Clean & Clear Fairness Face Wash {Product Review}

Price: Rs 99 for 80gms

Pros

leaves the skin little brighter after wash

doesn't stretch the skin or make it dry, very rare occurrences even if it happens!!

is little gritty in texture so provides extremely mild exfoliation

doesn't have SLS

Cons

no skin type is mentioned on the product but this is especially for only combination and oily skin!!

My Experience
The product is a pearly pink in color and a little thick in consistency. A little of the product goes a long way. It also cleanses the skin really well. In fact, I found this face wash to similar to that of Ponds and Dove face washes in every way. The ingredient list is also almost same having myristic acid as one of the top ingredients.

I do not like the fairness claims but it leaves a skin little brighter and a bit pinkish after the wash. It doesn't dry the skin overtly but I do think it might not be suitable for dry skin. Regarding the oil control claims, I can't make any observations because the climate has considerably cooled down and my skin gets oily only in high temperatures. 

Though, I should probably mention that even though its really sunny these days sometimes, my skin doesn't get much oily, only sweaty. Oh, one thing is that the gritty texture of the product helps exfoliating. Its not a high-powered one but for daily use, its fine. So, yup, give a chance and then decide whether to stick to it or not.

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Other Clean & Clear product reviewed on the blog:

Clean & Clear Skin-Balancing Moisturizere

How to make the skin clear and get rid of scars and blemishes and dark spots? {Skin Care}

So, last week I had left you with the post on melanin production. So, in that post, I had specifically mentioned that you can do nothing to lighten your skin color but you can always keep your skin clear and avoid from getting tanned. So, how to go about doing that?

Sunscreen

This is the first and foremost principle for any skin care routine. Applying sunscreen regularly keeps your skin young and also free from tan. Well, ok, lemme reiterate that sunscreen does not prevent tanning but it is comparatively lesser than if you go into sun without any protection. And, if you are using physical sunscreens, you can be assured that the tan is minimal. That does reduce a lot of your work!!

AHA's

As I mentioned in the last post, lactic acid and glycolic acid have been believed to reduce the melanin content in the skin. So, may be a weekly routine of this might help. Let me again say MIGHT! Because, what I understand is that a 50%-70% concentration of these acids might be really successful in doing the intended but yes an occasional use can definitely give a healthy glow. 

Now, lactic acid is present in milk and glycolic is mostly present in sugarcane juice or jaggery or, most available, sugar. Milk is generally considered to be safe for daily usage and it is famous since ancient times for its benefits on skin. But, I will suggest all the oily skin and acne-prone skin people to stay far away from it.

Coming to using glycolic acid, it is quite strong for skin especially when you are going to use freshly squeezed sugarcane juice so I would say go easy on the skin. Use it as a face mask mixed with any flour and wash off after 10-15 minutes and no more! 

And, if sugarcane is not available, you can use brown sugar, raw sugar, powdered sugar or powdered jaggery as a face scrub mixed in honey. But, be sure not to use it more than twice a week, no matter what skin type. Exfoliating the skin everyday is not a good idea, howsoever much you might love your skin after that!!

Also, papaya and pine apple juices are quite effective. They can also remove the tan and dead skin cells and the dark spots and blemishes and scars and what not. But, these remedies should again be used only twice a week and no more because they can end up drying the skin a lot!

Vitamin C

That is another great home remedy which works absolutely fantastically. And, the best part is that not only it exfoliates but it also rejuvenates the skin. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis which is important to keep the skin youthful and smooth. 

But, here I would again suggest instead of lemon juice, tomato juice should be used on a daily or alternate day basis. It really helps! The reason being lemon is drying on skin as it is too acidic.

Other Home Remedies

There are a whole lot of other spices and vegetables and fruits which can be used on skin like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, mint, cucumber, berries, date juice, turmeric, mustard and probably all other spices in the world!!

So, what are the simple ways to keep your skin clear and avoid blemishes and dark spots?

Related Posts:

Specialized Ingredients and Skin Care
How to treat a water burn?
Sleep and Skin

Can melanin production be controlled? {Skin Care}

So, yesterday I got a very crude comment on the post "5 steps to fairer skin". Wish it was a bit polite, I would have published it but the crux of the message is that melanin production can not be controlled. And, as you would be aware, melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color.

Skin Color can NOT be changed

So, yup, NOTHING can control melanin production. It is genetic and is dictated by a lot of factors like exposure to sun, your skin texture, exposure to pollution and dust among others. So, please realize that you can not change skin color EVER.

Are fairness cream claims wrong?

Not all! The expensive treatments like peeling and other treatments tend to decrease the melanin pigment in the skin. In peeling or micro-dermabrasions, they remove the top layer of the skin which is mostly dead skin cells and has been long exposed to sun and is heavily tanned. 

The chemical treatments which work from inside do actually affect the melanin production. But, there are simple inexpensive treatments like bleaching which mainly have chemicals which have ingredients like Hydroquinone. It indeed prevents melanin production but safety of the ingredient is under debate. 

Also, Niacinamide which is Vitamin B3 is also supposed to improve skin hydration levels and improve the skin texture and color by removing discolorations and reducing acne. 

But, also remember that even if your product has all these ingredients, they might not really work for you because the ratio of these products or the concentration of the ingredients is very important. Also, many of these ingredients increase skin sensitivity.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Lets come to the home remedies and AHA's. According to wiki, AHA's can not inhibit melanin production unless they are in 50% concentration. They are just effective to remove the dead skin cells and improve the skin turnover. Whereas, lactic and glycolic acids have been proved to inhibit melanin production!!

So, yes, you CAN NOT lighten your skin color. But, then what can we do? Well, I can only say please wait for the next post :D Ok, don't hate me. This had become too long so I had to break it up!

So, what do you say about skin color and lightening? 

PS: This is to the person who left the absolutely CRASS comment, please mind your language!!

Related Posts:

Specialized Ingredients and Skin Care
How to treat a water burn?
Sleep and Skin

Vaseline Heathy White Lightening Visible Fairness Lotion {Product Review}

Well, the first thing I thought on looking at this product was is this another variation of Lactocalamine! Its that similar but of course this one is supposed to be used only when you are going out in sun because it has sunscreen filters besides having skin illuminating minerals and what not!

---

Pros

does control oiliness if applied in lesser amount

---

It sure has tall claims but whether it stands up to them or not is a different matter altogether. I tried using it over the sunscreen on my arms while going out. Now, it does help curb the oiliness to an extent but it also creates white patches if you tend to apply the product in even a bit of excess.

---

Cons

does not do what it claims!

creates white cast if applied in excess

---

The product is a bit tinted so it has to be used judicially. But, I have not used it on my face! Also, I do not really think I saw any extra fairness or even lightening of my tanned hands in this past month. So, overall, I would not really recommend the product!

Have you used the product? Did you like it?

Other products from Vaseline:

My Haul and other products!!

Some Random Product Reviews - Part I

Get from flipkart:

Is dark so ugly? {Beauty Philosophy}

Well, this certainly does not apply to women alone but let me say that maximum racism is carried out by women only! Ok, I might be termed a misogynist for this statement. But, seriously, maximum number of times in my life, only women have pointed out that I am dark and therefore ugly!

Anyways, why this post was prompted was because of my increasing concern towards my readers! Oh no, I am not altruistic. But, recently, I have started getting so many queries regarding how to become fair. Well, if you are a 10 plus something, I am fine with such questions. But, the unfortunate thing is that mommies are becoming paranoid for their 1-2 month old babies' complexions as well.

First, I am NOT making fun of you. Second, I am seriously concerned. Third, hear me out.

I totally understand where all this concern is coming from. Years and years of ill-treatment due to complexion differences more often result in such kind of anxieties. So, let me first reply to all those queries. PLEASE DO NOT BE CONCERNED. The babies and kids tend to change their skin color. In fact, skin color changes for even adults. So, keep their skin care routines healthy and simple and apply sunscreen regularly for kids above 2 years or ask a dermatologist or a paediatrician.

Now, coming to voicing my concerns, I think that we can not change the old mindset but we can lay down the new rules. We as the propagator of the future generations need to get over our insecurities and make sure our kids do not carry the same inferiority complexes which were drilled into us by the society. If at all, they should be taught how to fight and not feel bad for someone's comments. Because, there will always be one person who will speak ill. Because, there will always be some or the other struggle they have to undergo. And, because, we are better equipped in understanding our kids psychologies thanks to our own experiences.

So, instead of thinking how to deal with the issue, we should teach them how to face the challenges gracefully. And, this is just a small matter of complexion. I very strongly believe that any hesitation on the part of the parent gets conveyed to the kid somehow even if none of them actually understand what it is and that hesitation does manifest in the kid as he grows older.

So, this is my earnest request to all parents of all generations to please not get bothered by little things as complexions and clothes and rather focus on developing self-confidence and self-esteem in the child. And, this process actually starts since the conception of the baby! And, please do not take this post as a lesson in parenting. I do not have a kid of my own neither I have brought up any sibling of mine but these are some parenting rules I live by and would carry them out on my progeny.

What do you all think? Is it our responsibility to change the perspective of future generations or not?

PS: Please note that this post is not meant to hurt any sentiments. On the other hand, I respect them all and understand them!

Related Posts:

Are we the modern India?

Do you think you feel more attractive during periods?

Should you do exercise when menstruating?

How do you perceive people with fairness products in their hands? {Your Opinion}

Hey Everyone! Welcome to a brand new week :) And, I am trying to stay a little regular this week. So, lets raise a toast for that!

Anyways, I ran out of my face wash and since I was too lazy to go to the supermarket, I just went to the general store downstairs in the complex and bought the one face wash they had!

And, guess what, it was Pond's White Beauty Facial Foam. I bought it because it has no SLS. But, I did not take any poly bag to carry the items being eco-conscious :)

Now, when I was walking back, it struck me suddenly that what would people think of me seeing the White Beauty face wash in my hands. Not that I am too bothered about what others think but it sounded interesting to read about how you perceive such people!

I think its a very natural thing that if we find fairness products in someone's hands, we automatically check out their complexion and judge whether they really need those products or not! And, if they are even a bit darker, we do think they are interested in getting fair!

But, what would you think about a lady or girl carrying such products? Do you judge them? Or, try to check out their complexion and whether they really need fairness products? Or, do you just ignore it thinking it must have been the only product available in the shop they had to pick up!

What do you say?

Related Posts:

Do you think air makes your hair dry?

Do you find more dirt on your neck than face?

Do you clean your mobile?