CLAY+essence
  • hydrating toner,  Pixi

    Pixi Rose Tonic

    the claim The Pixi Rose Tonic claims to naturally soothe and nourish. It helps to tone, balance pH, minimize redness and calm skin while rehydrating, replenishing and refreshing.     the science Following regular water in concentration, Damask Rose Flower Water which brings antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-ageing qualities to the product, giving it soothing and healing properties in addition to protecting it from free radical damage. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory properties give Rose Extract the capability to help minimize redness and soothe irritation. The ideal rose pH (almost identical to human skin) assures skin balancing and an intact acid mantle. Citric Acid is also added to control product pH.   Additional soothing…

  • hydrating toner,  Isntree

    Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner

    the claim The Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner claims to be a highly concentrated, dermatologically tested toner boasting hyaluronic acid, trehalose, birch sap extract and collagen to rejuvenate skin with moisture.     the science Sodium Hyaluronate is a salt derived from Hyaluronic Acid. It delivers similar benefits only skin absorbs it more easily. Hyaluronic Acid is a Glycosaminoglycan, a vital naturally occurring substance of the skin which works to keep every aspect of skin stable, safeguarded and continuously renewed. Able to attract up to 1000 times its weight in water, it’s also a competent humectant, well supported by Glycerin and Butylene Glycol, the latter also assisting to increase the effectiveness…

  • Pixi,  serum

    Pixi Vitamin C Serum

    the claim The Pixi Vitamin C Serum claims to be a lightweight serum that gently exfoliates, hydrates and nourishes the skin.     the science Please note, the core of the formula across all the Pixi Vitamin C range has a lot of commonality, so there will be some repetition noticed if you’re reading several reviews.   Easily absorbed, Vitamin C has the ability to decrease sun damage and dehydration plus reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It’s also able to decrease water loss and boost moisture retention. Furthermore, it enhances the skin’s ability to repair itself, speeding up cell turnover and improving the removal of accumulated dead…

  • Ausome Rehydrating Double Mist Feature
    Ausome,  mist

    Ausome Hydrating Double Mist

    the claim The Ausome Rehydrating Double Mist claims to be a 97% organic dual-layered mist that fuses refreshing and soothing botanicals with an ultra-nourishing facial oil.     the science Botanical waters make up the bulk of the formula. Aloe Vera extract displays anti-inflammatory behaviour to help soothe damaged, inflamed and irritated skin. It can be absorbed up to 7 layers deep to penetrate effectively for considerable cell absorption and moisturisation. This combined with enzyme activity also helps to rejuvenate tissues, promote collagen production plus cleanse and detoxify for healthy pores and skin. Similarly, Japanese Plum Water contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals and proteins. It penetrates deeply to keen…

  • Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack
    Heimish,  wash off

    Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack

    the claim The Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack is a soothing gel mask infused with ingredients extracted from Black Tea, Berry, Aloe, and Centella Asiatica, delivering a 5 minute cooling treatment. It nourishes dry, fatigued skin while boosting its moisture level for the perfect water/oil balance. It also helps improves skin elasticity and minimises the appearance of pores.     the science There are four hero ingredients in this mask, all herbal extracts and represented at good concentrations, featuring in positions 4-7 on the INCI. The most prominent is Green Tea Leaf Water which is a potent antioxidant source that helps to protect skin from free radical damage, reduce inflammation,…

  • JKosmmune Enzyme Cleansing Powder
    JKosmmune,  second cleanse

    JKosmmune Enzyme Cleansing Powder

    the claim The JKosmmune Enzyme Cleansing Powder claims to be a gentle, foaming facial cleanser uniquely formulated with 99.9% pure beta glucan and papaya-derived enzyme.     the science Corn Starch displays similar absorbency properties to talc so is useful for collecting excess oil from the skin and preventing residual shine. It also provides a silky, dry after feel when used in powder based cosmetics. Corn starch has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe itch and calm rashes and burns. Gentle surfactants are next in terms of concentration in the powder wash. These are added for their ability to help water mix with oil and…

  • The Silk Crystal 2-Way Silk Pack
    mask,  The Silk Crystal,  wash off

    The Silk Crystal 2-Way Silk Pack

    the claim The The Silk Crystal 2-Way Silk Pack claims to tighten and lift pores to remove impurities in just 30 minutes for flawless skin.     the science The peel comprises 88% Fibroin, a fibrous silk protein that promotes a rigid structure and tensile strength. These properties together with self-contraction, make it very capable of drawing out impurities from pores, effective against blackheads, whiteheads and dead skin cells, even downy facial hair.   Helping to create the peeling film is Polyvinyl Alcohol, an ingredient regularly found in such masks because of its film forming properties. According to Paula Begoun of Paula’s Choice Skincare: This type of alcohol may pose…

  • Jeffrey James Botanicals THE MASK
    Jeffrey James Botanicals,  mask,  wash off

    Jeffrey James Botanicals The Mask

    the claim Jeffrey James Botanicals The Mask claims to be a decadent raspberry soufflé mousse that combines both an exfoliant and a clay mask for one simple, gentle approach to purely radiant skin.     the science Just as with the brand’s The Light serum, present at the highest concentration in this formula is the Organic Herbal Blend, a natural ingredient that is too general to decipher. So, I contacted the brand and they replied: We use a blend of Organic Horsetail, Gotu Kola, Dandelion, Geranium, Verbascum Thapsus (Mullein), Calendula and Licorice. Each have amazing properties from centuries of healing properties to high concentrations of silica, anti-oxidants and skin food.…

  • Akuka,  body

    Akuka Seaweed Body Moisturiser

    the claim The Akuka Seaweed Body Moisturiser claims to be a decadent body moisturiser with nutrient rich Seaweed to soften and rejuvenate the skin while Jojoba and Coconut Oils provide long-lasting hydration.     the science The first thing that struck me about this product is that it is waterless, instead, liquid primarily represented by Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, a soothing and moisturising powerhouse replacement. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, one of its strengths lies in its ability to neutralise free radicals and heal skin damage. It displays excellent anti-ageing properties. Due to its ability to be deeply penetrated, aloe can trigger enzymes to stimulate collagen production and assist to…

  • Jeffrey James Botanicals The Light
    Jeffrey James Botanicals,  serum

    Jeffrey James Botanicals The Light

    the claim The Jeffrey James Botanicals The Light claims to accelerate the skin’s natural repair process and fight ageing for a fresh and radiant appearance.     the science Represented at the highest concentration is an ingredient called Organic Herbal Blend. It is not surprising that the EWG database raises a flag against it since the nature of the blend is not declared. After all, some herbs shouldn’t go near your face. The unknown factor makes it impossible to decipher. Update: After contacting Jeffery James Botanicals, the herbal blend was disclosed and is discussed in detail in the review of The Mask. So moving on to the ones we can…