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Lakme Perfect Radiance Fairness Facewash {Product Review}

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This is one of my few products from Lakme. I am not much fan of it but then who can resist interesting colors and new products. So, the color of the packaging is really nice.
Price: 80 INR for 50 gms
Ingredients
My Experience
This is a normal face wash. Foams a lot so a tiny bit is enough. I have a combination skin and this one doesn’t really dry the skin nor does it make it oily but the oil returns within an hour of washing the face so not much help there. Regarding the fairness claim, I would say that it instantly brightens the face and the brightening effect doesn’t really go away so if you regularly use it, you might find the face is little brightened. But, as to the fairness claim, it doesn’t really lighten the skin tone in case you are wondering. And, it doesn’t even remove tanning which is even worse. So, it is a normal face wash which can be used without much expectations and it is costlier than the other brands like Ponds and Himalaya so one can give it a skip too.
One positive thing about this face wash is that it doesn’t have SLS / SLES which is a good thing but it really foams a lot so if you are looking for a less foamy face wash, this wouldn’t be of much help. Btw, another great thing is that it doesn’t leave any film on the skin like some cleansers and face washes. And, I have stayed without applying moisturizer in a humid place for almost two weeks without applying any moisturizer and my face didn’t really feel dry or stretchy.
A very big disadvantage is that it is not travel-friendly. No, I am not talking about the size but the face wash leaks!!! Yeah, I did realize it when I saw that the face wash was coming on to the cap and some of it was oozing outside and then I had to keep it in a plastic cover to save my other things but that’s a very big disadvantage for people who travel constantly. Well, this might be just my face wash problem or this might apply to the entire packaging which I am not too sure.
My Recommendation
You are not missing out something if you pass on this one.

Episoft Cleanser {Product Review}

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This post is more of a recommendation than a review.

I don’t have a HG face wash so I do keep experimenting and if someone asks me to recommend some, I would say Episoft cleanser which I have used and have discontinued using coz of its cost and availability issues but it is really good and better than Cetaphil actually and I am speaking for this coz I have used both of them and have seen the difference. So, in case you are in search of a good face wash, you can try it out.
Regarding the cost, both cetaphil and Episoft cost the same.
The cleanser is really light weight and non-greasy and leaves the skin just as it is (not dry or oil but clean). I have compared their ingredient lists too and did find that the Episoft ingredient list was better and gentler. And, comparing the cleansers, Episoft is gentler. I have used some 2-3 bottles of this cleanser on and off where as I have used Cetaphil only once and never went back to it.
Regarding the availability, you can ask for it at Apollo pharmacy and they will definitely get it for you in case you do not get it at other drug stores. They might or might not have stocked it so that it a hitch in being regular with this cleanser.
One more thing I would add is that I had this cleanser prescribed by a dermatologist whom I didn’t much like and she had prescribed this one for my dry skin problem on my hands which had developed weird dry patches. When I used this cleanser over those patches, the condition normalized gradually in sometime so I can safely say that it is a damn good cleanser for people with such issues.

Steam and Skin {Skin Care}

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Of course, you must have heard that steaming is amazing for your skin. Well, yes, it is. Why? It deep cleanses the skin by removing the dirt from the pores. One can make the steaming process exciting by adding herbs to it like tea tree oil for acne prone skin, eucalyptus oil for people prone to headaches and cold or even tea leaves for a simple refreshing feeling or you can give yourself an aromatherapy session by adding essential oils to the water. Apart from just simply hydrating the skin, the essential oils would also work on your skin and provide various benefits depending on the ones you have used. But, there is a time limit for the steaming process too.
Dry Skin: 1-2 minutes (at max 3)
Normal / Combination Skin: 5 minutes
Oily Skin: 10-15 minutes (depending on the dirt clogged in your pores)
Now, one more thing to remember is that steaming your face is not a routine work. It is a therapy and like all therapies, it should be done regularly for maximum results but not daily.
Dry Skin: once in 2 weeks
Normal / Combination Skin: once in a week
Oily Skin: at max. twice in a week
The reason why I have combined normal and combination skin is because of the fact that combination skin has both dry and oily areas. So, if taken for less time, the dirt and oil in the clogged pores wouldn’t clean well and if taken for more time, it will lead to patchy areas.
Beware of taking steam more often than necessary. Why? Excess of everything is bad and excess of steaming will cause your skin to become dry and dry skin is more prone to aging. Regular steaming is advisable for clearer skin. So, stick to the time lines and be regular to reap the benefits.
One more word of caution for people under 25 who think they have not yet reached the age of aging. Aging is a process and not an age. It can begin at any time depending on various factors like your hormonal balances, your diet, your skin care routines, medicines and supplements taken by you and finally on the environmental factors like sun, rain, wind, pollution, dirt, time spent in air conditioned environments and dependency on technology and gadgets. So, if you think that since your skin is not aging right now, a little deviation form the skin routine is possible. Think again. Everything you do with your skin will show once you reach the age of 35. So, it is best to start taking care of it at whatever age you are.