Ma Earth Botanicals : Rose Water Toner

Ancient Romans are said to have preferred baths with rose water, while Cleopatra used it in her various face masks. Like most plants, roses have a lot of great benefits for the skin.

Rosewater is the by-product of rose oil production. When the rose petals are steam distilled, the watery substance (hydrosol) that remains behind after the essential oil is removed still has a rich scent (1). 

ABOUT THE BRAND

To learn more about MEB, click HERE!

Source: Internet

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

Steam Distilled Rose Water:

• Sensitive Skin: Abundant in vitamins C & E, rose water soothes red and irritated sensitive skin by its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties (2). Sensitive skin especially benefits from its antibacterial and moisturizing properties, as it soothes, hydrates, and tones. It also helps balance the pH of the skin (3).

• Natural Toner: Rose is a natural astringent, so it helps to tighten pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (3).

• Natural Cleanser: Rose water is often used in organic cleansers because it helps clean out clogged pores, reducing acne outbreaks (3).

• Sunburn: Rose water helps in reducing redness, soothe damaged skin and burning associated with sunburn owing to its anti-inflammatory action (4). 

• Moisturizing: Rose is great for dry skin, as it helps increase its ability to hold onto hydration. The natural oils in rose help trap moisture onto skin, making it look and feel smoother (3).

• Ageing: Rose water repairs damage caused by harmful oxidants generated in the skin under the effect of UV rays, pollution, harsh skin care products and hence decelerates ageing (2).

• Acne: Its anti inflammatory & antiseptic properties calms the skin down and helps reduce any puffiness from water retention, reduces pimples by stopping the growth of bacteria and if used as a toner, removes any excess oil while hydrating the skin (3).

The rose toner comes in a plastic bottle with a screw on cap. I received this in a sample size along with my rose facial scrub order. Fluid in consistency, the toner is a clear, lightweight liquid that smells like a walk through a blooming garden. The packaging isn't leak proof, so do exercise caution if you decide to travel with it!

Since the product does not come with a spray nozzle, I use the toner either as a mixer fluid for my facial scrubs and cleansers or apply it directly as a toner using a cotton pad. I also prefer to keep the product refrigerated to aid in the toning process.

Toners are meant to be used after cleansing to help restore and repair skin's surface. Skin can never get too much of these important ingredients, which include antioxidants and skin-repairing substances. The right toner can give your skin a healthy dose of what it needs to look younger, fresher, and smoother, right after cleansing and throughout the day.

What I like best about this product is the fact that it is unadulterated. It refreshes the skin instantaneously prepping the skin for the next stage of CTM. I have dry skin so the toner alone does not hydrate sufficiently and I do have to follow up with either a serum or moisturizer.  

A wonderful toner for all skin types that is 100% natural, refreshing and soothing.

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!