Swathy and Sky

Groundnut oil for skin {Ingredient}

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I have a bad habit of removing labels *feeling sheepish*

I had bought it for culinary purposes but unfortunately, it expired without getting completely used up and I don’t think I’ll ever buy it for culinary purposes ever again coz it gives too much of a nutty taste and smells very strongly of peanuts and I don’t fancy the so-called aroma. Anyways, so I thought I would use it up for skin before the oil turns rancid. Well, here you might argue that it has expired but vegetable oils (not hydrogenated) don’t really go bad so easily so if its only external usage, I don’t really mind. Of course, I’ll never eat it. So, how did it fare for my skin.

Groundnut Oil
Ok, first let me describe the texture and benefits. It is thick like other culinary oils and mine is organic (USDA certified) which I had bought from the 24 letter mantra I had talked about long time back. The groundnut oil is generally preferred for cooking because it has high smoke point and is a very stable oil and also has a long shelf life which is why I don’t pay heed to the expiry dates of oils unless they are hydrogenated oils. Groundnut oil is highly rich in proteins and is also very nutritious. And, its essentially very high in fatty acids which are responsible for keeping the skin young.

Its major component fatty acids are oleic acid (46.8% as olein), linoleic acid (33.4% as linolein), and palmitic acid (10.0% as palmitin). The oil also contains some stearic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid and other fatty acids.  [Wikipedia]

How do I use Groundnut oil?
I use the oil mainly for cleansing purposes after I finished up with Nivea Cleansing Milk. I massage for few minutes with the oil and I do take a generous amount for face and neck and exposed chest (if I have applied sunscreen there). And, massage for sometime. Then, I leave the oil for few minutes (around 3-5) and then, wipe it off with the cleansing wipes or baby wipes or even cotton (wipes are easier but lot costlier and have all lot of chemicals in them but then cotton has pesticides too and organic cotton is way too costly which is why I prefer wash cloths but oil on wash cloths would ruin them). Then, I simply wash off my face and moisturize.
Since I have been using the oil, I have noticed that my blackheads are far fewer in number (which had becomes really pronounced in between). That’s why I say “go for oil cleansing”.  Ok, not easy while traveling but when you are at home. And, if I am not wrong, I have noticed my face skin has become healthier in the sense of supple and healthy skin since the past one month and, for the record, my habits are as irregular as they can be. I think groundnut oil behaves just like castor oil and has cleansing properties because you can see the dirt and all your sunscreen and foundation coming out of the pores while cleansing the face. And, no breakouts too which I had with almond oil.

Aloevera for soft skin {Skin Care}

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Ok, so this is something really simple. I used the Papaya Peeling Gel I reviewed a little while back and then, I wanted to use something as a face pack and didn’t want to go for the market face masks. So, I used the Patanajali aloe vera gel and I applied a thick layer of the gel on my face and left it for half hour. I think it is because of the ingredients of the product that my face wasn’t all dried up and stayed well-moisturized otherwise aloe vera is notorious for drying up the skin. But, I am not entirely sure so I leave on to you to tell me how it goes if you use the aloe gel from the plant.

What to do?
Apply a thick layer of aloe gel on your face and leave it for half hour. It might tingle in the starting and even sting a little if you have inflamed skin but it subsides in a few minutes. You should apply it around the eyes and the lips too. Just be sure you don’t eat it 😀
Results
An extremely soft skin with a really silky feel that you want to touch your skin again and again!!! I am really amazed at the results. And, aloe is good at removing tan and blemishes so it does help in that matter too. And, the main benefit is that you can use it everyday for a little perking up the skin. It hydrates the skin and soothes it after a long day in the dust, pollution and sun.And, also, it reduces the size of the pores. So, those who have such problems should definitely try this remedy. My pores are looking way smaller.Caution

Ok, so this information I have from a very credible source – one of my readers. And, this is what she said:

“Though I agree with the silky softness acquired post application, I’d noticed an alarming increase in those ‘keel’ of ‘keel-muhaase’ around my jawline. A room-mate experienced tiny boils erupting. We both discontinued use after a week.”

Now, my opinion of this problem is that the culprit is not the aloevera gel but the Patanjali product. I checked the ingredients of the product.

Ingredients: 90% aloe gel and rest are permitted colors, Vitamin E, preservatives and fragrance.

So, either the preservatives or the colors or fragrance might have initiated the breakout reaction. Though, well, they might even be allergic to aloe gel but that’s some what less likely. So, check out if the product suits you before you try this out.

Biotique Bio Henna fresh Powder Hair Color {Product Review}

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So, this is more of a experience than a review coz I have no idea of the hair color it gives and I can’t say how much of the grays it will cover.
color chart
Price: Rs 199 for 90 gms
Ingredients
Mehendi (63%), Aam Beej (8%), Neem (5%), Arjun (8%), Gambhari (6%), Daruhaldi (5%), Kikar Gaund (5%)
Packaging
I thought it would be good to speak about packaging to while reviewing the products coz they have a lot of influence in the mindset. So, the jar is very much similar to the other Biotique products and frankly I don’t like the green jars and tubs they have. Very unusual color and very tacky. The worst is that this tub has a false bottom which pretty much reduces the quantity of the product. And, the tub is not full to the brim, probably only 3/4ths which is really bad. I wish they would at least consider providing a proper quantity.
My Experience
Well, I have mainly used the henna for henna gloss and it has definitely been a good experience. Regarding the product, I would say that the ingredients sound fabulous and the smell of the henna does make me feel that it is real enough. One thing I have noticed is that it doesn’t dry the hair like other hennas do. So, I would definitely vote for it. And, yup, I shall definitely buy this henna in case I need it ever in the future.
The only disadvantage is that the quantity is too less. It lasted me 4 times, that’s it and that was henna gloss application. A proper henna application would take lot more of henna and probably for long hair, one application would finish a jar. And, for medium hair, it will probably serve 2-3 times, that’s it!!! And, for that quantity and usage, it is definitely very costly.  But, much cheaper than Lush Cacas and equally natural.
My Recommendation 
I think it is worth a try, definitely.
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