Approximately over 40 days ago, I started with these products:
From Left to Right these are:
- juicy chemistry’s saffron & red raspberry (INR 1,650 for 30ml)
- Forest Essential’s nayanatara (INR 1,225)
- Farmacy ultra-gentle cleanser (US$ 28 for 150ml)
- NIOD Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid 20% Network (US$ 49 for 30ml)
- Bioderma Photoderm Spot Age SPF 50+ (GBP 17 for 40ml)
- Wishful Honey Balm Jelly Moisturiser (US$ 49 for 55g)
- Izil’s 100% cold-pressed prickly pear oil (US$100 for 30ml)
- Forest Essentials’ Sanjeevani elixir (INR 3,975 for 30ml)
Obligatory before and after photos
Before
After
WHAT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE OF THIS ROAD-TEST?
At the end of each product review (such as this one), I find with some skincare brands, I have a propensity to be sorely disappointed. However, most such product tests use an entire range of products (Clinique, Forest Essentials, Kama Ayurveda, Shiseido, Tata Harper, NIOD).
This is the first time I have used a mix of products and I am not entirely persuaded that mixing products may be for me, but not because I am mixing and matching….
My skin appears to be fairer (the Vitamin C is for sure working) but also, my skin is always dry as parchment paper and it feels as if its aging.
This probably has to do with a combination of a few things that I am not doing. I am highlighting these because once you cross 35, I really think most of these should become an essential part of your routine.
What am I not doing and should start doing immediately?
I am not using these products:
- A nuface device with hyaluronic acid based primer that comes with it
- Face masks multiple times a week
- Exfoliators
- Daily toner
The outcome is my skin has started to look aged and this is a devastating experience for me…
WHICH PRODUCTS WOULD I BUY AGAIN?
I would buy only these 3 products
Farmacy’s ultra-gentle cleanser: on this blog I have tested over 50 cleansers and quite frankly, find a cleanser as mild as this is like finding a needle in a haystack. Without doubt I would buy this again. Available for sale at cultbeauty for US$ 28 for 150ml
You can read the full review HERE
NIOD’s ELAN 30%: I was sceptical about this product because of my past experience with testing NIOD products. However, I am astounded by the results (namely the skin lightening) that this serum has caused. At US$ 49, this NIOD product is definitely going to be added to my cupboard of skincare staples. You can read the full review HERE
Bioderma’s Spot Age SPF 50+: I really like the Bioderma sunscreen and you can read the full review here. However, it has not made my Top 5 Sunscreen recommendation list, because it is a very limiting product. You can’t use any serums or oils or normal moisturisers underneath it, because the sunscreen will just start to peel off. You always have to use a light moisturiser.
As you can see from my review, it provides formidably excellent protection against UVA radiation, there is no whitecast at all and in no shape or form caused me any skin issues such as acne etc.
But yes, this product is not for everyone.
WHAT PRODUCTS WOULD I NEVER BUY AGAIN?
Wishful’s Honey Balm moisturiser – you can read the review here
This is a fabulous moisturiser under certain conditions, namely you don’t use it in the day, you want a glow and don’t use sunscreen. Importantly, this product will be difficult to use if you live in humid conditions.
I also feel that this really is more appropriate for young folk, by which I mean under 35.
Personally, for my skin (35+) it really is doing next to nothing for me.
In its current state, this is never going to be on my list of go-to-moisturisers.
WHAT PRODUCTS AM I ON THE FENCE?
In relation to Forest Essentials’s Sanjeevani Elixir, it is an underwhelming and crazy expensive product (US$ 54 for 30g). Forest Essentials’ itself makes superior products, so why would I buy this? Here is my full review
I am on the fence about juicy chemistry and izil’s face oils. This is not the fault of the product or the brands – it goes to their incompatibility with my sunscreen.
I haven’t been able to use these face oils every single day because of my sunscreen and therefore cannot comment on their efficacy.
WHAT PRODUCTS DID I NOT TEST?
Forest Essentials’ nayanatara caused my eyes to be sore (a distinct but light burning/sore sensation. As it is my eyes I am using this product on, I stopped on the second day. By default, I cannot compare the Revitalash serum.
CLOSING
This was so unsatisfactory as a testing process, that it reminds me of the first year of marriage: underwhelming and nothing to write home about or even acknowledge that the event (ie marriage or in this case, product testing) had happened.