrated and supple skin is revealed. It brightens the complexion in an instant, controls oil production and removes the dead skin cells. Multani mitti is great for oily skin and curd is great for troubled skin. But, this mask doesn't dry the skin at all. But, if you have dry skin, make sure to include honey as a precaution. But, even dry skin people should use clay masks once in a while coz it detoxifies the skin. So, a face pack which answers all the troubles of your skin and this can be done every alternate day by oily, combination and normal skin people and once in a week by dry skin gals (or guys!!!).

Acne Remedy {Reader's Tip}

This was submitted as a comment by Fozia. 

Take a tablespoon of tomato juice and add equal quantity of milk and lemon juice in it. Massage your face with this mixture and leave on for 20 minutes on your face. Wash off with cold water. 

Fozia says this remedy is really effective and its always given her 100% results. 

Himalaya Purifying Neem Scrub and Purifying Neem Face Pack {Product Review}

I used both the products in conjunction to maximize their potential. So, lets get to reviewing them separately.

Purifying Neem Scrub

Price: 65 INR for 50gms

Ingredients

Neem and Apricot: Key Ingredients

My Experience

This scrub is for all skin types. It is a creamy scrub but not so creamy that it will break you out.The granules are gentle and not sharp that they scratch the skin but the density of granules is comparatively less. That is one disadvantage but the exfoliation is gentle and doesn't irritate the skin at all. The scrub would suit all the skin types except the one with acne problems. It will suit sensitive skin too. A drawback is that it doesn't help with the blackheads :( The scrub makes the skin looking brighter and fresh. The scrub also doesn't leave any kind of residue after getting washed off and leaves the skin supple. It doesn't dry the skin out and make it feel stretchy. A good scrub if you want an emergency fixing up of your skin.

My Recommendation

Yes!! It is a good scrub at a very nominal price.

Purifying Neem Face Pack

Price: 65 INR for 50gms

Ingredients

Multani Mitti, Neem and Turmeric: Key Ingredients

My Experience

It is muddy green in color and really smells weird. I can't classify the smell but it is somewhat between herbal and chemical.The face pack is specially for normal to oily skin. I have combination skin and I have used this pack on alternate days after using the Neem face scrub. The result is a supple skin but I did not feel the pack did something really extraordinary to my face. The scrub gives better results. When applied, the face pack does feel cool and soothing on the skin but it doesn't really help with breakouts. 

Applying the face pack is easy enough but the face pack is more granular than clay which makes an uneven application sometimes. The face pack also doesn't dry out consistently. It takes around 20 minutes to dry out completely and really gets hardened while it dries which gives a nice toned result. Removing the face pack is not so difficult but not so easy also and while removing you can feel the granular texture of the face pack. I wish the face pack was more creamy instead of granular. Overall. I found it to be an ok product. The result is again a fresh looking skin. It doesn't leave the skin stretchy or dry instead makes the skin hydrated and supple.

My Recommendation

A good face pack which can be given a try and it is very much affordable. You might like it or might not like it but it will suit you definitely.

PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.

I know my skin type!!!

Ok, so this may sound really weird coz I have been blogging about beauty since more than a year and till now, I was unaware of my skin type which is one of the most basic principles of beauty - identifying your skin type. I always though my skin was dry, then I came to the conclusion that it is normal to dry and then, I thought its just crazy, gets oily when it feels like (under hot sun and I sweat a lot) or dries up in winters sometimes like really crazy. But, lately, I have been really analyzing my skin. Its very simple if you pay attention but we sometimes simply tend to ignore taking everything we know for granted. I have big pores around my nose and my nose is generally shiny so obviously I have a combination skin and everything I apply on my face makes me greasy so I could have concluded this long back!!! Anyways, better late than never :) But, even now, I can say that I do have skin which tends to be more dry. 

In all this, I have realized one thing - skin type has to be deduced almost very periodically. Our skin texture changes in every season (even on a day-to-day basis during seasonal changes or any other health conditions) and also due to the products we use. Seems pretty obvious, I know but when it comes to applying we fail. So, we are having summers now. Will our skin go drier or oilier??? You never know!!! So, keep it light in the morning and heavy at night. Ok, if you don't have a cooler or an AC (which I am completely against, it makes you lazy!!!), applying anything on skin can make you feel suffocated and hot. Oils are a big no-no in the summer time, though, I am still using my facial oils. Go for serums and hydration lotions and do suggest me some, please!!! Both face moisturizers and body lotions. I am out of both and have no idea what to go for coz every thing seems so heavy and thick. And, invest in blotting papers (do tell me where you got yours :D). 

Btw, if you are looking out for sunscreens or sunblocks, do consider Neutrogena coz they have really great sunscreens - ageshield if available in India is good otherwise the other one with spf 50 is amazing. Review would be coming in the month of May. It is costly but worth it. Do try out the sample before buying but it suits oily and combination well. Not sure about dry skin so do give it a shot!!! And, grab your sunglasses and full sleeves cotton clothes or elbow-reaching gloves and scarves and umbrellas and bottle of water whenever you step out of your house and enjoy!!!!! Btw, don't forget to analyze your skin and identify your skin type correctly.

Do you feel too oily after applying sunscreen?

Well, I hate applying sunscreen because it makes my skin feel like a frying pan even though I have normal to dry skin. None of the sunscreens suit me and I am always in search of new ones. These days I have shifted to Biotique sunscreens and lets see what I have to tell you about them. Now, every day after my bath, I apply a moisturizer (no particular brand) then follow up with sunscreen after 5-10 minutes. So, the fresh feeling which comes to my skin after having my bath vanishes the moment I slather on anything on it and my skin turns dark on its own accord. Ok, I want to say that this does not mean that I apply loads of product. I use very little product but still it happens. So, today, similar kind of thing happened and I was not in a hurry so I took time out to try out a simple trick to curb the oiliness. 

I used tissue paper to blot out the oiliness. Spread the whole tissue paper on your face and press gently but firmly. If the skin is too greasy, tissue paper would stick to it. So, keep on blotting till the stickiness in your skin disappears. Do not forget to blot your neck and chest areas too. And, the result was a soft skin with a glow on the face. My face was no more sticky and greasy. If you also suffer from the peculiar problem of skin darkening after applying anything on skin, that would disappear after this step.While choosing tissue papers, go for paper ones instead of mixed ones or cloth ones. Probably a toilet paper would be even better for this job but I have no idea. The best would definitely be blotting papers if you find them. And, finally, if you want, you can do a little touch up with a compact and face spray or mist. 

One more thing I want to add is that do the blotting of your skin every time you find your face becomes greasy. It will also help you remove the dirt and extra product from your face which would otherwise be blocking your pores. And, it also helps you look fresh and dewy all the time. So, make tissue papers a part of your essentials-on-the-go. You might even be wondering why I did not opt for refreshing wipes. Frankly, I do not like them. They leave a film on my face which I absolutely loathe and then it becomes drying for my skin. If it suits your skin, you might want to go ahead with them but then contain a lot of alcohol (most of the times) and preservatives which I prefer to avoid. Hope this helps you as well as it did help me :)

Pomegranate Juice can reduce Belly Fat

So, apart from the beauty and anti-aging benefits of pomegranate, you have another reason to gulp its juice down. A fresh juice would be the best choice or eating the fruit is the only second choice. Pomegranate helps reducing high blood pressure and cuts the fat deposited around the stomach. So, it is also helpful for men with beer bellies. The fat around the bellies is held responsible for heart conditions including all cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Thus, pomegranate juice can avoid all these conditions and its high anti-oxidant content can also reduce the risk of cancer. But, surely, do not make the mistake of only relying on pomegranate juice and cut out the exercise.

Acne due to Zinc deficiency

Yes, deficiency of zinc has been related to acne. So, next time you have acne, you know where to turn to. Taking Zinc rich foods. And, there is no dearth of them. Some of the most easily available zinc rich vegetarian sources are almonds, bananas, cashews, cauliflower, chickpeas (white chana), cucumber, kidney beans, kiwi fruit, milk, olives, onion, peaches, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, radish, soya beans and soy products, spinach, strawberries, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, walnuts. Non-veg sources include eggs, chicken, fishes including shell fish, turkey, pork, oysters, liver, crab and beef.

Good news is that zinc also controls the oil production in the body so for all people with oily skin, it is definitely time to munch on some salads and nuts. 

Should you use a body cream or a body lotion?

There is a lot of confusion between which product is better for skin: a cream or a lotion. So, I would start by giving you a definition of both the terms and then you can yourself decide which is the best for you. 

Lotion: It is a mixture of few drops of oil in water held together by a chemical substance because oil and water do not mix. 

Cream: A mixture of few drops of water in oil. The density of the product can vary according to various formulations.

When compared, body lotions are easier to apply as compared to creams. But, when your skin is damp, creams are also easy to apply as they spread well in contact with water. 

Which one is better?

I can not answer this question. It is a personal choice but I can answer a different question: why cream than a lotion? Have you ever felt that your skin has become drier after applying a lotion? I have. This problem is common in people with dry to normal skin and in extreme weathers. Why so? Because, when you apply the lotion on your body, it spreads easily creating a large surface area for water in the cream to evaporate quickly. Thus, it ends up drying your skin after a little while instead of keeping your skin moisturized. The rate at which evaporation takes place is dependent on the environment and the viscosity (thickness) of the lotion. More thick the lotion is, better it will keep your body moisturized.

My Recommendations

Thus, I would just recommend that recognize your skin type correctly and choose products mentioned for your skin type only. Using wrong products can affect your skin and make it look aged.

Dry Skin: Oily creams or thick lotions

Normal Skin: Your choice and preference

Oily Skin: Oil-free moisturizers and light watery lotions

Now, a latest skin type is aging skin. How do you categorize it? Well, according to me, it should go under dry skin because as you age, your skin loses its tendency to keep moisture intact and becomes dry. Also due to the loss of collagen, it is no longer firm.

Whatever my thoughts be, I would definitely love your opinions on this topic. Do not forget to write down your comments.

Carrot Face Mask

As I have pointed out earlier that not only fruits but vegetables also make great face masks and are extensively endowed with nutrients required for our skin. Spinach serves as a great hydrating face mask and beetroot can be used to give color to a pale complexion.

Today, I would like to discuss carrots with you. Carrots are, as you all are well aware, rich in vitamin A and helps improve our vision. But, actually, carrot is also very helpful for oily skin. It clears the extra oil from the skin and also takes care of pimples, acne and dark spots. Boil a carrot for 15 minutes. It would turn very soft and easy to mash. Mash it or blend it with lemon juice, orange juice or even the water in which it was boiled. Apply it on your face for 30 minutes and wash off with cold water. Your skin would be glowing. You can open your pores before you apply this mask as it helps carrot to act better on the skin. 

For people with dry skin or normal skin, you can blend carrot with honey or milk cream or even any nourishing and moisturizing fruit.

Milk Turmeric Solution for glowing skin

A very simple remedy which works for all skin types and not only protects skin from all kinds of outbreaks but also improves the skin tone and makes your skin flawless and radiant. This remedy can also be stored for some days in the fridge so you need not make it everyday. 

Buy turmeric root from the market. Make sure they are long and thin and rich in color. If they are more brownish than yellow, they are old roots. Try to buy new or better if you can plant them in your garden. Turmeric is really good for health apart from its beauty uses. Take a cup of raw milk (better if it is cow or goat milk) and boil in a single root of turmeric in it for an hour or so till the root loses its color. Let the milk cool. Discard the root and refrigerate the milk. Dip a cotton in the milk and apply it on your face. Wash your face with this solution as much as possible or at least make a habit to use it once a day or once in a week. This would control the oil production in the body and also improve your skin tone making your skin flawless. Turmeric also helps in preventing skin breakouts. Thus, this solution is great for all skin types. You can also use this milk to mix your face packs and scrubs.