Gia Bath & Body Works : Chocolate Body Polish

Good enough to eat, but even better on the skin.....chocolate has powerful anti-oxidant properties and has a nourishing effect on the skin. In addition to being a sensory indulgence, chocolate contains over 300 different compounds some of which can have a significant impact on one’s health and beauty.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Gia Bath & Body Works HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Cocoa Butter:  Rich in antioxidants which destroy free radicals and protect the skin against signs of aging and the harmful environmental stressors (1). Cocoa butter is high in fatty acids, meaning it can penetrate deep-down into the skin and hydrate from within and helps skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and skin irritation (2).
  

• Demerara 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 (3). 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 (3). Sugar's small particles make an excellent topical exfoliant that can help clean skin’s surface and unclogged pores. White sugar will yield a finer scrub, while a rougher sugar, like Demerara, will be more exfoliating (4).

• Coffee Grounds: Coffee is granular and feels nice on the skin but the caffeine has added benefits. Applied topically, coffee helps to redistribute fat cells and decrease the formation of cellulite, acts as a vasorestrictor, tightening and shrinking blood vessels thereby helping eliminate varicose veins (5). Caffeine is also loaded with antioxidants, which help to fight premature skin aging like wrinkles, sun spots, and fine lines.

• Cocoa Powder: Helps to renew and firm new skin cells, promote healthy skin tissues, and it also helps promote healthy cell development (6). Cocoa solids contain high levels of caffeine and theobromine which have similar properties and are brilliant in skincare: These compounds are able to break down fats and can have draining properties on fatty cells which allows them to be used for skin firming (7). Caffeine and theobromine are often used to to tighten the skin and reduce puffiness. All of these skincare properties mean that cocoa solids can be used to target cellulite when applied to your skin (7). Cocoa powder is a powerful antioxidant and helps to repair any damaged skin, absorbs UV light into the skin, improves function of blood vessels, increasing blood flow, increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and improves complexion and helps the skin stay hydrated (8). Topically, this increased hydration calms and soothes the skin.

• Saponified Oils of Virgin Olive, Coconut, Castor, Avacado & Jojoba:

• Virgin Olive Oil: Very rich in vitamins, minerals and natural fatty acids, it is suitable for sensitive skin types (9). Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, it prevents skin aging, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it also nourishes, rejuvenates and protects the skin (9).

• Coconut Oil: The medium chain fatty acids work as an antimicrobial agent to help kill bacteria and other viruses. Very similar to our natural sebum secretion, all of the properties of coconut oil leads to moisturized skin, fewer breakouts, and clearer complexion (10).
  

• Castor Oil: Soothing oil that has been used medicinally for thousands of years and has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties (10).

• Avocado Oil: The proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants in this oil make it a great moisturizer (11). It absorbs deeply into the skin and helps increase collagen to keep your skin supple. Dry, mature, sensitive, and problem prone skin can benefit greatly from this vitamin rich oil (12).

• Jojoba Oil: The proteins and minerals in this oil mimic collagen and are closest to our natural skin oil. Anti-inflammatory effects have been shown (13). Jojoba oil is great for all skin types especially acne prone skin. 

• Honey: Natural antibacterial, so it's great for acne treatment and prevention. Full of antioxidants, slows slowing down aging. Extremely moisturizing and soothing, honey is clarifying because it opens up pores making them easy to unclog (14).

 
This chocolate body polish by GBBW, is all natural, there are no harsh side effects meaning the polish can be used on all skin types. The product comes in a 150 gm plastic jar with a screw on top, is predictably brown in color with a crumbly/grainy texture and a divine blend of chocolate, honey, coffee and in house fragrance.

To use, after washing skin apply a handful of sugar scrub to wet skin and massage in circular motion over entire body and shower as usual. 

The chocolate sugar polish,is a scrumptious delight that revitalizes and enhances circulation and skin renewal. Since I have dry/dehydrated skin, I regularly exfoliate (3-4 times per week) and the theory behind it is it helps the skin maintain an even tone and increases circulation; which, in turn, promotes the collagen production necessary for skin to remain pliable and resilient.

Although sugar crystals are fine, they are grainy enough to make a gentle yet gritty scrub. The polish is not binding and is crumbly so while scrubbing, the particles do fall to the floor. Though the body polish is endowed with great moisturizing ingredients, I do not find it sufficiently hydrating for the winter, it will however make a great addition to a summer exfoliating routine. 

Definitely a product to indulge your senses and body with.

Gia Bath & Body Works : Angel Facial Cleanser

Gia Bath & Body Works Angel facial cleanser is the brand's best seller and it isn't hard to imagine why. The ingredients are very similar to its variant Pomegranate facial cleanser by the same brand.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Gia Bath & Body Works HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Almond Powder: Almond flour is a wonderful way to nourish the skin while providing gentle exfoliation and promote the natural turnover of skin cells (1). 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 (2). Selenium, an anti-oxidant mineral, is also available in almonds which helps fight the process of aging and also assists in decreasing dark circles and sunken eyes (3). It can also lighten age spots and other blemishes on the skin (1,2).

• Moroccan Clay: Mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this mineral-rich clay is known for its ability to absorb impurities from the skin. It cleanses deep, clearing pores and tightening skin (4). Rhassoul contains naturally high levels of skin-loving, beneficial minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Rhassoul clay can improve skin tone, texture, elasticity, and clarity while eliminating dryness and flakiness (4).

• Rose Petal Powder: Has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties that can help treat acne and acne prone skin, reduce swollen spots, redness and has skin calming properties (5). Rose is especially beneficial for  sensitive skin because the sugars in its petals create a soothing feeling (5).

• Kaolin Clay: A naturally occurring soft clay with natural absorbency properties. The mildest of all clays, it is very suitable for sensitive skin types. It helps stimulate circulation while gently exfoliating and cleansing without pulling out the skin’s natural oil (6).

• Vegetable Glycerin: A natural humectant, it can seal in moisture on the top layer of the skin while the other oils work their way deep into our cells to provide long-lasting moisture.

• Colloidal Oatmeal: Helps smooth and comfort itchy, scratchy, and dry skin, as it coats, moisturizes, softens, and protects your skin (7). Colloidal oatmeal contains sugars that allow the skin to retain moisture, and the thin barrier that it creates on the skin protects and heals the skin’s own natural barriers as well. This barrier can last for days, improving the skin’s tone and texture (8). Furthermore it works to help relieve dry, skin patches, psoriasis, acne, bug bites, sunburns, and other minor skin irritations.

• Avocado Oil: One of the more deeply penetrating oils, it helps to fix moisture into the skin. This makes it great for dealing with dehydrated skin as well as softening rough skin. Non-greasy and non comedogenic, it helps treat inflammatory skin conditions like blemishes and eczema (9).

• Sweet Almond Oil: Has a natural ability to plump and firm the skin (10). Helps in repairing, rejuvenating, as well as revitalizing damaged skin ensuring it is left feeling relaxed and looking great (11).  (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!).

The angel facial cleanser, much like its pomegranate variant comes in a 150 gm plastic container with a screw on lid. The cleanser has a wet/crumbly texture and resembles an almond meal. It has a sweet & mild fragrance which is a combination of almond with the essential oil blend of lavender and rose absolut.

As with other natural facial cleansers, I scoop out the required amount with a dry wooden spatula, add Oilcraft Naturals Panch Pusph facial mist to blend it to the desired paste like consistency and apply it to the face and let it dry like a mask. Before I rinse it off, I dampen it with water and massage gently in circular motions.

The product is for dry/combination skin which works perfectly my dry/dehydrated/sensitive skin. While the Moroccan clay base deep cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural oils, almond and oatmeal act as exfoliating agents gently scouring off dry skin. The lavender, rose oil and rose petals calm the redness while the oils provide the much needed hydration. the end result: a squeaky clean skin with plushness!!

I found this to be a very rich hydrating facial cleanser and would definitely recommend it anyone with dry/sensitive skin condition.