Juicy Chemistry : Headache Buster

Headaches could be roughly classified (but not limited) into four categories:

Migraine Headache : Triggered by stress, anxiety, sleep deprevation and hormonal changes.

Tension Headache : Commonly caused due to heightened sensitivity to stress.

Sinus Headache : Nasal congestion and sinus pressures caused by cold, flus, allergies. 

Sugar Headache : Caused by low blood sugar levels.

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about Juicy Chemistry CLICK HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Peppermint Essential Oil: Benefits include its long-lasting cooling effect on the skin, ability to inhibit muscle contractions and role in stimulating blood flow in the forehead when applied topically (1). Applying peppermint essential oil topically across the forehead and on the temples effectively alleviates a tension headache (1).

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus works as an expectorant, it helps cleanse the body of toxins and harmful microorganisms. It also opens the nasal airways and eliminates sinus pressure that can lead to a nasty headache, all while promoting emotional balance and boosting mood (1). The oil showed anti-inflammatory effects when used to treat respiratory conditions. It exhibited antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties that alleviate sinus pressure caused by an inflammatory response (1).

• Clove bud Essential Oil: Clove oil, when applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headaches. Clove oil has many flavonoids within it, which are anti-inflammatory agents (2). When topically applied to the temples or neck, that anti-inflammatory quality will ease the inflammation or tension that so often brings about headaches.

• Rosemary Essential Oil: Treats headaches and poor circulation because of its stimulating, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (1). It has a calming effect and improves personal orientation and alertness. Rosemary oil also reduces stress and emotional triggers that can cause headache attacks, aids digestion and soothes an upset stomach, which can be a symptom of a severe headache (1).

• Frankincense Essential Oil: When inhaled, it has been shown to reduce heart rate and high blood pressure. It has anti-anxiety and depression reducing abilities, but unlike prescription medications it does not have negative side effects and does not cause unwanted drowsiness (3).

• Chamomile Essential Oil: Contains a high percentage of esters (isobutyl angelate), and therefore, offers anti-inflammatory and sedative properties (4). Chamomile essential oil is also a good oil to use if you are trying to alleviate a headache during the evening/night-time hours (4).

• Vetiver Essential Oil: The essential oil has a host of sedating and relaxing properties. It is also great for muscle aches and restlessness associated with migraines (5).

The headache buster comes in a 10 mL roll on plastic container.  A blend of potent essential oils, the liquid is golden yellow in color and has a sharp fragrance of peppermint, eucalyptus and clove with sweet undertones of frankinscence essential oil. 

To use, rub the roll on to the temples and forehead, repeat as required until  symptoms fade (if headache prolongs for more than 3 days, do consult a physician). 

I get migraines every month due to hormonal fluctuations which last for 2-3 days. I generally alleviate the vexing headache by popping NSAIDs. I have been looking at alternate options when I happened to chance on Juicy Chemistry's headache buster containing a powerhouse of essential oils. 

So the last time I had a migraine I promptly applied this concoction and I did notice my headache subsided gradually over time. The peppermint oil works wonders for hormonal migraine pains which got me wondering how therapeutic it would be in the flu season!! While there is initial greasiness upon application of the product, it does subside over time as does the fragrance & potency. Upon initial application, the product does sting a little which is why I wish the mixture had been diluted in a carrier oil like almond or jojoba. Due to the size and format, it is very easy to keep handy and travel with.

 

As with all Juicy Chemistry products, this one is a performer too and does not disappoint: Definitely a keeper!!

The Lil Flea Haul

This past weekend I decided to pay a visit to The Lil Flea at Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai. The Lil Flea is a periodic exhibition that features popup stores, food & dessert stalls, open air music and workshops. To beat the rush, I decided to go at noon which wasn't a great idea because I hadn't factored in the heat. Nevertheless I had a great time and snagged some great products. Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture the event due to the stinging heat!!

MY HAUL

(1) Beautiful art pieces from Soul Works
(2) Butter Creme Whipped Soap from Gia Bath & Body Works
(3) Shuddi Holistic Skincare from Shuddi Therapy
(4) Coconut Vanilla Body Scrub from Spoil Your Body
(5) Flaxseed Masala Mix from Flax Max
(6) Assortment of seeds from Rostir
(7) Thai Cooking Paste from The Picnic Basket

Juicy Chemistry : Saffrose

Winter wreaks havoc on our skin, and whether you’re dealing with greasy, ashy, or scaly “lizard” skin, a little TLC could work wonders. I cannot emphasis this enough but exfoliating the skin on a regular basis is important for skin maintenance and will help with the natural skin cell turnover. Skin cells replace themselves every 30 – 40 days and while most of the skin cells will naturally just fall off, some will need a helping hand. Having dead skin cells stay on top of the skin means that your skin will start to look dull and even flaky.

Sugar scrubs are great to use in the winter, as exfoliating the top layer of skin helps moisturizers penetrate more deeply and hydrate longer.

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about Juicy Chemistry CLICK HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Demerara Sugar &White Granulated Sugar:  Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment into the skin. So when you apply products with sugar or sugar derivatives, they'll actually help hydrate your skin and keep moisture within (1). A natural source of glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that penetrates the skin and breaks down the "glue" that bonds skin cells, encouraging cell turnover and generating fresher, younger-looking skin (1). Sugar's small particles make an excellent topical exfoliant. White sugar will yield a finer scrub, while a rougher sugar, like Demerara, will be more exfoliating (2).

• Sea Salt: Natural purifiers that remove the toxins that block the pores of the skin. It helps the skin breathe easier, promotes better circulation, tightens the skin and improves skin texture (3). The minerals in sea salt help to promote circulation, reduce the inflammatory response, and act as a detoxifying agent and general muscle relaxant (3). Salt is much more abrasive than sugar, so we believe it is more beneficial on rough areas like heels and elbows (4).

• Saffron: Saffron has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties which make it an ideal ingredient for treating acne (5). Rich in exfoliating properties, saffron helps lighten scars and spots left behind from old wounds, cuts or acne eruptions (5). It also improves the quality of your skin by removing the dirt and impurities and tones the skin (5).

• Saffron Infused Sunflower Oil: Sunflower seed oil improves skin hydration by spurring the production of ceramides and cholesterol, two key components of healthy skin cells: Having more ceramides equals softer, smoother skin (6). Infused with saffron, the oil provides beneficial qualities of saffron and sunflower oil.

• Grapeseed Oil: Rich emollient properties, grape seed oil is easily absorbed by the body, and it can be used for reducing age spots, sun burn, wrinkles and stretch marks (7). It has astringent properties and therefore, can tone and tighten the skin. The linoleic acid found in grape seed oil can be very beneficial in skin conditions like, acne, dermatitis and eczema and help  soothe and nourish the skin, and help it to repair (7). Vitamin E on the other hand, keeps the skin firm and smooth.

• Vitamin E Oil: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E oil prevents the damage of collagen helping repair the skin and improves collagen production (8). Vitamin E oil has anti-inflammatory properties that calm sensitive skin while its moisturising properties soothe dry skin and helps heal damaged tissue (8).

• Rose Petals: Has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties that can help treat acne and acne prone skin, reduce swollen spots, redness and has skin calming properties (9). Rose is especially beneficial for sensitive skin because the sugars in its petals create a soothing feeling.

• French Pink Clay: Can be used to cleanse and detoxify the skin, remove dead skin cells and treat acne and other skin ailments such as poor blood and/or lymph circulation and sun damaged skin (10).

• Essential Oil Rose: 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) (11,12). 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 (11).

• Essential Oil of Geranium: Has hydrating properties and is beneficial in the treatment of acne, dermatitis due to its antibacterial, anti-fungal properties (13). It helps purge out toxins, dirt, grime, dead cells and will calm skin inflammation by promoting blood circulation (13). 

The product comes in a signature Juicy Chemistry 75 gm plastic container with an inner lid to prevent spillage and a transparent screw on top. Upon opening the lid, a potent fragrance of  sweet rose and saffron mesmerizes you! I adore the smell of roses, so this doesn't bother me but the same might not be the case for someone with a sensitive nose.

The rose, saffron and French pink clay body polish, is a reddish pink color with a powdery, slightly granular texture.  Granulated sugar and saffron strands are clearly visible upon closer inspection.

To use, I scoop a whole spoon full (the spoon provided by JC) of the product, add a spritz of Oilcraft Naturals Panch Pusph facial mist to bring it to a paste like consistency and apply it to my dampened face and very gently massage it until I no longer feel the sugar/salt crystals and then rinse it off after leaving in on for a while.

Though Juicy Chemistry markets the product as a face/body polish, I found it to be ineffective as a body polish. The product wasn't exfoliating enough for the body, in my opinion. I like my body scrubs to be a little grittier. However as a facial polish, it exceeds all expectations.

The sea salt is extremely fine and the sugar crystals dissolve in the water rendering the polish mildly abrasive and ideal for my sensitive skin.The polish doesn't seem very moisturizing during application but after rinsing the skin feels cleansed, hydrated, plush, glowing and I know this because any serum/facial oil I apply after using this product gets quickly absorbed. I generally follow up with a rose masque and the results are spectacular!

Over all this polish has an impressive ingredient list, a fragrance to die for and delivers well as a facial polish both in the summer and winter months. This is my go to product every time I want an effective exfoliation.

Juicy Chemistry : Choco Mint Lip Scrub

The skin on the lips are extremely thin and lacks oil glands, making them prone to dryness: that’s why they chap so easily. Contrary to common belief, lip balm is not the best way to combat dry chapped lips. Exfoliation is the primary and critical step in fighting chapped lips! Exfoliating your lips twice a week will help rid of dead skin cells leaving lips soft and smooth, which allows moisture (aka lip balms) to penetrate your lips! In other words, exfoliation not only helps soften your lips, it also helps your lip balm to work better!

All recipes boils down to two components: an exfoliator and a nourishing agent, which are a killer combination for vanquishing chapped lips forever. 

Warning: You might want to eat this Choco Mint Lip Scrub, but try to restrain yourself. 

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about Juicy Chemistry CLICK HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Beeswax: The ability of beeswax to lock in helps it treat dry skin. In addition, its rich vitamin A content and emollient properties help in the healthy development of skin cells (1).

• Avocado Oil: Has been shows to deeply penetrate the skin in comparison to other oil. This injection of moisture gives an immediate plumping effect (2).

• Almond Oil: A good lubricant, it soothes, revitalizes, nourishes and moisturizes the lips.  Moreover, the oil is used to lighten dark lips; it eliminates dark spot and evens the lips color.  Almond oil may help get rid of wind-blown and scaly lips (3).

• Vitamin E Oil: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E protects the skin of your lips from sun damage and has the anti-aging properties. Lips are often exposed to the sun and do not contain the protective pigment melanin, so vitamin E is simply essential for them (4).

• Shea Butter: Most commonly used to help heal and moisturize sunburned, dry, or cracking lips, as it is said to not only bear anti-inflammatory properties, but is also easily absorbed into the skin (5). Though it is often used to heal chapped lips, it can also help prevent dry lips, because it is said to create a moisture barrier.

• White Sugar: Contains AHA which acts as a natural and gentle exfoliator. 

• Essential Oil of Peppermint: Peppermint oil has calming effects on skin inflammation. You can mix peppermint oil into lip balm and body lotion for a nice cooling sensation (6). 

• Cocoa Powder: Contains antioxidants, adds a yummy aroma.

The choco mint lip scrub comes in a 10gm transparent plastic container with a protective inner lid and a plastic screw on top. The scrub is brown in color with a granular texture and an aroma of peppermint chocolate. A very rich and hydrating formula, it leaves your lips all tingly, soft and moisturized!!

I take the required amount using a wooden spatula, apply it to my lips (all the time resisting the urge to eat it) and gently massage it all over. For further exfoliation, I occasionally use a super soft bristle toothbrush and very gently rub it on my lips in circular motion. I wipe off the excess scrub and usually moisturize it with a lip balm but didn't feel the need to do so with this lip scrub due to the presence moisture loving ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax and other oils which do a stellar job. 

The scrub granules are gentle and not too abrasive on the lips. The sugar works to rub away flakes and parched cells, revealing healthier, hydrated skin below. I typically use it before I apply matte lipsticks which have drier formulas and tend to cling on dry skin creating an unsightly appearance. 

I cannot wait to try the other variants offered by the brand.