Aroma Essentials : Manjistha Scrub

Aroma Essentials never ceases to surprise me with its products and varied ingredient list. Along with her experience Madhurima employs Ayurveda’s rich and insightful perspective on skin imbalances and their origins to create surprises that pacify your skin conditions while invoking its inner radiance.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Aroma Essentials HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Manjistha Powder (Rubia cordifolia): Indian Madder is beneficial in treating skin conditions like uneven pigmentation and eczema (1). It works well to alleviate the acne lesions, imparts glow and soothes the skin, clears inflammation, acts as an antiseptic and an astringent (1). Effective in removing freckles and other discoloration of the skin, thereby promoting fair and healthy skin (1).

• Red Sandalwood: A virtual ware house of goodness and has antiseptic, astringent, anti inflammatory and disinfectant properties (2). The antiseptic quality of sandalwood benefits to treat rashes, acne, blackheads and other skin eruptions, its germicidal quality inhibits the growth of bacteria (2). It is also a natural astringent, especially for oily skin and also helps in toning up the skin (2).

• Oats: 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 (3). 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 (3). 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 (3). Another benefit to oatmeal is that it absorbs oil, so you will be cleansing as you exfoliate.

• Wheat Flour: Whole wheat flour contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that binds environmental toxins, promotes cell respiration, stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory compounds and slows the aging process of the skin (4). Since it contains extra fiber, it may provide additional exfoliating benefits, sloughing off dead skin cells (4).

• Green Gram Flour: Rich in vitamins A and C, it rejuvenates the skin by nourishing and exfoliating it (5). Applied topically, moong dal is a great way to soothe dry skin and retain its lost moisture. It is packed with cell rejuvenating vitamins and enzymes that help to lock in moisture into the skin (5). Its exfoliating properties help lighten the skin (de-tan) and get rid of fine facial hair. It also prevents the pores of your skin from clogging up with oil or dirt and draws out impurities from the skin and skin pores preventing acne (5). It’s antiseptic properties along with being cooling and soothing that can heal your skin and keep it looking fresh and glowing (5).

• Rice Bran Oil: Rice Bran Oil is a natural source for the following antioxidants:  Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Gamma Oryzanol, Phytosterols, Polyphenols and Squalene, that help fight free radicals and aid in slowing down the effects of aging (6). Hypoallergenic, it contains proanthrocyanidins which protect collagen and elastin which in turn maintain the suppleness of skin (6). Rich in fatty acids it is very beneficial for mature, delicate and sensitive skin types. Owing to a small molecule rice bran oil is easier to penetrate the skin without being greasy (6).

Reddish in color, the scrub is powdery, clumpy in texure, there are several lumps that does not easily dissolve to form a paste. There is a very strong herbal smell that I have been told is of manjistha.

To use, I take the required amount using a wooden spoon and bring it to a paste like consistency either using my toner fluid or aloe vera juice along with some honey. I do have some acne and since honey is rich in natural sugars, enzymes and acids, it is effective against inflamed and swollen skin, renewing it and promoting healing. It can also freshen dry, stressed and sensitive skin.

I apply it to my face, massage it circular motion concentrating on troubled areas and let it on for 10 minutes or so before rinsing it off with tepid water. Do not rub the acne but instead dab it on the acne area and let it sit. 

The face scrub is supposed to help in reducing pigmentation.  I have been using this scrub on and off for the past 2 weeks or so and do notice a glow every time it is used. The glow does not last for long so do not expect any miraculous results.

Not too gritty the scrub is mildly exfoliating thanks to all the natural exfoliants such as oats , wheat & green gram flour. Once rinsed off the face does not feel dry/stretchy due to the presence of skin nourishing rice bran oil. As mentioned earlier, the product does have a strong herbal aroma to it, so much so that the manjistha smells faintly lingers around until the next wash. 

Now to answer the million dollar question: does it work on pigmentation? Yes, but as with any natural product, it would require continued usage and  patience. 

Venustas Essentials :Argan Oil Hair Masque

A hair masque is an ultra-conditioning treatment to add moisture, prevent frizz and breakage of the hair. Its consistency is generally much thicker than a deep conditioner, used once every week or two, hair masques nourish the scalp and hair roots, conceal damage, weakness, and other inconsistencies regarding the integrity of the hair. All natural handmade hair masques typically contain deeply conditioning and moisturizing ingredients including shea butter, avocado oil, botanical and fruit oils or extracts, and vitamins, among many others.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Venustas Essentials HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR PROPERTIES

• Coffee Grounds: Has exfoliating and stimulating effects on the scalp, caffeine in the coffee grounds can help stimulate new hair growth (1).

• Coffee Beans Infused Almond Oil: Reduces hair shedding and is said to reduce excessive hair loss because of the antioxidants present in caffeine, increases hair growth since caffeine is a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth (2). Caffeine is known to darken the hair and slowdown the early onset of grey hair (with frequent and consistent use) adding shine and dimension to the hair due to the darkening effect of the oil.

• African Shea Butter: Has the ability to stimulate hair growth, rejuvenate the scalp and the hair follicles, and generate healthy, thick, lustrous, and fast-growing hair (3). Rich in vitamins A & E, shea butter soothes dryness, repairs breakage and mends split ends while providing  moisture to dry, damaged hair from root to tips (4). Non-comedogenic in nature, the butter is quickly absorbed by the skin and eliminates dry skin by replenishing lost and missing moisture from the skin cells and hair follicles promoting cell and follicle repair and regeneration thus stimulating hair growth (3). Its anti-inflammatory properties heal damaged scalp and clear infections (4).

• Argan Oil: Rich stores of essential fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, carotenes, sterols & phenolic antioxidants, argan oil supports the health and beauty of skin and hair . Repairs damaged hair, moisturizes instantly, and prevents split ends while restoring shine, increases hair growth and helps control, cure, and prevent dry and itchy scalp (5). Due to its anti-microbial properties, it keeps scalp healthy, free of dandruff and well nourished (5). It also keeps the roots of the hair hydrated, protected, and well nourished.

• Virgin Coconut Oil: The fatty acids in coconut oil penetrate human hair fibres, giving it more structural strength thereby protecting hair from damage, prevents hair damage from hygral fatigue, reduces/prevents protein loss from the hair fibre, helps retain moisture from inside the hair shaft, nourishes the scalp and helps treat dandruff and has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral due to the presence of medium chain fatty acids, notably lauric acid (6). Coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K and iron: these nutrients are essential for maintaining hair’s shine and softness.

• Jojoba Oil: Bringing about a purely natural moisturizing effect is just one of the many benefits of Jojoba Oil. The oil has the ability to cleanse the follicles of sebum  & remove residues present in the scalp promoting hair growth and protecting strands from breakage and drying up (7). Jojoba oil is capable of moisturizing the hair without leaving any residues. Jojoba oil is capable of moisturizing the follicles of hair and helping hair cells to reproduce themselves at a rapid pace (7).

• Organic Aloe Vera: Aloe contains certain enzymes that prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. The proteolitic enzymes help eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp while its keratolic action breaks down the sebum and dead scalp cells too (8). It's has alkalizing properties balance the pH level of the scalp and hair and helps lock in moisture to improve the smoothness of hair, it tends to also work well as a detangler, too (9). The gel in aloe vera leaves has chemical composition similar to the protein keratin that penetrates easily into the hair shaft deep conditioning it (8). The amino acids are responsible for the strength and luster. Aloe lotion may help treat seborrheic dermatitis when applied to the scalp (10).

• Lavender Essential Oil: It helps balance natural scalp oils, which makes it valuable for all hair types. With its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties, lavender oil is a good treatment for dry, flaky scalp (11). It soothes and nourishes the scalp, providing relief from inflammatory scalp conditions. Regular massage with lavender oil is said to reduce hair loss and make the hair soft and shiny (11).

• Peppermint Essential Oil: Extremely rich in essential fatty acids and essential ingredients that are going to stimulate the scalp’s health, help getting rid of yeast colonies and also help the scalp remain “clean” from dandruff and inflammations, also an excellent coolant keeping the scalp refreshed (12).

• Rosemary Essential Oil: Packed with antioxidants which help scavenge free radicals – that are responsible for greying as well as hair thinning (12). This wonderful oil stimulates blood flow to the scalp and promotes strong and healthy hair growth. Rosemary oil is also effective for treating dandruff, itchiness, scalp irritation and oily skin (12).

The hair masque comes in a 100 gm plastic container with an inner protective lid and a screw on top. 

Brown in color due to the coffee, the  masque is creamy in texture and thick cream like consistency and has a gorgeous aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

To use, take the required amount, massage it gently to the scalp and apply to hair ends and leave it on for an hour for optimal results, shampoo/condition as usual.  

My thick and curly hair has been subjected to several chemical treatments over this past year alone. Needless to say I am always on the lookout for products that provide deep nourishment for my dry, rebellious, over-processed hair. 

I have tasted sweet results with Venustas Essential's argan hair oil so I was real excited to try this argan oil variant, which Seema sent over as a gift. 

The first thing I noticed was the addition of coffee grounds which was both novel and intriguing. The coffee grounds act as a gentle yet effective scalp exfoliant getting rid of accumulated spent skin cells. The masque renders the hair soft to touch, tangle free and provides considerable frizz control. 

Definitely an intensive deep conditioner that revitalizes and repairs damaged hair from the inside out.

Ma Earth Botanicals : Rose Facial Scrub

Ma Earth products have been on my wishlist for a while, so this year I decided to take the "plunge" and try out one of their best-seller product consisting of my favourite ingredient, ROSES!!!

One of the most recognizable flowers across cultures, the rose is associated with romance and royalty and has been the basis of beauty rituals for centuries. Ancient Roman courts were decorated with garlands to stimulate the senses, and queens from Cleopatra to Marie Antoinette used rose petals in their face mask and bath to enhance their beauty.

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about MEB, click HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS &- THEIR BENEFITS

• Oats: 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.

• Almond Powder: Rich in vitamin A, almonds have moisturizing and emollient properties that are a wonderful way to nourish the skin while providing gentle exfoliation and promote the natural turnover of skin cells (2). Almonds can cleanse the skin by eliminating toxins and free radicals from your body. The various antioxidants in almonds possess anti-ageing properties which help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. 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. (3,4).

• Lactic Acid (Milk Source): An alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), is used to exfoliate the outer layer of skin, helping to reveal a softer, younger looking complexion, and speeding up the rate of cell turnover (5). Lactic acid also hydrates, increases natural barrier lipids in the outer layer of skin, and lightens and brightens skin for those with age spots or darkened areas (5).

• Almond Peel: Tannins in the almond peel act as in astringent helping shrink pores while the vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells from being damaged by free radicals (6). Additionally the peels act as an exfoliating agent.

• Rose Petals: The natural oils found in roses help lock moisture into the skin, keeping skin feeling smooth. Rose is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin because the sugars in its petals create a soothing feeling, helping calm down troubled complexions (7). Rose petals boost the body’s circulation, while simultaneously purifying the blood by flushing out wastes and toxins (7).

• Rose Essential Oil: Perfectly balanced between the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) – essential in keeping skin hydrated and firm. EFAs help to eliminate damaging and aging inflammation redness associated with scarring and broken capillaries while also renewing cell membranes and regenerating the skin (an anti-aging key) (8,9). It also contains transretinoic acid (a form of Vitamin A) responsible for skin smoothing wrinkles, rejuvenating skin, as well as lightening age spots and stretch marks. It can also help with itching skin, it’s antiseptic properties help treat acne and other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and wound healing (9). Rose is adaptogenic in that it is useful for all skin types and especially for dry and inflamed skin or conditions.

• Geranium Essential Oil: Has hydrating properties and is beneficial in the treatment of acne, dermatitis due to its antibacterial, anti-fungal properties (10). It helps purge out toxins, dirt, grime, dead cells and will calm skin inflammation by promoting blood circulation (10).

The rose facial scrub comes in a 125 gm plastic pot with an inner protective lid and a screw on top.

Brown in color, the scrub is powdery in consistency and gritty/coarse in texture with visible shreds of dried rose petals.

When reconstituted, the rose petals lend the scrub a pretty purplish-pink hue. A pleasant and delicate aroma of roses, courtesy of the dried rose petals, rose and geranium essential oil fills up one's senses.

To use, I take about a spoonful of the product and blend it to a paste like consistency using either aloe juice or toner fluid. Apply to face and massage gently in circular motions, and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing if off with tepid water.

The scrub feels very mild on the face and does not have any abrasive agents. The oats & almonds ensure that the scrub feels mild on the face and yet fulfill their exfoliating role in the scrub. The lactic acid which is a mild AHA adds to the exfoliation process sloughing off the dead cells and clearing the pores of impurities leaving the skin soft to touch. Full of nourishing and gentle ingredients, the skin feels moisturized, hydrated , cleansed and prepped for serums/facial oils.

The scrub is so gentle it would be safe to use on a frequent basis.

This scrub turns every bath or shower into a luxurious spa experience, and it leaves the skin radiant & silky smooth!