Beauty

Pantene Intense Rescue Shots

Swathy · September 11, 2020 · Leave a Comment

I love Pantene but it is sad that we do not get the same quality products in India as they do in US. When my friend went to US in June, I had her bring back a plethora of products for me. These Pantene intense rescue shots were on top of the list thanks to their comparatively inexpensive price tag and amazing product reviews. So, let me tell you my reasons for loving these shots and why you should get them in bulk on your next trip to US or Brazil.

Pantene Intense Rescue Shots Product Review

Price : approx. $5 for 3 shots

Availability : only in US

Pantene Intense Rescue Shots – My Review

The Pantene Intense Rescue Shots are basically conditioners that come in one-time use ampules. The product claims to revitalize your hair in just 30 seconds. Now, I like all the conditioners and conditioning products which have to stay the least amount of time on my hair. I do not like waiting after applying the conditioner with nothing to do and it increases my sinus to have my head soaked wet for longer.

Dot & Key Water Drench Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

S&S Partners · September 23, 2019 · 1 Comment

Dot & Key hyaluronic acid serum — Dot & Key’s packaging is pastel and pretty!

As usual, my dilemma for finding the perfect moisturizer has not yet solved. So, after using the hyaluronic acid serum (Marine Hyaluronics) from The Ordinary, this is my second hyaluronic acid serum and I was and was completely unsure of what to expect. The best part is I am writing the review almost a month after finishing the product so I also have in mind how is my skin doing after I have discontinued the serum.

Dot & Key is a recent addition to my knowledge of brands. They have interesting products with their vitamin C and retinol serum still on the review shelf with me. After I finished the hyaluronic acid serum, I started with vitamin C serum and I am almost half way through it. As I have already said, hyaluronic acid is a great hydrating ingredient for the skin and if you have a dry skin, you should give hyaluronic acid serum a try.

Dot & Key Water Drench Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum Concentrate Product Review

Price : Rs 895

Availability : Online Website

Dot & Key hyaluronic acid serum, ingredient list

Ingredients

The packaging mentions key ingredients and not the complete set of ingredient list. The concentration of hyaluronic acid in the serum which proves the efficacy of such treatment serums is also missing. However, I am liking other ingredients in the list though the same argument goes for them too.

The concentration of ingredients is unknown because of the lack of complete ingredient list. Bulgarian rose oil and acai berry fruit oil look really interesting. Milk lipids help moisturize the skin. Ceramide 3 gets absorbed into the skin and improves the skin barrier, thus, helping the appearance of aging skin.

My Review

When used topically, hyaluronic acid creates a moisture barrier on the skin, helping to make it smoother and softer. This ingredient is able to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water, thus producing amazing benefits for dehydrated skin. (Source – https://stylecaster.com/beauty/skin-care-ingredients/)

The serum comes in a nice blue robust bottle with a stopper. The serum is transparent and runny in texture. It has a mild fragrance to it which I did not like the first time. But the smell did not interfere with my nose at all and dissipates as soon as I apply the serum on the face. Since the texture is runny, you have to be careful about applying it.

I started using the serum in mid-July and it lasted me almost a month with a complete pump for one time use twice a day. Since this is only a hyaluronic acid serum, it is not enough for complete moisturization so I paired it up with Organic Riot Dazzle serum. It is advisable to follow up with a moisturizer for any kind of serum or treatment you use.

As I mentioned earlier, the hyaluronic acid serum is very runny so I apply it in dots all over the face and neck and gently rub it in. The serum gets absorbed pretty quickly and does not leave any sticky feeling behind. In fact, it is easy to say skin drinks up the serum instead. However, the serum alone is not enough for me and I need to follow it up with moisturizer for sure otherwise my skin feels stretchy.

Dot & Key hyaluronic acid serum, vitamin C serum, retinol serum — Love their packaging!

The serum does make the skin glow and hydrates it from inside though on some days it might not be enough depending on how you take care of your skin and the weather outside. The hydration lasts for an entire day even if you do not wash our face at night. It keeps the skin hydrated in air-conditioned environment as well for the entire day with a moisturizer. After I finished with the hyaluronic acid serum, I could actually feel my skin getting drier.

Overall, I loved the product especially considering that it is Rs 900. There are very few hyaluronic acid serums at that price range in the market and this is one of them which does a pretty good job. So, yes, you should make hyaluronic acid serum a part of your daily skin care routine. I also have Dot & Key’s vitamin C and retinol serum up for review in the upcoming weeks so stay tuned for them!

I would like to apologize to the brand as well. This review has been delayed for too long as I could not really find time to click pictures and put them up for the review. To update you about changes in my life, I recently started working again full time and since then my routine has been all over the place which is why the posts are sporadic. I am still trying to get everything back under control.

Till then, Swathy.

What Happens when You Wear Sunscreen Everyday?

S&S Partners · June 7, 2019 · 3 Comments

wear sunscreen everyday, sunscreen, skin cancer — Image Courtesy : Photo by **Porapak Apichodilok** from **Pexels**

Recently, I observed a few moles coming out on my arms. You must already be aware that the development of new moles is usually not a good sign. It can indicate skin cancer at the very worst. When you wear sunscreen everyday, you can save your skin from such drastic changes usually.

I was really concerned since I have not been using sunscreen for the last two to three years at the very least. And, I can definitely say that if you do not wear sunscreen everyday, it shows up pretty easily on your skin. I have seen the effects of not wearing sunscreen everyday.

How sunscreen affects the skin if you wear sunscreen everyday?

Skin Aging Stops

Okay, this is an overstatement. But, if you wear sunscreen everyday, you would have already noticed your skin looking younger, firmer and definitely less wrinkly, especially around the eyes and lips. The deep wrinkles or lines or even laugh lines can be filled up by regularly using sunscreen.

Helps Keep your Skin Hydrated

Actually, sunscreen itself acts like a barrier and protects your skin. In the meantime, it also helps improve the barrier function of the skin and helps prevent your skin from losing moisture and lipids in the longer run. This is not a one time effect but something you will notice gradually over a period of time as you wear sunscreen everyday and regularly.

Allows your Night-time Treatments to work well

You can use the best anti-aging creams but they would not work if you are not complimenting them with protecting yourself in the sun. In fact, you can not use retinoids and AHA’s for your skin unless you wear sunscreen everyday religiously. Using these ingredients make your skin sensitive to sun damage.

If you are wearing sunscreen everyday, your night time treatments and retinoids also work really well. What I have often observed is that the deep wrinkles in the skin also fill up slowly once you start putting sunscreen and use the proper anti-aging products or even regular facial oils. Not wearing sunscreen regularly or even using it sporadically can lead to skin damage and wrinkles.

The quality of skin is very deeply affected and none of the antioxidants and treatments work for longer time in such cases. More serious than that is the chance of skin cancer. The advice to use a sunscreen is no longer merely a scare tactic to get you to use a skin care product and multinationals to mint money.

Do’s and Don’ts for Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen everyday will provide a lot of advantages. But, before that, you must know how to wear sunscreen. I have mentioned these points at various times and places on the blog but repeating the important information never hurts.

Wear Enough Amount of Sunscreen

Always buy a spf 30+ sunscreen for everyday use. And, make sure you apply a coin sized product just for your face and neck. If you are not using enough sunscreen, it will not be able to protect your skin.

Use Sunscreen on All parts of your Body

Using it on face and neck is not enough. You must use sunscreen on your arms, legs and other exposed parts of the body. And, you must apply the same amount of sunscreen everywhere – a coin sized product each for both arms, legs and other exposed parts. Make sure to carry your sunscreen while you are going swimming and apply it as soon as you are out of the pool.

Makeup and Moisturizers with spf are not Sunscreen

Sunscreens are formulated differently than other products. Never confuse skin care products with spf as sunscreen. They are not designed to protect your skin as well as the sunscreen even if the ingredients seem to be same. Likewise, makeup and bb creams with spf are not enough. For lips, use lip balms with higher spf but keep on applying them as frequently as possible.

My Recommendations for Sunscreen

Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sun Block : Absolutely my favorite and more affordable. I love to use this on my body as well as my face. If I am getting an expensive sunscreen for my face, I use this for my body.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Face Fluid Dry Touch : This is something I tried out last year and it is an amazing sunscreen for the face especially. It is matte and not really heavy, blends well and looks great. Protection is also amazing.

Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector: Absolute favorite but extremely expensive! I really love this and if you can afford it, it is amazing for the face. It sits well, less white cast and does not make the skin oily at all. Lasts pretty long and reapplication is also easier.

For now, my list is limited. I hope to update it as and when I like something I have used. I have started using sunscreen again so expect more posts and reviews.

Till then, Swathy.