Brands

3 Face Care Products I am absolutely Loving

Swathy · September 2, 2026 · Leave a Comment

face serum, lip balm, face wash, face care, skin care

I have always been a huge skin care buff if you have followed me long enough. Albeit my interest and patience has waned a lot in the last couple of years, I am back in the game full time. I no longer spend time on my skin as much as I used but I have been faithful to serums, moisturizers and face wash. I have also started exploring Indian skin care brands, not happy with all of them but some are absolutely fantastic.

Aminu Nourishing Sleep Oil

One of the best things in Indian skin care scene, the aroma is the highlight of the product. You absolutely must experience this before sleep. It has a unique supari-like smell that reminds me of my grandfather. I used to steal the muskmelon seeds which accompany the hard bits of the betel nut seeds. Anyways, the oil is not heavy, instantly relaxes the body and mind and provides a luxurious experience. The whole 30ml goes a long way.

Innisfree Volcanic Clusters BHA Pore Face Wash

I suppose I can officially end my search for the best face wash now. Does not dry out my skin but leaves it clean, no stretchy feeling and no film left behind either. Not sure if it works on the blackheads but I am okay with that. Expensive? Yes but I am tired of looking for a cruelty free face wash which is not extremely pocket heavy. Little product goes a long way again.

D’You Tender Lip Nectar

This is probably the only lip balm I have not hated or disliked. Its different and does not get into my teeth or mouth and I like the applicator as well. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Felt so. To be fair, most of the times, I forget to apply it so my lip balms last forever. Howsoever it fits in your budget, definitely try to give this a go!!

Love, Swathy!

Role of Collagen in Anti-Aging Skin Care

Swathy · April 10, 2024 · 5 Comments

Originally published in April 2018. I go on to discuss how collagen affects our body and skin and what is its role as we age.

Updated from May 1st, 2015. Collagen is one of the most important nutrients which plays a major role in how young your skin looks. There are a lot of documented articles and research which prove the importance of the role of collagen role in anti-aging skin care. So, let us have a look at understanding this nutrient and how to get it from our food.

What is Collagen?

It is the most abundant protein in the body! The collagen is found in the dermis layer of the skin which is the second layer of the skin and is responsible for the plumpness, strength and hydration of the skin. It is a group of proteins in fact which provides the tensile strength to the skin. It is said that collagen in the skin is more strong than steel.

#DidYouKnow Collagen is not only found in the skin but also in the tendons and ligaments and corneas and bones and blood vessels. It is basically a connective tissue and most abundant protein in the mammals. Yes, it is a protein and I was not even aware of that! Huh.

Synthesis of Collagen

So, let me skip all the chemistry here and just say that collagen does NOT occur in the body. It is synthesized from the basic amino acids. And, for collagen to synthesize, we need Vitamin C.

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2 Best Face Wash for Combination Skin Available in India Under Rs 500 – 2024

Swathy · February 21, 2024 · 2 Comments

Originally published in May 2021. I have always faced a challenge to find the best face wash for my combination skin. Since 3 years, I have been using these products consistently and can definitely claim that these face washes are still as good.

I choose to not spend way too much in looking around for the best face wash. A face wash should just serve the purpose of cleansing the face without drying it out.

What do I look for in a face wash?

I have tried around the budget ones and the pricier ones available in the Indian market and I still go back to these two. The best face wash is the one which does what it says.

1. Should Only Cleanse the Skin

Believe it or not, I have come across face washes which do not make you feel refreshed. A good product should clean your face well and get rid of blackheads. It need not remove your makeup and it need not scrub your face. But, it should definitely remove the last remnants of your makeup remover, cleansing oil or cleansing milk, whatever you use to remove your makeup or sunscreen.

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