The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum

Price - Rs.1695/-

The company Claims-  Instant smoothing radiance. With Vitamin C rich Amazonian camu camu and Community Trade Brazil nut oil. For Dull skin.

My skin has been acting bonkers since my delivery. It's been over a year but my skin still can’t make up it’s mind. It’s a postpartum effect that happens to a lot of women. However, my skin was getting even more dull and tired looking and I had to do something about it. I happened to come across this product and The Body Shop was having a massive sale. So what better time!

It’s a very small size tube which holds 30ml of product. Quite an expensive one for the price tag. The bottle comes with a pump which is a huge plus. The product itself is yellow in colour with slight reflective particles. It has a gel like consistency. On applying, it smoothens out the skin texture just like a primer. It feels a bit silicone-y. A check at the ingredient list confirms the silicone present in it. It has a citrusy orangey fragrance, which I LOVE! On looking closely, the reflective particles can be seen doing it’s job, giving the illusion of naturally glowing skin without being fake or glittery.

This however does not stay for long. But it preps the skin for the next steps – moisturizer, makeup, etc. I was surprised to see it smoothen the texture of my skin to give it an almost flawless finish. Makeup applies beautifully on this. It also reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines...visibly.

Honestly, I did not find any major improvement regarding the dullness. But since it smoothens the texture, it does impart the appearance of a more healthy looking skin.

So to conclude, this product does not really serve the purpose for which I primarily bought it but I find myself using it quite frequently because I love how my skin looks after using this and also the smell!

However I wouldn’t rebuy this even at 50% sale like I did the first time. I’d rather just use my primer.

Suggestion - Can definitely give this a miss. 

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Love.
SS

Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner

Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner

(Price Rs.175/- for 120ml)

 

I was using The Body Shop’s Aloe toner for over 2 years. It’s such a huge bottle and honestly I hadn’t used it religiously everyday. I still managed to finish 3/4^th of the bottle but the product crossed it’s expiry date. Otherwise when I realize a product is about to expire, I try to use it in other ways. However, it completely passed me to check this toner’s expiry. I hate wasting products especially the pricey ones. Anyways I have quite liked this one for my sensitive rash prone skin. Very soft and gentle on the skin. Almost like water. Read the mini review HERE. 

So when I got done with this one, I immediately ordered one online (It was on 30% Off, hence online) But TBS orders take quite some time to reach, and I started noticing the effects of NOT using a toner immediately. For temporary basis, I bought this Biotique toner (The sales woman suggested me this seeing my troubled skin). Biotique products have fared well on my skin before and it wasn’t too pricey so I picked this up.

What this claims-

An Ayurvedic medicine with Therapeutic properties and not a cosmetic product.

A pore tightening toner with Himalayan Waters. For Normal to Oily skin.

Contains-

Daru haldi Root 0.1%, Dhania Fruit 2%, Maju phal 2%, Peppermint Oil 0.85%, Kheera  jal Q.S

No mention of any other chemicals or preservatives. (Now I don’t know if it’s not there or they choose not to mention them...)

Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner

My Thoughts-

The first time I unscrewed the cap and poured it on my cotton pad, it distinctly smelt of Cucumber and alcohol. I was immediately doubtful about it. Well, let’s just say it’s not a sensitive or gentle toner. It did burn on my rashes and inflamed parts. It felt like a strong astringent. However that could be ‘coz of the peppermint oil present in it. It also felt like an exfoliating toner. My face was freshly washed but it still took off remnants from my skin. Somehow that was very satisfying. It stripped off my skin of any oil or dirt and left my skin fresh and supple. It certainly was quite strong than what I was used to and didn't know what to expect or how my skin would react to it.

Thankfully it did not break me out and hence I kept using this.

Read here to know how a toner changed my skincare game.

3 months since, I LOVE this toner. I never skip on this. Not one day. I have seen such a huge difference since using this. I did receive my TBS toner, but I intend to use this first. And I’m already half bottle down! Even though it’s slightly on the stronger side, it did not irritate my skin. Rather it cools it down and preps my skin for moisturizer. It has helped with my rashes and the texture of my skin. I leaves my face squeaky clean and gets it ready for some fresh moisturizer.

It is very important to immediately moisturize the skin after using this, since it is so stripping. This is great for troubled and acne prone skin. But it’s always better to do a patch test or a trial to check if it matches your skin. If your skin is trouble free and you only want to balance the Ph level of your skin, then a gentle toner should be fine.

I think this toner performs really well. And I found a gem at this price!!

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Love,
SS

Aroma Magic Aloe Vera Sunscreen Gel with Spf20

Price: Rs.285/- for 100ml 

Kolkata is so hot and humid right now, that even my trusted Neutrogena ultra sheer drytouch sunblock gets uncomfortable and sticky after a while. It's still my favourite for cooler or more comfortable weather. My summer saviour is usually the Lotus Herbals Safe Sun Matte Gel sunscreen. But I gave it to mom. 

I almost repurchased the Lotus one when this super cute cyan coloured tube popped up. An Aloe Vera sunscreen gel sounded just perfect to me. 

The colour is sooo cute, my babe thinks it's his toy! I have to keep it hidden from him!

Now for a little backend info:

SPF protect our skin only from UVB rays. For UVA protection look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the ingredients because these protect against the full spectrum of UVA rays. So make sure your sunscreen/sunblock protects you from both UVA and UVB.

Ideally, higher the SPF, your skin is protected longer and better. But contrary to common belief, it is not always advisable to use an SPF higher than 50 on a regular basis. Very simply, higher the SPF, higher protection at a cost of more chemicals.

Also fair skin is more susceptible to the harmful rays and chemicals resulting into skin damage. The darker skin suffer less skin damage (comparatively) due to higher melanin pigment.

Now, by thumb rule, if my skin starts getting damaged or tanned after staying in the sun for 20 mins, an SPF 20 will protect my skin 20 times more. Hence 400 mins i.e for 6.6 hours. And one needs to re-apply sunscreen anyway if you sweat or wipe your face. So I don't see the point of using higher SPF on a daily basis and subjecting my skin to more chemicals, when I am protected for 6 hours approx or I have to anyways re-apply my sunscreen when I'm out 'coz i'm continuously wiping my face. Do I make sense?

Coming back to this product.

1) Meant for Oily and acne prone skin.

2)This serves both my purpose of aloe vera gel and sunscreen.

3) Super light on the skin. Immediately soaks into the skin.

4) Non-sticky and matte finish once absorbed.

5) Did not break me out

6) Can be applied under makeup.

7) Does not make my skin oily.

8) Pocket friendly

  

Putting it straight, I LOVE this sunscreen. It checks all the boxes. Can't get over how cute it looks.  Will definitely repurchase  this for daily use. However in case of a holiday or somewhere out where you know the sun will hit you hard, I'd suggest a sunblock with higher Spf. Neutrogena drytouch and Lotus Herbals safe sun matte gel still topping the list for Higher SPF.   

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Have you used this? Which sunscreen are you using this summer?

Love, 

SS