Skin Care

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer {Product Review}

Swathy · June 30, 2011 · 2 Comments

The moisturizer is supposed to be followed after the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth and Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic. Before starting on with the review, I would like to say that my skin reacts very differently to the moisturizers as opposed to other skin care products. They either make me sweat or leave me dry. I don’t know why my skin behaves so errant in case of moisturizers. You must have seen a conspicuous absence of reviews on moisturizers except Dabur Gulabari which I liked more as a hand cream and Auravedic Facial Skin Repair Moisturizing Lotion which suited me quite well but only after quite a few hit and trials as I have mentioned in my review.

And, to write this review, I have taken almost a month because I was confused whether I liked the product or not. Many hit and trials were again in the order because I simply didn’t feel like writing it off and I sincerely believe that moisturizers are something you can’t give an instant opinion on. Kindly check for the prices and other product information on the Liz Earle website. And, I am also very grateful to Andrea for being so patient with me and allowing me so much of time to post my opinion on the product.

Ingredients

I have the smaller sample version of 15ml so the ingredients are not listed. So, I shall just mention the ones which are key ingredients: Borage and Avocado Oil, Echinacea, Beta-Carotene and Natural Vitamin E.

My Experience

I have the moisturizer suitable for combination/oily skin. Since I have told that the skin tonic was too heavy and felt sticky on my skin, so when I followed the moisturizer, my skin had become sticky and oily. And, to top it, I had taken out a very huge quantity of the product so overall, my first time was a disaster. Then, in the consequent uses, I understood that only a half pea size amount of the product is actually necessary for the entire face and neck. But, I could still not continue using the moisturizer on the skin tonic. So, I started using it with simple green tea. I sprayed green tea on my face and followed up with the moisturizer.It felt very light on the skin and not at all sticky. It made my skin soft and supple and kept it that way till the next wash whether applied in the morning or at night. I am not sure of the repair it had done on my skin coz my skin is just as it was. But, probably it did preserve my skin coz lately I haven’t been eating and sleeping properly at all (which is a very bad thing!!!) and still my skin feels soft and chubby like it was. But, the fine lines under my eyes are just like they were and not sleeping properly is not really helping them so I am not going to blame the moisturizer for that. Though, I had the oily skin variant of the moisturizer but I felt it was a little heavy for my skin otherwise nothing wrong with it. May be I am using a bit more than what I should.

My Recommendation

Yes, it is a nice moisturizer but price is a downfall!! And, you would love it once you come to know the amount of moisturizer you need for your face and neck. A bit more and it will become heavy otherwise you wouldn’t feel like you have applied anything on your skin which is something very few products can do.PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic {Product Review}

Swathy · June 29, 2011 · 5 Comments

So, this is the second step of the skin care routine to be followed after using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This tonic is just a toner for the skin. Kindly refer to the Liz Earle website for product information and the prices.

Ingredients

Since I received a 50ml sample size of the product, the ingredients are not listed on it. So, I’ll just mention the key ingredients here: Organic Aloe Vera, Calendula, Rose-scented Geranium, Cucumber and Natural Vitamin E.

My Experience

Well, I have never used any commercial toners from the market except rose water So, I have no idea how they actually work. But, I really prefer them to be watery and hydrating instead of sticky. So, when I was going to use this, I was pretty excited. But, when I started using it, I found out that it was too heavy for my skin. I tried using the moisturizer right away, I let it dry completely before using it, but whatever I do, it made my skin really sticky so I didn’t understand what to do. Then, I decided it wasn’t for me. Then, finally one day, I used a lesser amount of toner than I usually used and the product got easily absorbed into my skin without any stickiness. But, still, I felt as if there was something on my skin. And, it made the moisturizer also sticky, unfortunately 🙁 And, I also noticed that my skin was getting oilier much sooner after using this toner.

On the good side, it smells awesome and I guess it will suit dry skin very well. But, I wish it had been more watery and light on the skin. But, (its my personal opinion) a product shouldn’t become too heavy for the skin just coz you have applied a little more quantity. And, there was a little problem with the fact that the bottle has a very small mouth so if I have to soak a cotton, every time excess amount of toner used to come so it was just impossible to use a less amount. A spray would be a better way to market this product. And, Liz Earle does have it in the spray form also. So, I think that the spray packaging would make sure only enough quantity is distributed on the face and not more making it easy to use.

My Recommendation

I give this product a benefit of doubt. But, make sure you read other reviews which are quite positive about the product here and here. It might just be the case that the product didn’t suit my skin.

PS: Product send by brand for consideration.

How to treat Sunburns? {Skin Care}

Swathy · June 27, 2011 · 2 Comments

Well, I know that summer is long past in Hyderabad but apparently Delhi is still very hot. Now, this is an impromptu post which I am putting up coz my dad just faced a sunburn yesterday after being exposed to the sun for a long time. So, what should be done to avoid and cure sunburns.

Avoid Sunburn

Always apply a sunscreen of spf 30 or higher when you know that you would be in the sun for a very long time. Don’t forget your sunscreen even if you are going ot the hills. You can get easily burnt in the hills as compared to plains (except beaches where there is a lot of sun rays reflection which are equally bad) simply because the rays of sun are much more damaging on the hills because of the distance from sea level.
Wear proper clothes and try to keep all the areas covered specially the sensitive regions like the neck and back.
Always carry an umbrella not matter how many layers of clothing you have put on yourself.
Try to be in shade whenever you can.

Now, I would also mention that sunscreens are meant to prevent skin cancer but you skin can still burn or get tanned so do not rely completely on the sunscreens.

Treat Sunburn

Apply cool things like ice packs. If ice pack is not there, apply cold water. Just pour it over the body. Don’t use a wash cloth or a sponge. Leave the sunburnt area to maximum air and make sure the air is cool.
Wash the sunburnt area immediately with cold water and do not rub the area at all. In fact don’t touch the area. Avoid using soap on the affected area and do not apply any moisturizer or astringent or toner too even if they claim to have cooling properties.
Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation and aid proper air circulation.
Take a soft cloth and soak it in cold milk and cover the sunburnt area with the cloth for 30 minutes or so. This provides relief.
Aloevera gel is extremely cooling so always carry aloevera gel in your toilet kit no matter where you go – on the beach or on the hills. It is useful for cuts and nicks too.
Sandalwood paste can be applied to the area but be careful to just tap the paste ont he area. Don’t rub to spread it.
Slices of cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon can be used.
A paste of mint leaves also helps in cooling the skin.
A paste of apricots is also helpful.
Spraying green tea or taking a green tea bath (mix green tea in bath water) is also helpful as tannins in the tea helps control inflammation of the skin.
Do not scrub the sunburnt areas even if you feel they have healed. Give it two weeks at least to heal properly and a week more to ensure there is no sensitivity. Stay out of sun in the mean time.

Food for Sunburns

Not only the remedies but diet is also very important to speed up the recovery.

Eating a proper balanced diet is very important.
Drink lots of milk and fluids.
Increase the intake of Vitamin C and E, betacarotenes (found in carrots and all orange and yellow colored vegetables and fruits) and Zinc (peanuts, dairy products, beans, brown rice and bread, potato, yogurt and pumpkin seeds).