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). 

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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.

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.

Aroma Essentials : Orange Face Wash

With summer upon us and winter a distant memory, my skin was starting to act up forcing me to change my cleansing game. This cleansing gel does the job of cleansing your skin, moisturizing it, and healing it at the same time.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about Aroma Essentials HERE!

KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS

• Edible Orange Juice:  Most commonly used to reduce sunburn, blemishes, dark spots, age spots or any kind of skin discoloration is helped by orange as it has a mild bleaching property.  Rich source of vitamin C, it is a very effective anti-ageing agent improving the texture & color of the skin (1). Collagen is restored with the help of vitamin C, and this helps make your skin firm and tight. Oranges are also rich in a large number of strong antioxidants and they fight against the free radicals that deplete oxygen from the skin cells causing wrinkles (1).  Orange extract has a gentle astringent property that helps to relieve acne-prone skin by reducing itching and irritation while also reducing the acne and preventing scarring,  absorbing excess sebum and helping balance the production of oil in the skin whilst calming over-active oily and acne-prone types (2).

• Sweet Orange Essential Oil: Orange essential oil is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory which makes it an ideal ingredient in your skin care products. This oil isn't just for acne-prone skin though: It's been shown to increase the ability to absorb vitamin C, collagen production, and blood flow, all of which are essential for anti-aging (3). Using skin products with sweet essential oil overtime can smooth wrinkles and decrease the gravity of those not so fine lines (3).

• Neroli Essential Oil: Refreshes tired skin—neroli has a toning, cleaning, and tightening effect that helps tired, sagging skin look more awake and lively (4). Neroli works as an antiseptic, protecting wounds from infections: its bacteria-killing properties also make it great for use after cleansing skin, to remove any trace microorganisms that may cause problems later. Naturally has an astringent property, it shrinks pores and blood vessels, smoothing skin’s appearance and diminishing under-eye circles (4). Because of its regenerating and stimulating properties, neroli is known as a great ingredient for preventing and fading scars, as well as helping to smooth over stretch marks (4). Neroli naturally helps control the overproduction of sebum in the skin, which can help reduce acne. Neroli is also said to have a stimulating effect on skin cells, helping regenerate skin and improve elasticity (4).

• De-ionized Water Gel: Acts as a binder and lubricant.

The orange face wash comes in  a plastic squeeze bottle with flip top lid in 30, 60 & 120 mL formats.

Orange in color, the face wash is gel like in consistency and has a sweet citrus"y" smell to it due to the essential oils.

Soap free, this face wash is made with real orange juice and sweet orange oil to help rejuvenate dull skin while helping to fight blemishes. This is the perfect cleanser that offers a gentle yet thorough cleanse which unclogs pores and protects the skin with its abundance of vitamin C.  It's easy to wash off and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight or dry. I particularly love using it after my time in the gym, it leaves an instantaneously refreshed look that is astounding!

Just in time to help beat the summer's dirt and grime.