Juicy Chemistry : Ylang Ylang Lavender

My love affair with soap-free, natural facial cleansers is going to be an everlasting one! For me, switching to a gentle, natural cleansing routine meant switching to something that it is NOT provoking inflammations and something that will NOT leave my face feeling tight, dry or looking flaky. I wanted something gentle for my skin, something that keeps it hydrated and soft.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Juicy Chemistry HERE!     

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Oatmeal:  Gentle on the skin, oatmeal does not forcibly peel away dead and dying skin cells from the surface of the skin, instead, oatmeal contains over a dozen amino acids, which are vital for building healthy skin tissue and for healing the skin (1). During an oatmeal face mask treatment, the skin will absorb these acids, which will help to heal minor imperfections, blemishes, and to help repair uneven skin tone (1). As oatmeal has humectant properties it allows the skin to retain moisture, thus hydrating the skin. Due to its hypoallergenic properties, oatmeal is the treatment of choice for sensitive skin (1). Another benefit to oatmeal is that it absorbs oil, so you will be cleansing as you exfoliate.

• Sugar Mix: A natural humectant, it draws moisture from the environment into the skin, help hydrate the skin and keep moisture within (2). Natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) it penetrates the skin and breaks down the "glue" that bonds skin cells, encouraging cell turnover and generating fresher, younger-looking skin (2). Finally, sugar's small particles make an excellent topical exfoliant, and are used to exfoliate dead surface skin cells and reveal the glowing, healthy-looking skin underneath.

• Raw Forest Honey: Due to its antibacterial activity, bacteria and germs don't survive when covered in honey because of its highly acidic pH: in fact, microorganisms get trapped in honey’s sticky, acidic base and eventually die; the environment is too abrasive for their membranes. Honey also contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, a well-known disinfectant which when applied to the skin helps disinfect and heal minor skin wounds by stimulation of tissue growth, enhanced epithelialization, and minimized scar formation (3). Raw honey is loaded with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural enzymes that literally nourish your skin from the outside in. Honey also attracts and retains moisture (3).

• Olive Oil: Contains three major antioxidants: vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols: Antioxidants, when topically applied, may help protect the skin from premature skin aging, Vitamin E partly accounts for the anti-aging benefits of olive oil because it helps restore skin smoothness and protects against ultraviolet light, Hydroxytyrosol, a rather rare compound found in olive oil, also prevents free radical damage to the skin (4,5). It’s comedogenic and enhances exfoliation by penetrating skin leaving the epidermis looking renewed and glowing (6).

• Jojoba Oil: Rich in vitamin E, B-complex, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium, jojoba oil can seal in the moisture and create an effective barrier to external elements (7). Jojoba oil works in several ways to counteract acne formation: first, it acts as a deep cleanser by penetrating deep into the hair follicle dissolving the sebum deposits and helping dislodge the comedone, thus clearing out the blockage (7). Second, its antibacterial properties helps control bacterial growth in the hair follicle and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, soothing the irritated skin (7). When used regularly, jojoba oil can control acne: the Vitamins A and E in the oil also may have a role in this.

• Almond Oil: Great moisturizer for skin, almond oil has a natural ability to plump and firm the skin (8). Helps in repairing, rejuvenating, as well as revitalizing damaged skin ensuring it is left feeling relaxed and looking great (9). (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!).

• Vitamin E Oil: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E oil prevents the damage of collagen helping repair the skin and improves collagen production (10). Vitamin E oil has anti-inflammatory properties that calm sensitive skin while its moisturizing properties soothe dry skin and helps heal damaged tissue (10).

• Almond Powder: Nourishes the skin while providing gentle exfoliation and promotes the natural turnover of skin cells. Almonds cleanse the skin by eliminating toxins and free radicals from your body. The vitamin E component is considered a skin food as it nourishes the skin, keeping it smooth and glowing, can help to remove fine lines and wrinkles. It can also lighten age spots and other blemishes on the skin. (11,12).

• Lavender Flowers: Rich in linalool, lavender helps the skin naturally heal itself. Lavender’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory; qualities can help treat and diminish the appearance of acne scars (13). For those who may be suffering from their acne due to an allergic reaction to pollutants, the anti-toxic nature of lavender can provide additional relief. Lavender is a rubefacient which encourages blood flow to the skin, and a cytophylactic, which encourages skin growth (13). Together, these help the skin regenerate itself more easily and keep skin looking young, firm, and smooth.

• Essential Oil of Lavender: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (14). Enhances circulatory system by causing an increase in blood flow and subsequently an increase in nutrients to the skin along with much needed oxygen to the cells (14). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

• Essential Oil of Ylang Ylang: Blended with an emulsion or moisturizing creme, Ylang Ylang is a great essential oil for the skin, nourishing and moisturizing flaky and dry skin (15).

The ylang ylang lavender cleanser comes in a 75 gm plastic container with an inner protective lid and a screw on top. As with every JC product, the salient features of the cleanser are listed on the label.

The cleanser is a of a semi powdery /grainy consistency (you can see the sugar crystals in the above pic) . To use, I scoop out the required amount with the wooden spoon provided, spritz Oilcraft Naturals Panch Pusph facial mist to bring it to a paste like consistency and apply it on the face. I let it stay on for a couple of minutes before I gently massage it in circular motions and rinse it off. 

The cleanser, as the name suggest has top notes of ylang ylang and delicate accords of clearly distinguishable lavender. The fragrance however dissipates upon application and isn't in the least overpowering. 

I use this cleanser as part of my bedtime routine owing to its gentleness. The sugar crystals in the mix dissolve slowly in the liquid medium and while application thus rendering the cleanser gentle yet effective on the skin. The almond meal, oatmeal and sugar provide the exfoliation while the various oils impart the required moisturization. My dry/dehydrated/sensitive skin feels well cleansed and plush at the end of the treatment. I do however follow up with either a moisturizer or serum (depending on how my skin feels). 

This scrub is able to provide many of the positive benefits of a microdermabrasion treatment. Additionally, the scrub softens and smooths skin, while replenishing for healthy skin.