Review: Liquid Neutrogena Face Wash

Neutrogena sounds like a totally new brand but it is actually a group of products by none other than Johnson and Johnson.

Johnson and Johnson is a big brand and has been around for quite a few decades. Over this period it has won many hearts and also broke many a naive heart's trust. So much so that in many countries this brand is shunned and it has lost its value. All this tragedy is because it uses some chemicals in its products, including those baby ones, which are harmful or banned.

Coming to this Neutrogena face wash, it is not much different from a typical J&J product in that it too contains many toxic chemicals. Please read below for the complete list of ingredients and their uses. Those that are harmful are marked in red.

Water - Base

Glycerin - Glycerin is a byproduct of saponification and it is also known as sweet oil. It attracts moisture from the environment to the skin making it useful for dry skin.

Oleic acid - It is a fatty acid which acts as a cleanser.

Coconut acid - Oils are needed in any kind of soap so that a strong hydrolysis is formed to produce soap. Coconut oil has good skin conditioning properties and it is the base of this cleanser.

Sodium hydroxide - It is one of the main ingredients of soap. It hydrolyses fat to form soap.

Triethanolamine - It is a strong alkaline substance and so it can modify the pH of the product accordingly.

Sodium trideceth sulphate - It is a rather harsh detergent that can strip the oils from the skin. 

Sodium cocoamphoacetate and Cocoamphodiacetate - These are coconut oil derivatives which increase the foaming factor of any soap/ cleanser.

Citric acid - It is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that can help to exfoliate and regenerate new skin cells promoting healthy skin. As it is acidic in nature, it can alter the pH of the product accordingly. 

Caprylyl glycol - It is a good moisturizer and increases the anti-bacterial property of any preservative used in the product. 

Trisodium HEDTA - It prevents the ingredients from reacting to each other by binding to metal ions and making them inactive. It also maintains the clarity of the product. 

Phenoxyethanol - It is an anti-bacterial so it acts as a preservative which has come to the spotlight after the paraben scare. However, it is not the safest alternative to parabens. It is advised to be used in proportions less than 1% by the cosmetic regulations. According to some studies, prolonged use could cause contact dermatitis, worsen the condition of eczema, and build up toxins in the system harming the brain, the nervous system and the reproductive system.

BHT - Butylated hydroxytoluene is a preservative. The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has banned its use in cosmetics as it is proved to have harmful effects on the hormonal balance. 

Hexylene glycol - It is used as a solving agent/ viscosity decreasing agent in facial cleansers. It is used to thin out the product so that it can spread more easily. It may irritate the eyes and sensitive skin on contact.

CI 19140, CI 17200, CI 42090

Review:

Speaking of my experience with this product has been quite contrary to its general popularity in the market. I expected great much things from it and it just left me looking dull and lifeless. I have no idea how it didn't suit me but after looking at those ingredients, it's actually a blessing in disguise that it did not work out for me. Just imagine if it would have actually impressed me and I continued to use it bottle after bottle and our love saga just went on and on ?

So, the face wash actually bears a very strong resemblance to J&J baby shampoo - its color and fragrance are so similar that I often wonder if it is a cleverly repackaged consumable. It is a mustard yellow liquid with a smooth texture that foams well with water. Just as easily it foams up, it is difficult to completely wash off. I always felt like a film of soap was left over on my skin.

I guess it will work well on oily or summer skin by getting rid of oil and also to keep skin oil free. Beauties with dry skin please be advised and stay miles away from it. It is just - not - meant - to - be. My skin felt and looked dry and patchy with no bit of glow peeping through. Utter disappointment!

Since it works wonders with all of what it has got to keep skin dry, it can combat pimples due to excessive oiliness. Probably a majority of its hopeful buyers also expect the same. Perhaps that is why it is still so famous - it probably dries out pimples in the same way and helps to bid goodbye ( for a while at least ).

Then its effect on my skin texture. I cannot really comment since that soap film always remained even after towel patting skin dry.

With every face wash, one would expect a beautiful sunset glow. But as I mentioned earlier, it actually stripped all glow and every thing off my face.

So, I don't have much to speak of. Once bitten twice shy. I have this bottle since a couple of months and now it is gathering dust in a forlorn corner.

I never meant to put ill reviews up in my blog but I felt that I could raise awareness on its bad chemicals content and to urge every one to use it wisely.

REVIEW: Patanjali Rose Face Wash

Patanjali Rose Face Wash is made from natural ingredients like extracts of rose, neem, and aloe vera.

Composition:
Each 10 ml contains extracts of
Rose - 50 mg
Aloe vera - 50 mg
Neem - 5 mg

Base material - Aqua, gel base, honey, diazolidinyl urea, IPBC, vitamin E, fragrance, CI 15450

Net weight - 60 g
MRP - INR 60
Shelf life - 1.5 years
Recommended for normal to oily skin.
Claims: Useful for dry and rough skin and to reduce pimples.

I had been eyeing the Rose face wash for a while but I never purchased it as I was already using the rose soap and I thought the two would be similar. If you haven't read my blog on the rose body cleanser already, read it here. I finally gave in and bought it while I was travelling recently as the tube is more handy to carry around than the soap. So, are the two really similar? Read on to know more about the face wash.

Most Patanjali face washes contain more than one ingredient, and to me that is really confusing because I like one ingredient and don't like the other one in it so I end up not purchasing it at all. But the Patanjali Rose face wash is is packaged with only a beautiful picture of a rose on the tube as if it is a solo ingredient product. Well, that is somewhat true too, as rose is one of the main ingredient, but it also has aloe vera extract in equal quantity as rose, and a little bit of neem. All these ingredients are present in such tiny quantities, milligrams to be precise, it is hardly a 100% au naturale product as the rest of the product is made using some or the other chemical. But at least it has some natural ingredient in it!

So, the packaging is a simple yet beautiful one with a really pretty color combination of white and pink. How girly! I love it! The tube is white and it has a pretty rose on it and the text and all that jazz is in pink - the kind of pink that you would associate with a rose. The tube has a flip cap which is (thankfully) easy on the nails. It is a medium sized tube (60g), neither compact nor too bulky but it is easy to carry around in a make up bag.

The face wash is almost transparent but has the slightest hint of baby pink to it. It is a gel base so it is quite refreshing for use in the summer time. No prizes for guessing the fragrance; rose!It is not as strong as the rose body cleanser but it is nice and mild. It doesn't lather like soap but just forms a foamy film which washes off easily. It does not leave any sticky or tacky feeling on the skin like most gel based soaps do. I use quite a fair amount of the face wash over my face and neck and then it does its job well. 

Now let's talk about its benefits. Rose is a really good natural moisturizer and it is great for dry skin. It also helps to even out the complexion by erasing scars and pigmentation. By the way, did you that the scent of a rose is an aphrodisiac? Pretty obvious, if you think about it! Aloe vera suits dry, normal, and oily skin alike. It is so effective on dry skin and on oily skin it just tones down the oiliness. Neem is an antibacterial agent and it helps to fight pimples.

The product itself mentions that it is meant for normal to oily skin, and it is true! If you have dry skin, or you want to use this in the winter, drop that idea right there. That is quite ironic since rose is meant to work on dry skin. But this works well on oily skin or in the summer. The first time that I used it, it gave a tingling fresh sensation. It being summer, I loved the feeling. But, alas! My skin quickly de-sensitized to it and I couldn't feel it again but it sure feels refreshing every time I use it. It is a very mild cleanser, so if you are looking to remove your make up with it, uh-uh! In the summer, I feel the need to wash my face often as I get oily in the blink of an eye, and I feel guilty to use soap that often. But as this one is so gentle, it hardly feels like soap. So, once the cleansing is done, I feel my skin is smooth but glossy, still. If you like your skin looking matte after a face wash, especially if you have oily skin then I am sure you like a matte look, then this guy won't impress you. But glossy skin is a perfect base for make up. If you do intend to wear mattifying foundation, then this face wash will give you the perfect glossy base, so that your make up will look soft and dewy. I feel it works well that way. As far as the fragrance goes, it is not strong and it vanishes after having patting skin dry. It didn't work well on acne or acne scars which is again disappointing because all the three natural ingredients in there are supposed to be good for that. I really wonder that its ingredients are one thing and what it works for is a different thing.

Overall, this product is awesome for normal skin. It is also awesome for a glossy looking skin. If you already have perfect skin and are looking for the mildest cleanser out there to maintain your amazing skin, then this is the one for you. If you are looking for a remedy to fix your problem skin, this is a waste of money. I guess having already used the rose soap, my expectations out of this face wash were high, but they came crashing down. I now use other face washes to fix any skin issues that I may be facing at that point and only use this one along the way.

REVIEW: Patanjali Moisturizer Cream

The natural ingredients that are in the cream and their respective benefits are as below.

Aloe Vera - It has a water based, gel like consistency and is non sticky which makes it a perfect moisturizer for oily skin. Also it tends to absorb better into the skin also taking along with it all the other ingredients. This is the main ingredient in this cream and it helps to lighten the consistency of the cream as there are heavier ingredients in it.

Image source: http://stylesatlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/aloe-vera-gel1.jpg

Honey - Honey is a gentle moisturizer and prevents loss of moisture from the skin. It keeps the skin dewy and soft. Apart from that, it also has bleaching property which makes it the safest way to bleach body hair.

Image source: http://healthscopers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Honey__Dippers.jpg

Shea butter - Shea butter is an age old African beauty secret which is newly seeing light outside of the African continent. It has gained so much popularity in the recent times that a moisturizer is not considered potent enough if this baby is not a part of it. Raw, unrefined Shea butter is better for the skin but it is creamish in color and very, very thick. It is extracted from the nuts of Shea tree. It is very rich in vitamin A which can help treat extremely dry skin and eczema, apart from lightening scars.

Image source: http://www.zoiy.eu/images/inhaltsstoff_sheabutter_quer.jpg

Soya bean oil - Soya bean oil is a great source of amino acids which are known to help with dry skin and wrinkles.

Image source: http://www.agricorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/soybean-oil.jpg

Almond oil - It is rich in vitamin E which not only heals dry skin but also repairs damaged, dry skin making it glow with health.

Image source: http://www.radiopaula.cl/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/aceite-de-almendras.jpg

Olive oil - It is quickly absorbed into skin making it oh-so-sexy-smooth. It's light weight formula does not clog pores so no more breakouts.

Image source: http://www.naturalhealth365.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/olive-oil.jpg

Cocoa butter - Cocoa butter goes hand in hand with Shea butter. Cocoa butter is extracted from the "chocolate" nut ( cocoa) which is found in Africa, just like Shea butter. It has a chocolatey aroma to it which might tempt you to eat it, but don't you do that. Just like shea butter, it is also a thick moisturizer which is great for dry skin.

Image source: http://marillaszappan.hu/shop_ordered/6725/pic/Kepek/olajak/kakaovaj2.jpg

Chamomile extract - Chamomile flowers have a healing property which is why so many baby products contain its extract. It is very soothing on sunburns and skin rashes.

Image source: http://vineveracosmetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ing-SL-Chamomile.jpg

Neem extract - Neem is a very powerful anti germ agent and with so many moisturizing agents which can easily lead to pimples, an anti germ agent will protect against pimple causing germs.

Image source: http://www.ozonebiotech.com/images/neem-based-product.jpg

Cucumber seeds extract - Cucumber is best associated for its refreshing coolness in the hot summers. Nearly 50% of cucumber seeds is oil. But a lot many of those tiny edible seeds are required to get even a teaspoonful of the oil. But that is the only way to incorporate the refreshing coolness of cucumber into the moisturizer.

Image source: http://static.parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cucumber-veggie-of-the-week-ftr.jpg

Orange peel extract - It is full of vitamin C and orange peel is best known for its skin lightening property.

Image source : http://www.hlfteam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/112.jpg

Cabbage extract - You might be surprised to see this vegetable in the ingredients list and to be honest, I was too. I did some research and came to know that in the olden days it was believed to have "moon power" since it grows in the moonlight. Such are its nutritional and medicinal value that it is said that of all veggies, cabbage is the best. It suits all skin types. It nourishes and moisturizes dry and wrinkled skin while combatting excessive oil and pimple marks on oily skin.

Image source: http://krautlook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Sauerkraut-Cabbage.png

Dates extract - Yet another ingredient that I had no idea how it could have beauty benefits. Apparently, it is quite popular beauty secret in the Middle East where it grows abundantly. It has all the necessary nutrients to make skin soft, plump and rejuvenated.

Image source : http://naturalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/date_fruit.jpg

Base material: Cream base, vitamins E, B5, and A ( vitamins for good skin), CI 45100 (added colo, Aqua q.s.

Review:

Here's one moisturizer with some unique ingredients and no added fragrance! I mean, have you ever heard of cabbage extract in a cream? Or for that matter dates or cucumber seeds extract? Never have I ever! And the fragrance is totally out of this world. It is like a faint floral but absolutely mesmerizing. Quite honestly, it's not something I was expecting out of an Ayurveda based cream.

The cream itself is a beautiful baby pink colored cream thanks to the added colorant. The consistency of the cream is like malai or milk cream, thick but easily spreadable. It melts on the skin with no white cast whatsoever. It is such a boon for dusky girls like myself where most of the moisturizers or creams either take forever to blend in or leave a whitish cast which is not at all flattering.

It doesn't have a greasy feel to it but it does feel like a heavy moisturizer. It is more apt as a body moisturizer than a face moisturizer because it is so heavy. But if you have acute dryness over your face then this might be the right one for you. I use it over my body only and don't remember the need to reapply it again in the day. It is definitely suitable for dry skin and during winters when heavy moisturization is required. Peeps with oily skin will find this one way too heavy.

I love the fact that I don't need to reapply it throughout the day. I just use it ones a day, right after a shower and that is it. I have dry skin over my body and I have never been 100% happy with any other moisturizer before I used this one.

It is a pretty thick cream but doesn't feel heavy or greasy after melting into the skin. It's quite weird because skin does look and feel moisturized but not at all greasy; which is great because frankly who likes feeling like a walking talking butter chicken?

I am not sure whether this one is free of nasty chemical preservatives and fragrances or it may have been missed out of the ingredients list mentioned on the package. But it does smell yummy and with those kind of ingredients, I highly doubt it is 100% natural. Also there are so many natural ingredients that there must be a preservative used to keep the product from spoiling.

It does such a good job as a moisturizer but even with such an extensive list of ingredients it does nothing exceptional for skin glow. I have been using it since such a long time but my skin looks the same. That is the only minus. But thankfully unlike other winter creams, this one didn't darken my complexion.

To wind it all up, this one is hands down the best cream I have come across for dry skin or winters. If you are only concerned about your dry skin, then this is the go to product for you. If you like to spice up your moisturizing routine and also want some bonus glow, then I have only one thing to say - keep those expectations aside. But you too will thank it for not darkening your complexion.

REVIEW: Patanjali Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream

Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream with Shea butter, coconut, wheat germ and olive oil.

For moisturizing and skin lightening.

Shelf life - 2 years

Net weight - 50 g

Price - INR 75

Claims: Useful for preventing ageing and dehydration of skin, protects skin against winter dryness & roughness, makes skin soft, smooth & beautiful.

Ingredients

Aloe Vera gel - 1000 mg... Soothing and moisturizing which is suitable for all skin types, especially oily skin. It hydrates and repairs dehydrated and damaged skin.

Shea butter - 20 mg... It's very thick and greasy so it is dry skin's best friend. A little goes a long way, so just a tiny bit is enough to feed the skin some fat. As the name suggests, it is the butter extracted from Shea nuts which are native to Africa.

Olive oil - 20 mg... Light and moisturizing, it is normal skin's best friend. It is easily absorbed and is non greasy, making it perfect moisturizer material. No wonder this kitchen staple is an all time favourite for skin smoothening and softening.

Coconut oil - 20 mg... Coconut oil is another kitchen staple, especially in South India. It is slightly thicker than olive oil and as such it is suitable for dry skin. Coconut oil also helps to make skin glossy.

Wheat germ oil - 20 mg... Wheat germ oil is extracted from the kernel of wheat and is full of vitamins and minerals and is therefore one of the best natural oil that can be used as baby oil. It doesn't sink into the skin very easily and so it can be used as a massage oil. It is thicker than coconut oil and is good for dry skin. Added bonus is that it has skin lightening properties.

Turmeric extract - 5 mg... With all these light and heavy moisturizers, you need an antibacterial to prevent pimples. Turmeric is one of the best anti germ agent found in nature.

Base material

Aqua, cream base, vitamin E & glycerine - skin softeners, soya peptide - amino acids that prevent wrinkles, diazodinyl urea & IPBC - preservatives, sugandhit dhravya - fragrance q.s.

Review

After having been in love with Patanjali moisturizing cream, I decided to try out the Aloe Vera version just because Aloe Vera is soothing and cooling, and is perfect for the summer. I was in need for a light moisturizer which is suitable for oily skin and summer time.

The packaging and price is very similar to the moisturizing cream, just that the package colour is baby green while that one was baby pink. I feel this is a pretty good package compared to the other products from Patanjali. But anyways, I'm not here to talk about what is on the outside ( because it doesn't matter anyway) but let's get started on what is inside.

It is a light and fluffy white cream which melts into the skin. It feels so cooling on the skin and I love it. The fragrance is also something new and refreshing. So, the first impression is pretty good actually!

Coming to its moisturizing ability, it is a light moisturizer and is suitable for normal to oily skin. Although it claims to be suitable for winters, I doubt it. Because it is cooling on the skin, it is very refreshing to use in the summers. Also it is light weight and easily absorbed into the skin, so it is good for oily skin. Dry skin will hardly benefit as there will be constant need to reapply.

I have oily skin and I apply it twice a day, all over my face and body after a shower. This way it is better absorbed and doesn't leave any trace or greasy feeling.

The fragrance is also light and won't give a headache.

Most moisturizers in the market are full of chemicals and preservatives like parabens which are really harmful for the system, but this cream has other substances acting as preservatives which are not harmful like the parabens. For this reason only I find it safe to use even on a baby.

Although the amount of natural ingredients as listed above are really very small, only there tiny presence is enough to make it safer than the other chemical loaded moisturizers. I use it daily and have not had any breakouts with this cream.

As far as their skin lightening claim, I don't really bother because it is summer right now and no matter what, skin will tan. Nope, it hasn't helped me with the tan, but it is not a good idea to step out in the sun with this cream as there is no sunscreen and also because matter of fact, skin will tan easily with an oily cream on the skin.

It does make skin feel soft like butter and the feeling can easily get addictive. It does claim skin lightening but I haven't noticed any. But I love the glow it gives me without the shine.

So, overall it's a great product at a very economical price.

REVIEW: Patanjali Amla Hair Oil

Hair is rightfully called the crowning glory. Healthy hair indeed looks glorious. Some of us are blessed with beautiful hair, some of us are not. But all of us desire glorious hair. With hair fall, split ends, dandruff, and grays being our common woes, we need a one all solution to fix it all. But is there really any such Dr. Fix It? 

Divya Pharmacy's Patanjali by Baba Ramdev (which is such a rage nowadays, BTW) have launched Amla Hair Oil. It claims to strengthen the roots, prevent hair fall, graying hair and split ends. It is an Ayurvedic proprietary medicie and so it is suitable for one and all without the fear of chemicals causing further damage. So, is it effective? Does it work? What are its benefits? Read on to know more about this oil.

Each ml contains the following ingredients and I have also briefly written about the goodness of each ingredient used.

Sunflower oil... 760 mg - You may be surprised that your favorite cooking oil is the main ingredient of this hair oil. Infact not just this hair oil, but several others use it as a base due to its great properties as a carrier oil. It is very light weight and absorbs into the hair shaft in a jiffy. It's non.greasy formula is perfect for the new age woman who doesn't even like it nor has the time to rigorously wash it off. Being light in weight it can easily carry with it all the nutrients of the other added ingredients in the hair oil. Apart from that, it is itself rich in nutrients, mainly the Omega 6 fatty acids which are proved to be directly beneficial for thinning of hair. Other than Omega 6, it is also rich in vitamins A, B and E, and minerals like iron. It is useful for deep conditioning the hair and is ideal is you don't regularly oil your hair and only have time to oil your hair once in a while. Regular deep conditioning can help maintain soft, silky, shiny, frizz free hair which will ultimately be less likely to tangle and break.

Sunflower oil
Image source: http://blogs.mcgill.ca/oss/files/2013/07/sunflower-extract.png

Olive oil... 60 mg - Olives are native to the Mediterranean and tales of the beautiful maidens of this region are also well known. That olive complexion, dark eyes, and those thick, luscious locks of hair that define their beauty were best kept healthy and beautiful with olive oil. Olive oil is the best option for silken smooth hair. As it is a heavy oil it is best suited for those with thick, unmanageable hair. Fine or limp hair might just get bogged down by the sheer heaviness of the oil.

Olive oil
Image source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/266/266258/olive-oil-and-olives.jpg

Sesame oil... 60 mg - Lesser known fact about this healthy cooking oil is that it is equally good for healthy hair growth. It is rich in calcium and iron. Calcium fortifies the hair roots to make the foundation itself very strong and resilient to breakage. Iron feeds the follicles and also brings a healthy circulation of blood to the head to encourage good growth. It is therefore one of the best remedies for hair fall. Iron also prevents graying of hair and keeps its natural color looking vibrant.

Sesame oil
Image source: http://www.secretsofsushi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SesameOil.jpg?7eacfa

Amla... 60 mg - The Indian gooseberry is a storehouse of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to fight against free radical damage like dandruff and hair fall. Vitamin C is also important to help absorb calcium and iron. So the nutrients in sesame oil, as well as the other oils are given a boost with this good fellow. Amla is puréed and that paste is applied to the hair to reap these benefits. It can also be dried and made into a powder. This can be added to hair oils or made into a paste with water and applied to the hair. Vitamin C is also a natural conditioner. If your hair lacks shine, then regularly using Amla can make your hair dazzle with a mirror shine. This can be observed from the very first use. Alma is also believed to make dark hair darker and prevent grays.

Amla or the Indian Gooseberry
Image source: http://cdn.shopclues.net/images/detailed/24167/218_1440397160.jpg

Base material: CI 12740, CI 61565 & CI 12150 - colors solvent yellow, quinizarine green, and oil pink, respectively.
Base Q.S.

Other information:
Net Volume - 100 ml
MRP - INR 40
Shelf life - 2 years
Directions for storage - Store in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Directions for use: Take required quantity of oil and massage gently over hair and scalp.

REVIEW:

Patanjali Amla Hair Oil comes in a small and handy bottle. It's quite a queer shaped bottle, like I have never seen a hexagonal bottle before. It is a transparent hexagonal bottle but it fits perfectly in the hand. Small and compact. It comes with a flip top cap, so leakage is possible during travels. But it's not really a problem anymore if you wrap it with cling wrap and there won't be that big a risk of leaking.

The oil itself is a green colored one, thanks to the added colors. The fragrance is irritating to say the least. I wonder why all Amla hair oils have this funny smell. Way back in time when I was in Class 7, one of my classmate, a boy, regularly put Amla oil in his hair. It was compulsory for all the school children to have their hair oiled everyday, but that annoying fragrance of Amla really got to me. I never spoke to him, and that hair oil was half the reason why. How snobbish of me! But now I don't even remember his name. That is my oldest memory of the fragrance of Amla hair oil but this particular oil is so much more! Quite honestly I must admit what it really reminds me of. Hit Cockroach Killing Spray. I put this oil on and it just feels like I'm sitting in a cockroach colony. It's disgusting and I'm sorry but that is exactly how it smells like. I could easily toss this oil bottle away if not for its promises and my expectations of it. I had to learn to ignore the smell and carry on. I actually top it off with another oil just to mask the smell. However, with each use (i use it only ones a week), the intensity of the smell diminished. Perhaps I got used to it or the fragrance was a volatile one and it just vanished slowly. Whatever! But good that it did. Phew.

Well, one benefit of this amla oil is that it is already diluted. The actual base is sunflower oil which makes up for 80% of the oil's composition and the concentration of amla is actually less than 10%. So, it is ready to use. But that percentage itself is so low that I don't see much point to call it "amla" oil. So, expectations also came crashing down.

As it is readily usable, I just take about 3 - 4 tsp of oil for my hair (it is quite long) and directly apply it on the roots of the hair and take some more oil and distribute it along the lengths of the hair. It is quite a light oil and it spreads easily on the hair. That is definitely a good thing because some oils just tend to sit on the spot where you have put the oil, and then you empty half the bottle in one go just to cover your entire head. This oil goes on quite easily and once your entire head and hair is oiled it won't feel greasy. Some oils tend to be volatile and completely vanish by the second day of oiling, but this oil stays on for quite a bit. So, it's good if you put it on on some Friday and plan to wash it on a Sunday. It will deep condition the hair in the days in between. This is usually my oiling routine, I let the oil sink in over the weekend before washing it off.

Even as the oil sinks into the hair, it softened my hair so much that I could feel the difference. So it just happened that I let it stay on longer than I initially intended to (because of, you know, the awful smell). It almost disappeared only on the third day I reckon. But after I washed my hair, Oh-my-Gosh! While my hair was still air drying, I could tell that it felt like I had used a conditioner. Normally, I don't use a conditioner unless I have not oiled my hair prior to washing it. It felt so soft. And smooth. And glossy. It looked shiny and felt light too. So much so that whenever I tied my hair up in a bun, it would come undone in some time. Loved it to bits for this reason! But for girls with fine textured hair, this might just make it finer.

As for the reason that I had purchased it for - preventing hair fall, I did not see any direct benefit to be honest. My hair kept falling and I was not really happy with this oil. Initially, that is how hair tends to react to any new product that goes on it, so I waited a bit to see of it eventually works. It does but not significantly. I wonder if there is really an anti-hair fall oil out there.

However, splits ends went to Bermuda Triangle. I think that it is because the oil is so moisturizing, so deep conditioning, that the split ends just had to go. I never expected that it could actually help in this department but boy was I wrong. In this department, it scores a perfect 10 on 10.

As for the prevent hair graying claim, I really can't tell. My hair is naturally brown in color and it hasn't darkened for sure. But perhaps, regularly using this will prevent some grey hair from popping up. Sometimes I do notice one strand of silver hair peeking out and I ignore it because you are never supposed to pull it out or more will peek out. Or so they say. So, I will keep an eye out for it now that I am using this oil. Let's see if it really helps.

I like to keep my bottle inside its carton itself as it will keep the bottle in a dark place as it is required to be as per the storage instructions. It also keeps my shelf from getting all oily and greasy from those little oil drops sticking to the bottle. It probably would have saved none if the bottle itself was tinted and prevented direct light from getting to the oil, but this works so it saves the day.

The price is also just too good to be true. Even if you mix these ingredients individually, you cannot beat its retail price.

Overall, I would not rate it as an oil that works well to prevent hair fall.
The only reason I would go back to re-purchase this oil is for its deep conditioning, extra softening effect on my hair and completely getting rid of split ends. Rarely does one find an oil that is so economical as well as so good to make hair this healthy and shiny. Recommended for girls who are unhappy with their hair's condition or texture.
Would I re-purchase it? Hell, yes! I have re-purchased it so many times already.

REVIEW: Mysore Sandal Gold soap

Let's name some common summer time skin problems. Excess sweating, oily skin, tanning and sun burn, acne, prickly heat and rashes to name a few. Now let's voice some wishes during summer time for our skin problems. We all wish to be cool as a cucumber and fragrant as sandalwood during the summer. We wish for something that can keep us feeling fresh for hours after a good shower. We wish to prevent and treat the very common pesky problem during the summer, prickly heat. We wish to avoid getting burnt and tanned in the scorching summer sun. We also wish to soothe and calm the very painful sun burns. And who wouldn't wish to get rid of the sun tan? Are you feeling that these are wishful thoughts? Think again! Ayurveda says that the one boon for all such wishes is none other than the good old fragrant, soothing, cooling sandalwood.

Sandalwood mainly grows in parts of South India and is pretty expensive by its virtue. The bark of the sandalwood tree is either powdered and made into a paste or ground on a stone to get a very fine texture paste. Oil is extracted from the bark and its fragrance is nothing short of heavenly. While the paste is directly used on the skin , the oil finds a number of uses either directly in the form of aroma therapy or indirectly in the form of perfumery.

Sandalwood trees
Image source: https://raxacollective.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/img_1329.jpg

Sandalwood has the power to keep the body cool and also reverse the damage caused by sun exposure. It is smeared on the forehead to cure fever and sun stroke. Its beautiful fragrance can lift the spirits and treat depression as well.

One simply has to experience the magic of sandalwood. The simplest way to incorporate sandalwood in everyday routine is to use a sandalwood based soap! Let's see if the Mysore Sandal Gold soap really brings out the golden qualities of sandalwood. Read on.

Mysore Sandal by Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Limited produces sandalwood based goods. As such its quality and reputation are untainted. Its sandalwood soap is very popular and a relatively new launch is the Gold soap.

Image source: http://202.138.105.9/mysoresandal/images/logo_100x100.jpg

In literary terms, sandalwood oil is often referred to as liquid gold for its value and virtue. So it is quite apt to name a soap based on the oil, Gold, too. The soap is 80% TFM or total fatty matter which determines the quality of the soap. TFM above 70% is considered as good quality. The soap is priced at INR 75 for a bar of 125 g which is pretty steep in a way, but perhaps it is justified as it contains perfume based on this very liquid gold. Please see below for the list of ingredients in this soap and their respective uses.

Enriched natural sandalwood oil based fragrance - So, the only sandalwood that is there in this product is a derivative based on a derivative of sandalwood. Such a bummer!

Sodium palmate and Sodium palm kernelate - It is the salt derived from palm oil and palm kernel oil by saponification. Both are very drying on the skin and are very alkaline in nature. However they are the base ingredients in soap making.

Aqua - Distilled water or aqua, of course is used in soap making to dissolve the lye crystals.

Glycerine - It is a by product during soap making but it can also be utilized in the soap. Glycerine soaps are much softer and more gentle than ordinary soaps. They are also very moisturizing.

Almond oil and Tocopherol acetate - Almond oil is a rich source of vitaminE. Tocopherol acetate is an acetate of tocopherol which is nothing but vitamin E. As such it is a cheap alternative to vitamin E while maintaining the properties and benefits of using vitamin E. Vitamin E softens the skin, keeps it smooth and glowing, it deep moisturizes skin and keeps wrinkles and dry skin at bay, it is a powerful antioxidant which fights free radicals in the environment and protects skin from damage.

Sodium chloride - It is our common salt. It is used in soap to make it antiseptic. It is also cleansing, astringent and stimulant on the skin making it perfect for a summer soap. When it is used in moderate quantity, it hydrates and softens skin. Too much of it can dry up the skin. It is a common ingredient in all antiseptic soaps.

Titanium dioxide - It is mainly used in soap to in very small quantities to make it pretty in appearance and smooth in texture. But it acts like a sunscreen, so there are double benefits of using it in soap.

Tetra sodium salt of Etidronic acid - It acts as a preservative.

Cocoamidopropyl betain - It is a derivative of coconut oil and its main use is as a surfactant.

Lanolin - It is the natural moisturizer produced by our skin. It is also found in the wool of sheep and is the only moisturizer that is readily absorbed by the skin as it treats it as its own. Lanolin can help repair dry, damaged, cracked, chapped skin in no time.

Liquid paraffin - It is distilled mineral oil and has moisturizing properties.

Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone - Preservatives.

Cosmetic colors CI No. 47000 & CI No. 26100 - yellow and red colors, respectively. The resultant would be orange but it is whitened with the presence of titanium dioxide.

Review:

The packaging is a very simple beige color cardboard box with little tendrils design and the word Gold is printed in golden ink. Their creative team could come up with a better alternative to this for the name itself is Gold but the packaging is not befitting .

The soap itself is wrapped in a synthetic sheet so as to preserve the fragrance.

The soap itself is a chunky oval shaped bar in a sandalwood paste color. The fragrance is exotic and is super luxe. If you do know the aroma of sandalwood oil, you will notice that this soap is different. If you know the typical fragrance of sandalwood based perfumes, then too you will notice that this soap is different. But if you know the fragrance of Mysore Sandal soap, then you will straightway notice that it is the classic Mysore Sandal's signature fragrance. I feel that this fragrance is far better compared to sandalwood oil or perfume. But as I have mentioned in the ingredients description, it is only a perfume which is based on sandalwood oil. Sandalwood oil is very volatile and so is the fragrance of this soap. On the very first day, it is all wonderful and exotic and makes your bath time a dreamy experience. It keeps you feeling fresh and aromatic all through the day. I wish I could say the same for the experience the next day. The fragrance magically disappeared! Well, not completely but all that was really left was a faint aroma. Another bummer. At least the perfume that was used which itself was based on sandalwood oil could be of a better quality. However, this was the only noticeable shortcoming of the soap.

The lather is rich and creamy. It does lather well but don't expect a bubble bath. It cleanses Oh so very well. All that summer ickiness and stickiness completely dissolve in a single use. Often times I reapply soap as the greasiness is not completely gone but with this soap one time wash is all it takes.

I did mention in the beginning of this post all the benefits of sandalwood for skin that is being troubled by the harsh summer sun. Now, even though actual sandalwood is absent in this soap, let's see if all the ingredients together can mimic the effects of sandalwood.

First and foremost, the exotic fragrance of sandalwood pleasantly lingers on through the day keeping you feeling fresh. However, it reduces with each passing day but not completely.

Secondly, its cooling effect on the skin and soothing effect on prickly heat and other summer rashes is wonderful. You will notice some relief from the very first use. In fact on hot summer nights when you are unable to sleep due to the heat and sweat, just a face wash with this soap will cool you down and put you to sleep! This is one experience that is only possible with sandalwood soaps. They easily beat any other summer soaps hands down in this department.

Next, its action on sun burn and tan is also good enough for I have never before seen any soap that reverts sun damage on the skin. My skin is dusky complexioned, so I tan more than burn. But I do notice the tan lightening up faster with this soap. In just a few days, tan is visibly lightened and in a week or two you can notice the difference. I cannot comment on its efficacy to calm sun burn since that is a problem faced by lighter complexioned people, but I can definitely say that skin feels cool and it works on prickly heat so it should work on sun burn too.

Finally, its effect on acne prone skin is great too! It reduces the oiliness on the face and prevents acne. Existing acne dries out thanks to the antiseptic action of salt.

All in all, this is a great soap for summer time although there is no real sandalwood in it. It is suitable for all skin types and for all age groups. It doesn't last very long to be honest, and I also use it quite a many times in a day. If you can ignore the price tag, go for it.

REVIEW: Patanjali Panchagavya Kanti Body Cleanser

Patanjali Panchagavya Soap

To enhance the natural beauty ad glow of skin.

Weight 75 g

Price Rs 13

Each 10 g contains extracts of:

Amla or Indian gooseberry - 1.0 mg... Amla is very rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to promote building collagen which is the cement that keeps skin firm against sagging and wrinkle free.Vitamin C also helps to lighten skin by inhibiting melanin which is the pigment that gives skin its colour. So, if you have a sun tan, or pigmentation or a scar, using amla will greatly help to lighten skin. The Vitamin C also helps brighten the skin and gives a vibrant glow. It also helps to clear oil on the skin and also control excess sebum production by shrinking pores and inhibiting excess sebum or skin's natural oil production. Therefore, it is great for oily skin people and keeps skin normal. It does not sting unlike lemon, but as Vitamin C is acidic in nature, it gently dissolves oil, dirt and dead skin cells and its lightening and anti-wrinkle properties work to make skin beautiful and healthy.

Image source: http://www.jaipurthepinkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/amla-benefits-for-beauty.jpg?598b31

Puified borax - 2.5 mg... Borax is a naturally occurring white, crystalline powder. It is a natural cleanser but it can cause eye and skin irritation in some sensitive people.

Image source: http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/mineralmuseum/22099.jpg

Turmeric - 2.5 mg... Turmeric is the age old Indian beauty secret and it finds its place in every household kitchen. In Indian cooking, it is consumed almost every day. Also, it is one of the simplest yet most powerful facial mask ingredient. Just a paste using water and applied on the face can do so many wonders. It is anti-bacterial, so first and foremost it is very good for people suffering from acne. It is also good on minor skin infections. Secondly, it reduces scars. So, pimple marks also reduce. As it is anti-bacterial, it is a good deodorizer and keeps skin feeling and smelling fresh (or earthy). What else is needed to say? Healthy skin is beautiful skin. Period.

Image source: http://www.turmeric.co.in/images/turmeric_plant.gif

Tulasi - 2.5 mg... Tulasi or Holy Basil is worshiped in Hindu households. Tulasi leaves strengthen immune system and even banish common cold and cough. As it fights germs, it also cures acne and skin infections. 

Image source: http://umoveindia.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Growing-Tulsi-at-home.jpg

Giloy - 2.5 mg... Giloy is a shrub that is widely found in India and is one important ingredient used in Ayurvedic medicines. It is used to clear acne, fade scars and dark spots, and erase fine lines.

Image source: http://www.theayurveda.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Giloy-herb.jpg

Aama haldi - 2.5 mg... Aam haldi is actually Mango Ginger. Its aroma resembles that of Mango and hence the name. It brightens the skin complexion, and also cures pimples. Its paste can also soothe swelling due to water retention.

Image source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aEBhPLtJzHVDJlE6xTX5o5cg6CmDMZb68o-x2Zl6ntDf3wuHCpSBDZBV7vBCWW1-YI8aBcgRIb0a_eJAgWohPtXVlCW30AVQRLmgVOXDCzEYyAes0C1SKtpC4m00N7_77ztjlBjRCylx/s1600/mango+ginger.JPG

Neem - 2.5 mg... There is not a single kind of germ that Neem cannot destroy. It is anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti viral, et al. For all round healthy skin free from infections and minor cuts, wounds, burns use neem.

Image source: http://www.pexports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Neem-Leaf-cover.jpg

Aloe vera - 2.5 mg... Aloe vera is famous for its soothing and moisturizing properties. However, it is suitable for all skin types. Oily skin or dry skin - it makes it normal. Acne or pimples - it cures it. Sun tan or sun burn - it soothes skin. Pigmentation - it balances melanin production. Fine lines or wrinkles - it erases them. In short, it address each and every type of skin concern.

Image source: http://www.coml13.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/aloe-vera-plant.jpg

Cow milk fat - 10 mg... Cow milk fat or Malai or cream is extremely moisturizing and soothing especially on minor burns. It is also known for its skin lightening properties due to lactic acid found in milk. It makes skin super soft and glowy. Because of its fatty nature, it also removes fine lines or wrinkles.

Image source: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C63dz2JlA9g/maxresdefault.jpg

Cow urine - 10 mg... Cow urine is believed to be very beneficial for overall health and also treat cancer. It is said to cure skin diseases like psoriasis too.

Image source: http://i39.tinypic.com/6gihdx.jpg

Base material:
Vegetable oil, water, perfume, sodium benzoate, permitted colours.

Sodium benzoate is a preservative for all the natural ingredients in the soap.

Use:
Useful in rejuvenating, nourishing and glorifying the skin. Useful in removing dryness and roughness of skin.

Review:

In Sanskrit, Panch means five, and Gavya means coming from or belonging to a cow. So panchagavya literally means 5 products from a cow. Traditionally, they mean dung, urine, milk, curd and clarified butter or ghee. However, this soap has only 2 such "gavya" ingredients - namely cow's milk fat and urine. The traditional Panchagavya as such is famous as a cancer treatment medicine as well as a pesticide. It is very powerful and is very good for health.

Patanjali Panchagavya soap comes in a cute dark green paper cover with a rather beautiful painting of a cow on it. So, even if you were clueless about the soap, you could easily figure that this soap has something to do with Cow. Inside the paper cover is a soap liner which is of thicker paper. Both the cover paper and liner paper are of great quality and can be used in a soap box. They don't become mushy and moist or tear up in the shower. They are very durable and even when the soap is over, these papers will still go strong! I have never seen such durable paper, let alone soap liners or covers.

The soap itself is a dark green, oval shaped soap. It has 'Patanjali' inscribed on it. The fragrance is neither too strong ( thank goodness) nor herbal smelling. It kind of smells like neem soaps. As such, it is pleasantly gentle (I love it!).

Coming to what a soap is meant to do, it does its job very well. It is ideal for normal to oily skin but isn't harsh on dry or sensitive skin either. I have dry skin on my body and this soap has never left my skin dry or scaly. I believe it cleanses the oil acne dirt without disrupting the skin's own moisture balance. I have never stepped out of the shower with my skin feeling dry and taught.

Coming to its benefits, first and foremost its effect on acne or pimples. This tends to be one of the most common skin issue. Look no further as this soap is the one stop solution to such problems. Not only does this soap clear out existing acne but also prevents new breakouts ( provided the culprit is only excessive oil on the face ). Ofcourse there are many different reasons behind acne breakouts - hormones, bad eating habits or unhealthy lifestyle, oily skin, etc. The most common culprit is bacteria that feeds on the skin's oil and if it is not regularly cleansed, it can lead to ACNE!!! This soap contains so many powerful ingredients as listed above and mostly all of them help to keep skin clean by fighting against germs. It's no wonder that this soap is so effective against pimples. It is equally effective on back acne or body acne.

Apart from pimples, other common skin issues are usually rashes and infections. In summer, the most common skin issue is rashes from prickly heat. Such rashes tend to be red bumps which are itchy. This soap fights against germs causing prickly heat and almost immediately the redness will reduce. The itching also is greatly controlled in the first use itself and within a matter of few days, the bumps dried out and completely vanished.

I have small eczema breakouts and with this soap although I cannot say that it has cured it, but it has definitely helped control its flare ups. Eczema is a dry skin infection and therefore I can confidently say that it is suitable for dry skin as well. Dry skin tends to become parched and flaky and I have not experienced that with this soap. That does not go to say that it moisturizes the skin. Your skin will not become any drier or oilier after using it.

It keeps body odour at bay. If you are worried that you will step out of the shower smelling earthy, don't worry as its fragrance isn't strong and doesn't even last once you are out of the shower. If bad body odour is one of your enemy, then this soap will greatly help you to control that problem.

Speaking of its beauty benefits, I truly have not noticed any skin brightening effects. However, it is helping to fade scars! Very fast too. It promises to make rough skin smoother and it is true to the T indeed. You will definitely see an improvement in the skin texture, as it will help to soften and smoothen the skin.

Last but not the least, and it's most impressive part is that this soap will last you longer than your expectations. Take a guess. How long would you expect this bar of soap to last? One month? Two months ? Three months? This soap has been with me for a good four months! It could easily set a record that way. Our water is just normal, neither soft nor hard. So, fulllllll paisa vasool soap.

So, overall all impression - very good.
Suitable for all skin types - oh, yes! Absolutely.
Removes pimples and marks - erases.
Beautifies skin - keeps it clean and healthy.
Would I re-purchase it - yes, oh, yes!

REVIEW: L'oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray

L'oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray

New anti-frizz, anti-flyaways, anti-static formula with micro diffusion for extra strength and sleek perfection that disappears at the stroke of a brush.

L'Oreal's "finest hairspray used by the finest stylists".

The legendary hold of Elnett protects hair from humidity, frizz and flyaways with antistatic protection technology, for flawlessly sleek styles.

Smooth and control loose styles and ponytails. Perfect for longer hair.

New fragrance with a delicate twist of rose extract.

Ingredients:
Alcohol denat. - Denatured alcohol which is a mixture of ethyl alcohol and a denaturing agent. It is toxic if consumed bu potential risks of using denatured alcohol in personal products is much smaller. It is used in personal care products as an antibacterial agent and solvent.

Dimethyl ether - This ether is obtained by dehydrating methyl alcohol in the form of a colorless gas. It is used as a propellant in a hairspray. It boils away when the hairspray head is pressed down, propelling out the ingredients in the form of a fine mist. However as it is toxic, it has been banned in many countries including Japan.

VA/Crotonates/Vinyl neodecanoate copolymer - This polymer quickly dries on the hair to form a coating to inhibit absorbtion of moisture, thus reducing frizz, and also keeps the hair down in place, thus setting it.

PEG/PPG-4/12 dimethicone - It is an emulsifying agent keeping all the ingredients in a solvent together without separating from each other.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate - It protects the hair from harmful UV radiation from the sun rays.

Aminomethyl propanol - It adjusts the pH of the product.

Limonene - Fragrance ingredient that resembles citrus notes.

Linalool - Fragrance ingredient that has a floral note similar to Bergamot and Lavendar flowers.

Benzyl alcohol - It is a preservative and although it is an alcohol, it does not belong to the drying types.

Apha-isomethyl ionone - It is used as a fragrance ingredient but it can cause allergic reaction in some.

Geraniol - It lends a nice floral scent to the product.

Rosa centifolia extract - Also known as the Provence Rose and Cabbage Rose, it is obvious to say that its extract lends a beautiful rose fragrance to the product.

Citronellol - Its fragrance is also close to that of rose.

Coumarin - Its fragrance is said to resemble newly mown hay.

Hexyl cinnamal - It is derived from chamomile flowers but it can cause allergic reactions.

Fragrance (F.I.L. C158630/1)

Review:

It is one of the best selling hairspray in the market today and rightly so. You will find every beauty guru out there raving about it. Popularity second to none, it is unlikely to dislike this product. With such positive impressions of the product, let's see what the product can do well and if it has any shortcomings at all.

The L'OREAL Elnette range of hairsprays are budget friendly and come in a sleek and slender golden can. It's easy to confuse them if not for the colors. All of them boast of extra strong hold . This one in particular claims anti frizz and anti static.

Given our hot and humid weather, frizzy hair is one of the biggest spoilers to an otherwise beautiful head of hair. Or it could be those annoying flyaway baby hairs that just refuse to budge while we patiently wait to grow them out. Or it could be static in the hair just after having combed or brushed through them. So, the common element in all these cases is fine textured hair. This product works really well for fine hair.

Coming to its efficacy, it does lend a very good "polished" look to the hairstyle, even if it is just a regular ponytail. It also smoothens the appearance of the hair while making it look sleek and glossy. On fine hair, it might just tame the flyaways and also the frizz, but on my thick hair I could hardly notice any such strong hold. It did help blend flyaways with the rest of the hair but couldn't stick them down. As regards to controlling frizz, it did a fairly good job as its super fine mist spreads well and coats the hair evenly and you don't even need to use your hands to distribute the product.

I am in love with this hairspray mainly for its fragrance. I would repurchase it just for its fragrance! It smells nothing like alcohol but it is like a nice perfume for the hair. I cannot describe it but it like a crisp floral scent. And it lasts till you wash it off.

Here comes the best part about this product. Most hairsprays tend to leave hair feeling and looking tacky and stiff. Not at all with this one. This is the reason it is a favorite with one and all. In fact, even you might just forget that you have it on. I kid you not!

All in all, this product is awesome for fine and straight hair to hold it strongly in place , but for thicker or wavy / curly hair this is just not 100% the right one. For fine hair it gives a pretty strong hold so sleek ponytails are possible , but for thicker hair it gives every day hairstyles like casual ponytails or buns a little lift.