Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion

(sorry for the shabby looking bottle, I've had it for a while)

Packaging/Pricing:

Very affordable product at 13$ for 200ml (6.7fl.oz). The bottle is made of clear plastic. Definitely keep this product away from the sun (in the bathroom cabinet for example) to keep formulation safe.

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Arginine, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Ceteth-20, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Dimethicone, Ceteth-2, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Green 5, Yellow 10.

Juice Organics Pompeptide Facial Moisturizer

Packaging/Pricing:

This is a drugstore level product, hence the packaging is quite simple opaque white plastic tube. Simple and convenient. You get 50ml (1.7fl.oz) for 15$. This product can be found on Walgreens.com (here), Amazon, Vitacost etc.

[It appears that the packaging of the product and ingredient list is a bit different, depending from what place you purchase the product. I am reviewing the list on the box I've purchased.]

Ingredients:

Vitis Vinifera (White Grape) Juice, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vit C), Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Juice, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, Xanthan Gum, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract, Tocopherol (Vit E), Panthenol (Vit B5), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Camellia Sinesis (Green Tea) Extract, Allantoin, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Prunus Persica (Peach) Extract.

Review and Comparison: MEDYSKIN Argan Oil and Sonoma Naturals Chia Oil Serum

L to R: MEDYSKIN Argan Oil and Sonoma Naturals Chia Oil

Face oils blends recently became very popular in cosmetics industry, though as ingredients, oils have been used in skincare for decades. Pure oils can be for sure a great addition to your routine, especially if you have dry skin. However they do not have miracle properties. Usually any non-fragrant plant oil has fatty acids, which are good for increasing moisture content of the skin and repairing skin protective function. All oils have certain amount of antioxidants and have some anti-inflammatory properties (however, they are weak to medium strength).

There is no single best oil for the skin, despite companies claims. Agran oil isn't any better than boring sunflower oil. Also 40$ oil from Sephora isn't better than 10$ one from IHERB. The quality of them is the same, but you do pay for the brand name.

There are plenty of oil blends on the market, but be careful, lots of them have essential oils in them, than can harm your skin. The worst: any citrus oils (they are photo-toxic, when exposed to UV rays), lavender (very irritating even in small amounts) and mint. If you want aroma-therapeutic properties of essential oils, inhale them, but do not put them on the skin (separate them from your skincare!)

Overall, I encourage anyone to try out this new trend (I am definitely a fan). But do not expect any dramatic results. Oils can't substitute well formulated serum or treatment. So if you have skin concerns like acne, hyper-pigmentation or signs of aging, do not stop using your regular treatments in a favor to oils.

I've found two oils I am reviewing today at TJMaxx. Their official price tag is 48$ each, but I've paid ~8-10$. They both came in brown glass bottles, which I prefer over plastic bottles. And of course, never buy any skin care product in a clear bottle (it will not keep ingredients safe from the sun exposure). Medyskin oil comes with a pump, which is actually easier to use and more air tight than a dropper style bottle, which is a type of packaging that Sonoma Naturals uses. The amount of oil you get is the same for both products - 30ml (1fl.oz).

Excellent (only beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial, not extensive research or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (irritants and anything bad that shouldn't be in a skincare, usually fragrance)

Andalou Naturals Blue Geranium Creamy Clay Mask

You don't see many facial mask reviews here. In my opinion they are very much optional part of the skincare routine. If you use well formulated skincare item regularly, it will bring you much more benefits, than a mask used just once a week. Especially if you treating stubborn skin concerns (like hyper-pigmentation). Also, I simply don't have time to use a mask. I usually apply my evening skincare right before going to bed. If you are able to incorporate a mask in your routine, you should choose wisely, since there are only few well formulated masks on the market that I've seen. Also, any moisturizing mask can be substituted by well formulated cream applied in a thicker layer. Probably, I am not the best judge of masks for oily skin, since I have normal to dry skin type, and get out of my way to avoid any drying products.

Packaging/Pricing:

52ml (1.8fl.oz) for 12-15$ (a usual available on IHERB.com here). Grey plastic tube is good enough packaging to keep ingredients safe. Aesthetics wise, not my cup of tea.