Venustas Essentials : Green Tea Body Polish

Wishing all you beauties and your loved ones a very Happy & Prosperous New Year!!

I am going to end this year by reviewing yet another body exfoliator, this time by Venustas Essentials.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Venustas Essentials HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Epsom Salt:  Magnesium salts such as epsom salts are extremely hydrating to the skin and highly therapeutic for skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis (1).  The salts are also beneficial for stress relief and muscular relaxation. They can help decrease inflammation and speed up the healing process in the body.   The sulfates they contain are also are also very cleansing and detoxifying to the body, helping remove toxins (1).

• Himalayan Pink Salt: The Himalayan crystal salts are also cleansing and detoxifying to the body and can help revitalise and re-energise a tired body, soothing aching muscles and joints (1). They are hydrating to skin leaving it soft and supple and are also fantastic for skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis.

• Brown & White Sugar: Acts as a natural exfoliator, does not clog pores, helps eliminate blemishes and restores balance to skin’s oils (2). Sugar contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that is crucial for maintaining healthy skin.  The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize the skin but protects it from toxins.

• Vitamin E Oil: Topical application of vitamin E oil promotes production of two important protein components namely, collagen and elastin that improves skin elasticity (3). This in turn reduces the appearances of the visible age spots, fine lines or wrinkles, and gives a younger-looking skin. Its antioxidant properties further fight off damaging effects of free radicals, and minimizes the chances of appearances of new wrinkles (3). For this reason, Vitamin E is used as a key ingredient in several anti-aging creams and lotions. Vitamin E also prevents water loss from the skin, and helps retain its natural moisture making dull, dry skin look healthy and well-moisturized (3). If it is used for the purpose of deep pore cleansing of dry skin on a regular basis, it restores the normal oil balance of the skin.

• Virgin Coconut Oil: The saturated fats in coconut oil are medium chain fatty acids or triglycerides, when applied on the skin, they keep it smooth. Due to the presence of these fats, coconut oil also retains the moisture content of the skin, as the fats eliminate moisture loss through the pores on skin (4). Capric/caprylic/lauric acids have strong disinfectant and antimicrobial properties which when applied on the skin, protects from microbial infections that can get into open wounds or even enter the body through the pores (4). Rich in vitamin E, it is essential for healthy skin growth, repair of wear & tear on the skin, keeping skin smooth and protecting against cracking (4) Above all, it prevents premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, since it has good antioxidant properties. Coconut oil is also rich in many proteins that keep skin healthy and rejuvenated, both internally and externally (4).

• Almond Oil: Contains vitamin E, which is one of the most potent antioxidants known. It can help repair some of the damage done to the collagen layer. The oil is especially rich in proteins, and can provide the amino acids required for the formation of collagen (5). External application of the oil can prevent dehydration by reducing moisture loss from the skin.
  (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!)

• Bentonite Clay: The clay is able to detoxify by binding to bacteria and toxins living on the surface of the skin and within pores (6). Bentonite clay helps shrinking pores, tightening and toning skin, removing impurities, sloughing off dead skin cells, and just making your skin look and feel great overall. It can also be used directly on pimples to reduce their size and inflammation and get rid of them faster (7).

• Fullers Earth: Loaded with several minerals, including quartz, magnesium, calcium, iron, silica, dolomite, and calcite, fullers earth has cleansing, oil-absorbing, and antiseptic properties (7). It exfoliates by eliminating dry skin, prevents acne and helps reduce the appearance of scars (8).

• Pure Green Tea & Extracts: Green tea contains catechins, which are anti-bacterial agents that suppress acne-causing bacteria and help regulate hormonal imbalances (9). It also possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the redness and inflammation brought about by acne, thereby helping them heal (9). The antioxidants and catechins are propelled into the  pores by the action of steam, thereby detoxifying, cleansing, refreshing and hydrating the skin. The EGCG compounds in green tea can actually reactivate skin cells that are dying due to poor lifestyle habits, exposure to sunlight and pollution (9). It contains high level of oligomeric proanthocyanidins that (OPC) help ward off premature aging by fighting free radicals and healing damaged cells (9). OPCs also inhibit the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin’s strength and suppleness. The slightly abrasive texture of dry green tea leaves acts as a great exfoliator to banish dead skin cells and purge pollutants (9).

• Essential Oil of Peppermint: Peppermint oil has calming effects on skin inflammation due to its anti-microbial properties (10).

The green tea body polish comes in a 100 gm plastic container with an inner protective lid and a screw on top. Green in color, the polish is powdery in consistency and gritty/coarse in texture with a very detectable green tea/minty fragrance.

To use, I remove the required amount with a wooden spoon, add a little water and apply generously to dampened skin in circular motions until the sugar and salt grains have dissolved giving rough and dry ares extra attention and love. Rinse off thoroughly.

The whole grain sugars and salts in the green tea body polish provide gentle yet deep exfoliation. While exhilarating hints of mint & green tea provides an invigorating experience, the coconut & almond oil deeply condition for silky softness leaving the skin beautifully polished, hydrated and glowing. 

This body polish would work perfectly to unwind after a hot summer day.