Review: Melvita's Argan Oil ( Huile d'Argan )

Melvita Argan Oil ( Huile d'Argan ) 50 ml MYR 111

Last year, I made two impromptu purchases from Melvita and I now sigh in relief that the purchases were not in vain. I had success with the Rose Floral Water, which preps my skin really well before any application of serums or oils.

I am an avid user of face oils for 5 years now and I can safely attest that it works remarkably well for my skin type. ( Oily T-zone with parched cheeks ) So purchasing a face oil from Melvita came very naturally for me and I decided to go with Argan Oil, as I have used Rosehip, Jojoba and Avocado oils from other brands before.

Product Description

The Argan tree is found on the Moroccan coast and produces an oil that is exceptionally rich in essential fatty acids and sterols. It has been known for centuries for its repairing properties on dry and sensitive skin and for its moisturizing and protecting qualities. A real 'beauty secret' for Berber woman, the oil is made from un-roasted Argan kernels: it is also traditionally used for massaging joints and for nail and hair care.

Ingredients

100% Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil from Organic Farming

Eucalyptus Oil and It's Uses

( Image taken from botanical.com )

I bought a bottle of Eucalyptus a few months ago and my initial use of it is to treat my husband with his sinus problems. So far, I only use it once with my room diffuser to disinfect and clear my room air. With the hazy situation and the flu bug that we are experiencing now in our country, I think it's time for me to use it more often. But, are there any other uses of this oil rather than just using it with a room diffuser? Yes and here is a list of uses that I discovered:

Background

Eucalyptus oil has a fresh distinctive odor and is the most powerful antiseptic with several disinfectant properties. It also has a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, that relieves pain and soothes.

It's Uses:

• Commonly use as chest rubs or decongestants. Mix 2 drops of Eucalyptus oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and apply as chest rub.
• Clear nasal passages ( noseblock ) or respiratory system. Put 2-3 drops of oil to a steam inhalation.
• Purify a sickroom during illness or antibacterial spray for kitchen and bathroom. Add 20-30 drops of oil to 300ml water in a spray bottle and spray into the room to kill the germs.
• Muscle or joint rub. Mix 3 drop of Eucalyptus oil, 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of Chamomile  to 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and apply to joint for soothing effect.
• Insect repellent.
• As an antiseptic gargle.
• Removal of tar from clothes. Apply a few drops of oil to the area and wipe the tar gently using a clean cloth
• Helps ease rheumatism, arthritis and muscular aches.

Even though Eucalyptus oil has many benefits, one should be careful to use it. It can cause skin irritation and should be use in moderation. Eucalyptus oil is very stimulating and it is not advisable to use it on anyone who is pregnant or suffers from high blood pressures, heart disease, hypertension and epilepsy.

Where do I get my essential oil?

Eucalyptus Smithii Essential Oil ( from Garden of Wisdom )

Price: USD 3.85 ( MYR 11.97 ) for 30 ml

This item was purchased by me for my personal purposes. This review is based on my honest and personal experience with this product and is not influenced by any parties.

DIY: My Neroli Body Oil

I discovered my love for body oils when I first bought my first bottle from Weleda. I love body oils and I find that it works so much better than body lotion. I love applying them after shower at night and the next morning, you willl wake up with smooth and supple skin.

This time, I decided to be a little adventurous by doing my own body oil when I ran out of my Weleda and Burt's Bees oils. I did a little research on DIY sites and found the right percentage by incorporating my favourite carrier and essential oils.

I like oils that are moisturising, regenerative and anti-oxidant..and that is why I choose the oils below for my body oil. Feel free to select any carrier oils of your choice or anything that is suitable for you should you like to embark on doing your own DIY body oil.

My carrier oils are:

Jojoba Gold Oil- Moisturising and anti-oxidant.
Avocado Oil- Regenerative with vitamins A, B, D and E, emollient, slows aging, repairing, stimulates collagen.
Apricot Kernel Oil- Vitamins A and E, absorbs well, soothing and moisturising.

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil and What Did I Use It For

( Picture taken from mostbeautifulflower.com )

I absolutely love the smell of lavender..so does my hubs. I find it really soothing when exhaled and it will automatically put me in a calm and relaxing mode. I usually get my staples from L'occitane ( be it lotions, shampoos, etc ) but I do find that their pure essential oil is a bit too expensive for me to purchase.

Recently, I found out about Milagro Trading and was glad that I bought my EO from there at a reasonable price. I also found out that there are lots of different types and grades of lavender oil that one needs to be aware if they are getting the right and a high grade of this oil before purchasing. In this post, I will be sharing with you on the common ones, pricing grades, as well as their benefits and uses.

Where does it come from?

Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender.

Common Types of Lavender Oil ( from lowest to high )

Lavender ( 40/42 ) or lavandula officinalis

Origin: France

Most floral scent of all lavenders but therapeutic levels are the lowest. However, it is recognised as having some strong properties. Has a floral, herbaceous fresh scent with balsamic woody undertone.

Price: Lowest

Lavender Mont Blanc or lavandula augustfolia

Origin: France

Scent is similar to common Lavender Population but subtle differences in tones due to different growing conditions.

Price: Average

Lavender Malliette or lavandula augustifolia

Orgin: France

A hybrid of the true Lavender and widely use in aromatheraphy and perfumery industry.

Price: Medium

Lavender Blugarian or lavandula augustifolia

Origin: Blugaria

Very therapeutic grade comparable in status to the better known Lavender Population. It has a rich lavender floral scent, fruitier, mellower and less champoraceous than Lavender 40/42. Smells more like fresh lavender.

Price: Medium High

Lavender Population or lavandula augustfolia

Origin: France

Sweet, green scent that speaks well in therapy.

Price: High

DIY: Homemade Hair Serum using Camellia Oil and using it neat for my skin

( Picture taken from Wikipedia )

Recently, my interest in doing my own skincare has grown and to date, I have mixed my own hydrosol and body oil. In this post, I am introducing my own homemade hair serum, which is using camellia oil and lavender essential oil. Apart from using camellia oil for my hair, I also use the oil as a moisturiser for my skin. 

I am fond to mix my own skincare ( mostly oil based ) because by doing that, I am rest assured that the products that I am mixing gets superior quality ( minus all the additional addictives ). Secondly, it is far more cheaper than products on shelf. Thirdly, I can always get fresh products everytime, hence the efficacy of the product.

What is Camellia Oil?

Camellia oil is also known as tea seed oil, which is derived from the seeds of the plant called camellia oleifera or camellia sinensis ( camellia japonica ). The seeds of this plant are cold pressed to extract the oil, which is in pale greenish yellow in colour and has a slight aroma.

It is said that camillia oil is high in omega fatty acids, polyphenols and vitamin E and is traditionally used for healing wound and preventing infections.

Benefits of Camellia Oil

Camellia oil is highly beneficial for hair and skin conditional properties and are mainly used in hair oils, soaps and skin products. Camellia oil benefits the hair as it prevents breakage, promotes hair growth and soothe dry scalp conditions. It is easily absorbed into the hair, without making it greasy.

In skincare, it is an excellent moisturizer as it is easily absorbed to the skin, without making it oily. Camellia oil is good for preventing damage from the sun and reducing the signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots. Not only that it beneficial for wound healing and soothing skin irritations, it is said to be effective to fade scars with long term use.

It is great for sensitive skin as it is not found to cause allergic reactions and is not prone to cause acne.

My July Haul-EO Shampoo, Burt's Bees Radiance Cleanser and Pure Lavender Essential Oil



I made a lot of hauls recently...and I did another haul this week too :) My hubby thinks I am nuts for making so much purchases online and my reasoning is that products are cheaper by 20%  if made online. Really it is! I find it hard sometimes to purchase an item that I like in Malaysia because the price is fairly high and I would only purchase if they have a sale or a promotion. ( I am sure most ladies who are residing here would agree with me ) 

Another reason that I prefer online purchasing is that I wish to try some products that are not made available here in Malaysia. It is fairly hard to find good natural or organic products here, much less reputable brands. The only way for me to go is to purchase online.

Of course there are many online websites that you can purchase from, but one have to wise to purchase from a reputable online shop with good shipping charges and good shipping track records too. It also helps that they have good customer services ( especially to international customers ) and that their products are reasonably priced after conversion.

My Recent Haul- Garden of Wisdom products!



Just giving everyone a quick glimpse on my recent haul-Garden of Wisdom! They look pretty, don't they? Well...all new products are and I just can't wait to try them.

Garden of Wisdom is a company that supply all natural raw ingredients that you need to formulate your own skin care line. Well, if you are not the usual DIY-ers, you can also choose from their enormous selection of finished products. Please be aware that their website is a bit overwhelming to navigate but no worries, you will be able to manage it once you are familiar.

I can tell you that when I was browsing through their products, I really, really want to try everything that they offered! All their products sound so promising and all the prices are very, very AFFORDABLE. For example, their Organic Rosehip oil( 30 ml ) sells for USD 5.65/MYR 17.57. Wherelse Trilogy( 20 ml ) here sells for MYR 66.00. For me, it's dirt cheap!

Review: Marie Veronique Organics Anti Aging Oil Plus

Marie Veronique Organics Anti Aging Oil Plus 30ml USD 80

As I have shared earlier, this week, I am going to do my reviews on Marie Veronique Organics skincare and kicking start the reviews is the Anti Aging Oil Plus. This brand may be unfamiliar to some of us in Malaysia because their products are only sold online and are not available at our current retail stores. The reason why they have chosen to sell direct to their customers via their on-line store is because they want to offer the very best products at the lowest possible prices. One of the things that attracted me to this line is that MVO products are hand crafted in a small lab in Berkeley, California.

Review:Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil 100ml RM135

I have been using body lotions all my life and recently, I have decided to opt for more natural alternatives, minus the 'silicones', 'waxes' or 'perfumes', which are found mostly in commercial products. I done my research over the net came across brands like Pangea Organics, Intelligent Nutrients or Dr. Hauschka, which have good body oils. Though I would love to invest in their products, I feel that it is too expensive for me to at the moment, ( plus the shipping cost and all ). Moreover, their body oils( except for Dr. Hauschka ) are mostly therapeutic benefits and I am looking for one with antioxidant and restorative purposes. And with this, I discovered Weleda. They do have good reviews and among their offerings, the Pomegranate Regenerating Oil seems to fit what I was looking for. I was most happy that it is available in Malaysia and quickly make my way to purchase.

Weleda's Background

Weleda’s principles and philosophy stems from the teachings of Dr Rudolf Steiner in the 1920’s.  In collaboration with Dr Ita Wegmann and a team of dedicated scientists and doctors, his philosophy and principles were applied to medicines and bodycare resulting in a remarkable legacy of products that today has a dedicated and growing following worldwide. Today, Weleda remains true to these principles. Every Weleda product is the result of carefully developed formulations and processes which transform pure plant extracts, herbs and flowers into premium quality products. At every stage of production from cultivation to final product, only the highest standards are upheld. A portion of Weleda’s raw and base materials are grown in Weleda’s own biodynamic medicinal plant gardens.

Weleda products are free from synthetic fragrances, colour, preservatives, emulsifying agents and parabens. The fragrance consist exclusively of pure, natural aromatic plants oils. Weleda products are internationally recognised for their purity, reliability and effectiveness, We do not test our body care products on animals.

Product Description

Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil is an indulgent body treatment that helps slow the aging process and renders your entire body smooth, firm and naturally beautiful.

Antioxidant-rich pomegranate seed oil helps promote skin renewal and improve the firmness of your skin while actively protecting it from skin-damaging free radicals. Organic macadamia nut and jojoba seed oils provide restorative moisture and essential nutrients, leaving your skin nurtured and protected against moisture loss. Regular use helps promote skin renewal- for skin that looks radiant and youthful as you feel.

Ingredients:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Petal Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Eugenol*, Coumarin*, Farnesol*.

* from natural essential oils
** Ve-suitable for Vegans

My Experience

This is my first venture to use body oils instead of lotions. Though it sounds scary for some people,  it is actually not. It's been 3 1/2 weeks that I have been consistantly using this oil every night. Here are my weekly observations:

1st week- Seems that I have to use a lot for both my legs and arms as it absorbs quickly. My skin condition was very dry at that time. For the scent, it smells like 'Campari'( a cocktail drink ) to me. Citrus-y and woody at the same time. My hubby didn't like the smell one bit.

2nd week- Start to use massage method to massage the oil slowly to my skin. I incorporated my vitamin E oil to this routine as well. My skin condition did improve and became more hydrated.

3rd week- The oil seems to absorb to my skin more readily if used on damp skin and I don't need to use as much as before. My skin is definately hydrated and smooth! ( I have grown to love this oil and the smell too.) I do noticed that my skin start to have the healthy 'pinkish' tone and became more firm.

Overall

I give this a rating of 4 out of 5. At the beginning stage, I was unsure if I have made the right choice because my skin still feels dry in the first week. If you are used to lotions, you will see the 'smooth and supple' effects even at first use. Don't be fooled my friend as those are the works of various silicone ingredients in some lotion products.

As I give this body oil a little bit more time to do it's work, I do see a lot improvements in skin tone, hydration and firmness. My dry areas, especially at my elbow and ankle area, have significantly improved in hydration. At times, I may be too tired to finish off my night routine with this oil and just popped to bed. But when morning comes, my skin remained smooth and rather supple. I know this product has definately done it's job well for me and I do see myself repurchasing it once I am done with it.

* After 3 1/2 weeks of use, my bottle is still 3/4 full.

This item was purchased by me for my personal purposes. This review is based on my honest and personal experience with this product and is not influenced by any parties.

Review: Garden of Eden Scar Serum

It's been almost a month now of using this serum and I think it's about the right time to give my views on the performance of this product. Just a quick preview of this serum, it is said to be -100% Natural Plant Extracts, a concentrated natural vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants and skin nutrients that protect the skin from free radical damage and effectively accelerate skin renewal and repair. ( Please click HERE to read my previous post. )

My Experience

Initially, I started to use this serum, both day and night. In the day, I would dab and gently rub it in on my scars and followed by a moisturizer. At night, I would use it entirely on both my legs and arms. After 2 weeks, I decide to exercise the same routine for day but use 2-3 drops of serum together with my new body oil for night. I did this because I want to maximise the serum and know the 15ml bottle will not last me for a month. Did I see any improvements? Well, I can't say that my legs are 100% scar free, but I do see the colour of my insect bite scars did minimise probably about 20%. The picture taken below is one of my scars:

Before( Pic taken 16 April )

After ( Pic taken 5 May )

I guess that I have to prolong the use of this serum to see more significant results on my scarring. However, I do see an increase of hydration level on my skin. I like to use this serum together with my new body oil, which is packed with loads of anti oxidants. So my body oil  and Vitamin E is a good combination to boost my skin. I also experimented this serum on my husband's keloids and in a week's time, he did commented that his keloids became smooth and the 'bump' subsided.

Overall

I give this product a rating of 3.5 over 5. I like that this serum helps in my hydration of my skin but need to continue this serum for a couple of months more to see improvements on my scarring. I am not dissapointed with this serum but I personally think it's rather expensive to use as one bottle will only last me a month. I just bought a bottle of Trilogy's Rosehip Oil in replacement to this one and will see how much this will help vs the Garden of Eden serum.

Garden of Eden Scar Serum

Garden Of Eden Scar Serum 15ml RM 55.90

I was at a pharmacy the other day and I was looking for a treatment oil/serum for my scars, accumulated through insect bites. I came across Trilogy Rosehip Oil, which I have heard good raves about it but chose Garden of Eden Natur E Scar Serum instead. It is said to be -100% Natural Plant Extracts, a concentrated natural vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants and skin nutrients that protect the skin from free radical damage and effectively accelerate skin renewal and repair.

Benefits:
1) Reduces skin inflammation
2) Repairs and reduces scars
3) Moisturises & smoothens out dry and cracked skin.

Ingredients: 12000iu Natural Vitamin E ( d-alpha tocopherol ), Medium-chain Triglycerides and Isopropyl Myristate.
Recommended by professionals for treating: Post surgical scars, chickenpox marks, acne scars, burns, scalds, keloids and sunburn.

Stated on the packaging no mineral oils, no animal derivatives, no alcohol, no SLS, no artificial colour or fragrance, no preservatives. I am glad to see the manufacuring and expiry date as I wanted to check how long the product has been sitting at the store. Glad to know this product is only 2 months old.

My experience:
This serum comes in a deep brown bottle, with a dropper. Serum is light in consistency and colour is a little orangey. I was rather concerned to put oil onto my skin as I really dislike my skin being sticky. To my surprise, absorption was rather good and I don't feel greasy. I was rather generous to myself, using 2-3 drops for my arms and 6-7 drops for my leg. In addition to that, I use a drop and dissiminate to some of my 'more serious insect scars' for maximum results. After a minute or two, I love how my skin is hydrated! I sleep in an air conditioning room and the next morning, my skin feels soft, smooth and moisturised. I love that this oil is fragrance free too.
I started using this serum for 2 days and I will do a full result review in a couple of months time, just to show you the if there are any improvements.