This is a heavy dense cream (and I am glad it came with a spoon!). A little amount goes a long way especially during the day. I have to wait about 5 minutes before applying my sunscreen.
I road-tested this cream for 30 days, using it for both my day and night cream and I estimate I have used over 50 per cent of this cream.
The cons of the product
Without a doubt, its the smell, which took me a few days to get used to. I lent this to my brother, who after one semi-use, who literally threw it back to me. He re-affirmed what I instinctively knew: the scent of the product was the offending culprit.
If you are unable to visit a Kama Ayurveda shop, I am putting it out there that if you like lovely smelling beauty products, this may not be your cup of tea. This cream is pungent-smelling coming from three essential oils (rose, jasmine and vetiver (khus)). It is however, not Forest Essentials’ sickly smelling Soundarya range.
The pros of the product
I firmly believe that this product is what all good Ayurvedic creams should be. Ayurvedic creams, should have one or two-star ingredients that are enhanced by natural extracts. Here, the star ingredients are coconut and sesame oils. Coconut oil has excellent moisturisation properties and (frankly) doesn’t need much else. Both sesame and coconut oils are rich in antioxidants. Also, sesame oil is high in Vitamins E and K as well as minerals. Sesame oil is excellent for dry and itchy skin.
Would I repurchase this product?
Yes, I would.
For a lot of Caucasian skinned individuals, coconut oil is acne-causing.
I don’t think this is a problem for Indians because most of us have at some point used coconut oil on our hair, which inevitably seeps onto your face. If you are unable to use coconut oil on your head, then, of course, steer away from this product.
However, at the start of my 30 day Kama trial, I had a severe bout of hormonal acne. I still went ahead with using the Kama products because one of Kama’s USPs is that they are for troubled, acne prone skin.
Naturally, I was scared of using this particular product because of its high coconut content. However, my fears were unfounded. This product, along with other Kama products, had a calming effect on my skin.
The product is moisturising, blends in relatively quickly and sits nicely under my sunscreen.
I’d happily use this face cream, but it does smell, and there is no avoiding this. If it smelt like Forest Essential’s date & litchi night cream, that would be perfection!
Available for sale at Kama Ayurveda or Nykaa. Retail price is INR 1,495 for 50g.
See also
Kama Ayurveda brightening face scrub