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Pomegranate Saffron Skin Toner {DIY}

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So, did you have fun in the guessing game held a day back? The two ingredients were: Saffron and dried Pomegranate peels. As you all know, Pomegranate has emerged as a potent anti-aging ingredient in the recent days. And, as orange peels are extremely rich in juices, similarly pomegranate peels are also valued for pomegranate extracts. So, we shall make the toner which will have anti-aging properties.
Ingredients:
  • Pomegranate peels (fresh or dried) (I had one Pomegranate peel)
  • Water
  • Saffron (optional) (The Saffron I used was also not of good quality)
Method: 
  • Take half liter water and put the pomegranate peels in the water.
  • Let the water boil and then simmer till 1/4of the original quantity of water is left.
  • The liquid would be dark golden color by this time. Let the liquid cool.
  • The liquid would be red color by the time it cools off. Add a tea spoon of saffron strands to the liquid now and dissolve it nicely.
  • Strain the liquid and store in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
How to use? 
  • Use it as a toner after washing your face.
  • Mix with face packs and scrubs.
  • Mix a spray of the liquid with your mositurizer and apply it on your face.
  • This is something I haven’t tried but you can: Make ice cubes of this liquid and apply it after a long and tiring day. This is something I would do in summers.
Did you try anything with Pomegranate? Pin It

Why do natural products break you out? {Skin Care}

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Have you started using a new product which has instantly led to breakouts on the skin? When you start using a new product, it is always advisable to do a patch test so as to know beforehand whether the product is going to suit your skin or not. Let us be frank and say that we often assume that the product is going to work and do not do this patch test. In over-the-counter products, not doing a patch test doesn’t really make a difference because almost all the products contain same ingredients and do not affect the skin adversely. The problem starts when you either use an entirely natural product or a medicated drug prescribed by the dermatologist for anti-aging purposes or for addressing the problem of wrinkles or even acne. These are highly concentrated products. In such cases, a patch test done on the hand may not be effective so it is advised to do the patch test on the skin behind your ear.
  
Potency of the product and its effect on the Skin
The medicated products have high concentration of chemicals which are useful for the skin but in higher doses, these useful products may well become harmful. For example, retinoids are great for wrinkles but cause photo-sensitivity and can also make the skin sensitive if used too often and at wrong time. So, read the product literature properly and use the products only when advised. Such products are restoratives are usually supposed to be used at night and compliment with other products so that the concentration of the products is not too high. In case of medicated drugs, do not dilute the products. Just use less of the product to make your skin used to the product.
Similarly, if you have a natural products which is made up of original essential oils, your skin may react to the high concentration of EO’s. In such cases, it is always best to go from a lower dose to a higher one. You can dilute the product with other complimentary product and use it on the skin. When your skin gets used to that concentration, you may increase the concentration to a higher level or continue using at the same level if you see benefits.
Acceptance of Product by the Skin
When we keep on changing the products very often on our skin, our skin sometimes becomes really sensitive and stops accepting new products and reacts in the only possible way it can – by breaking out. Thus, if you skin is showing any such behavior, review all the products you have lately used and stick to ones which compliment each other.
Also, if you are trying out a new product, do not change it as soon as it break you out. It might be just a phase of skin where skin is getting used to the change in the product so give your skin a little bit of time to get adjusted and decrease the amount of product you use as I have mentioned in the above case. Test out the product for a month at least before discarding it. Generally, a rest period of two to four weeks is required to determine if your skin is accepting the new product or not. If after that, there is no change, you should definitely discard the product.
And, also remember, consistently changing the product can also cause your skin to become sensitive and unreceptive to the new products you introduce to the skin. So, keep your skin care routine simple and minimal.
Did you face any such problems with any product you have changed?

Garnier Light Fairness Face wash {Product Review}

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Price: Rs 70 (I guess!!!)

Ingredients

 

My Experience

Ok, so my first experience with the face wash wasn’t very good coz it always used to dry my face. As far as I remember, this is my second purchase of the product and I wasn’t very keen on using it either. Anyways, so when I first used it, the result was same – it used to dry my face horribly. My skin used to feel stretched and tight. So, obviously, I stopped using it. But, then, I had to take this one along with me on one of my short tour. And, since I went to Bangalore at that time, the results were completely different.My face wasn’t dry at all. Instead, it looked soft and visibly brightened and I needed to follow with the moisturizer but it wasn’t that necessary either. And, then, again I went back to colder climate and the result was a bit of dryness. So, the conclusion is that this face wash works only in tropical and coastal climates. So, if you have dry, mature skin or live in colder climate then this is not a product for you. Otherwise, it might be a good buy.But, let me warn you about the fairness claims that its not so great!!! Just a little brightening. If you want a fairness face wash, Lakme Perfect Radiance gives better results. And, this doesn’t remove tanning, either!!!

PS: Ok, so why is the packaging torn from the middle. Check out in the last pic, you will find how much of the product is wasted!!! And, since I like to get the maximum out of my money, I always make sure to cut the packaging from the middle (if possible) and use up the remaining product. Imagine every product of yours gets wasted in almost similar amounts so whether it is a face wash or a face pack or a scrub or even moisturizer, try to cut the packaging and use the product which you can’t squeeze out!!! And, this left over product served me around 5-6 face washes :O
Also read reviews from the same brand:

Garnier Wrinkle Lift Anti-ageing Cream