Category: Skin care

7 Best Natural Skin Brightening Creams in India

Ever wondered how the natural skin gets dull with aging? How the natural glow and radiance is lost due to the environmental pollutants or the sun exposure?

These concerns are valid for almost all skin types and all ages. With time, the skin, especially the facial area tends to become dull and lose its natural radiance. Pollution, sun exposure, dryness, chemicals products, wearing makeup, could be some of the possible causes for dullness.

women is holding face cream for women

Is there a solution for this? A natural formula that can work on brightening skin without having any side effects? The answer is yes. Skin experts have carefully studied the condition and its causes and have curated skin brightening creams that are filled with natural and ayurvedic ingredients to balance the skin pH and bring back the lost radiance and glow.

In India, due to the weather and geography, the sub continental population tend to have a wheatish complexion and a combination skin type. So, it became necessary to design a skin brightening cream exclusively for the Indian population as compared to the face creams for women and men used in western countries having cold temperatures and minimal sun exposure throughout the year.

While the market is loaded with skin brightening creams, curated with the ultimate aim of brightening the skin and improving the complexion, the chemicals used can be harmful for the skin. With global warming and excessive sun exposure going against the skin health, it becomes essential to use products which brighten the skin while maintaining the skin health and give a soothing and a cool effect.

We have studied the skin brightening products available in the market and came up with a list of some of the best skin brightening creams available in India. But before going through the list, let us look at the benefits we are expecting from the skin brightening creams.

What should a good Skin Brightening Cream have?

There can be different things we might look at, while choosing the best skin brightening cream, like, the skin types, acne- prone, dark spots, pigmentation issues etc.

There could be a list of options available claiming to work on all the mentioned problems. Most of them would be designed using the latest technology and chemicals which would give an instant glow.

But a good skin brightening cream should be curated with Ayurvedic herbs, which will bring back the lost radiance but also works on skin health.

While choosing a skin brightening cream, look for herbs like sandalwood, turmeric, aloe vera which have natural skin brightening properties and heal all the skin damages and reduce skin pigmentation. These herbs enhance the natural glow of the skin by working on the blemished skin and removing the layer of pollution.

girl is taking out the cream

Skin brightening creams should have vitamins that are extracted from plants. Avoid parabens and mineral oils, especially for oily skin as the oils can clog pores. Parabens are known to disturb the hormonal balance and cause skin irritation too.

Ayurvedic products do not have side effects and give a natural glow from within.

Now, we are aware of the benefits we are looking for in a skin brightening cream, let’s go through the list and choose the best skin brightening cream according to skin type, complexion and purpose of using the cream.

  1. The Man Company Skin Brightening Cream Multani Mitti And Coco Butter

Brand : The Man Company

Price : 699 (50 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : Multani Mitti, Coco Butter

Recommended Use : For clear and bright complexion naturally

Target Audience : Men

With the goodness of multani mitti which improves the skin texture and coco butter which moisturizes the skin deeply, this cream gives a clearer skin and repairs the visible damage.

Enriched with natural ingredients like turmeric, coconut oil, shea butter, multani mitti, coco butter etc, The Man Company’s skin brightening cream is 95.10% natural and mainly used to bring back the lost glow.

Pros Cons
Powerful Skin Brightening Ingredients Gives a greasy look, doesn’t work for oily skin type
Sulphate and Paraben free It can develop itching sensation
Lighten acne marks and dark spots

 

  1. Blue Nectar Sandalwood Brightening Cream for women

Brand : Blue Nectar

Price : 925 (50 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : Sandalwood, Turmeric

Recommended Use : Improves skin complexion and brighten skin

Experience : Sweet Sandalwood Aroma

Target Audience : Women

Sandalwood being the key ingredient works very well to fade the dark spots, acne scars and pigmentation. It gives a luminous and even toned skin. Made with ayurvedic herbs like sandalwood, turmeric, aloe vera, manjistha, mulethi etc, the Blue Nectar’s skin brightening cream is completely safe to use and gives a refreshing and a soothing feel. It brings back the glow and gives a non-greasy but luminous look.

Pros Cons
Helps with sun tan
Supports skin complexion and detoxification
Overcomes dark skin color
Works on aging spots, acne scars and dark spots
Can be used as a moisturizer

 

  1. Biotique Bio Coconut Whitening and Brightening Cream

Brand : Biotique

Price : 500 (100 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : extracts of pure virgin coconut, dandelion, manjistha, almond

Recommended Use : Softens blemishes over time

Target Audience : Men and Women

Biotique using the natural ingredients controls the melanin production responsible for darker complexion. It lightens the blemishes and dark spots over time and gives a clearer, smoother and brighter skin. Coconut being the brightest and the oldest moisturizer with penetrating fatty acids that helps in refreshing and lightning the skin.

Almonds rich in Vitamin E helps in the skin cell turnover

Pros Cons
100% botanical extracts Greasy and oily looking skin
Long lasting and creamy texture Itching and redness on the skin
Good for dry and patchy skin Burning sensation in the eyes after application
Acts as a moisturizer

 

  1. Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Brightening Day Crème

Brand : Lakme

Price : 496 (100 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : Titanium dioxide

Recommended Use : For a flawless and illuminating skin, with sun protection

Experience : Floral fragrance

Target Audience : Men and Women

Treating the most common skin problems like acne scars, dark spots, blemishes, dullness, sun tan, excessive oil secretion, the Lakme Absolute Skin Brightening cream gives a moisture rich skin and an elasticity in the skin. The cream is super light and absorbs quickly into the skin and provides instant glow. Enriched with vitamins to repair and replenish the skin while acting as a protecting layer between the skin and the external pollutants.

Pros Cons
Flawless and non greasy look Not good for dark complexion skin
Provides moisture Chemically curated
Daily wear cream

 

  1. VI-JOHN Advanced Saffron Fairness Cream

Brand : VI-JOHN

Price : 240 (200 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types, especially combination

Key Ingredients : Saffron, Vitamin E

Recommended Use : Skin lightening and nourishment

Target Audience : Women

VI-JOHN with the latest technology and the natural ingredients works against the skin pigmentation and provides the adequate moisture needed to the skin. The skin brightening cream promotes natural looking fairness and gives soft and supple skin. It even removes dull and dead skin cells. Gets absorbed quickly and gives instant glow on the skin. For best results, it is advised to be used twice a day.

Pros Cons
Natural Ingredients Does not work for sensitive skin type
Works on uneven, tanned skin Can give rashes after use
Lightening the skin color
Works on oily skin, gives non-greasy skin

 

  1. Powerbright Overnight cream by dermalogica

Brand : dermalogica

Price : 6500 (50 ml)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : Raspberry, Pumpkin Extract, Orange Peel Oil

Recommended Use : dryness and hydration, pigmentation

Target Audience : Women

Powerbright skin brightening cream heals the dark spots overnight and optimizes skin moisture recovery. It also promotes skin elasticity and luminosity. The natural ingredients used in this cream helps the skin to fight the free radicals from the pollution. They also provide necessary fatty acids needed by the skin increasing skin moisture and cure dryness.

It even works on uneven skin tone and texture.

Pros Cons
Gives a soft skin Highly priced
Works on complexion overnight Musty fragrance
Works on sensitive skin

 

  1. Soundarya Radiance Cream With 24K Gold & SPF 25 by Forest Essential

Brand : Forest Essentials

Price : 5950 (50 g)

Skin Types : For all Skin Types

Key Ingredients : Ghee, Saffron, Gold Bhasma

Recommended Use : Toned and firmer skin, instant glow

Target Audience : Women

Pros Cons
Effective on acne scars Highly Priced
Works beautifully on dry skin Makes skin tanned
Has SPF for protection

With the goodness of Ayurveda that speaks of a firm, smooth and elastic skin while maintaining the glow and radiance. It helps in 98% plumped and hydrated skin, 99% toned and firmer skin, 98% brightness and enhanced glow.

Saffron helps in reducing the pigmentation, protects from the UV rays from the sun. Ghee provides luster to the skin. Gold Bhasma improves the elasticity and firmness of the skin.

face cream for women and men

Benefits of using a Natural Skin Brightening Cream

Although there are multiple benefits of inculcating a skin brightening cream in our skincare routine, a natural cream helps more than just skin brightening.

The skin loving herbs, like sandalwood, turmeric, saffron, aloe vera, coconut oil etc, are known to reduce dark spots, pigmentation and work on almost all the skin types and skin issues.

Saffron inhibits the excessive synthesis of melanin and lightens skin complexion and turmeric helps in brightening the skin..

The ayurvedic skin brightening creams give lasting and soothing fragrance. Works very well on uneven skin tone and acne – prone skin. Provides adequate hydration and protection from harmful industrial and environmental effluents.

Take Away

Now that we have discussed the best skin brightening creams in India in detail, their pros and cons and what exactly we should look for in a skin brightening cream, we are all set to explore options as per the skin type and skin requirement. We have carefully studied the customer reviews for each mentioned product and came up with these products that will serve the purpose of skin brightening overtime while providing an instant glow and radiance to the skin

The list will help you compare with the hundreds of products available in the market which are designed for skin brightening and their prices and quality. While comparing, always look for the key ingredients used and if they are natural because they will have no side effects on the skin and improves the skin health.

How Early Should We Start Using Anti-Aging Creams? | Check out the best anti aging creams in India

Looking young and beautiful is the object of everyone’s desire. You must have heard at least one song where the artist questions whether their lover would love them the same when they’re not young and beautiful.  Aging is not something that you can control. However, you can take steps to slow down the process by using best anti aging cream. Thanks to the constant development in technology and inventions in the beauty and skincare industry, we now have a few tools that visibly slow down the process of aging. The most common of these tools is the best anti ageing cream that diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet. Anti-ageing creams are moisturizers that help people look younger and delay the signs of aging. Most brands advertise their products as the best anti-ageing cream on the market, but you need to be careful, and pick up a product that targets the issues you have and is suitable for your skin and that shall become the best anti-ageing cream for you.

The importance of using and choosing the best anti-ageing creams

1) They keep the skin moisturized

Besides fighting wrinkles and the other visible signs of ageing, the best anti-ageing cream also prevent the drying, flaking and peeling of the skin. best anti ageing cream keep the skin moisturized, and make you look young. Natural ingredients like saffron, sandalwood, and lotus seed extracts fight the ageing process. People with sensitive skin should use these creams after consulting a dermatologist and letting the doctors decide the best anti-ageing cream for them.

2) They provide skin radiance

The moisturizing and collagen-boosting ingredients from the best anti-ageing cream keep the skin nourished and healthy. This gives the skin a radiance that comes from within, because of the constant cell turnover. Using the best anti-ageing cream for you regularly would help the skin to repair the damage caused by the environment and the toxins present in it.

3) They help in the reduction of wrinkles & fine lines

Most of the creams that claim to be the best anti ageing cream are just good moisturizers that deeply nourish the skin. Moisturized skin is not dry and is less likely to develop wrinkles. Best Anti Aging Cream work best at night, because when you apply them on a face after cleaning with ayurvedic face wash, and not put any makeup on top and sleep in a pollution-free environment, the likelihood of your skin absorbing it all increases. Using an anti-ageing cream regularly gives you visible results. These creams strengthen your cells that fight the toxins that are damaging your skin. They are mostly formulated with products that boost the production of collagen, which increases cell turnover and delays ageing. They also help in the development of elastin, which provides the skin with elasticity and holds it up, rather than letting it sag down.

 

4) They prevent the occurrence of dark spot on face & discoloration

As stated before, the best anti ageing cream boost collagen production, inhibiting the formation of dark spots on face caused due to age. Some of them have SPF which protects the skin against harmful UV rays. They also have vitamin C which is known to treat dark spots on the skin.

5) They save your money

When buying the best anti-ageing cream for yourself, think of it as an investment. Not only would this product help you with keeping your skin healthy and delaying ageing, but it would also delay you having to pay for an expensive procedure because your skin would need it later than it would have if you were not using the product.

Applying the best anti-ageing cream every day will provide you with maximum benefits. If you start using anti-ageing products as early as your late 20s, you will see, in a few years, how drastically your skin differs from those who do not take care of it. They say that prevention is better than cure. Most dermatologists, facial aestheticians, beauty gurus and influencers apply this rule to anti-ageing too.

The issue with delaying the use of these creams is that we usually don’t think about the signs of ageing till they appear on our faces. We all know how expensive dermatological issues are and thus begin the quest for finding the best anti-ageing cream.

The creams are far more likely to delay ageing than to reverse the effects of ageing. That required the attention of a professional. Using the best anti ageing cream for yourself would delay the signs of ageing for as long as possible and you wouldn’t have to make a routine of rushing to a doctor or an aesthetician at an early age. Many people do not buy the so-called best anti ageing cream because they are too expensive. But you need to understand that investing in the best anti ageing cream for yourself will save you money in the future.

Another issue is that people get a lot of flak for using anti ageing products in their late 20s. You can always find someone blabbering how their moms never applied anything and how they are still prettier than most people their age. You need to understand that there are a lot of reasons that the earlier generation did not have these issues. Life in general was not as stressful. People did not live while being glued to their monitors in the office and then phones/TVs at home. Physical activity has declined tremendously since the 2010s and all these reasons add up and give a strong competition to the other factor that decides ageing- genes. Some people have good genes and can get away without looking visibly aged for years without taking care of their skin for a very long time. For the rest of us, life has other plans, be it picking and using the best anti-ageing cream, or visits to the doctor.

Best Anti-Aging Creams Available in India

  1. Shubhr Jasmine & Pachouli Nourishing Night Repair Face Cream

Shubhr Kumkumadi Night Cream, enriched with Jasmine and Pachouli is one of the best anti-ageing cream. A blend of 16 ayurvedic herbs like Kumkumadi Oil, Almond oil, jasmine oil, etc., it gives you soft, supple and glowing skin. The cream nourishes the skin deeply, and repairs and restores the skin. It moisturizes the skin deeply, fights against pigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, etc. and you wake up with healthy and firm skin.

Key Ingredients

Kumkumadi Oil– Also known as the magic elixir, it makes the skin radiant by adding a natural glow to the skin. It also enhances blood circulation and tones the skin when left overnight, giving the skin a youthful appearance.

Ghee- A natural moisturizer, ghee provides deep hydration, adds glow to the skin and improves skin elasticity.

Almond Oil- Almond oil is known to help hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots on face and scars and improving the skin complexion.

Pros

  • It is free of silicones and parabens
  • It provides a complete list of ingredients
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Cons

  • The affordable product on this list.

Night cream is placed on table

2. Advanced Eternal Youth Formula Date & Litchi by Forest Essentials

  • Among many anti-ageing creams on the market, this work of art is crafted with exceptional ayurvedic ingredients, like sweet Almond Oil, fermented Litchi juice Date extracts, etc. This Anti-ageing cream transforms dehydrated skin into a deeply nourished one. 

Key Ingredients

Dates- They are known to protect skin cells from detrimental effects of extremities in the environment. Fermented Date Pulp has been used in the formula. It gives the skin a satin smooth shine.

Litchi- The juicy fruit replenishes the moisture levels of the skin, makes it toned and firm, helps with pigmentation, and diminishes signs of ageing, like fine lines.

Sweet Almond Oil- The best anti ageing cream is formulated using cold-pressed oil distilled from sweet almonds which moisturize the skin deeply and gives it a golden glow.

Fenugreek Seeds– A common staple found in every kitchen, fenugreek seeds help treat inflamed skin, blackheads, breakouts and fine lines.

Pros

  • Free from chemicals, parabens and petrochemical
  •  Eco-friendly packaging

Cons

  •  Too expensive
  •  Not suitable for oily skin

3. Garnier Wrinkle Lift Anti-Ageing Cream

This is the best anti ageing cream for beginners. It introduces you to the anti-ageing regime, without compromising your skin’s barrier. It contains the essence of cherries and bilberry extract. It helps to keep the skin firm, balances the skin’s pH and gives the skin a radiant and youthful glow.

Key Ingredients

Water- Water, purified and sterilized, helps to sustain the constancy of a product formulation, its appearance and its quality.

Glycerine- Also known as glycerol, glycerine is a humectant. It moisturizes and protects the skin.

Octyldodecanol- It is a fatty acid derived from natural oils that deeply moisturises the skin and may be used as a base or thickening agent for a product.

Stearic Acid- Used in cosmetic products for its moisturizing properties, stearic acid is one of the most commonly found saturated fatty acids in nature.

Palmitic acid– Another common saturated fatty acid found in plants and microorganisms, Palmitic acid helps in blending different ingredients into a smooth, uniform mixture. It is an amazing emollient. It helps moisturize the skin. 

Pros

  • It is a beginner-friendly option 
  • It is budget-friendly. 
  •  It is easily available at a drugstore near you.

Cons

  •  It contains silicones.
  •  It acks a specific ingredient for ageing.
  • It is pretty thick and may cause breakouts on oily skin.

 4. St. Botanica Retinol Advanced Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF 30

This nourishing and moisturizing day cream helps by providing hydration and making the skin taut. It helps to replenish dull skin, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Key Ingredients

Retinol- It boosts the production of collagen and keeps the skin toned and taut.

Moroccan Argan Oil- It is packed with nutrients and deeply moisturizes the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid- It locks in the skin’s moisture and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Honey- It hydrates the skin and has antibacterial qualities.

Pomegranate– It is rich in antioxidants and shields the skin against toxins found in the environment.

Liquorice- It promotes the lightening of the dark spots and scars, giving the skin an even tone.

Pros

  • It offers sun protection of SPF 30
  • It is free of parabens
  • It is free of mineral oil

Cons

  • It might cause skin sensitivity to the sun.
  • It contains triglycerides derived from coconut oil, which may be comedogenic and cause acne.

5. WOW Skin Science 10-in-1 Active Miracle Face Cream

It moisturizes, nourishes, protects, brightens and revitalises your skin. It repairs skin damage and is one of the best anti-ageing cream available. It helps a great deal in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Key Ingredients

Aloe Leaf Juice- It provides deep hydration, and makes sure the skin does not dry out.

Cocoa & Shea Butters- They contain the necessary fatty acids for deep moisturization

Hydrolyzed Collagen- It helps reduce wrinkles & fine lines.

Beetroot Extracts- They stimulate the production & repair of cells and help with the signs of ageing.

Vitamins B5, C & E– They give the skin an even tone.

Pros

  • It contains SPF 15
  • It is free of harmful sulphates and parabens
  • It is free of mineral oils

Cons

  • It has a strong fragrance which may aggravate sensitive skin.
  •  It is not suitable for oily skin

6. Ustraa Night Cream – De-tan and Anti-Ageing

This night cream is formulated for men. It offers deep moisturization and works on your wrinkles, uneven skin tone and dark spots and scars. It claims that it repairs the sun damage caused during the day at night and that you wake up with soft and nourished skin.

Pros

  •  It is very affordable.

Cons

  •  It lacks a complete list of ingredients.
  •   It might not suit women with oily skin.
  •  It might react to sensitive skin.

7. Neutrogena Cellular Boost Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF20

One of the best anti ageing cream available on the market, this cream stimulates the production of collagen and elastin naturally. It keeps renewing the skin’s surface. Enriched with vitamin C, it also gives you even toned skin and reduces dark spots.

Key Ingredients

Aqua- It treats or prevents dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations 

Propylene glycol- It acts as a humectant by securing the water and taking it to the outer layer of your skin. 

Glycerine- Glycerine, also called glycerol, has moisturizing, emollient and protective properties.

Homosalate- It helps in absorbing short-wave UVB rays, which may cause damage to DNA.

Isononyl isononanoate– It functions as an emollient and adds hydration to the skin.

Pros

  •  It has SPF 20 to protect your skin from sun damage.
  • It is suitable for sensitive skin.

Cons

  • It is not suitable for oily skin.
  • It does not sit well under makeup.

8. Retemin Plant Retinol + Vitamin C Brightening Boost Crème

Formulated with Vitamin-C and Bakuchiol (Plant Retinol), this cream helps achieve clear and dewy skin. It hydrates, tones the skin and minimizes environmental damage done to your face.

Key Ingredients

Kakadu Plum- It boosts collagen, increases skin elasticity, repairs the skin barrier, and fights signs of ageing and external damage caused to the skin by toxins, UV rays and pollution.

Bakuchiol- It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It fuels collagen production and helps improve cell turnover, in turn improving the fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and acne naturally.

Pros

  • It is free of parabens
  • It is free of chemicals
  • It is clinically tested
  • It is cruelty-free

Cons

  •  It is not suitable for daytime use.
  • It lacks a complete list of ingredients.

9. Inatur Collagen Night Cream

Inatur Collagen Night Cream is a light, non-greasy formula that provides smooth, firm, and glowing skin. It reinstates moisture to the skin and helps in the reduction of lines, spots, and wrinkles. It works on wrinkles and significantly reduces them.

Key Ingredients

Aqua- Also known as water, it treats or prevents dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations. 

Glycerine- Glycerine, also called glycerol, is a humectant. It moisturizes the skin and protects it.

Wheat Germ Oil- It has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in calming and reducing skin redness and irritation. It is loaded with anti-ageing properties and anti-oxidants. So, it can neutralise the free radicals which cause skin damage and cause wrinkles. It helps in restoring and stimulating new skin cell regeneration.

Shea Butter- It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins which makes the skin super soft. It also has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Almond Oil- Almond oil helps in skin complexion and hydrates the skin also reducing the appearance of dark spots & scars.

Pros

  •  A complete list of ingredients is mentioned
  • It contains all-natural ingredients.
  •  It is vegan and cruelty-free.

Cons

  • Not easily available
  •  Might not suit oily skin

10. Mitchell USA Night Therapy Anti-Ageing Night Cream

Primarily made up of ayurvedic products, this is one of the best anti ageing cream around here. Enriches with Lotus sees extract, Brahmi extract and Cocoa Butter gives the skin a natural glowing effect along with making the skin firm and tightening it and leaving the skin moisturized.

Ingredients

Lotus Seed Extract- It has anti-ageing and regenerative properties which ensure a youthful look.

Brahmi Extract- It helps with collagen production, reducing hyperpigmentation, restoring the skin’s barrier and helping with acne.

Cocoa Seed Butter- It is rich in fatty acids that help to hydrate the skin. It also smoothens scars, wrinkles, and other marks on the skin.

Pinus Strobus Bark Extract– It helps reduce the signs of ageing, hydrating the skin and reducing pigmentation.

Grape seed extract- It escalates cell turnover and collagen synthesis. This makes your skin’s health better and also improves elasticity.

Pros

  • It is suitable for all skin types
  • It has been dermatologically tested for Indian skin
  •   It is cruelty-free

Cons

  • Some ingredients are comedogenic.
  • It contains silicones and parabens

If you do decide to buy an anti-ageing product, do not fall prey to cheap advertising traps that label every other anti-ageing cream as the best anti-ageing cream. Analyze your skin type and the issues you want to tackle and any anti-ageing cream that works for you will be the best anti-ageing cream. Try to use it before you develop visible signs of ageing and watch others compliment you on how gracefully you have aged.

Is your headache Migraine?

Most of us often experience head pain. What is a head pain? Sometimes, the symptom of a pain is felt in the areas of the head and neck. Head pain can be caused due to several reasons such as migraine, stress and tension related headache and due to cold. Though a normal headache is not treated seriously it often hampers our energy potential and efficiency to work.  A frequent occurrence of head pain can affect your professional life and as well as relationships. Sometimes, the risk of depression increases due to the severe and frequent head pain. The most important thing for the treatment is the identification of the category of your headache. Otherwise, you cannot prevent this type of health hazard.

 

What is migraine and what are the causes?

As we have stated earlier, there are different causes why we experience head pain. How will you identify if your problem is related to migraine? Most of the common symptoms of migraine include vomiting, nausea, numbness or tingling, difficulty in speaking, sensitivity to light and sound but there are other symptoms also which vary from person to person. A migraine may occur genetically where some particular genetic components are responsible for it. During recent research, this fact has been found. There is no such age limit. It can affect you at any age and at your younger age too.

The period of an attack can vary from individual to individual and according to the severity of your symptoms. In general, it lasts for at least four hours. You have to visit your physician or hospital if you cannot get over even after four days of the migraine attack.

There are different phases of a migraine attack. Sometimes, you can experience the attack even without the head pain. This type of attack is known as “silent migraine” and medically referred to as acephalgic migraine.

 

How will you differentiate migraine from a regular headache?

It is still debatable whether migraine is a neurological disorder or a neurological disease. It also can affect you without head pain. So, it is not just a regular headache, it includes different devastating neurological symptoms. In general, migraine head pain occurs on one side of the head and throbbing in nature. Therefore, migraine pain is quite different from the regular symptoms caused by the common cold and cough where people experience delicate discomforts related to the head.

 

Why is sinus different from migraine?

Some people often are confused between the symptoms of migraine and sinus. More than 90% cases, migraine is misdiagnosed as sinus. Whereas the pain related to migraine is associated with facial and forehead pressure, runny nose and nasal congestion, the symptoms of the sinus are related to the blocked and filled sinuses crammed with fluid and other bacterial growth.

What is the definition of sinus or sinus infection? It is the swelling or an inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses. Normally, a healthy sinus is filled with air. Due to some reasons, these sinuses are blocked or filled with fluid and germs which can cause infection further. Then you will experience discomfort and problems.

 

Reasons for sinus blockage:

  • Sometimes, the common cold causes sinus blockage.
  • Allergies rhinitis which swells on the lining of your nose.
  • Nasal polyps or small growth particles in the lining of the nose.
  • A deviated septum – a change in your nasal cavity.
  • Due to the sensitivity and allergic tendency to a particular chemical, a sinus infection may happen.
  • Immune system deficiency can cause sinus infections. Sometimes, a certain type of medication can also decrease your natural immunity power. People in this condition may suffer from sinus infections.

 

 

How many types of sinus infections may occur?

According to the severity of your infection, sinus can be classified as the following:

Acute sinus: It can start with the common symptoms of cold and cough such as the stuffy and runny nose, head and facial pain. Normally, you have to suffer for 2-4 weeks.

Sub acute sinus: It lasts for 4 to 12 weeks.

Chronic infection: This type of chronic sinus infection or sinusitis will make you suffer for more than 12 weeks.

Infected sinus: It occurs multiple times a year.

 

How will you get a complete revival from severe head pain, migraine and sinus?

When you get a severe migraine attack you wish to do whatever to get over this problem. If you have a serious attack which lasts for more than 4 days, then you need to follow a proper prescription suggested by a specialist doctor. But you can avoid, prevent or at least lower down the duration and the severity with the help of natural home remedies.

 

Cool down with an ice pack: Place an ice pack on your forehead or you can substitute it with a piece of wet cloth. It works whatever the actual reason is. Maybe it can reduce blood flow to relax your muscles.

 

Caffeine: You can have a cup of tea or coffee to get some mild relief. It will absorb fatigue and provide you energy thus you will feel lower pain in your head.

 

Oil massage: you can use lavender oil as a migraine oil to get relief from the head pain by inhaling it or simply massaging it on your forehead. It will relax your tissues and muscles. If you don’t have lavender, you can choose peppermint oil which contains menthol. You can apply and massage with peppermint oil or any menthol solution on the forehead and temples. It is more effective than any of the popular painkillers that you always take during your migraine and sinus attacks.

Acupressure: You can opt for acupressure therapy. On the particular points of your body, a specialist will apply pressure with the finger. It surely will give you relief from severe migraine and sinus. A proper acupressure can help you to overcome nausea caused by migraine.

 

Folk remedy with feverfew: It is flowering herb which is used for years to prevent the symptoms of migraine and to get relief from the pain. Though it is not established scientifically yet, experienced people say it reacts positively to lower down the discomfort level and the duration of the pain.

Now you know the difference between migraine pain and normal headache, you have to keep in mind, a severe stage of head pain, migraine and sinus infection should only be treated medically along with a properly prescribed medicine.

Lifestyle changes after the age of 30

It is true that the lifestyle you follow in your thirties reflects how healthy you would be in your sixties. Although you may not look or feel much different than you did a few years ago, your body keeps changing bit by bit. Health problems, especially lifestyle-related ones, start coming up after you turn 30.

Due to today’s fast life a lot of people who are in their thirties suffer from Back Pain and Joint Pains. Depression and anxiety is also pretty common, hence it is important to take care of your mental health.

There is a stigma attached with the thirties age line that once you reach the thirties you are no longer considered young. The truth is that the feeling of being young or old is a state of mind. Making a few changes to one’s lifestyle will lead to a healthier and happier life. So, here are the certain lifestyle changes to make before blowing those 30 candles on the cake.

 

Eat healthy: This may sound dubious but is an obvious truth. Thirties is the high time when you need to start eating healthy. It cannot be stressed enough that following a Healthy Diet is extremely important to live a healthy life. Everything that you read in magazines, newspapers, web articles and blogs is very true and you should make this change when you step in your thirties.

Cut down on those extra calories, fats, carbohydrates, sugar and everything that is harmful for your health. Always avoid junk food, those pizzas may taste delicious, but they are really bad for your health. Try to eat more protein, vitamins and minerals loaded food. Follow a well-balanced healthy diet rich in protein, vitamins and low in saturated fats. Include a lot of greens, fruits and vegetables in your diet. So, make a Healthy Diet regime and eat accordingly.

 Regular Exercise: If you had no workout routine previously, then make a new regime and start following it religiously. Exercising on a regular basis would help you stay fit and young. You will definitely be more energetic and full of zest. No matter how busy your life is, you can always take some time to exercise. Even 30 minutes of daily exercise can do wonders, both for your body and your mind.

If you don’t want to work out at the gym, then running and Stretching are good options. Simple measures such as taking the stairs instead of the lift will also help. Moderate exercise will help you get rid of even the slightest Back Pain or Joint Pain. Always remember, Motion is the Best Lotion.

 

Get rid of bad habits: Since you are not in your twenties anymore, your body may not be able to handle that binge drinking sessions like it had earlier. Same goes with smoking. If you are a frequent drinker or a chain smoker, then you need to cut back. Try to get rid of all the bad habits. If you can’t stop smoking completely, then cut down slowly on the number of cigarettes. Cigarettes come with a warning. Do read the warning every time you take out one from the packet. It may help to wake up your conscience.  Also, try to limit your drinking sessions to once a week or on special occasions.

 

 

Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is really important for your overall health. Besides giving you ugly dark circles, lack of sleep can stop you from functioning properly. Try to get a minimum of 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Do not compromise on your sleep unless it is a need of the hour situation. Getting sound sleep will keep you fresh and energetic throughout the day. If you have trouble falling asleep, then have a cup of chamomile tea before hitting the bed at night. Also, refrain from using mobile phones, tabs, computers and laptops at bedtime. Read a book instead.

Getting an ayurvedic massage like Shirodhara will induce a good night sleep. Shirodhara is nothing but a gentle massage on your forehead through a continuous flow of warm ayurvedic oil.

 Indulge in some ‘me’ time: It is really important to follow this point. Indulge in quality ‘me’ time, twice a week. You can do anything that you enjoy doing. Pamper yourself by getting a Spa Massage or a Body Massage once in a fortnight. You could also go for a movie or read a book. You could even start pursuing a new hobby. Basically, make sure to do something that you enjoy and makes you happy and stress free.

 

 Get regular health check-up: It is an old but a wise saying – Prevention is better than cure. It is a wise idea to get a full body check-up done annually after you enter your thirties and half yearly after you enter forties. This will help you diagnose your health problems, if any, at an early stage.

For women, it is recommended to get a mammogram done every year. It is proved in various studies that diagnosing breast cancer early reduces the risk of dying from the disease by 25% to 30%.

Most of the health problems arise from a bad lifestyle or poor mental health. To overcome mental health problems, visit a spa and take a membership plan. Go for de-stress therapy and make sure that you stick to your plan.

 

 Pursue what you love: Following your passion is the best thing you could ever do. If you are not satisfied with your job, then thirties is the perfect time to quit and start exploring your passion.

Even if you are happy with your job but that’s not your passion, take time out of your schedule and pursue what you really love. Travel to new places, cities, countries, meet new people, explore new cultures, take pictures, paint, go hiking, take dancing lessons, write a book; just do whatever that makes you truly happy.

Pursuing your heart and hobby is one of the most significant lifestyle changes that should be made when you are in your thirties. By doing this you will get to know yourself better and will be at peace with yourself.

 

Start loving yourself: Loving yourself is necessary especially when you hit your thirties. A lot of people start getting depressed thinking that they are getting older and they can’t have fun like before. So avoid all the negative thoughts and learn to love yourself. In order to do that you have to first believe in yourself and bring back confidence in yourself. Be proud of your appearance, your mind, ambitions and dreams. Don’t get affected by any criticism and love yourself wholly.

Be content: There is nothing wrong in wanting to be more successful. It is good to try to achieve more and grow more. However, you should be content with what you already have. You should stay happy in every situation and under every circumstance. This will bring inner peace and satisfaction.

The Importance of Diet for Your Skin?

There are many cosmetics available today to make your skin look good from outside.  However, a good diet is paramount for having healthy and attractive skin. Whatever you eat reflects on your skin. If you eat mostly junk food the condition of the skin suffers. The secret to having flawless and clear skin is having a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water. Aging of the skin is also caused by smoking and drinking alcohol. Limit these habits or better stop the habit right away.  Optimum functioning of the skin needs good nutrition, circulation as well as hydration. Diet is a vital factor in the skin’s health. We take a look at the constituents of a skin healthy diet.

Balanced diet meal

Zinc

This mineral is vital for the proper functioning of the sebaceous glands in the skin. It is useful to repair any skin damage and maintain the softness and suppleness of the skin. Foods rich in zinc are poultry, fish and wholegrains.

 

Low GI carbohydrates

GI stands for glycaemic index. Low GI foods take more time to be absorbed by the body. It is recommended to consume low GI carbohydrates such as pulses and beans. These types of foods release sugar into the blood slowly over a period of time. Hence there is a relatively steady supply of energy. Hence you feel energetic longer and are less prone to binge. Keep away from high GI carbohydrates such as sweet beverages loaded with sugar as well as biscuits. The reason is that they stimulate insulin production which has the potential to worsen wrinkles as well as trigger the damage of collagen.

 

Phyto-estrogens

These are natural chemicals present in plant-based food items. Their structure is akin to oestrogen- the female sex hormone. They possess the property to maintain the balance of natural hormones. There exist different kinds of Phyto-estrogens. Certain kinds are termed lignans and are present in the fiber of vegetables, wholegrains as well as fruits. Another kind termed isoflavones are present in soya bean based foods including tofu.

 

Healthy fats

Polyunsaturated fats as well as monounsaturated fats supply important fatty acids which play the role of the skin’s natural moisturizer. These healthy fats maintain the suppleness of the skin and ramp up elasticity. Vitamin E also accompanies these fats and shields the body from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E is responsible for the maintenance of epithelial tissue which is needed for healthy appearing skin. As per research continuous exposure to ultraviolet rays significantly increases the likelihood of adverse skin conditions including skin cancer, sunburn and others. Vitamin E rich food items neutralize the risk.  These fats are present in oily fish as well as Avocados.

Vitamin e food

Vitamin C

This water-soluble vitamin has a significant role in the synthesis of collagen, an important protein of body tissues which include the human skin. Consume Indian gooseberry, citrus fruits as well as green leafy vegetables as they are rich in Vitamin C.

 

Consume plenty of water

Moisture is necessary for the skin to be flexible. Even a low degree of dehydration results in dry as well as tired skin. Water is the best choice for replacing fluids lost by the body.  You can consume plain water. For those who don’t like the taste of plain water they can drink herbal teas devoid of the harmful caffeine content. Else they can opt for water rich fruits and vegetables such as watermelons and cucumbers.

 

Omega-3

These are essential acids. Note that they cannot be created or produced in the human body. The only source is the diet. Omega3-fats stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory substances by the human body. Hence it is useful to treat and cure anti-inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema as well as others. Oily fish and walnuts are rich in Omega-3. It provides nourishment to the skin as well as ensures skin health. It shields the skin against potent damage from the harmful ultraviolet rays. As per authoritative scientific studies this healthy fat has a protective effect against the occurrence of skin cancer as well as the aging process. It also shields against sunburn. Individuals who don’t consume enough Omega-3 in their diets are prone to experience dry skin.

 

Vitamin A

This particular vitamin is instrumental in the maintenance as well as development of the epithelial tissue. The epithelial tissue blocks the entry of bacteria into the skin. Individuals having Vitamin A deficiency experience dry as well as flaky skin. This can be avoided by including Vitamin A rich foods in the diet such as carrots, fruits and green leafy vegetables.

 

Honey

Raw honey is great for the skin because of its potent antibacterial properties and rich presence of antioxidants.  Consuming honey keeps bacterial as well as fungal infections at bay. It moisturizes the skin from within and gives the skin a healthy as well as radiant glow. This liquid nourishes the skin and makes it bright as well as healthy.

A bowl of honey with honey stick

Say ‘No’ to crash diets

Avoid crash diets as you lose and gain weight rapidly. This causes the skin to sag. A balanced diet is preferred to crash dieting. For instance protein deficient crash diets deprive the skin of important amino acids which make up collagen and elastic tissue. Collagen makes the skin strong while elastic tissue makes it supple.

 

No refined sugar products

Low-glycaemic diets help cure acne-prone skin. Avoid sugar to have younger and better-looking skin. Sugar makes your skin look old and ugly. Experts recommend substituting refined sugar food items with nutrient dense items such as fruits and vegetables. Sugary food items raise insulin levels leading to the worsening of rashes, wrinkles as well as acne.

 

No processed food

Avoid packaged and processed food as they are high in sodium, fat and sugar. They also contain synthetic colors, synthetic flavors and preservatives which may potentially harm the skin.

As per Ayurveda, beauty is not only an external façade but is the outcome of internal wellbeing. Therefore, in Ayurveda, to beautify means not only to take care of external façade like skin, texture, color etc but also provide rich nutrients, ensure absorption of nutrients by skin and more importantly follow correct lifestyle in line with Parkruti. Parkruti is the innermost nature of an individual and makes all of us unique and different. Prakruti guides our lifestyle, our eating habit, sleep pattern, beauty products to be used and in what combination. All blue nectar products have used this traditional knowledge of Ayurveda to develop products that contain vital herbs that not only beautify the external façade but also makes a body inner rich.

Ayurvedic Beauty Simplified; Blue Nectar Vs. Forest Essentials

The world of clean, natural beauty is all too enticing. Brands all across the globe offer products reflective of nature that promise to deliver the results you desire. Their products claim to harvest the goodness of traditional ingredients and pack it into modern vessels of commercial beauty Simply put, they smell good, they’re beautiful to look at, and one sure hopes they work!

While navigating through the myriad of Indian skincare brands that specialize their focus in preparations based on ayurvedic principles, I came across many options. Far too many. Enough to let an inexperienced doe (someone who doesn’t know a lot of skincare and beauty and is only just starting to explore) get tangled in the world of choices. The number of options out there is sure to throw a novice in a conundrum.

Which brand to choose? Which product to buy? How and when to use it? How do most people review it? Does it suit your needs? How likely is it to make your skin react? Gathering the answers to these things can be daunting, to say the least. That’s where this blog comes in, to help you make an informed decision and figure out just what you need!

Product Face-Off

n my quest to find out which beauty brands are best in the skincare game, I was able to narrow down my very long list to two, which impressed me the most. The first is the well-known ayurvedic beauty giant Forest Essentials and the second is the underdog, Blue Nectar, a relatively smaller but better-performing brand than most Indian skincare brands out there. Following are some of the skincare products from both these companies that I’ve tried to review in competition with each other. Let’s see which one fits you better?

 

  1. Face Cleanser

Comparison Between Shubhr Honey face Wash & Delicate Facial Cleanser

For the first step of any skincare routine, I evaluated two very popular cleansers, one from each brand.

  • Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Radiance Honey Face Wash
  • Forest Essentials’ Delicate Facial Cleanser with Kashmiri Saffron & Neem

Ingredients: Both cleansers promise and deliver the goodness of honey (a cherished ingredient in the skincare world).

The face wash from blue nectar has Aloe vera as one of its gems.

The facewash from Forest Essentials has extra skincare warriors such as kewda water, neem leaves, and most importantly, saffron.

Special Features: The Shubhr Radiance Honey Face Cleanser’s MVP is its 15% concentration of real honey in the concoction. It promises intense hydration and claims to have anti-pollution properties when combined with the 8 ayurvedic herbs.

Forest Essentials’ Delicate Facial Cleanser promises to purify the skin and treat other conditions gently. It is free of any parabens and petrochemicals.

Target Audience: Shubhr Radiance Honey Facewash is formulated for all skin types, while the Delicate Facial Cleanser targets people with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Whether you choose versatility or concern-specific performance is your call to take.

Affordability: I immediately noticed that the Blue Nectar face wash is a lot more affordable at Rs. 445 for 100 ml of product. At the same time, for Rs. 350, you get half the amount (50 ml) of product in the travel size version, of the Forest Essentials delicate face cleanser. Beauty is important but it should also be cost-effective.

 

  1. Toner

Comparison Between Blue Nectar’s Shubr Rose Face Mist and Forest Essentials’ Facial Tonic Mist • Forest Essentials’ Facial Tonic Mist

Any beauty buff will ask you to drop whatever your current toner is and switch to rosewater. It’s superior by every means. It just is! Both the brands of choice here offer their versions of rosewater toners. Are they worth the switch and the extra pennies?

  • Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Rose Face Mist: Steam Distilled Pure Toner Water
  • Forest Essentials’ Facial Tonic Mist Pure Rosewater

Ingredients: Both brands offer 100% pure rosewater face mists with no additives or extra ingredients.

Special Features: Forest Essentials’ rosewater facial tonic mist is sourced from flowers that originate in the city of Kannauj.

There aren’t many other special features individually for either of the versions but rosewater mists and toners, in general, do a lot for your skin. They cleanse it, hydrate it, and balance its pH. And hence, are worth an addition to your skincare routine.

Target Audience: Pure rosewater is a magical ingredient that can be enjoyed by people of all skin types.

Affordability: While formulation and selling points in both brands are pretty much the same, there is a huge, whopping difference price-wise. Blue Nectar offers its rosewater toner at Rs. 425 for 100 ml of the product while it costs Rs. 1,025 for 130 ml of  Forest Essential’s face tonic!

 

  1. Serum

Comparison Between Blue Nectar Kumkumadi Tailam & Forest Essentials’ Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Facial Serum

Serums just have that quality about them. You can’t help but be mesmerized. They look like magic potions in tiny little bottles and the way the two mentioned below perform, they may as well be magic! Serums or face oils are the perfect luxurious to any skincare routine and a great source of locking in hydration and improving barrier function so they’re definitely worth the investment. Two of the best serum in the beauty game are:

  • Blue Nectar’s Kumkumadi Tailam Face Serum
  • Forest Essentials’ Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Facial Serum

Ingredients: The Kumkumadi Tailam serum consists of natural ingredients such as saffron, manjishtha, and sandalwood oil (Chandan ka tel). The Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Serum uses cherished ingredients like ghee, sesame oil, 24k gold bhasma, and licorice root (yastimadhu).

Special Features: Kumkumadi serum practically does everything your skin could ever need. It’s like allspice in a bottle. You name it, this bottle has it! From brightening your skin, repairing pigmentation, minimizing signs of aging, improving skin’s elasticity & firmness, to being free from any chemicals, preservatives, or mineral oils, adding a radiant glow to your face, and having 26 special herbs that come together to create the perfect concoction for you.

Advanced Soundarya serum has 24k gold in it. It doesn’t get much more luxurious than that. The powdered form of said gold i.e. bhasma is claimed to have the ability to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, what a dream come true. Forest Essentials as a skincare brand has many awards from beauty giants like Elle, Vogue, and Nykaa for this product specifically. That tells you something! Combined with moisturizing ingredients like desi ghee and sesame oil, along with licorice root which acts as a gentle sunscreen and protects the skin from sun damage, this serum becomes liquid gold in a bottle, quite literally.

Target Audience: Kumkumadi Tailam Facial Serum is formulated with everyone in mind. It claims to suit all skin types and delivers on its promises.

Advanced Soundarya serum mainly caters to people with a dry type of skin and targets early signs of aging, and does a fantastic job at it.

Affordability: For th

e average, middle-class Indian, both these serums may fall on the pricier side. Sure, there are countless brands out there that offer more affordable options which probably work well. But, when it comes to investing in a product that you’re sure delivers what it owes, you can’t help but turn to these two.

You can get Blue Nectar’s Kumkumadi Facial Serum at Rs. 1,495 for 30 ml of product. For that same 30 ml, Forest Essential’s Advanced Soundarya Age Defying serum costs Rs. 5,595 which is almost 4 times the former serum!

The formulations are entirely different, so are the ingredients used and both these brands target somewhat separate audiences. So the call to take depends on several variables but the level of either of their performance cannot be refuted!

 

  1. Face Cream

Jasmine Night Repair Cream and Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir Comparison

Face creams are probably my favorite skincare product ever. They’re easy to use, very rarely messy, need no extra applicators, water, or anything else! Quick to apply, and a great way to provide hydration to your skin and make it softer than a baby bum, here are two of my most preferred ayurvedic face creams:

  • Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Jasmine & Patchouli Nourishing Night Repair Face Cream
  • Forest Essentials’ Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir

Ingredients: The Shubhr Night Repair Face Cream from Blue Nectar has two hero ingredients Jasmine and Patchouli, which give it its irresistibility and a heavenly fragrance. It is comprised of natural ingredients like almonds (for essential vitamins), turmeric (for anti-bacterial properties), desi ghee obtained from cow’s milk (for making the skin supple), and kokum (it’s not just a cool fruit local to Goa; helps the skin to regenerate effectively).

Sorry to disappoint you folks, but the Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir sadly does not have sanjeevani “booty” in it (pun intended for all my mythology fans here)! What it does have, is the goodness of glycerin (a cherished natural humectant), kokum butter (making another promising exotic appearance), sweet almond oil (for an unparalleled glow), and aloe vera (for its soothing properties). If that doesn’t scream nourishment and hydration, I don’t know what does!

Special Features: Shubhr Night Repair Cream, as the name suggests is intended for usage during nighttime. It is gentle on the skin and most effective when used right before sleeping as it slowly penetrates all the layers of the skin when your body rests. 

Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir poses to be the secret to eternal beauty. It has a gel-like consistency, not something you’d see in an average, everyday cream. It also triples up as a pre-moisturizer as well as a smoothing make-up primer (we love a good multi-functional product in this house!)

Target Audience: Both skincare products mentioned function as repairing face creams, and are practically blessings for people suffering from blemishes, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, dry patches, bumps, rashes, and basically any other kind of skin-cell damage.

Affordability: Both products function similarly but have different compositions and ingredients.

You can purchase Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Nourishing Night Repair Face Cream for Rs. 1,095 and you get 50 grams of the product. 30 grams of Forest Essentials’ Advanced Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir can be bought for Rs. 3,975.

The latter evidently is approximately 4 times more expensive than the former but whether or not it is worth it, is your call to take! 

 

  1. Exfoliating Scrub

Kumkumadi Face Scrub Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste Comparison

For me, an exfoliating scrub is that one skincare product that is very difficult to get right. You could either hit a jackpot or land yourself into something that will punish your skin for months. There’s really no in-between. This is why I’ve narrowed down a total of two following scrubs that derive their efficiency from the knowledge pot of Ayurveda and work divinely without harming your skin.

  • Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Brightening & Anti-Aging Face Scrub
  • Forest Essentials’ Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste

Ingredients: Shubhr Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Scrub is enriched with ingredients like Roses, sunflowers, sandalwood, saffron, grapes, aloe vera, and oils such as olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, kumkumadi oil, and almond oil.

Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste has much-adored ingredients like honey, turmeric paste, shea butter, and pistachios, all of which come together to form an extremely gentle on the skin concoction that remains unparalleled.

Special Features: Shubhr Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Scrub claims to do more than the traditional exfoliator. It functions as an excellent de-tan or tan-removal method for all those days you stepped in the sun. It is also a great option for people with dry skin, who generally avoid exfoliating because of all the nourishing oils it has. 

The Forest Essentials’ Cleansing Paste has a very unique consistency that is much smoother and softer than its competitors. It may not do as good of a job in removing dead skin from the surface as its grainy-textured contemporaries but it is still one of the best ones out there in the game.

Target Audience: Both skincare brands do not have specific target groups and claim that their products work for anyone wanting to exfoliate their skin.

Affordability:  Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Brightening & Anti-Aging Face Scrub retails at Rs. 775 for 50 grams of the product. For the same amount of product, Forest Essentials’ Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste retails at Rs. 2,950.

Again, the latter hails on the pricier side and may not be affordable to some or suitable for everyone out there but there’s no doubt that it works!

 

  1. Face Mask

Kumkumadi Face Scrub Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste Comparison

All of us need a good face mask every now then, whatever it may be for. I truly believe that a fun maskin session can help you manage just about any stressor in life while removing tan and pampering your skin. Masks or packs are just so versatile! You can use them as a way to unwind on a weekend or apply a layer of either of the following two masks (that I’ve curated with you in mind) after a long, tiring day at work to prepare for the next day.

  • Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Turmeric Star Anise Ubtan Face Pack & Mask For Glowing Skin & Tan Removal (wow that’s a mouthful)
  • Forest Essentials’ Facial Ubtan Soundarya

Ingredients: Both products derive their principal ingredients from Ubtan, a type of DIY homemade mask that has been prepared by grandmothers in Indian households for centuries.

Shubhr Ubtan Face Mask has as its core ingredients, skincare’s holy grails like Multani mitti (treats acne and pigmentation) and turmeric (brightens the skin and adds a natural glow) along with underdogs like star anise (reduces wrinkles and tightens the skin) and lodhra powder (reduces dark spots).

The Forest Essentials Soundarya Facial Ubtan is an exfoliating treatment cum mask/pack prepared with hand-pounded herbs including Fennel Seeds, Star Anise (making a reappearance), Fenugreek, Saffron, and Lemon Peel. It also houses the goodness of ingredients such as neem leaves (known for their antibacterial properties), turmeric (our hero from the former product), and roses (hydrates the skin, thus diminishing the appearance of fine lines). Soundarya Facial Ubtan claims to deeply cleanse and illuminate the skin.

Special Features: Blue Nectar, like most of its products, houses a high herb quotient in its version of the ubtan face mask. The brand uses a unique blend of 9 different herbs and does a rather swell job of removing acne scars better than any product I’ve seen so far. Another fun fact about this ubtan is that it can double up as a scrub when you need it to, how convenient!

Similar in function and powder-like consistency, The Ubtan from Forest Essentials is fantastic at the task of stimulating the underlying tissues of the skin, giving it a smoother and more radiant finish.

Target Audience: The Ubtan Face Packs from both brands are formulated for all skin types and perform as promised.

Affordability: Blue Nectar’s Shubhr Ubtan Face Pack retails at Rs. 575 for 100 grams of the product whereas Forest Essentials’ Facial Ubtan Soundarya retails at Rs. 1,175 for 80 grams of the product. Though the price difference isn’t as big as it has been for some of the other products, you still end up paying almost twice as much for a lesser amount of product when you purchase the latter.

 

Final Verdict

  • Okay so here’s the thing, there’s no true way of finding out which skincare product or brand works out better for you unless you try them both personally. It may be tough on your pocket but that is sadly perhaps the most effective way of choosing your winner. Another way is to go with what I’ve managed to mention in this blog. Here’s the gist of the conclusion I’ve come to:
  • Both brands signify the epitome of luxury and make you feel as though you’re no less than royalty.
  • Packaging-wise, Forest essentials has been dominating the brand game for a while but Blue Nectar puts up a tough fight. Both brands offer beautifully crafted products that are visually appealing.
  • Both brands offer pure and natural products. Their brandings revolve around being chemical-free.
  • Forest Essentials slightly trumps Blue Nectar because of its packaging. Their products are eco-friendly and more often come in solid, reusable glass jars. However, Blue Nectar is certainly an eco-conscious brand that offers its products in recyclable plastic containers.
  • Forest Essentials claims to bring a luxurious quality to Ayurvedic knowledge while Blue Nectar’s Ayurvedic applications are aimed at being more contemporary.
  • Blue Nectar is without a doubt, the more economical brand. Products offered by both companies have similar claims and similar functions (their effectiveness and worthiness is rather subjective and depends entirely on the user), why then should one be more expensive than the other by that great a difference, food for thought, I suppose.

The concept of Ayurvedic beauty has taken the world by storm and it doesn’t seem to stop or slow down anytime soon. The only thing you can do is make a conscious and fun ride out of it!

10 Anti Aging Products that are Worth a Second Glance

It is an indisputable fact that aging is an inevitable part of the life cycle. However, as the saying goes, “you only live once”; which is why it is essential to live life to the fullest and healthiest. Skin aging, in particular, could be a concern for many. While one cannot stop or reverse aging, luckily, we have ways to slow aging. So, if you are someone who wishes to hold on to your youth, and age gracefully, you are at the right place! This blog discusses all you’ll need to know about the benefits of anti-aging creams and which ones might suit your signs of aging the best.

 

 

What is Aging and Why Do We Need to Slow it Down?

Aging is a natural process that begins in early adulthood and continues throughout life. Many physiological processes including cardiovascular processes, joint movement, skin elasticity, and memory may begin to deteriorate in early middle age. 

One might enjoy the benefits of growing into a wiser person as they grow older, but rarely does anyone like the physical effects of aging post 40 years of age. Aging results from accumulated damages and cannot be (completely) stopped. However, longevity and health are something any human being aspires to have. Aging gracefully ensures a fuller life because one is not preoccupied with the issues that it brings about. Good lifestyle habits like exercise, a healthy diet, staying hydrated can help you slow aging in the long run.

 

 

Benefits of Anti-Aging Creams

As one grows older, their skin begins to lose its elasticity, moisture, and in turn its radiant texture. This may result in wrinkles and loose skin. Anti-aging creams help prevent these signs of aging by tightening skin, giving it nutrients, and keeping its radiance intact. Here are the main benefits of anti-aging creams in brief detail: –

 

Anti-aging cream helps prevent signs of aging

 

Tightens Skin

Major signs of aging include excessive dryness on the skin, accompanied by loss of skin elasticity. This leads to saggy and loose skin. Anti-aging creams contain ingredients such as rosehip-seed oil, which hydrates skin and fills it with nutrients. This leads to firmer and more hydrated skin. 

 

Prevent Spots and Skin Deterioration 

The skin has its process of healing itself. As one grows older these processes tend to slow down, which can lead to pigmented skin and several patches all over your skin. Anti-aging creams prevent irreversible skin damage that the sun or pollution may cause, as they tend to contain protective ingredients like SPF. 

 

Save You from the Cost of Expensive Procedures 

Since anti-aging creams slow aging, the harsh effects on your skin can be prevented in the long run by their use. They act as a preventive measure and prevent serious skin diseases. Using anti-aging creams in your youth ensures a disease-free old age.

 

Common Ingredients in Anti-Aging Creams

Most ingredients in anti-aging creams are moisturizers because moisture is what protects the skin from aging in the long run. Common ingredients used in these creams include: –

 

Retinoids

A class of compounds that are derived from Vitamin A, boosts collagen production over the time and encourages cell turnover.

 

Vitamins C, B3-B5, A, and E

Vitamin C and E are well known antioxidants that prevent the damage by free radicals. Vitamin A is excellent at stimulating the production of collagen and cell turnover. Vitamin B3 strengthens the epidermal barrier. It is also an antioxidant though not as well known as Vitamin C or E in this regard. Vitamin B5 binds and holds water to the skin, moisturizing it and helping it maintains its elasticity.

 

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

A group of plant-derived acids that has found its way into skincare products and rightly so. The primary function is to exfoliate but they are also well known to promote collagen production and improve blood flow. AHAs are water-soluble.

 

Beta-Hydroxy Acids

Made from willow bark or sweet birch trees function in the same way as AHAs. However, BHAs being oil soluble, are able to penetrate deeper into the pores to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells.

 

Tea extracts

An effective free radical scavenger due to its high antioxidant content. Cell damage by free radicals is associated with aging.

 

Niacinamide

It is a form of B3, an essential nutrient. It can protect from sun damage while concurrently rebuilding healthy skin cells.

 

Peptides

These are short amino acid chains that are the building block of some proteins like collagen and elastin. They trigger skin to build collagen and elastin.

 

Coenzyme Q10

A naturally occurring nutrient in the body, it acts like an antioxidant and protects skin from damage. It helps the skin to repair and regenerate.

 

 

Why Anti-Aging Products Are Applied Mostly at Night

Our body is at rest when we sleep and so is our skin. No matter how stressed you were during the day, cortisol (stress hormone) levels drop when you are in deep sleep. Deep sleep further accompanies the human growth hormone, which is responsible for the rejuvenation of the skin. New skin cells start developing mostly at night and they replace the old ones. Anti-aging creams can therefore contribute to your skin health best when your natural body processes are also doing the same. This is the reason most anti-aging products tend to be used at night.

We hope that the uses and benefits of anti-aging creams are clearer to you now. Obsessing too much about aging might be harmful, and your best health comes about with the acceptance of the fact that life is anything but immortal. Aging gracefully, however, is a reasonable thing to aspire for and we wish you the best for that endeavour.

We have compiled a list of 10 Anti-Aging products which may help you in warding off the signs of aging and keeping a youthful appearance much longer.

 

Rejuvenating & Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream by Kama Ayurveda

If you are looking for an effective leave-in cream then Rejuvenating & Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream by Kama Ayurveda is the answer. It has been derived from their Kumkumadi tailam and is a blend of Kashmiri saffron, Indian madder, Aloe vera, Liquorice amongst other potent herbs.

A rich, non-greasy formulation, this night cream may help you to reduce signs of aging and achieve a natural youthful radiant glow.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Saffron is known to brighten skin, reduce dark circles and pigmentation.
  • Indian Madder and Aloe Vera are known to have many remedial properties which prevents fine lines and delays the process of aging skin.
  • Vetiver and lotus are cooling in nature and cleanse as well.
  • Liquorice may help to protect against infections.

 

Benefits

  • 100% Natural.
  • Reduces pigmentation and clears blemishes.
  • Improves Skin Brightening and moisturization.
  • Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet.
  • Minimises the appearance of dark circles.
  • Rich herbs the nourishes skin.

 

Shubhr Anti-Aging Brightening Face Cream with Sandalwood Saffron by Blue Nectar

Blue Nectar’s Anti-Aging Brightening Face Wash with Sandalwood and Saffron contains a rich mix of 14 herbs. It has been designed to have the power of all the potent herbs and none of the stickiness, thickness or smell that is associated with Ayurveda based products. It works against Signs of Aging and helps to firm the skin and reduce wrinkles. It is also highly effective as an under eye cream and helps in the reduction of dark circles. Regular use helps to improve the skin glow and reduce skin pigmentation and dark spots.

 

Anti-Aging Brightening Face Cream with Sandalwood and Saffron

 

Key Ingredients

  • Saffron even outs the skin tone and adds a glow to the skin 
  • Sandalwood helps to reduce pigmentation
  • Indian Madder helps to tighten skin and make it firm.
  • Aloevera hydrates the skin and provides nourishment.

 

Benefits

  • Brightens dull skin and evens out skin texture to make it soft and supple.
  • Imroves the elasticity of skin and keep it moisturized and taunt.
  • Keeps skin free of dark spots, fine lines & wrinkles
  • Adds a natural glow to the Skin

 

 

Anti-A Night Cream by VLCC

If you are looking for nourishment and faster cellular regeneration than look no further than VLCC anti-ageing night cream. Plush with the benefits of almond and olive, this cream nourishes dry and tired skin and gives a youthful and healthy look.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Almond is rich in Vitamin E and moisturizes and softens skin
  • Olive is rich in antioxidants and it repairs damaged skin and reduces signs of aging

 

Benefits

  • Stimulates collagen production
  • Tightens skin making it firmer
  • Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
  • Reduces marks on the skin

 

youthful and healthy look

 

 

Youth Rx Anti-Aging Nourishing Night Cream by Lotus Herbals

  • Lotus herbal uses revolutionary “Green Sciences” technology for a light weight and quick absorbing formulation.
  • This technology makes use of the “Gineplex Youth Compound” which has been created using potent natural derivatives. It contains the extracts of Ginseng, ginger and milk peptides.
  • It is a nourishing night cream which reduces fine lines, wrinkles. It repairs the natural wear and tear of the day and hydrates the skin.
  • It also has hydrating properties which reduce the appearance of dry patches. Wake up to soft, supple and pampered skin every morning.
  • Safe for sensitive skin.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Ginseng is known for increasing the regeneration capacity of the skin cells.
  • Ginger is known to prevent skin damages stimulates blood circulation and improves complexion.
  • Milk peptides nourish and boost skin elasticity.

 

Benefits

  • Weightless formulation, quick absorbing and easy to use
  • Reduces size of pores
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Improves natural youth and vitality.
  • Reduces dark spots and blemishes
  • Hydrates and nourishes skin

 

Pomegranate And Collagen Volume Lifting Cream by The Face Shop

If you are dealing with sagging skin and sunken facial contours then The Face Shop’s Pomegranate and Collagen Volume Lifting Cream is exactly what you need.

Utilizing the synergy of pomegranate and marine collagen, this cream is effective in firming up skin and improving the volume by providing rich nourishment. It allows your natural radiance to shine through. A revitalizing cream that promotes elasticity, firmness and density. This cream seeps into the deepest layers and locks in moisture for a bright younger looking skin.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Marine Collagen helps to prevent and reduce signs of aging
  • Pomegranate extract helps to brighten the skin
  • Shea Butter and glycerine moisturize the skin

 

dealing with sagging skin

 

Benefits

  • Lifts up and volumizes the face
  • Plumps and nourishes the skin
  • Provides resilience to the skin and prevents the formation of line and wrinkles,
  • Reduces signs of aging
  • Brightens the skin.

 

 

Triple Age Repair Night Moisturizer by Neutrogena

The key contributors to fine lines and wrinkles are the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Skin starts sagging as these break down and skin starts showing the signs of aging. Neutrogena’s Triple Age Repair Night Moisturizer has been specifically formulated to target 3 skin issues that make you look older.

This moisturizer contains Vitamin C, Glycerine and Hexinol technology. These help to smooth the look of wrinkles, even skin tone and improve skin firmness. This powerful moisturizer repairs while you catch a night of restful sleep.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Vitamin C diffuses dark spots while it even outs the skin tone
  • HEXINOL Technology boosts skin’s ability to restore its appearance, smoothens the look of wrinkles, visibly evens skin tone and improves skin firmness
  • Nourishing Glycerine moisturizes deeply, instantly improving the look and feel of the skin.

 

Benefits

  • Smoothens wrinkles. An plump and even skin appears youthful.
  • Even skin Tone by reducing pigmentation and blemishes.
  • Visibly firm, taut and moisturized skin.

 

Regenerist night recovery night cream moisturizer by Olay

A super hydrating formulation with Amino-peptide complex, Regenerist night recovery night cream moisturizer by olay has the ability to penetrate up to 10 layers of the skin.

The hydration plumps up the skin reducing fine lines. It gives the skin a velvety feel. Surface skin cell turnover is aided by its ability to exfoliate dead skin cells. This product is fragrance free which is an added advantage for those who are sensitive to fragrances.

 

Key Ingredient

  • Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) helps the skin to maintain moisture, keeping it well hydrated. Helps with skin cell turnover and regeneration. Exfoliates to remove dulls skin.
  • Amino Peptide – These chains of amino acids are the building block of skin cells and helps the skin to look smoother and firmer.

 

Benefits

  • Intense hydration
  • Plumps skin and gives it a rich, velvety feel
  • Exfoliates to help surface cell turnover.
  • Penetrates 10 surface layers, improving texture and elasticity
  • Fragrance free and non-greasy

Anti-Aging no parabens & mineral oil night cream by Wow

Powered by Matrixyl 3000 peptides, known for its ability to stimulate collagen production – Anti Aging No Parabens & Mineral Oil Night Cream by Wow helps to rejuvenate the skin to achieve a more youthful skin.

Collagen is needed to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and is especially important for the face. Infused with aloe leaf juice, shea butter, olive oil and hyaluronic acid, this cream provides for complete anti-aging care.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Matrixyl 3000 Peptides – Has been specially formulated to boost collagen levels and stimulate skin repair
  • Aloe Leaf Juice – One of the moved loved ingredients for hydration
  • Hyaluronic Acid – Supports collagen production and holds the moisture in to fill up wrinkles
  • Shea Butter – A source of essential fatty acid provides deep moisturization
  • Vitamin C & E – Helps achieve an even skin tone

 

Benefits

  • Special formulation for nourishment and suitable for all skin types, including acne prone skin.
  • Soothes, moisturizes, repairs and rejuvenates skin
  • Helps boost skin elasticity, fill up fine lines, fade out the age spots and evoke a glow.
  • Provides Intense moisturization with hyaluronic acid

 

moisturization with hyaluronic acid

 

 

Natural age control night cream by the Momsco

Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to Retinol. Momsco Natural Age Control Night Cream contains Bakuchiol to provide a natural solution for the signs of aging. It also contains Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Natural Vitamin E which work to restore the firmness and the healthy glow of the skin. Gentle enough, this is suitable for all skin types.

 

Key Ingredients

  • Bakuchiol – It is a natural alternative to Retinol which stimulates collagen production and diminishes signs of aging.
  • Niacinamide – helps to reduce pigmentation and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Hyaluronic Acid- Replenishes moisture content in the skin.
  • Natural Vitamin E – A powerful antioxidant that fights the damage caused by sun

 

Benefits

  • Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles & dark spots
  • Restores skin firmness and elasticity by retaining the moisture in the skin.
  • Improves upon the overall radiance of the skin
  • Repairs & regenerates skin
  • Improves blood circulation & facilitates oxygenation of the skin

 

 

Wrinkle Lift Anti-Ageing Cream by Garnier

Garnier’s Wrinkle Lift Anti-Ageing cream utilizes the antioxidant power of the berries for age defying effects. It also keeps the delicate balance of pH in the skin, in check helps you reclaim the lost glow and get your vitality and youthfulness back.

 

get your vitality and youthfulness back

 

The cream works on 2 levels. It repairs from within while it smoothens out the outer layer of the skin. Helps to tackle the most obvious signs of aging – wrinkles, loss of firmness and dryness.

Key Ingredients

  • Ginger – Helps boost the skin’s regenerative process
  • Cherries and Bilberry extract helps firm skin

 

Benefits

  • Checks the skin’s pH balance
  • Helps in recovering lost firmness and elasticity
  • Reduces wrinkles and adds vitality