Ci ! Ci ! Vitamin A

Image sourced from healthytipsforfamily.blogspot.com

While you munch on a carrot ( or any other natural source of Vitamin A) let your skin soak this in.
This ingredient in your topical skin care product can help you fight skin aging - yes this has excellent anti aging properties.
If you apply this directly to your skin's problem areas it helps in promoting the growth of healthy skin and helps you to add a healthy glow to your skin - this is what makes it a popular ingredient in anti acne and under eye creams. It helps in promoting the growth of firmer, fuller and younger looking skin.
This ingredient in your skin care product would read like this - RETINOL (VITAMIN A) ( if unable to read - continue treating your body to Vitamin A , it improves your vision !! )
To know more visit : http://www.greenorganics.com.au/organic-natural-skin-care-products/vitamin-a-skin-care-benefits/

Oi ! Oi !Plantain Leaf Extracts

Have you ever touched one of these plantain leaves? Try standing under the shade of a plantain tree  - you'll feel overpowered by the heady aroma of the banana fruit and once the leaf caresses your skin you will realize that this is a natural boon for your skin - you will want more.
What does it do? heal, relieve stress, soothe a sun burn, gets rid of scars and gives you smooth and glowing skin. So wonderful !
If you're buying a cosmetic that contains an active ingredient called " Allantoin " which is one of the essences in this leaf - you have bought into renewal of your skin's cells.
The extracts of this leaf will look like this in your ingredients list - PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA LEAF EXTRACT
While you use a product with this extract, I recommend a stand under the shade of the tree on a hot summer afternoon in a place where you get balmy breeze  - trust me you will feel like you've been touched by angel
To know more : http://living.oneindia.in/beauty/skin-care/2011/plantain-leaf-skin-benefits-060711-aid0111.html

Oi ! Oi ! St John's Wort extracts

Image sourced from healthyfellow.com

Such a saintly effect on your skin! It heals your wounds, it soothes inflammations and irritations, has excellent anti microbial effects and apart from that, the flower is so unbelievably lively ! And guess what? It makes your skin feel exactly the same!
If you buy skin care oil which has this extract it works as an excellent rejuvenator. It also aids in cleansing & toning your skin.
It has strong anti microbial properties and obviously works against acne and blemishes.
A little caveat though - as sunny as the flower looks, it tends to cause your skin to be sensitive under harsh sun. So please use this with your night cream and night skin care routine or winter skin care routine.
This also helps in restoring the skin's natural oil  balance and has a dramatic effect on closing up those angrily open pores.
The extract will look like this - HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT
To know more check this out
http://www.dermaxime.com/st-john-wort.htm
http://delicious-skin.com/gourmet-skincare-ingredients/fresh-organic-st-johns-wort.html
Delicious isn't it?!!!

The Apple of my Eye - Canaan Eye Cream

Another delight from the Dead Sea. Canaan's eye cream works on two typical eye related issues women face - dark circles caused by lack of moisture and wrinkling. 

Canaan's eye cream fortified with their trademarked CSE complex works on moisturizing the eye area and has an anti wrinkling effect as well.

This one comes with a tiny spoon which helps you pick the right quantity of the cream for each eye without any wastage. I think thats extremely thoughtful and for this I rate it a 5/5.

My technique of applying this under eye cream is as follows :

First I finish applying any night moisturizer or serum or cream evenly all over my face ( under eyes area included)

Then I apply the under eye cream in small dots like a crescent moon in the under eye area without missing the crows feet zone

Then I take the tip of my index finger n dab it lightly all over

the moisturizer helps me apply the cream evenly without wastage and the dabbing action helps fast absorption.
This product saved me from the after effects of late nights at work ( and of course the emotional trauma of a really bad boss!) 

Quickly - its ingredients 

1. Water - this ingredient is definitely under the bridge for all subsequent posts !
2. Isopropyl myristate - skin conditioning agent
3. Glycol stearate se - emulsifying agent 
4. Glycerin - skin protectant , skin conditioning
5. Propylen glcyol - skin conditioning 
6. Aetylated lanolin - skin conditioning agent
7. PEG 40 Stearate - cleansing agent / solublizing agent
8. SORBITAN TRISTEARATE -emulsfying agent 
9. CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE - skin conditioning agent
10. UREA - skin protectant , skin soothing 
11. CETYL ALCOHOL - emulsion stabilizer, fragrance ingredient, viscosity reducing, opacifying agent
12. DIMETHICONE - skin protecting, skin conditioning
13. Tocopherol - Vitamin E - we know this one ! http://soproductiv.blogspot.com/2011/11/ci-ci-extraordinary-vitamin-e.html  Vitamin E by So Productive
14. RETINOL (VITAMIN A) - skin conditioning agent 
15. ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) - anti oxidant & skin conditioning agent
16.  IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA - skin protecting, soothing, skin conditioning
17. METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN - common preservatives
18. Fragrance
19. PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA LEAF EXTRACT - plantain leaf extract works as an anti microbial agent
20. HYPERICUM PERFORATUM EXTRACT - St John's wort flower extract 
21. ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACT - extract of marshmallow root http://soproductiv.blogspot.com/2011/11/oi-oi-marshmallow-root-extract.html Marshmallow Root by So productive !! acts as a skin conditioning agent - know more 
23. MARIS SAL (DEAD SEA SALT) - this has 21 essential ingredients for your skin - know more  - Dead Sea Salt ( Maris sal) by So Productive !!

What I love about the product - it works and its from the dead sea and it is a truly unique under eye cream ( plus points for the mini spoon applicator) 

Flip side- had to buy it online @ USD 30 from  http://deadseapavilion.com/canaaneyecream.aspx - no offense but it wouldn't hurt to be available at a nearby store? or an Indian e commerce store?

Dead Sea Salt - Brings you back to life!

Image source : deadseaonlinestore.com

Dead sea salt and extracts contain 26 essential minerals which work as a the A - Z for skin, body and hair care.

12 out of the 26 essential minerals are not found in your ordinary sea salt extracts.

Here are some of the benefits of the dead sea minerals

1. Calcium- soothes, strengthens skin membranes and cleans pores
2. Magnesium- helps your body use essential nutrients, also is anti-allergic agent
3. Chloride- restores skin's natural balance of minerals and body's natural acid and alkaline balance 
4. Bromide- relieves skin irritations, anti inflammatory, natural topical anti biotic
5. Sodium Chloride- nourishes, hydrates, detoxifies 
6. Iodine- vital for cell metabolism  
7. Zinc- regenerates skin, anti acne, anti oxidant, anti inflammatory, UV ray protection
8. Boron- helps relieve psoriasis
9. Potassium- moisturizes, helps restore natural moisture balance 
10. Sulfur- treats psoriasis and eczema 

Products that contain " Maris Sal" in their ingredients are a sure shot companion in your struggle against acne, hair loss, dandruff, wrinkles, arthritis, skin allergies, cellulite, psoriasis, dry skin, eczema and just generally reducing your stress levels.

If you're using a product that contains Dead Sea extracts it comes with a warm invitation to an irritably relaxing vacation at the Dead Sea 

Enjoy the weightless sensation while it does its magic to your skin 

Image source: skabrat.com

Image source: jewishvirtualibrary.org

Oi ! Oi ! Marshmallow Root Extract

Image sourced from cookipedia.co.uk

Marshmallow - the pale pink flower the glows in the summer blesses you with the following skin care and hair care benefits making it a organic skin/ hair care product extract favorite

1. soothing skin irritations 
2. curb skin degeneration - this means anti aging for you and me !! 
3. heals skin wounds 
4. boosts immunity at a cellular level 
5. boosts moisture levels
6. dentangles and nourishes hair ! 
7. traditionally used by Indian women as a natural breast enlargement treatment 

I love this ingredient mainly because it comes from a pink flower and it makes your skin feel like one too !!!

You can know more at 

http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-marshmallow.htm

1 of a kind Silk Serum to Rejuvenate your skin

Canaan  Daily Silk Serum is a must have. You can use it as a part of your facial routine. The aroma, the gentle smooth silky sensation and the healthy after glow it gives my skin makes me feel blessed.
My curiosity was piqued in an instant when a skin expert at the salon where I purchased it told me that this whole range of products were based on extracts from the Dead Sea.
I call it the miracle serum because it gives me a healthy, radiant glow without much effort.
It is so easy to apply but there's a technique to it.
It comes in a bottle with a pump, so you take a small pump on your index finger.
Apply even dots all over your face and then just gently tap the serum into your skin.
This is the simplest method of applying any kind of moisturizer or sun screen or skin serum.
Caveat - don't do this in front of your partner/ friends, they will definitely find it strange ! But it works for your skin and you love yourself so you  have to do it.
Quickly
What I love about this product - easy to apply, fast absorbing, ultra moisturizing without over oiling, unbeatable and unmistakable after glow
Flip side - not easily available in retail
Rating - 5/5 it has Dead sea extracts...where can you find such stuff?!
Cost - USD 25 ( Because I purchased this from a salon)
You can buy from here
http://deadseapavilion.com/canaandailysilkserum.aspx

Ingredients demystified and explained -

1. CSE Complex (trade marked ingredient) - moisturizes, energizes and refreshes your skin 
2. Water - makes it quick absorbing and non greasy
3. Propylene Glycol - skin conditioning, viscosity decreasing
4. Glycerin - skin protectant
5. Panthenol (Provitamine B5) - moisturizing and lubricant compound 
6. Dimethicone Copolyol - a silicon based polymer used as a skin conditioner, moisturizer and protecting agent 
7. Maris Sal (Dead Sea Salt) - skin conditioning agent used as a protection for the skin 
8. Althaea Officinalis Root Extract - marshmallow root extract used for skin conditioning 
9. Hypericum Perforatum Extract - St Johns Wort flower capsules, leaves and stem extract used as an anti microbial, skin protecting, astringent tonic which soothes the skin while masking it 
10. Plantago Lanceolata - - extract of plantain leaves, oh so Jordanian !!! Feels so good - it has anti microbial properties ( will provide a detailed review) 
11. Carbomer - this is a gel forming agent 
12. Lactose - skin conditioner 
13. Cellulose - this is organically derived from plant fibers and is used as an absorbant
14. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose - this binds the product 
15. Chromium Hydroxide Green - this is a colorant 
16. Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E - so good for your skin !
17. Ascorbyl Palmitate - Vitamin C - an antioxidant 
18. Fragrance - obvious isn't it?
19. Methylparabe & Propylparaben - we know these are widely used preservatives 
20. Imidazolidinyl Urea - this is also a widely used preservative