Dr Dennis Gross C + Collagen

Recently Dr. Dennis Gross launched new line and products, C+Collagen, including toning mist and vitamin C serum. I was lucky to receive the products from DrDG team to try, and as with most DrDG products they did not fall short in impressing me. First up is the C+Collagen Perfect Skin Set & Refresh Mist intended to protect, hydrate and refresh the skin. 

I’ve used this mist under makeup (after cleansing and before moisturizing) and over makeup. It truly does hydrate and replenish the skin. Generally I avoid misting spring water, toners over makeup because it makes me look oily, makeup cracks in pores and skin feels dehydrated. This however, I’ve been spraying at all random times during the day (purely because I’m greedy for glow) over makeup. Plus it has a wonderful pleasant scent. The inci list is quite remarkable too.

Inci List: Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytic Acid, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Colloidal Oatmeal, Carnitine HCI, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Isoflavones, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Wood Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Extract, Polysorbate 80, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Citrus Auranitum Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol.

Moving onto the newest launch, C + Collagen Brighten and Firm Vitamin C Serum

The brand and product claims:

This weightless, fast-absorbing gel-serum is power-packed with collagen amino acids plus our proprietary vitamin C (3-O C technology) and energy complex. Fuel cells for increased collagen production and accelerated repair to improve imperfections like dullness, dark spots, rough texture, and expression lines. Aging and environmental aggressors deplete energy, disrupting normal skin functions. This new energy-generating serum combines vitamin C with a unique complex that charges skin’s battery to keep it fit and tone. Our proprietary energy complex – featuring CoQ10, superoxide dismutase, carnitine, and niacinamide – recharges skin so it can maximize vitamin C for accelerated repair and protection to help build collagen and brighten. In addition, collagen amino acids aid in strengthening skin’s fibers. Rev up tired looking skin for an immediately radiant complexion. Long term, experience an improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and banish the look of dark spots. Turn dull to bright, slack to tight, wrong to right.

Source: QVC Beauty

Lets start with the packaging, in an air tight bottle with a pump. I couldn’t ask for more, exactly same packaging is used for Ferulic + Retinol Overnight Serum. Being on my second bottle of overnight serum, I can safely say the packaging is faultless all the way through. Sometimes one may experience clogging of the pump, however none of that experienced here. Also I must attribute that to the texture and consistency of the product itself. Its gel like consistency makes it super light and absorbs in the skin instantly. I’ve seen in many other vitamin C serums where the product leaves a tacky, glossy and even glittery (not going to name and shame but yes they add that to the formulation) finish on the skin. None of those offensive and glow deceiving feels with DrDG serum.

Some chatter on Inci list:

Wonderful inci list, with inclusion of AHA Lactic acid, Mandelic acid, Niacinamide, Amino Acids, CoQ10, Superoxide Dismutase (12th), Carnitine (14th). Preservatives are listed mainly towards end of the inci list. One point to be noted is the website does not list full inci list, this is from the packaging. This formulation would suit all skin types.

Now onto when to use, used after toning, this serum also laps on other products effortlessly. Layering other serums, either over (my fave Manyo Factory Galactomyces Niacin) or under has been a breeze. The product doesn’t pile or roll off.

Onto the most crucial part, the results and performance. Now I won’t classify my skin sagging or loosing elasticity but this serum makes it feel firm and taut (in the best possible spirit). Old scars (PIH) have gradually faded. Skin overall appears brighter and I won’t delude you in believing BAM Glow. It has a sure, but subtle glow to the skin. This experience with Vitamin C serum has been reassuring and refreshing after using countless vitamin C products. One of other vitamin C serum from DrDG is the Hydra Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum, unfortunately I was not a fan of its silicony texture. The results are visible but I personally cannot get past the silicone feeling on skin (gives me nails on blackboard feeling).

Overall, here’s a Bold claim on my part…possibly the best vitamin C serum I’ve ever used and can see myself using this for a long time to come. Yet another star🌟under DrDG banner!

Finally a heads up, I’m currently working on detailed guide to DrDG brand and products…..it’s coming soon!!!!

HHW.com

xx

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Jordan Samuel Skincare

My earliest memory of Jordan Samuel product is Water you Waiting for? A lush toner with Rose, Jasmine, Sage and Orange. Sadly a horrid turn of events he discontinued the toner. For the longest time I did not look at his newly launched skincare for the grudge I held,  with a hope he would bring it back. The pics below take me down memory lane when I regularly used his toner in my routine and also a part of my early IG journey. Sadly that hasn’t happened however the line he has includes a gorgeous gel to oil cleanser, hydrating serum and moisturizing 0il. All in all one perfect capsule collection.

Plié Cleanser is a unique gel to oil formula uses olive, jojoba, and grape seed oils to remove every trace of makeup (including hard to remove stage makeup), while sugarcane, apple and willow bark extracts provide a gentle exfoliation to leave the skin hydrated, soft and absolutely pristine.

I’ve used this cleanser both to remove makeup, second cleanse and morning cleanse. Each time it has performed splendidly. Dispensed as thick manageable gel, converts to oil once massaged on skin. The scent is citrusy, more grapefruit to my nose although I dont see grapefruit specifically. Ahhh the best part is emulsifying this cleanser, milky yumminess. Either rinse with water and pat dry or hot cloth this cleanser. Can also be used as a mask, leave it on for few minutes and carry on with your chores. This cleanser is a dupe for Botanics Hydration Burst Dual Action Cleanser with some similar ingredients. If you’d like to take up the ante, Algenist Genius Anti Aging Melting Cleanser is similar option but steeper in price. If you’re interested in a comparison post between these cleansers, leave a comment below.

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Water, Sucrose Laurate, Propanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Rhizome/Root Extract, Anthemis Noblis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Citrus Fruit Extract Blend, Simmodsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylhyroxamic Acid, Capryl Glycol

Ingredient wise its a clean sheet, some lovely moisturizing ingredients to start with and followed by some yummy fruit extracts and essential oils. Moving onto next step in routine to Hydrate Serum. Water are you waiting for? toner would have been perfect insert here. Just saying.!

Hydrate Serum will bathe your thirsty cells in humectants and soothing botanicals to keep your skin working in the same way! Hyaluronic acid, stabilized Vitmain C, and hexapeptides combine with cucumber, tamarind, and passion flower extracts to give you healthy, dewy skin all day long.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice *Organic, Vegetable Glycerin *Organic, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Xanthan gum (thickener), Gluconolactone, Tamarindus Indica (Tamarind) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata (Passion flower) Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 Amide, Sodium Benzoate, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract *Organic

Exactly as it claims. I can wrap up this review in just those first four words, but perhaps I should elaborate tad more. Ingredient listing is simple, no faffing around with complex names or unnecessary ingredients. Only one we could talk about is Xantham Gum, very common ingredient and used here as a thickener to give it gel like consistency rather than runny liquidy serum. A clear gel consistency serum, dispensed through pipette, absorbs in skin immediately. I’ve used it various ways, here’s a snapshot:

• Under makeup it piles on however, varies with different base products used
• Mixed with an oil, its one stop shop.
• Mixed with a cream, again one stop shop.
• Layered with other serums and performs just as well – straight after acid tone.

If I had to nitpick I’d say, pump packaging please….to which I’m told is work in progress.

étOILe is an all-encompassing moisturizer, multivitamin and antioxidant facial oil. It contains a high concentration of cranberry seed oil, which is the only oil to contain a 1:1 ratio of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as all 8 vitamin E groups. It also features skin balancing Argan and Marula, which pair with vitamin C ester and CoQ10 to make this an all-around star in your skincare ritual!

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil *Organic, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Marula) Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil *Organic Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil (Rosehip) Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Oil *Organic, Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Squalane

Ingredient listing is simple, and free of essential oils. This oil is particularly fantastic choice for skins sensitive to essential oils. Blended with some nutrient rich carrier oils, and lipid soluble vitamin C (allows better penetration) this oil is uncomplicated in best way possible. It is crucial to shake the bottle before use, the vitamin C settles at the bottom.

I’ve used this oil several ways, mixed with cleanser for extra nourishment, addition to clay or mud mask so my skin doesn’t feel tight or dry post mask, mixed with creams to give it an edge, mixed with foundation to add some bloody glow, or the obvious way standalone use to thoroughly moisturize skin. The beauty of oils is it can be as versatile and flexible as you’d like them to be.

Overall, the products perform exactly as it claims, ingredient listing that don’t muck around, basic packaging (for serum and oil), doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, and perfect for all skin types. The reliability factor for this skincare line is when I can’t be bothered, inebriated, sick and feel like a corpse. Personally I have a wandering soul with commitment issues, my heart desires unusual fancy skinventions, so I often try a lot of skincare from various parts of the world. When I experience a flare up from some other product and want my skin back, I go back to Jordan. Of course it is very versatile in its use and complements all other brands and products. Seamlessly blends in other products and still performs just as claimed. The whole range is effortless but doesn’t cut corners. The claims or results are not groundbreaking, they’re as basic and reliable as they get. Ultimately we all want clean skin, hydrated skin and nourished skin. This is exactly what these products do.

HHW.com

xx

LeahLani Skincare – Edition One

Leah Lani is a Hawaiian brand that has captured vibrant botanicals, skin softening clays, delicious tropical fruits in gorgeous frosted glass jars with lots of love and care. All formulations are blended in small batches in North Shore of Kauai. I’ve tried a number of Leah Lani’s products and each and every product has a vibrant colour and upbeat aroma to the products. Below are some of my early thoughts on the products I’ve tried, tested and enjoyed.

The website claims, a delicate, nutrient dense silken moisture melt that will soften the skin and deeply nourish the complexion. Bless will help to reduce inflammation, strengthen and protect your precious complexion. 

Ingredients: Organic cold pressed argan oil (Argania spinosa), organic cold pressed camellia seed oil (Camellia oleifera), organic Shea butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), organic cocoa butter (Theobroma Cacao), organic cold pressed maracuja passionflower oil (Passiflora Incarnata), organic cold pressed moringa oil (Moringa Oleifera), organic cold pressed marula oil (Sclerocarya Birrea), cymbidium grandiflorum orchid extract, wildcrafted blue tansy oil (Tanacetum annuum), neroli oil (Aurantium Dulcis), organic rosehip fruit (Rosa Moschata), rose clay and LOVE.

While the ingredient listing is lovely, to some the inclusion of Shea Butter may ring bells of a breakout. Personally I haven’t experienced any breakout so far. Like any good respectful balm its free of water, wax and emulsifiers. The delicate soft shade of baby pink comes from Rose Clay and Rose Hip flowers.

In terms of use this product is very versatile, can be used as cleansing balm as well as nourishing last step balm. I tried it both ways and no surprise to regulars I prefer it as the latter method. Just too lovely, to be swiped away with steaming wash cloth. The sensorial pleasure with steaming cloth and delicate floral blend of Passionflower, Moringa, Orchid and Neroli is extraordinarily uplifting.

Upon touch it instantly melts into the skin, and absorbs nicely. Little goes a long way with this wonder, being heavy handed with this balm may result in product just sitting on top of the skin. In my experience, it does help nourish and moisturize the skin, thereby enhancing the skin barrier however it didn’t do much for my inflammation. Overall, a solid basic balm to feed the skin and protect the moisture barrier.

Next up is this gorgeous deep emerald green lush honey mask! Possibly the most raved product. Claims to be made from the soil and nectar of Hawaii, this one product alone will purify, cleanse and soften your skin gently yet effectively. The deep, emerald color comes from two powerhouse superfood ingredients, organic chlorella and organic spirulina.

Spirulina comes from a farm on the pristine coast of Hawaii that draws on the natural resources that surrounds it – abundant warm sunlight, pure deep ocean water and 100% fresh water drawn from a Hawaiian aquifer. The cleanest and most pure source of organic chlorella on the planet, which is grown in outdoor pools under the sunlight and contains cell walls that are “opened” or “cracked” using a specific process that preserves nutrients and increases absorption.

Ingredients – Organic Hawaiian raw honey, organic Hawaiian spirulina (Spirulina Maxima), pure organic chlorella (Chlorella Vulgaris), french green clay, pure sea clay, luminess algae, organic sea buckthorn CO2 (Hippophae Rhamnoides), vanilla CO2 (Vanilla Planifolia), essential oils of: (organic orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis), moroccan chamomile (Tanacetum annuum ), roman chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) , geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens), palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini), lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), ylang ylang (Canaga Odorata), rose (RoseDamascena), white lotus flower absolute (Nelumbo Nucifera), beeswax absolute (Apies millifera), coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum), and LOVE.

Once again a faultless ingredient listing, and enriched with raw honey absolutely tickles my soul. Tricky one to apply, face needs to be wet and then schmear this all over. Alternatively I gradually heat it in hot water or 10 seconds in microwave (blasphemous I know!) to get the product nicely mixed and moving. Instructions say 15-20mins but given its honey and won’t be drawing moisture from skin, I leave it on for an hour or two. Some times I forget I have a mask on, super comfy feeling on skin. I can appreciate why its highly raved, it does calm my skin, impart a beautiful glow and leaves skin plush soft. The only aspect that puts me off this mask is the application i.e. heat it every time. No spa like application with a brush, it needs to be massaged in on a damp face.

Next honey wonder is Honey Love 3-in-1 cleanser, exfoliator and mask formulated to clarify, oxygenate, hydrate and balance the skin while stimulating cellular renewal. Honestly these are huge claims, and to cut to the chase in my experience this is a basic  nourishing mask and scrub. Infused with superfood Maqui berry, tonifying Hibiscus, anti inflammatory Noni fruit, stimulating rose clay and soothing Lavender and Chamomile flowers all in the base of organic Hawaiian raw honey.

Ingredients: Organic hawaiian raw honey, organic wildcrafted whole maqui berry fruit (Aristotelia chilensis), organic wildcrafted whole noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia), rose clay, organic hibiscus flower (rosa sinensis), organic lavender flower (Lavandula Angustifolia), organic cold pressed jojoba oil, essential oils of:(organic lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita), Citrus sinensis (organic orange), organic vegetable glycerin, corundum crystals and LOVE.

I absolutely adore the earthy fruity scent of this product, again need water to smooth it all over. Typically I leave it on while I’m brushing and then gently massage it away. However what makes this scrub special is Corundum (aluminum oxide, naturally found) crystals. Corundum microdermabrasion crystals are made from the second hardest mineral known to science. The crystals are ground to a very fine powder and they do not have any jagged edges, so they will not ‘tear’ skin cells like traditional exfoliators. The only problem is these settle at the bottom and the product needs to be stirred thoroughly. Again, it needs to be heated gently so all the crystals settled at the bottom are mixed well. The distinction factor to other manual scrubs is the scrumptious honey with finely powdered crystals.

All in all, Bless Balm, Mermaid Mask and Honey Love are are definite repurchases for me. These products are enriched with some gorgeous ingredients and are fairly priced. Admittedly I took a plunge at Black Friday Sale and I’m so glad I did. As a part of my purchase, Leah Lani kindly and generously added more products for me to try which are Aloha Ambrosia Elixir, Mahina Evening Replenishing Elixir and Kokoleka Ritual Dessert Detox Mask, however need more time to try and test which I will document in edition two. More to come…..

HHW.com

xx