Venustas Essentials : Skin Corrector Serum

A face oil can be a great way to supplement your moisturizer or serum if you find you need a little extra moisture or have stubborn dry, flaky patches your moisturizer isn’t quite improving.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Venustas Essentials HERE!  

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Argan Oil: Most commonly used as a skin moisturiser to hydrate and soften skin: argan oil’s high vitamin E and fatty acid content, give skin a natural boost (1). Its anti-oxidant effect along with the high vitamin A & E content make argan oil the ideal anti-aging product, helping reduce fine wrinkles, restores elasticity and leaves skin feeling plumper and softer (1). The vitamin E and fatty acids in argan oil are excellent for repairing damaged skin and providing it with nutrients which prevents further dryness and irritation (1). Argan oil actually soothes afflicted skin and promotes healing. Non-greasy, non-irritating and non comedogenic in nature, it helps balance skin by providing natural moisture. Its anti-inflammatory property helps heal damaged skin cells and reduce inflammation (1).

• Carrotseed Oil: High in antioxidants (caratenoids), it’s a natural for any anti-aging skin formula. These components can help protect your skin from environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, and stress (2). High in “carotol,” a primary component found in carrot seed oil, it has the ability to rejuvenate skin (2). The oil also has moisturizing vitamin E and protective vitamin C, which work together to help encourage healing and to rejuvenate skin cells and bring new life to skin (2). Carrot seed oil has a reputation for healing eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis because of its ability to stimulate cell growth and repair damaged skin (2).

• Rosehip Seed Oil: Natural source of vitamin E – which is an anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant that calms and hydrates dry and sensitive skin and helps protect skin cells from sun damage (3). Natural source of essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9 – which help repair and regenerate damaged skin tissue (3). Natural source of vitamin C – a skin brightening, anti-ageing antioxidant that helps improve the appearance of pigmentation and restore skin's tone (3). Natural source of the powerful antioxidants lycopene, which helps improve skin texture and offer protection against premature ageing, and beta-carotene, which helps prevent free-radical damage responsible for skin ageing (3).

• Vitamin E Oil (Tocopherols): Proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, which can help protect skin, speed wound healing, and provide anti-aging effects (4).Because of their powerful antioxidant properties, when applied topically, vitamin E reduces redness, sunburn, and skin damage (4). Vitamin E has a long reputation as an effective moisturizer, it not only hydrates the skin, but it helps to prevent further water-loss, retaining skin’s natural moisture content even in dry climates (4). Vitamin E also helps reduce the healing time required for treating wounds, helps scars to gradually fade away (4).

• Geranium Essential Oil: Helps regulate oil production and reduces acne breakouts. An astringent, it helps in tightening and contracting muscles thus minimizing the look of wrinkles and slows down the effects of aging and can prevent muscles and skin from sagging (5). Geranium oil promotes cell growth; it helps to recycle dead cells and supports the regeneration of new cells allowing metabolism to work more effectively (5). It also promotes blood circulation to the areas where it is applied, helping to heal bruises, broken capillaries, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, ringworm, and other skin conditions (5).

• Lemon Essential Oil: Lemon oil is a good remedy for increasing the luster of dull skin (6). Astringent and detoxifying in nature, lemon EO rejuvenates sagging or tired-looking skin. Its antiseptic properties help in treating pimples and various skin disorders and also works in reducing excessive oil on the skin (6).

• Rosemary Essential Oil: The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties help to curtail certain skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and oily/acne prone skin (7).

• Lavender Essential Oil: An anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. It reduces inflammation thereby causing less skin redness and blotchiness making skin appear evenly colored (8). 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 (8). This is essential to healthier cells, and benefits more frequent cell turnover.

The serum, comes in a 10 mL tinted bottle with a built in dropper. Fluid in consistency, lightweight in texture, the oil is clear, golden yellow in color and has a floral smell to it that does linger for a while.

To use, apply after cleansing. Gently massage serum into face and neck with fingertips in a circular motion. Pay particular attention to areas showing greater signs of aging or dehydration. 

Of late, due to weather fluctuations, my skin has been showing signs of dehydration and is flaky. I have been using the serum after spritzing my face with toner mist and massaging a drop or two concentrating on inflicted areas. Freshly cleansed and slightly damp helps the oil to slide on, be absorbed and lock in moisture. 

Overnight, my thirsty skin loved this revitalizing oil that brought back softness and suppleness to my dehydrated complexion. I sometimes even use it as part of my oil cleansing routine (more to follow about the methodology).

The formulation has lemon essential oil to help counteract age spots and  pigmentation, however citrus oils could be phototoxic to skin when exposed to UV light leaving the skin discolored. Thus I would exercise caution applying the serum prior to stepping into sunlight.  

This sumptuous blend of botanical oils would suit naturally dry skin, normal skin suffering from dehydration, and mature skin lacking in nourishing lipids.

Burst Of Happyness: Divine Facial Serum

If there’s one thing worse than blemishes, it’s the hyper pigmentation that ensues soon after.  But how about a product that works on both the acne, the scars it leaves behind and additionally helps moisturize the skin!

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about BOH HERE!

 
KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Jojoba Oil: The proteins and minerals in this oil mimic collagen and are closest to our natural skin oil. As an anti-inflammatory reducing the painful swelling and redness that often accompanies a skin injury. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it an effective treatment for acne (1).  As a moisturizer it’s non greasy and easily absorbed and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple and is particularly effective for treating dry skin (1). As an acne treatment jojoba oil is a natural antiseptic and is effective treatment for acne (1). Jojoba oil both cleanses and moisturizes the skin at the same time.

• Hazelnut Oil: Also dubbed the “pore-reducing” oil and “acne-fighting” oil because of its unique properties, hazelnut oil has high content of catechins and tannins (healthy flavonoids) making this oil a “dry” or “astringent” oil that feels smooth and toning on the skin (2). The astringent properties help absorb oils and shrink pores, while the antibacterial components go to work battling skin bacteria to help reduce blackheads and pimples (2).

Other benefits include:

• Hydration: Even though the oil helps absorb and balance sebum (skin oil), it also has a lot of natural fats that help moisturize and condition skin, leaving it soft and plump, while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without the greasy feel (2).

• Gentle: Hazelnut is perfect for sensitive skin, as it is a gentle oil that is unlikely to irritate (2).

• Rejuvenator: Because of all the nutrients, flavonoids, and antioxidants, hazelnut has a rejuvenating effect on skin cells. Over time, regular use will have an anti-aging effect, helping skin to appear more youthful and vibrant (2).

• Evening Primrose Oil: Abundant in gamma linoleic acid (GLA), evening primrose oil enhances the epidermal barrier (3). Because of its ability to dilute sebum production, evening primrose oil is good at calming acne flare-ups, while at the same time hydrating skin (3). The astringent properties of the plant's juice can soothe skin irritations and inflammations (3).

• Tamanu Oil: A “cicatrisant,” it can speed up the disappearance of scars, dark spots, and other marks on the skin, helping to create a more even skin tone (4). Tamanu oil is a significant healing agent, not only because of its ability to produce new skin tissue, but also due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, antibiotic and antioxidant properties (5). Additionally, this oil is an excellent and powerful moisturizer (6).

• Turmeric Oil: Turmeric oil usually are 60-65% alpha-curcumene (a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon), the key component in turmeric root which provides turmeric its anti-inflammatory qualities (7). An anti-microbial oil rich in antioxidants and potent anti-inflammatory properties, helps treat acne and acne scars (7).

• Cedarwood Essential Oil: Protects skin pores from letting in dust or any harmful microbes into the body, which lead to acne and skin infections (8). Cedarwood oil is also effective for tightening the facial skin and giving it a youthful appearance (8).

• Lemongrass Essential Oil: One major lemongrass essential oil benefit is its skin healing properties. Lemongrass oil is an effective cleanser for all skin types; its antiseptic and astringent properties make lemongrass oil perfect for getting even and glowing skin. It can sterilize your pores, serve as a natural toner, and strengthen your skin tissues (9).

Divine serum, comes in a 7 gm roll on format. Fluid in consistency, light golden in color, the serum had woody notes of cedarwood and undertones of turmeric oil.  

For reference: my skin has a tendency to dry/dehydrate and breaks out occasionally. Though this facial serum is for oily skin, due to the beneficial ingredient list, I use it as a spot on treatment for acne and acne marks. 

To use, I prefer to apply the oil on humid skin to facilitate its penetration or mix it with some aloe gel which is also very helpful & beneficial in acne issues.

The plant-based, nontoxic oils in the serum, glides on clear and gets instantaneously absorbed when massaged. I have tried using this serum alone but it does not sufficiently hydrate my skin but is moderately effective on acne and acne scars. Whenever new acne threatens to pop, I promptly rub this the night before and there is a definite reduction in the size, but the oil isn't always consistent in it's efficacy. I have even noticed it to minimize acne-scars over time and doesn’t strip moisture from the skin. I have also been using this concoction as a carrier oil in my oil cleansing method (OCN) and am loving it's effects.

I am however not a fan of the packaging. When I received the bottle, there was a leak and upon Shreya's instructions, I removed the roller and fixed it back in which solved the issue. I would have much rather the product came with a dropper which also makes it hygienic. 

The divine serum from the house of BOH, is a great ally for those with oily skin.