Tag: skincare review

THE TRUTH ABOUT KYLIE SKIN!

Published on by Lee2 Comments

So as soon as Kylie mentioned she was moving into skincare, the beauty world held its breath in anticipation and penciled the release date in their calendars – we needn’t remind you that Kylie cosmetics typically sell out in 24 hours! Like I said in my Kylie Skin Review, since its’ launch, many people including beauty gurus have been praising the line as well as critiquing it.

The main concerns from the public are about the two ingredients used in her product line – squalane and hydroxyacetophenone. The issues seem to be around the sourcing of these ingredients, which I don’t find to be a problem (read on). Instead, my only issue is the use of vitamin C and sodium benzoate in the Kylie Skin cleanser.

Kylie Skin — Squalane and Hydroxyacetophenone Controversy

After reviewing multiple critiques about the issue, I want to take defense for Kylie Skin about these two ingredients. The official website and Kylie herself stated that all Kylie Skin products are vegan and cruelty-free. However, according to the widespread critiques, in Kylie Skin products’ ingredient list, squalane, which is found in both the Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner and Kylie Skin Walnut Face Scrub, is derived from sharks; Hydroxyacetophenone, used in Foaming face wash and Vanilla Milk Toner, is derived from beavers. If this were true, that would make the ingredients the products decidedly un-“cruelty-free” since these are taken from animals.

However, it’s important to know that there are alternative ways to obtain these ingredients, and such alternatives can make Kylie’s products compatible with being vegan and cruelty-free. For instance, chemists used to derive solely squalane from shark liver oils, but they’ve now found ways to derive squalane from olives and sugarcane.

I actually just wrote a comprehensive blog post that explains the difference between these two types of squalane, and we found that both sugarcane-derived squalane and olive-derived squalane are high-quality and actually more economical to source than shark livers, especially sugarcane in the latter regard. In fact, most skincare products nowadays have already stopped using the shark-derived squalane, instead using plant-derived squalane. Think about it this way, if you can get the same quality of squalane from olives or sugarcane, why do you want to take it from sharks that are very costly and may make your brand nefarious to ever-increasing numbers of people who want cruelty-free ingredients? Besides, as Kylie clarified later, her squalane is from olives.

Another controversial ingredient was hydroxyacetophenone, which is used in the Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash and Kylie Skin Vanilla Milk Toner. There are three types of hydroxyacetophenone: 2-Hydroxyacetophenone, 3-Hydroxyacetophenone, and 4-Hydroxyacetophenone. Of these, only the 3-Hydroxyacetophenone is from mature beavers and it can’t even be used as an ingredient in personal care products. According to Chemicalbook.com, 3-Hydroxyacetophenone is a hazardous chemical compound which may cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. It’s even recommended for lab researchers to wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after handling this material due to its harm to skin. And unlike many ingredients that are warned about in only very high concentrations, small amounts of 3-hydroxyacetophenone can be a problem. As you can see, it’s quite obvious that this is not the type of Hydroxyacetophenone used in the Kylie Skin ingredients.

However, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is the one that was used in Kylie Skin products — a completely different compound. 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is an ingredient that can be commonly used in pharmaceutical drugs, and it’s found in needles and mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruces, which makes it compatible with being vegan. It works with preservatives to boost its efficacy and prevent skincare products from corrosions.

My Actual Concern: Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash

Rather than these two ingredients, I have more concerns about the formula used in Foaming Face Wash. The official websites describes this cleanser as “infused with ultra-nourishing kiwi seed oil, packed with Vitamin C and E to help maintain moisture and improve elasticity.”

However, in the ingredient list I’ve found a debating combination: Vitamin C and sodium benzoate. These two ingredients are known to create benzene together in the presence of light and air. Kylie Skin foaming face wash’ transparent package is apparently not enough to protect the contents from light, and may leave the product vulnerable to outside light, so I wouldn’t want to use it. Further, it’s a known fact that skin care products contain Vitamin C should be stored in opaque and airless containers. Kylie Skin did a great job on airless packaging as none of its product is stored in jars, but the transparent packages of face wash again can make the beneficial ingredients inside like vitamin C lose its potency due to the exposure to light.

Last but not least, walnut scrub is one product that receives a lot of critiques about its main ingredient: walnut shell powder. It’s scientifically shown to be impossible to make walnut shell particles smooth, and therefore may cause microscopic scrapes on skin during the usage. It does sound frightening, but it works pretty much the same way as all physical exfoliators do. Typically, physical exfoliators are more harsh, and more difficult to handle since some of them may bring irritation and sensitivities to skin. That’s why the majority of dermatologists recommend using chemical exfoliators instead, since chemical exfoliators are proven to work more effective and more gentle on skin. My recommendation for using the walnut face scrub is to use carefully and gently, use it less often than you did with other exfoliators, most importantly, pay attention to how your skin react and adjust your way of using it based on your skin conditions.

Bottom Line

I like the Kylie Skin line overall, and do find it to be cruelty-free, despite the controversy you might read online elsewhere. But I would avoid the Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash, if for no other reason than its combination of vitamin C and sodium benzoate, which I do not like.

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Disclaimer:

The purpose of this blog is for skin care and beauty-related reviews and tips only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. Information posted should not be construed as personal medical advice. Posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease.

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Does Kylie Skin Live Up To The Hype? Our HONEST Thoughts

Published on by Lee4 Comments

Making the move from color cosmetics to skincare is no easy task – it’s a completely different ball game!

During the month of May, 21-year-old Kylie Jenner, the well-known youngest billionaire expanded her beauty empire by launching yet another brand under her name — Kylie Skin. She dropped seven skin care products, and all of them sold out within 10 minutes. There have been many praises as well as critiques, so my friends and I thought why not try the collection out for ourselves.

Our First Impression

When we saw the initial range of products, we were really impressed as it contains most of our fave skincare essentials (except SPF!). All of the products are also cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, and sulfate-free, which is a nice added bonus. The packaging is simple and cute, and of course, totally on-brand. Overall, it felt a little luxe, especially for the price point.

Step 1: Foaming Face Wash, $24

This is possibly our favorite product in the range. It honestly feels like velvet on your skin and it doesn’t leave it feeling dry or tight as it’s packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin. It also boasts kiwi seed oil, a rich source of vitamin C and E, which are powerful antioxidants that help brighten your skin and protect it from damaging free radicals. It’s a very gentle cleanser, so although it should work well for most skin types, we recommend this as a second cleansing step if you’re removing makeup and SPF (or use this twice), to ensure all traces of dirt are gone.

Step 2: Walnut Scrub, $22

Ahh yes, the super controversial walnut scrub! Before this product was even released, the industry went crazy over the use of walnuts, which many skincare brands avoid due to the increased risk of over-exfoliation. Walnut shells cannot be ground to be completely smooth, they have a jagged edge and therefore could risk scratching and over-exfoliating your skin – hence, all the drama!

In the name of beauty, of course, we tried it! The result? Well, we didn’t break out, and our face definitely didn’t feel terrible! We used this scrub as gently as we could, and while some of us were left a little pink, some of us simply loved the smooth result. Ultimately, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, we wouldn’t recommend using this. If you do want to give it a go, be as gentle as possible and don’t use it more often than twice a week. Our personal preference when it comes to exfoliators is chemical exfoliators.

Step 3: Vanilla Milk Toner, $22

We instantly loved the idea of a hydrating milk toner. The formula is packed with hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, and apricot kernel oil to name a few. Interestingly, the milk toner was one of the few products that had a noticeable scent, and it really did smell good. This was definitely one of our fave products; we loaded up a cotton pad and it applied really well and felt luxurious on the skin. However, this isn’t the type of toner that will make a dramatic difference to your skin, although it is very hydrating and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. The formula is also very rich, so we wouldn’t recommend it for acne-prone skin as it could be too heavy.

Step 4: Vitamin C Serum, $28

Vitamin C is one ingredient that every skin expert loves and it’s one of the most powerful antioxidants on the shelves. Vitamin C helps brighten your complexion, and even out skin tone. Not only does the serum contain this key ingredient, but it also features camellia leaf extract and safflower oil to hydrate and replenish the skin.

We really like the texture of this serum; it glides onto the skin and sinks in quickly. We used one pump of this every morning (vitamin C can help boost the efficacy of SPF) to help protect our skin during the day, and although after just a couple of weeks we didn’t notice a huge difference, our skin was looking a little less dull. However, the packaging does recommend using it morning and night, so you may see better results with increased use. We also wish the 20ml bottle contained a little more serum (the standard is 30ml) as with twice-daily use this will finish more rapidly.

Step 5: Eye Cream, $20

The eye cream received rave reviews online and when we saw the ingredient list we were excited. Boasting vitamin E, C, caffeine, green tea extract, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and pomegranate extract; it’s a beauty junkie dream list. The formula is very thick and creamy, as is typical of some eye creams, however, it could be a bit too heavy for some skin types, and would probably suit mature or dry skin best. As the formula is very thick, it didn’t sink into our skin easily, and there was a slight stinging sensation when we first applied it, although this wasn’t long-lasting. It’s not our fave eye cream, but it’s very hydrating.

Step 6: Face Moisturizer, $24

The moisturizer is super hydrating and nourishing and contains shea butter, sodium hyaluronate (aka hyaluronic acid), and glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture into the skin). It also packs antioxidants in the form of banana leaf, oat bran, and orange peel extract. The formula is also fragrance-free, so we did notice a slight pharmaceutical scent.

After trying the moisturizer consistently for a week, our skin was undoubtedly softer. The formula is quite rich, so if you have dry to normal skin this is perfect. Alternatively, it would be a great moisturizer for the winter months as it’s super hydrating. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, we’d suggest giving it a miss as it contains so many rich ingredients.

Makeup Removing Wipes, $10

As far as makeup wipes go, these do the job! We used two to thoroughly remove our cake face (we wish they were slightly ‘wetter’) and then we followed with a cleanser (not the best routine for the environment!). The wipes are packed with hydrating ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and cucumber so they don’t leave your skin feeling dry. With that said, they’re not the softest face wipes we’ve ever used, and if you have sensitive skin they may tingle a little. Overall, if you can’t quit makeup wipes, we do feel there are better, more affordable drugstore options available.

Our Final Verdict

The Kylie Skin range has your basic skin routine covered (although don’t forget SPF!), and we like that this range makes skincare feel easy. The website also has a helpful guide of when to use the products. Our favorite products are the vanilla milk toner and moisturizer; they’re simple and packed with hydrating ingredients (although they might not work for all skin types).

This is definitely a hydrating skincare routine so it’s a good all-rounder, but it won’t address any tricky skin concerns and it’s probably better suited to teens and 20s and normal to combo skin types. We’re looking forward to seeing what Kylie adds to the line, and hoping to see a face SPF, a pimple treatment, and a face mask that will get us ready for the ‘gram!

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Would you guys try this range? Let us know in the comments.

This $12 Cooling Mask Is The Best Thing To Use Before Makeup

Published on by Lee1 Comment

If you’re anything like me, you find Amazon a little addictive – there are so many cool gadgets and unique beauty products that you won’t find anywhere else. My latest discovery that I’m totally obsessed with is this Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Bead Full Facial Mask, $12, which is perfect for wearing before makeup, and I love that you can use this over and over again!

I like to keep the mask in my fridge and use it cold for 10 minutes before I start my makeup routine. The cold from the mask helps depuff, tighten pores, and smooth the skin by constricting blood vessels and reducing the natural heat in the skin. I feel like it also really helps smooth out the appearance of fine lines and just generally has a tightening effect on my skin. In fact, applying something cold to your face is so good that the Victoria’s Secret models famously do ice facials before a show. And, although ice facials work so well, I feel like this cooling mask is just as effective and way less hassle than splashing your face in freezing water. You can also use this mask if you have sunburn, puffy eyes or a headache, to help calm and soothe.

I love that this can be used hot as well – if you’ve ever tried steam eye masks, you’ll know how therapeutic it feels. So, before you go to sleep, you can pop this in the microwave briefly, and then wear it while it’s warm. By using the mask hot, it helps improve blood circulation, relieve eye strain, and just generally helps majorly zen you out. If you get dry eyes in winter, the heat from the mask can help to moisten your eyes as well.

The best thing is the mask has a really soft lining to it, so it’s really comfortable to wear (although sometimes I wear it with the beads next to my skin, so it feels extra cold)! It also has two Velcro straps to secure it, which means you can basically do anything while you’re wearing it!

Would you guys try this? Let me know in the comments below.

One Thing You Never Thought Of Doing With Oil

Published on by Lee2 Comments

It sounds extra AF, but swishing oil around your mouth might just be the best thing for your health and skin, seriously! The idea comes from ancient Ayurvedic medicine and involves taking a tablespoon of oil and swishing it around your mouth like mouthwash, for twenty minutes. Believe it or not, this detoxifying method actually has a ton of health benefits that improve oral health, and it can even improve acne, whiten your teeth, help with headaches, and detox your entire body.

How To Do Oil Pulling:

On an empty stomach – first thing in the morning is the best time – swish a tablespoon of oil around your mouth for twenty minutes (at least ten minutes if you’re in a hurry). Our preference is coconut oil, because obvs we have a ton lying around and it’s also antibacterial, but you can also use sesame, olive or sunflower oil. Initially, it might feel a little gross, but persist, and like us, you might even end up enjoying the experience! It should always be done on an empty stomach, so wait at least four hours after eating, and an hour after drinking.

Whatever you do, don’t swallow the oil; otherwise, you’ll basically allow all the toxins that have been drawn out to go into your stomach. Once you’ve swished for 15-20 minutes, spit it out in your bin. You can do almost anything (except speak) while you do this, but keep an eye on the time, as if you do it much longer than 20 minutes, it’s possible that the toxins could be reabsorbed into your body. Rinse your mouth with warm water or salt water, and brush your teeth.

How Oil Pulling Works:

how oil pulling works

It’s quite gross to think about, but your mouth is filled with bacteria, fungi, toxins, and plaque. Oil pulling literally cleanses your mouth by drawing out all the toxins from your gums and teeth, before they’re able to spread to the rest of your body.

Why Oil Pulling is Awesome:

Who’d have thought that you can forego a ton of expensive beauty products simply by following this daily ritual? Oil pulling is an amazing way to improve your health and detox your body, skin, and gums. Though there’s yet to be significant research into oil pulling, promising results have been found, and many doctors recommend it – apparently, Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley are fans. Here’re just some of the amazing benefits:

Skin-clearing: Catching out nasty toxins before they reach the rest of your body has a huge impact on your skin. The same way washing your skin gets rid of surface bacteria, oil pulling gets rid of bacteria that causes skin problems before they have a chance to take hold. Reports have shown that oil pulling for a month has helped improve acne and eczema.

Teeth whitening and fresh breath: Oil pulling can remove surface stains from your teeth, and because the fats in oil can dissolve plaque, it prevents plaque build-up and reduces the risk of tooth cavities for an extra white smile. The removal of bacteria from your mouth also results in fresher breath throughout the day.

Detoxes your body: The mouth is our gateway to the majority of substances in our body, by removing bacteria from the mouth before it has a chance to reach the rest of your body it majorly impacts on your health.

Increases energy: Our immune system works 24/7 to eliminate toxic waste from the body. By getting rid of these nasty toxins at the source before your body has to, it saves precious energy to be spent on other activities.

Reduces headaches and hangovers: We’ll be honest, anything that promises to cure a hangover is worth trying; the process of oil pulling will remove alcohol toxins still lurking in your body from the night before, helping you and your body feel much better. Headaches and migraines can be a reaction to your body being under toxic stress; so extract the toxins, reduce the stress!

Why Coconut Oil is Our FAVE:

We’ve found that coconut oil, (try to use 100% raw organic cold-pressed coconut oil) is the best oil to use. Not only is it easy to find and inexpensive, but it’s also by far the best tasting of the bunch. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid that has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, while Vitamin E is rich in antioxidants and it’s antibacterial. If you’re going to have oil in your mouth for twenty minutes, it should at least taste okay!

Oil pulling can easily become part of your morning routine: swish while you shower and tone, or while you get dressed and scroll your Insta feed. If you’re at home, take advantage of the period after lunch before dinner and swish on an empty stomach while you watch TV.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?