Showing posts with label all natural lip care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label all natural lip care. Show all posts

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Indian Earthy Naturals : Lip Balms


There’s something innately satisfying about using a beauty product that is natural and handmade. Lip balms have been an integral part of my handbag's must haves since forever. Recently my almost 4 year old too had been insisting she use lip balms like her mumma. Commercial lip balms were definitely not an option: I wanted something which was free of petroleum derevatives, harmful chemicals & preservatives, and who better to trust than IEN!!

ABOUT THE BRAND

Learn more about IEN HERE!


KEY INGREDIENTS & THEIR BENEFITS
  • Beeswax: It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and an anti-oxidant (1). Beeswax is also incredibly moisturizing and is an excellent emulsifier (enabling it to really lock in moisture), so it also has the ability to soothe any pain caused by dryness and dehydration. Furthermore, the capacity that beeswax has to lock in that moisture also makes one’s lips supple and soft—something that can only be attained after constant and deep hydration, not just surface attention (1). Lastly, beeswax even has properties that allow it to protect your lips from further danger. It contains vitamin A, which must be present for cells to develop normally. It also forms a protective layer on your lips that can shield them from harmful UV rays, as well as prevent infections or possible cold sores (1).
  • 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 (2). 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.
  • 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 (3).
  • Sweet 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 (4). (Learn more about the benefits of sweet almond oil HERE!).
  • Jojoba Oil: Rich in vitamins E and B complex as well as several minerals, jojoba oil can last longer than most conventional lip balm simply because it’s not water based and doesn’t evaporate out. Its long lasting and strong moisturizing effects helps dry lips feel soft and tender (5).
  • Ylang Ylang Oil: Great essential oil for the skin, nourishing and moisturizing flaky and dry skin (6).
  • Coconut Oil: Has good amounts of the antioxidant vitamin E, it is a wonderful moisturizer for your dry skin. The fatty acids in coconut oil create a barrier and lock in moisture so that your lips remain free of cracks (7).
  • Lemon Oil: Lemon essential oil also has anti-viral properties, so it can be used in a lip balm to treat cold sores (8).
  • Rose Oil: Nourishes and soothes sensitive lips, fights free radicals and stimulates collagen production while slowing down the aging process (9).
  • MICA: Provides a wonderful, subtle shimmer. Mica is a brittle silicate mineral and it comes in many colors. It is considered safe and non-toxic, with a green rating of 2 by the Environmental Working Group (10).

The 100% natural and organic lip balms, come in a 4 gm retractable tube format. Smooth in texture, the balms glides on effortlessly and smells of their respective essential oils. 

To use, glide it on the lips as often as you desire. 

Rose Tint: My favourite of the 3 variants, simply because I love the gorgeous aroma the rose otto imparts. The tint is very subtle and often impossible to notice. 

Coconut Lime: Has a strong lime and a mild beeswax fragrance, which reminds me of a delicious lemon parfait. 

Bronze Tint: If you are a ylang ylang fan, this one is for you. Again like the rose variant, the tint is very subtle but of the 3, I have noticed this one to work the best on my chapped lips.

The balms are non greasy, intensely hydrate and deeply nourish the delicate lip skin. The staying power of the balm isn't too long but ingredients continue to work long after the balm had faded. I regularly exfoliate with a lip scrub to help the goodness in the ingredients penetrate and moisturize better. I prefer lip balms in tubes rather than pots for two main reasons: (1) They are hygenic (2) The balm does not get stuck under my nails. 

A natural remedy, rich in vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids that will swipe away dullness and dryness to reveal luscious lips. 

Quick Tip: If you find the lipbalm melting, pop it into the refrigerator for a couple of hours and it's good to go!

Purchase IEN products HERE.

Monday, December 7, 2015

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.
 
Images by Freepik