Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa

The Brand: Vichy Laboratoires is the number 1 skincare brand in European pharmacies. All Vichy products are hypoallergenic, formulated & tested on sensitive skin & combine soothing Vichy Thermal Spa Water with the latest innovations stemming from dermatological research. Vichy Thermal Spa Water from the hot springs of the town of Vichy, France, soothes sensitive skin & reinforces the skin's natural protection.

What Vichy Claims: Inspired by the Vichy Thermal Spa, this ultra-comfortable, velvety sleep mask infuses the skin with hydration overnight, when skin is most receptive to treatments. Skin is soft, smooth and supple by morning.

The Low Down on Sleep Masks: Overnight sleeping masks aren't a new trend. They're prevalent in Korean skincare and have been adopted internationally since (like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask). As the name suggests, you slather on the mask and let it work its charm while you get a good night's sleep without bothering about getting the mask on your pillow, because these are formulated to stick to your skin and renew it.

Packaging: It comes in a blue glass jar (which is kinda heavy by the way) with a white plastic screw on lid and looks pretty sophisticated.

Scent & Texture: Personally I love the smell of Vichy products and this was no exception. It has a mild floral smell which is not too overpowering. The cream itself is bluish in colour and has a dense gel like consistency but goes on transparent on the skin.

How to Use: Now this can be used as a night cream, an intensive treatment or as a sleeping mask.
When using as a night cream, take a tiny amount of the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa, rub onto your neck and skin.
If you're using it as a sleeping mask, then apply a thin layer and let it get absorbed for a few minutes before you sleep.
For an intensive treatment, apply a thick layer of the cream onto the face and neck, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and wipe off the excess. Or what I like to do instead of wiping the stuff off is to get a detoxifying face massage with the leftover cream till it's absorbed.

Ingredients List: Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Carpric Triglyceride, Squalene, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol among others.

My Experience: If I find a brand that works for my sensitive combination skin, i stick to it. Here in comes my love for Vichy. Their formulations are aimed specifically at sensitive skin, are mild concoctions and do not break me out, yet always give me desired results. The Aqualia Thermal Night Spa was no exception. I use it as a night cream and as a sleeping mask when I need that excess dose of hydration. It has been a boon specially during these dry winter months.

Pros:

• It is Paraben-free. 
• Formulated with Hyaluronic acid known to replenish the hydration levels of skin.
• It gets easily absorbed into skin.
• Scent is mild and does not irritate the nose.
• Did not cause breakouts on sensitive skin.
• Replenishes, smoothens and re-plumps skin overall (based on 4 weeks of usage), gives visibly hydrated smooth skin the next morning.

Cons: Tub packaging. Nothing else I can think of!

Price: INR 1690/- only

Availability: Available in India on Nykaa.com and Amazon.in

Final Verdict: I would rate it a solid 5/5. If you have dry skin and craving hydration, go buy this baby, you won't regret it! :)

Za Skincare Total Hydration Range

About the company: The Za skincare range is all the rage in Japan and was introduced in India by Shiseido a couple of years ago.

Here's what the company's website had to say:

 Za is a total beauty brand supporting Next Asian Generation by offering various beauty solutions - skincare, makeup and Men’s grooming product. It is currently launched in 14 countries in Asia, such as Japan, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, etc. Za products are developed to realise the fast and reliable product performances despite its simple step.

P.S. However due to lower sales apparently they will discontinue the skincare line by the end of 2015. :(

Za has introduced three ranges in India - Za Perfect Solution for mature skin, Za True White for healthy skin whitening and Za Total Hydration for its younger audience. 

Za Total Hydration Range is aimed for people in their 20s. It is enriched with Hyaluronic acid as one of the main ingredients which helps maintain supple and youthful skin.

What the Range Promises: Resolves dryness and stickiness. For resilient skin with less visible pores. Full of the moisture and ingredients that the skin needs. Results in smooth skin that glows from within.


Packaging: The cute pink bottles with ergonomic design are a wonder to behold. And I am not exaggerating. When it comes to cute packaging, Japanese skincare brands can do no wrong. The bottles are sleek and easy to carry, the caps fit snugly and they are travel friendly if you don't mind lugging over 100ml of products.
                                

I got my hands on 3 products from their Total Hydration Range:

1. Fresh Lucent Toner
2. Milky Moisturizer
3. Hydration Mist

Read on to find out how they fared for my sensitive combination skin type.

• Za Total Hydration Fresh Lucent Toner: Instantly hydrates skin to impart a look of healthy radiance and a vibrant glow.

How to Use: Smooth an appropriate amount (1.5ml) over the entire face with hand after cleansing. When using a cotton pad, smooth over gently from the center of the face outwards. (I personally use the cotton pad method)

Ingredients List:

My Experience: It is a clear, watery liquid with very mild fragrance which does not persist on the face. The back lists alcohol as one of the ingredients, but there is no stinging (this is coming from a person with very sensitive skin) sensation or smell of alcohol. It is quite soothing and does live up to its claim of giving you supple, hydrated and clean skin.

Price: Rs. 549 for 175ml

• Za Total Hydration Milky Moisturizer: Minimises greasiness and gives the skin a smooth-textured vibrant glow.

How to Use: Smooth an appropriate amount (1.0ml) over face with hand after toner or lotion from the center of the face outwards.

Ingredients List:

My Experience: It is of a lightweight, runny and milky consistency that gets absorbed into the skin easily and keeps it supple and hydrated while imparting a dewy glow. However, I found it to be inadequate in winters on its own. It is a wonderful moisturizer for those sultry Indian summers. A little goes a long way with this moisturier. It spreads easily but if you go overboard with it the skin tends to feel sticky. It works as a good skin primer prior to application of BB or CC creams. Due to its light, watery consistency it would suit a lot of different skin types.

Price: Rs. 599 for 150ml

• Za Total Hydration Energy Mist: Instantly restores dryness and other daytime hazards and makes skin smooth and radiant.

How to Use: Hold 15cm away from the face and spray a few times to apply an appropriate amount over the entire face, and smooth it out with the palm of the hand. It can also be used over makeup.

Ingredients List:

My Experience: Ideal for summers, this is a light weight water based spray that comes with a built in nozzle to disperse the liquid evenly on the face. Do not expect it to work wonders. The energy mist hydrates the skin and makes it glow instantly. I feel like it's a fine suspension of water and moisturizer, since it does feel a little oily when you massage it into the skin but it leaves no oily residue, just soft dewy skin. However, it makes light coverage liquid foundation run streaky when used over makeup, so I would not recommend using it to set make up.

Price: Rs. 549 for 80ml

Overview of the Za Total Hydration Range:

Pros:

• None of these products have broken me out. Most skincare lines either break me out or leave my skin red and inflamed.
• They have a mild florally smell which does not irritate the nose.
• The range lives up to its claim of imparting dewy, radiant skin with regular use.
• It provides adequate hydration to the skin during summer months.
• All three products are refreshing on the skin and will suit different skin types as they are formulated for 'all skin types'

Cons:

• Does contain parabens.
• Pricey.

Final Verdict: Go for the Za Total Hydration range if you need hydrating care during mild asian climes. They work amazingly well for sensitive skinned beauties and can be used by different skin types.

Buy Za products online from Nykaa.com at http://www.nykaa.com/brands/za.html

Skin care 101: Exfoliation, Do I Really Need It?

Up until high school my skin was pretty clear, then came the lone pimple, followed by the battalion of cystic acne and a bout of bad skin aided and abetted by hectic schedules of classes, assignments, untimely meals comprising mostly of junk food and severe lack of sleep! Naturally, I started pummeling my facial skin with a tide of face washes which made my skin dull and raw. Enter mom. And as always mums know best! She suggested exfoliation and voila! I have never stopped using them since.

Here's a quick FAQ on Exfoliation aimed at keeping your visage sparkling...

Q. DO I NEED EXFOLIATION?

A. Scrubbing or Exfoliation should be an essential part of our skincare routine. Scrubbing helps to buff away dry,dead skin cells to reveal smooth and fresh cells underneath. Exfoliation helps fights against aging because it stimulates blood and lymph flow and cell turnover, thus resulting in smoother and younger looking skin.

Exfoliation has the following benefits:

- to remove dead skin cells, grease and impurities from the surface of the skin…. - allowing fresh new cells to be exposed, therefore improving the appearance of the skin. - skin preparations after exfoliating such as moisturizers, mask products penetrate easier into the skin. - the blood circulation increases, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, therefore improving the skin color. - hyper pigmentation improves as the pigmented surface skin cells is removed.

Q. WHEN SHOULD I EXFOLIATE?
A. Exfoliation should be done once or twice a week depending on the needs of your skin(and NOT more than that unless you want to end up with raw, sensitive skin) preferably after your CT (Cleansing Toning) routine and before applying face masks. Don't forget to moisturize after scrubbing even if you are an oily skinned beauty!

Q. WHAT KIND OF EXFOLIATOR IS SUITED TO MY SKIN TYPE?
A. Natural is the best way to go if you have time at your hands. Great nourishing scrubs can be made out of things right in your kitchen! A mixture of brown sugar and olive/baby oil works for all skin types. For more such home made scrubs visit DIY Exfoliating Scrubs

Physical cream exfoliators Cream scrubs contain micro-beads in a moisturizing cream or lotion base, and are great for people with dry skin. Just be wary when choosing with the type of beads in the creams. Some contain sharp-edged beads that can leave micro-scratches on your skin, so look for creamy exfoliators that have rounded beads instead.TRY: Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish, Clinique 7-day scrub cream rinse off formula, Himalaya Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub, Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub Physical gel exfoliators Gel scrubs give the same results as cream scrubs but are in gel form so they are better for oily and combination skin types. TRY: Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel,Fabindia Orange and Cinnamon face and body gel scrub, Himalaya Neem Scrub Chemical exfoliators These exfoliators use glycolic, lactic, citric, or salicylic acid to chemically remove dead cells on the surface of the skin, which is also good for people with oily skin. If you have never used a chemical exfoliator before, start using it only once or twice a week, at night—once your skin adjusts, you can increase the number of times used per week. However these can be too drying and may end up doing more harm than good if used frequently with a heavy hand. Start by using scrubs having salicylic or glycolic base to see your skin’s reaction to it. TRY: Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub, Neutrogena rapid Clear Foaming Scrub

Cloth or pad exfoliators These gentle manual exfoliators are meant to cater to all skin types, except for people with skin issues. They can also help with acne problems, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Like any manual scrub, always follow product instructions and be careful not to go overboard.    Exfoliation for Men Yes men need exfoliation too. Not only because it gets rid of the grease from their skin, but it also helps to soften it, giving it a better appearance. Men and women (that have oily skin) both have something in common: they have a thick Epidermis, prone to shine and acne. Exfoliating products for men are often stronger with more granules in them, because men generally have thicker skin than women.
TRY: Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub, Garnier Men Scrub, St.Ives Apricot face Scrub

Q. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SCRUB MY FACE?
A. Dermatologist Dr.David A. Colbert says, “How often you exfoliate depends on your age and skin texture. Younger people tend to have oilier skin and will be able handle more scrubbing. People with more mature skin will have a thinner epidermis and will need to do less with a proper product catered to their skin type." Too much of anything isn't good for you. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating two to three times a week maximum, depending on your skin type. Someone with eczema or dry skin should not be exfoliating more than someone who has oily skin. You will be able to gauge how your skin reacts to scrubs and create your own exfoliating routine. If you do over-scrub your face, stop immediately and let your skin heal.

Q.WHAT FOLLOW UP PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
A. Scrubbing or Exfoliating opens up your pores to clean from within. It is a good habit to use a pore closing product like an alcohol free toner (or plain ice from your fridge!) after exfoliation so that dirt doesn’t accumulate in the pores subsequently causing acne.
Also a good moisturization regimen is must if you have dry skin, as sometimes exfoliation may make your skin drier.

• Important Points To Note:

- Always work with warm water when exfoliating. An exfoliating product can be too uncomfortable when applied on it’s own.

- NEVER use body exfoliators on your face.

- Do not apply make-up immediately after exfoliating. This is why you should exfoliate at night.

- Do not exfoliate after shaving facial hair.

- When exfoliating twice a week, do not do this two days in a row. Seperate these days within the week so that your skin cells can regenerate well.

- Try to use exfoliating products on your neck area also.

- Exfoliation is not recommended for those with highly sensitive skin, or pustular, blemished skin.

- Avoid exfoliating products that contain sharp grains of nut shells, as these can scrape, split and damage your skin.

- Always test the product on the back of your hand before purchasing.

-If you have a medical condition please consult your dermatologist.

If you are averse to using chemical exfoliants going natural is a great way when you have time in your hands.
Try: DIY Exfoliating Scrubs from right within your kitchen cabinets!

Hope I could help with your questions regarding exfoliation. Have some more? Feel free to let me know in the comments section below and i’ll try and answer as soon as possible.