Saucy Skincare Review: Body Merry Hyaluronic Acid + 2.5% Retinol Serum!

How exciting is that (see title above)!??! A hyaluronic acid serum with 2.5 % retinol! WHUT. So the idea here is that the serum is going to hydrate and plump, as hyaluronic acid does, as well as provide all of the loads of benefits that retinols do for our skin- plump, firm, even out skin tone, fight blemishes, etc. Hell yeah!

Here's what Body Merry has to say about this stuff:

Hyaluronic Dew Serum:
Morning dew is nature’s reminder that we all need moisture to kick start our day. This premium hydrating serum contains plant derived Hyaluronic Acid that provides the perfect amount of ‘dew’ to last throughout the day. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Green Tea add that extra punch, leaving your skin smooth and nourished.
Pro-A Serum:
Much has been said about the power of Retinol in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and its not without reason. This professional grade 2.5% retinol serum lets you truly sink in all the goodness of Vitamin A. Plant derived Hyaluronic Acid adds the much needed hydration and Green Tea works its charm as a powerful antioxidant.

Plus, they had this to say about other ingredients on their website:

The wildness of Retinol is tamed by Plant Derived Hyaluronic Acid, which locks in moisture to effectively minimize dryness or irritation. Because of their high antioxidant content, Green Tea and Vitamin E work beautifully together to prevent and diminish the signs of aging.

 

The formula does not contain any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrances or alcohol. The KEY ingredients are:

 

The Hard Hitters: 2.5% Retinol + Plant Derived Hyaluronic Acid

The Organic Ones: Green Tea + Aloe + Jojoba Oil

Just Some of the Others: Vitamin E + Witch Hazel + Wheat Germ Oil + Wildcrafted Propolis

 

Okay, so there you go. These guys are straight-up with what they put in their product. In addition, the 2.5% retinol is the highest potency available. 

This product is definitely something you'll want to try out, trust me. Let's recap again::: it's going to help prevent aging due to... well, everything in the bottle. Jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid hydrate. Retinol will fight blemishes, even skin tone, and give that "glow." Vitamin C will also help with the glow and skin toning, but is also a potent antioxidant (green tea is as well). Aloe is soothing. Witch hazel will help to fight blemishes. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant, as well as an anti-inflammatory (so, it will also help to calm and soothe). Either way, this product is a great investment to have in your medicine cabinet and use daily. If you're young (say, in your 20s), be proactive! It's never too early to take preventive measures for your skin! Plus, remember, blemishes? Yeah. Those. We hate those. 

 

Now, there are a few things to remember with this product. Previously, I've talked about how one should apply hyaluronic acid to the face while the skin is still damp. Well, not in this case. Because of the retinol and what not, Body Merry states that you should actually apply this product when the skin is dry, after cleansing and toning. Also, because this retinol is pretty potent and can be irritating for first-time users, ease your way into this stuff if retinol is a new thing for you. For example, apply this product every other day instead of every day. 

And I'm out! You can buy this bottle of deliciousness at amazon for 29.99.

Saucy Skincare Review: Joyal Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum

You know I've written what feels like 10 billion hyaluronic acid serum reviews and, honestly, its not going to stop anytime soon. Hyaluronic acid is here to stay... at least until they find something better to replace it.

Joyal Beauty sent me a bottle of their 100% pure hyaluronic acid hydrating serum. This is totally vain and awful, but at first, I had my restrictions about using this. The label, in my own humble opinion, is a little plain.. I know, I'm totally pre-judging. However, after using this product and checking out the line's website, I'm super happy. And I feel like a total douche for making assumptions based on something so dumb as the product label

First of all, I dig the company's mission statement. Because I like when companies have a mission statement. I think it shows professionalism and that they give a crap about what they do. I'd copy and paste it, but it's actually too long! Summing it up, they are a California-based company that believes in using all natural, organic, vegetarian ingredients that are produced in an eco-friendly way. They used green sustainable energy and all recycled packaging. In addition, they don't use any parabens, sulfates, phthalates or petrochemicals, and don't test on animals. In addition,  a portion of each sale is contributed to support the Environmental Protection Nonprofit Organization, Breast Cancer Foundation, and Children's Research Hospital in California. Say what?!!? WHAT!!!!!

I love how detailed the company is about their products and what they do. They even have this cute little article they wrote about skincare, titled Skincare 101. Psst! Scroll down to the area where they talk about hyaluronic acid!

Unlike the majority of the other hyaluronic acids I've used, the texture of this one is smooth and velvety and feels great going on. Like the others (and as it should be) it is clear colored and fragrance free. It contains only low molecular weight hyaluronic molecules, which means that its going to penetrate deeper into your skin (as compared to high weight, which basically sit on top and create a barrier to protect from environmental toxins). This, A) is awesome, and B) should be the first thing you put on your skin after cleansing and toning. They give some pretty in depth instructions that I highly encourage you check out here. Like all hyaluronic acid serums, you should apply it to your face while your skin is damp and/or mix it with a little bit of water so it can pull said water into the skin.

As far as hyaluronic acid serums go, I'd say that Joyal Beauty's 100% Pure is the way to go. You can purchase it on amazon (and remember, proceeds go to awesome chariable foundations!!!) for just $16.96. Random number, but so worth it.

Saucy Skincare Review: Petunia Revitalize Eye Serum

I'm proud to say that I've been using an eye cream since I was around 24 years old. And thank GOD too, because I definitely smoked for a good number of years (shhhhh, I know). I always wonder what I'd look like if I never used eye cream? Like, maybe I'd look 10 years older or something.

The big thing about eye cream.. and the area around your eyes, in general.. it's thin. Really, really thin. Like, legit your eyelids and the eye area is the thinnest skin you have on your entire body. And that area is also constantly being exposed to sun, because, you know, your eyes are on your face. With that being said, it's really important to take crucial care of the eye area. This includes wearing kinda big sunglasses (that also cover the area around your eyes so UV rays don't attack.. these can be kinda hard to find, especially because you want something that protects on the sides too.. and the sunglass arms typically don't do that). And also, using eye cream. Preferably an uber concentrated, potent, beautiful eye cream. With that being said, definitely apply your eye cream day and night.

Given my love of eye products, I was really excited when Petunia Skincare sent me a bottle of their revitalize eye serum to review. The claims were everything one would want in a bottle of eye stuff- claims like "Reduces Dark Circles, Bags, Tired, Puffy, and Swollen Eyes | Anti-Aging and Moisturizing Treatment Helps to Diminish Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Crows Feet and Moisturizes and Gives the Eye a Lift." Hell yeah! 

In addition, the ingredients looked pretty great:
~ Sea Kelp Bioferment
~ Vitamin C
~ Hyaluronic Acid
~ Ferulic Acid
~ Vitamin B3
~ Coconut Endosperm
~ Natural Active Peptides
~ Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone
~ Matrixyl 3000
~ Caffeine

They even threw in the results of people that used their product in a research study (I LOVE when skincare lines conduct clinical trials, since it's totally not required in the US):

Research results after 6 weeks trial:
- 83% reported improvement in under eye dark circles
- 93% reported decreased puffiness
- 91% reported reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes
- 92% saw plumped and fullness around the eyes
- 96% agreed it revitalized and awakened tired eyes
- 98% reported the eye serum acted as a great base for concealer and foundation

Okay, GREAT!!! So, I was reallllly excited. Some of those ingredients sound absolutely frickin lovely. I was especially pumped to use an eye product with caffeine, as I've been hearing more and more about that lately.

So, I get the bottle. Here's the first downfall... the packaging. AWFUL. You know those products that force you to press down on the pump in order to extract products? And you know how some are great, because you can just press down a little bit to get the amount of product you want? Yeah, this isn't like that. I am forced to use an entire pump of eye serum each time. And that's a lot. Like, enough for 3 sets of eyes, at least. That drives me crazy because who likes wasting product!?

Since this product is a serum (aka, supposedly more concentrated than creams and lotions), the texture is different from eye products that I've used in the past. And honestly, I'm not really a fan. I notice that, sometimes, it tends to dry up and crust around my eyes ever so slightly, making me look like a total weirdo later in the day when I don't realize my eyes are crust central.. okay, maybe that's an exaggeration... but, no, it definitely crusted a little. Not a fan.

Aside from the crust, the texture is just so-so. I've been using this product about twice a day for around 3 weeks now and I'm not noticing a difference (::pouts). Since the texture is so thin, it doesn't really feel like its doing anything for my eyes. And I understand that this could totally be a psychological thing, but.. I just don't like it, okay!?!?

Great ingredients though! I wonder if the chemical composition of these products is just really, really off, or maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance? I'm not giving up yet and I swear I'll update you folks if I have anything to add in. In the meantime, you could find this magical ingredient-yet-kinda-crusty eye serum here on amazon... for $28.97 ::gulp

Saucy Skincare TOOL Review: Behold, the Exfolimate!

Yes, behold the exfolimate.. is this one of those "as seen on TV" kind of things? Because, after doing some quick googling, it certainly looks like it. I mean, just check out this cool video promo from their website.

 

They're pretty darn passionate about their Exfolimate, aren't they!? Update: On their site, they have a cute little emblem that says "AS SEEN ON ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT." So, apparently they were featured on ET. And, apparently they are really proud of it. Shoot, not like I blame them, I'd be damn proud too!

Anyway, let's get down to business here. The Exfolimate is basically this weird shaped thing- it comes as a set with a regular sized exfolimate tool that's designed for the body, as well as a "mini" exfolimate for the face. 

The basic idea is this- instead of sloughing off dead skin cells and debris with a scrub, dry brush, loofah, etc., etc.... you're doing it with essentially what's a dull blade. Oh, don't let the "blade" thing scare you- it's virtually impossible to hurt yourself with this thing, unless you go over your skin like 10 times in a row. Which you definitely shouldn't do, because that's just awful for your skin. Basically, the exfolimate is a spin-off of the popular tool that esthticians use called a skin scrubber. The only difference is 1) the exfolimate uses no electricity whatsoever, and 2) you're not paying hundreds of dollars for an exfolimate... indeed, they're under $30.

See? Skin scrubber. NOT an exfolimate

How to use it? It's really simple. Use it in the shower (or, if you're just using the face one, after you've washed your face). Here's the key- make sure your skin is wet. Luckily, this isn't easy to forget- it'd feel awkward and uncomfortable if you try to use it on dry skin. But the point here is that, when your skin is moist / wet, your pores become softer and thus exfoliating does a better job. Glide the exfolimate across your skin at a 90 degree angle. After every few swipes, check out the blade to see what kind of gunk came up (oh, admit it- you know this is the fun part). Whenever you see visible gunk on the blade, rinse it under water until said gunk comes off. Oh, each exfolimate comes with its own separate cord thingy thing... so, when you're done using it, just hang it in the shower to dry!

And, that's it! Pretty simple, huh? 

Now, here's what I think of the exfolimate. Like I said, it's very similar to an esthetician's skin scrubber that you'll see in some spas.. but not nearly as expensive. I think the exfolimate is a less messy alternative for people that don't like using grainy scrubs. I also think that its pretty gentle. Did I notice a difference? Well, I only used it a few times, but I definitely have seen some gunk come up. Overall, I think that this is a great buy for the money- after all, it really will last forever-- much, much longer than traditional scrubs that always need to be replaced. I also think that this is a lovely alternative to the skin scrubber. The only thing I wonder is... "why didn't I think of that!?!?"

Omg. And, exfolimate made me post a goofy picture on instagram. Ugh. Here's a pic of me getting all artsy with my exfolimate, hanging to dry in the shower.

Like I said, the exfolimate was, apparently, featured on Entertainment Tonight and I guess makes it an official "as seen on TV" kind-of thing. I would NOT be surprised if there were infomercials for this bad girl, either. With that being said, you can buy it, like, anywhere. Seriously, just check out this official "where to buy" link from the Exfolimate website itself.

So, What's This We Keep Hearing About Phytoceramides?

Lately, all the buzz has been around these things called phytoceramides. But, unlike another cream or serum that you slather all over your face, phytoceramides come in capsule form. What's the deal here!?

Phytoceramides were only recently approved by the FDA in the US. But, of course, the Japanese were way ahead of us, as they've been using this stuff for centuries. The name sounds pretty scientific.. I guess because it kind-of is. You see, ceramides are little itty bitty molecules filled with fatty acids and sphingosine, an amino alcohol. They're found in between cell spaces of the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of our skin. Now, before you start freaking out, like "why would I want to put fat into my body when I'm trying to get rid of it" remember that this is for your skin. We want our skin plump. Supple. Glowing. Hydrated. This is what ceramides help you do.

Now, obviously ceramides tend to disappear as we age, leaving our skin less beauteous. Obviously, because aging sucks, right!? Well, here's where these phytoceramides come into play. They're called phytoceramides because they're not actually ceramides, because if they were actually ceramides they'd be taking this stuff from actual people..which is pretty gross, right? On the contrary, phytoceramides are obtained from plant sources and are essentially the human equivalent. These phytoceramides help to make up for those ceramides that we lose as we age, thus adding back in the good stuff- filling in lines, plumping up skin, and restoring that outer barrier that's depleted of those good ol' fatty molecules called ceramides.

So, why don't they come in cream form? Basically because these guys work from the inside out. Makes sense, right, since it was a part of our skin anyway? By taking an oral supplement instead of slothering on a topical cream, the good stuff goes through our system and into our bloodstream, working from the inside out.

These are the claims, anyway. I was given a few bottles of phytoceramides, one from my dudettes at InstaNatural, the other from Yalmeh Skincare. I've been taking one capsule a day (as directed) for just under one month now and, unfortunately, I definitely don't look 15 years older or anything. In fact, I haven't noticed too much of a difference at all. Maybe this is because I'm not giving it enough time? After all, I've heard that you should give your phytoceramides at least one month before noticing any effect. So, I'm gonna give it more time. I mean, clinical studies have proved that this stuff works. After all, if people in Japan having been using this stuff for centuries, there's gotta be something to it, right?

** Here's one thing about phytoceramides that you should know: Those with gluten sensitivities should be wary of this stuff. Most phytoceramides are wheat-based. Most companies claim that they remove the gluten, but it's likely that there will still be traces of it. 

You can purchase 30 capsules of InstaNatural's phytoceramides for $15.97 (plus shipping) here on amazon or 30 capsules of the Yalmeh brand for $19.95 on amazon. They essentially come out to be the same price, so use your own judgment. One thing to remember when purchasing phytoceramides- try to order a USA manufactured bottle. Not because I'm American, but because, as I said, phytoceramides have been approved by the FDA here. We know that they have to meet certain specific guidelines in order to be sold. Just my two cents.

Saucy HEALTHY Review: The Magic of Spirulina

Spirulina. Spi-ru-lin-a. Spy-roo-lean-a. Fun to say, even more fun to look at, and crazy shit right here. Spirulina is pretty amazing. No, really, it is. People absolutely rave, obsess, and absolutely ADORE this superfood. Why? Because it's INSANELY good for you. Apparently, it is THE most nutrient-dense food ever. Ever! So, what exactly is the deal here?

Spirulina is actually a blue-green algae that comes from freshwater ponds and what not. It is, like I said, extremely nutrient dense. It's packed with the omega fatty acids 3,6, & 9. It is really high in chlorophyll, which helps boost the immune system and detoxify the body. It has tons of vitamins and minerals, is really high in protein, iron, etc., etc. So, to me it's, like, magical food, really. I guess the term "superfood" really does fit here.

Here's a nifty little chart that lists the mineral value in spirulina: 

And, here's a little chart that lists the vitamin content. Because I care, people.. 

That's, like, a lot of stuff, right? I'm especially digging the vitamin K and iron, just because those are either kinda difficult for me to get into my diet. Plus, my iron tends to run a tad low, so boom. Done. 

I'm feeling very chart-y tonight, guys. I found this other awesome chart on Funky Fresh Foods. If you didn't think the vitamin and mineral content was enough, getta load of this bad boy: 

Spirulina is pretty much taking the nutrient cake here, with chlorophyll close behind. However, look at the "phytonutrients" section. Looks pretty empty, doesn't Except for the amazing spirulina, which has every singly phytonutrient listed. Hell yeah, spirulina! 

I have to be honest, though. I had heard of spirulina prior to actually ever trying it. I had heard that, though it was healthy, it tasted absolutely fricking terrible. Like, really, really awful. This made me nervous. So, I did some googling. Bad idea. I read articles where people wrote things like "Spirulina's taste is like death warmed over." and this poor girl even reached out for advice because it tasted so damn awful. 

Okay, so I was scared. Really scared. I was absolutely convinced that I was going to have to go through the messy job of packaging up my spirulina powder into tiny capsules and take them as an oral supplement instead. Which is super tedious, btw. 

I hate to say it, but I sort-of dreaded the day that I received my Sari Foods organic spirulina powder, because I knew I needed to actually taste what these people describe as "dirty pond water." 

I was NOT about to even try to mix a spoonful of this stuff with plain water, so I made it as a smoothie. There's this great smoothie recipe webpage that lists a bunch of different smoothie recipes and, lucky for me, they had a number of different spirulina smoothie recipes. 

I decided to make the spirulina banan-er smoothie, mostly because I had all of the ingredients. So, 1 banana, 1 teaspoon of raw honey, cinnamon, almond milk, vanilla kefir, and one heaping teaspoon of spirulina later, I have this crazzzyyyyy deep green smoothie. Like, bright green! I had no idea that little bit of spirulina would create something so... foresty!?!?! Here's a snapshot, I was really proud of my work here: 

Okay, may  have added a photo filter for aesthetic reasons, but with no filter, it seriouslyyyy is the greenest of greens!

 

After making my work of art, it was time for the real test.. after all, I couldn't leave this potentially awful tasting drink for my boyfriend, could I (it was really tempting). 

So I tried it. I tasted it. I loved it! I'm SERIOUS, guys. Apparently, the secret with spirulina is putting it in something like a smoothie, where other flavors will take over the flavor. Honestly, this didn't taste like a dirty pond at all!

I've had the smoothie a few times now and I'm always careful to add enough of the other ingredients so I don't taste the spirulina- like, at all. And I really do feel super healthy afterwards, but it could easily be a psychological thing, since I know I just consumed enough nutrients to blow Popeye to the other side of the room. "Screw you and your canned spinach, Popeye," I scream as I slam my empty, bright green smoothie glass onto the kitchen counter.

You can get your organic, clean pond spirulina (because, apparently, you can buy spirulina that comes from shady brands and, apparently, they really can have metals and toxins from legit dirty pond water in them, how gross is that!?!? STICK TO THE CLEAN STUFF, YOU GUYS).. what was I saying? Oh yeah. You can get your Sari Foods Organic Spirulina powder for $25.95 here, on good ol amazon. 

Saucy Skincare Review- InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner AND Youth Express Eye Gel

Lately I've reviewed a few products by the lovely Floridian skincare line, InstaNatural. They make a bunch of fun skincare products based from nature, including emu oil, vitamin B3 serum.. even moroccan rose water. Yum !

The InstaNatural team has a pretty satisfying mission statement too.. the founder of InstaNatural, AJ Founder (wait, really?) states that they "are committed towards researching and developing the BEST natural and organic skincare products, so you can feel comfortable and proud about what you put on your body. We at InstaNatural value the safety of our customers, therefore we reveal every single ingredient included in our products on the label. We wake up each day with a vision to provide the maximum value to you, our beloved customer. We are so confident in our products, that we back them all with our lifetime satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied for ANY reason, all you have to do is contact us and we will take care of you, no questions asked. Even though we have thousands of customers from all around the globe, we promise to treat you as if you’re our only customer!”

I dig the "full ingredient disclosure" business they mention. It's a huge pet peeve of mine when I purchase skincare products and can't seem to find a full ingredients list.

Anywho, InstNaturals sent me their eye serum and vitamin c toner to review and I'm a fan of both. The toner comes in a spray bottle, so you can spray it on directly after cleansing. It feels cool and refreshing and smells citrusy clean. Besides containing vitamin c, which brightens the skin. It also contains witch hazel, which helps prevent blemishes. If you're not a fan of spraying yourself in the face, that's just dandy- you can spray a bit on a cotton ball and gently wipe the wet cotton on your face. Or you could always unscrew the spray top off the bottle and saturate the cotton in the liquid. It no matter. I think a lot of people prefer the "spray on face" way because it's quick, easy , and uses less product. 

The eye gel feels cool and refreshing when applied to the eye area. It contains aloe vera and cucumber, which soothe the skin and relieve puffiness. Since it does have a gel texture, make sure you don't rub it in TOO much or it'll feel a bit sticky and gucky. I love putting this on first thing in the morning- makes me feel that much more awake on those early days. 

InstaNaturals hasn't failed me yet and I don't foresee it happening in the future (but we'll find out, because I have about five more InstaNatural product reviews on the way). You can purchase the entire InstaNatural line, including the toner and eye gel on amazon. Also, you really should check out their website here.

Saucy Skincare Review: The Battle of the Rosehip Oils

While hyaluronic acids, vitamin c serums, and facial oils have been taking the skincare world by storm, there is (at least) one more skin ingredient that I'm seeing a ton of these days- rosehip oil.


Harvested from the seeds of rosehip bushes mostly in Chile, rosehip oil is stock full of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to provide wonderful pleasure for the skin.. but, unlike other popular oils, like jojoba oil and olive oil, rosehip oil absorbs really quickly, so you don't have to worry about that yucky, greasy feeling all over your face.

I actually have received quite a few bottles of rosehip oil to review (told ya they were really popular right now). Rather than write four different reviews for rosehip seed oil, I'm going to condense them into one. These include InstaNatural, Dr Song, Yumi Beautiful, and UNi skincare.

Okay, so we know  that rosehip oil is full of lovely ingredients. And that it absorbs quickly. But, what exactly can it do? The benefits of rosehip oil are many, and vary from reducing scars, providing hydration, and soothing sensitive skin. In addition, it's also supposed to be pretty great as a cuticle oil, so there's that added bonus too.

Now, as to my four reviews... each and every one of these rosehip oils contain only rosehip oil. No additives, no alcohol, no parabens, nada. All of them are also 100% organic and claim to meet USDA certified organic standards. Two of them (Yumi Beautiful and UNi) are also certified by Ecocert, which is a French organic certification. To meet Ecocert standards, products must have

at least  95% plant-based ingredients and at least 10% must come from organic farming. 

So, that kinda puts Yumi Beautiful and UNi in the lead, right? Since they have that additional, fancy certification. 

However.. Yumi Beautiful, UNi, annnd InstaNatural rosehip oil is cold pressed. What does this mean? It means that these oils are extracted using steel presses that are temperature controlled- temperatures can't go over 120°F/ 49°C, actually. What does this mean? As you know, heat tends to take some of the fun out of things- like nutrients. So, cold pressed oils are supposed to have more nutrients and antioxidants than, er, other types of oils would. Kinda makes sense when you think about it, right? Oh, as for Dr. Song...... their amazon page says that the oil goes through a "special process in order to preserve nutrients." Buttttttttttt they don't actually say that it's cold-pressed. Until I actually see it out there, plain as day, I can't say here that it is cold pressed. I stand by my word, people!!

Value: Dr. Song and InstaNatural rosehip oil each come in a 4 oz container. InstaNatural currently runs at $21.95 on Amazon,  while Dr. Song's amazon price is a mere 19.95. The next largest size is by UNi and comes in a 2 oz. container. You can purchase this bad boy for $17.99. Annnnnnd finally, last but for sure not least, Yumi Naturals 1 oz organic rosehip oil is $16.95. 

And now... drumrolllllllllllll.. the award for "best rosehip seed oil everrrrrrrrrrrrr" goes to.......................................... InstaNatural!! InstaNatural's oil is 100% natural (wouldn't it be sooo screwed up if it actually wasn't natural, with a name like that), USDA organic, and cold pressed, meaning that it has more nutrients packed into it. For $21.95 on Amazon, you can get a huge 4 oz bottle that will surely last you quite a while. 

Runner up: Yumi Beautiful! While Yumi is also cold  pressed and USDA organic, it's also meets Ecocert standards, providing for extra organic-ness. See above for my explanation of what exactly Ecocert means. 

Other things to consider: Price, of course. Though these are within $5 of each other, one must bear in mind that you could  pay, for example, $16.95 for 1 oz of cold pressed, organic, ecocert oil, or $21.95 for 4 ounces of the same thing.. minus the Ecocert certification. So, use your judgment. Maybe you're one of those uber organic-y people and you are all about getting a smaller bottle for that certification. It's all good, you guys. It's allllll good.

Saucy Skincare Review: InstaNatural's Deep Cleansing Facial Oil

You may have heard about one of the latest trends in skincare - oil cleansing. A lot of people, myself included, were initially really skeptical about the idea of slathering oils all over our face to deep cleanse, hydrate, and help with breakouts? It didn't seem likely to me, especially with the combination / oily skin I have. I already have to spend extra time maintaining my skin, so.. why would I add more oil to it?

The thing is that people assume all oils are heavy, comedogenic (pore clogging) monsters, while this isn't the case at all. Take tea tree oil for example- this is an antifungal, antibacterial type of oil that helps to actually dry up blemishes (see my review of Apothecary Extract's tea tree oil here). Different types of oil have different molecular structures and, therefore, affect the skin in different ways. Actually, I found this chat that lists a bunch of different kinds of oils (and other common skincare ingredients) and their comedogenic ratings and I posted it for you beauties below. I hope you'll find it super informative. I sure did.

Side note / rant: Please notice that coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4. That means that it's pretty probable that it will clog your skin and cause breakouts. I hear sooo many sensitive /fair skinned women talk about how wonderful coconut oil is.. and, while it may be okay for the body, where the skin is thicker and less sensitive, I really wouldn't recommend it for regular facial use unless you have highly tolerant skin. 

Anyway, rant over, here you go:

0 = Will not clog pores
1= Low
2= Moderately low
3= Moderate
4= Fairly high
5= High

 

So, there you go. I'd personally save the file to your phone, computer, wherever, and refer to it before purchasing new skincare products.  Do some ingredients research before purchasing said product! You'd be surprised at the crap that's in the stuff out there.

Anyway, facial cleansing oils can have tons of benefits that don't include clogging the pores, such as hydrating, anti-aging, even helping to clear blemishes. Let's talk about the lovely InstaNatural's deep cleansing facial oil. The ingredients of this oil are all love. So much love that I'll include all of them, and I have to actually type them all out because I can't find a full list. And that takes work. So, here goes: 

organic jojoba oil, olive oil, lavender essential oil, pink grapefruit essential oil, geranium essential oil, organic passionflower, hemp oil, camellia oleifera oil, tamanu oil (which comes from these tree nuts from Polynesia and is apparently amaaaazing for the skin), sea buckthorn oil, wheat germ oil. 

A lot of these oils you won't see in the list above because they are essential oils and not really the same as buying a huge bottle of, say, canola oil. That's okay! If you've read my previous posts, it's pretty likely that you've heard me babble about essential oils and how amazing they are. Lavender oil, for example, is calming, soothing, and a mild anti-bacterial agent. Grapefruit is good for acneic skin, as it is antiviral and antimicrobial. Sea buckthorn is a powerful antioxidant. You get the idea. And, by the way, don't be frightened that the olive oil and jojoba oil are listed with a comedogenic rating of 2- I have pretty sensitive skin and have used both jojoba and olive oil on my skin alone with no negative results. In fact, I was surprised to see that jojoba oil had a "2" rating, as I've only heard people rave about the results of using jojoba on the skin. 

#InstaNatural's deep cleansing facial oil comes in a dark amber bottle, which is a huge plus, since light or clear colored bottles with oils like this could spoil when exposed to sunlight. The directions say to put it on your skin with a cloth, but I prefer to use my fingers so I can really get it into the little crevices and spend extra time around my eye area (by the way, this works great to remove eye makeup). After cleansing, just rinse the oil off with water. I prefer to remove with water, then follow with my toner.. this is probably just because I'm paranoid that acne-prone skin girl like me is going to break out.. either way, I could still feel the oil on my skin afterwards, which made me feel all yummy and hydrated and ready for bedtime. By the way, due to my skin type, I only use this oil at night. I personally feel that it's a bit too heavy for my skin type to use twice a day, but, since our body craves that extra hydration at night, I feel like cleansing at night is perfect for me. Though this could change as the winter months approach, since everyone's skin tends to get more dry. 

I actually really love InstaNaturals' deep cleansing facial oil. I like that the ingredients are straight-up awesomeness. No fillers, no yucky stuff. I like leaving a bit of the oil on my face overnight, due to all of the benefits that all of these oils do. In the morning, my skin has a nice, dewy look to it. Kinda really dig that. And I really dig those InstaNatural peeps out there in Florida. 

InstaNatural has tons of other yummy products! Check out their website here. You can also find their products, including their facial oil here on amazon for $19.95. Get on with your badass natural self. 

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers

Saucy Skincare Review- Petunia Skincare's Derma Roller AND Vitamin C Serum

Let it be known that I've wanted to use a derma roller for a long, long time. I find it so interesting that one would want to roll itty bitty tiny needles all over their face. The thing kinda looks like a torture device from the medieval period, actually. But, there's something to be said about creating tiny little wounds all over your face. Have you guys ever heard of the fraxel or pixel laser system? In a medical setting, it creates hundreds of pixelated, tiny wounds in the skin. More intense than the dermal roller, you better have the rest of the day to chill in your home after having this type of treatment, because, trust me, you're NOT going to want to show your face in public. In fact, check out this pic of my leg, immediately after one pixel treatment I did over a leg scar.

You LITERALLY cna see little square wound-type things all over my scar. Weirrrrrrrrrrrd!!!

 Over a series of treatments, the pixel system is said to help with scarring, particularly acne scarring. And it does!

But of course, who wants to have to hide in their home for an entire day ? After all, we gots things to DO! That's why the derma roller is supposed to be so awesome- because it's quick, easy, and doesn't leave you looking like a total psycho afterwards. Oh, and DUH, because you can do it in the convenience of your own cute little bathroom.

So, again, this works by basically creating super tiny wounds in your skin, which would then activate collagen to help with wound healing. We love collagen because, besides healing wounds, it also adds strength and elasticity. Of course, as we age, collagen production decreases.

Petunia Skincare is pretty confident in their derma roller, claiming that you will get the following out of it:
- Firmer and thicker skin
- Help smooth facial scars
- Stimulate collagen and elastin production
- Help with scar removal and stretch marks
- Stimulate hair growth
- Diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
- Save money from surgical and laser treatments
- Can be used on any part of the skin
- Creates multi micro-channels in the skin, allowing products more able to penetrate the skin at a deeper level than just surface application.

Some of these things I can definitely vouch for (saving money, duh), but do I really want to increase hair growth on my face?? Let's clarify this a little, #PetuniaSkincare, because I am not about that, I'm already dealing with enough hormonal hair changes. UGH.

Now, they say you're supposed to use the derma roller after cleansing, in every direction- up down, sideways, at an angle.. in order to create enough wounds. And, let me tell you, it kind-of really hurts!! You definitely don't need to apply pressure and, hopefully, you won't feel the need to, because you'll definitely feel it without any. With that being said, my skin didn't really look red or irritated afterwards, and I was super happy that my entire face didn't look like my leg after the pixel treatment.

Since the micro needler is producing tiny little open wounds, its great to apply product immediately afterward, as it will penetrate the skin better. I used Petunia's vitamin c serum that they kindly sent to me. This serum mixes vitamin c with hyaluronic acid and ferulic acid, a powerful antioxidant obtained from plant stem cells.

This vitamin c serum did stand out from all of the other ones that I have tried, as this has a pretty, light pink color. It has a nice scent to it that reminds me of sweet tea and is slightly, slightly thicker than other vitamin c serums I have tried. It felt a bit stronger than the other ones too, though it still didn't sting, like some vitamin c serums do.

I haven't used the derma roller every day, as I personally think that that's a bit too much for my delicate skin. I try to use it a few times a week, and I always use the vitamin c serum afterwards, and every night. I will say that, lately, I've noticed my skin has a nice glow to it.

You can find the above products, and then some, at Petunia's website here. In their "about" section, they state that they "use many natural ingredients, of which many are organic, however we are not here to build up the hype of  'all natural and organic' products because we do not want to reinforce the idea that natural is good and synthetic is wrong. Just think “poison ivy”. I totally respect their straight-up, no bullshit statement and that they aren't claiming to be an all organic company because "that's the cool thing right now." You go, Petunia skincare, and I'd be honored to review more of your stuff.


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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers