Spa Therapeutic Gel Bath – Revive Infused with Rosemary

This is a really unique bath product, completely different to other products.  I highly recommend everyone tries at least once, and it makes a very novel gift.

 Ingredients

Sodium Polyacrylate. Perfume, Rosemary oil and Red Colour

How It Works

There are 2 sachets inside the box.  Tip stage 1 into bath water and swirl and watch the bath water turn into gel.  The main ingredient – Sodium Polyacrylate – absorbs 200-300 times its own weight in water it’s a synthetic product and is used in nappies to absorb urine!   The manufacturer recommends only filling the bath half full to get the best effect.   When you add the 2^nd sachet or stage 2, you are adding salt which neutralised the sodium polyacrylate, breaks down its bond and releases the water.

Skin Affinity

The bath water takes on the appearance of loads of little beads, and Rosemary essential oil scent comes through.  You can feel resistance in the bath water, and it has a slight massaging effect on the body when you move around in it.  When you pick it up in your hands, it has a slight exfoliating effect on the skin, and it the water seems to stay hotter for longer.  Once you’ve added the salt, you can than experience the benefit of a detoxifying bath. 

Rating

Value for money – £10.00 for a box which contains sachets for two baths – so a bit expensive for an everyday bath, however this is not an everyday bath experience – so probably worth it, and an very novel gift  for more info and where to buy here is the manufacturers website    http://www.gelicity.com/

Effectiveness – the information on the pack does promote it more as a therapeutic Spa effect, I wouldn’t go that far, but it is an interesting sensation and I ‘m sure it’s slightly beneficial

Pampering factor – I personally find this pampering, and I’ve used it on special occasions when I’ve had a stay at a luxury hotel

Definitely give it a try – it’s unique  

L’Oreal Men Expert Vita Lift

A male friend of mine uses this and wanted to know what was good about it.  It’s a two part daily moisturiser with an Orange Firming Gel (Pro-Tensium) and a White Anti-wrinkle cream (Pro-Retinol).  My first thought was that it looks similar to Revitalift under the women’s skin care and indeed it is has the same claims but the colour red has been used instead.

Is it a Gimmick to have a two part face cream?
Not always, there are some ingredients that will not work in a gel (carbomer) base and some ingredients that are better suited to a gel base.   Looking at the INCI list on the box (which I think combines both parts) carbomer isn’t mentioned, so this may well be a gimmick for this particular product, or a way to give less products as despite the normal 100ml looking box, there is only 30ml of product!

Ingredients

There is only 1 ingredient list under 781796 2, which I initially thought referred to the white cream in part 2, but when I noticed Red and Yellow colours near the top of the list, I realised this would be for the orange gel part and I noticed Retinyl Palmitate at the bottom of the list which would be for the white cream.

Ascorbyl glucoside – a stable form of vitamin C for brightening, and anti-oxidant benefits

Acetyl trifluoromethylphenyl valylglycine – is a high end skin conditioning agent – I couldn’t find too much data on this, but there are many natural skin conditioners out there ie shea butter that would probably just as effective

Ethylhexyl methoxycinammate & drometrizole – these are sunscreens, so a good product to see, the pack doesn’t advertise SPF so its possible its function is to protect the product from UV degradation

Palmitic acid – emollient (quite a basic product)

Limonene – a natural citrus odour

Peppermint Leaf extract – I suspect this is the “Pro-Tensium” as its known to have a uplifting, invigorating effect in the skin – doesn’t sound that high tech to me!

Retinyl Palmitate  (Pro-Retionol) – is a form of Vitamin A, and is more gently as its 20% weaker than Retionoic Acid and as it’s 3^rd from bottom of this list its used in miniscule amounts to make much difference.

The remainder of the ingredients are typical for skincare namely water, humectants, silicones, oils,  alcohols, thickeners/stabiliser, colours, preservatives etc. 

The Claims

1.    Pro-Tensium for making skin feel taut and firmer – a very fancy name for Peppermint Extract.
2.   Pro-Retinol a powerful ingredient for wrinkles, yes Retinol is, but this is a weaker version used at a very low level.
3.   Hydrated skin for 24 hours – possibly Acetyl trifluoromethylphenyl valyglycine is responsible for this
4.   Smoother and more supple skin – any emollient, especially petrolatum (Vaseline) would do this
5.   Non greasy, non sticky, quickly absorbed – a high silicone content would make it non greasy and the absence of carbomer in the gel would make it non sticky.

Rating (by my friend)
Value for money – £11.00 for a 30ml – 6/10 – I do think it’s expensive for a 30ml product that is neither high-end nor natural in my opinion
Effectiveness – 8/10
Pampering factor – apparently men don’t rate this!
Recommended – Yes (I really need to introduce him to new products!)

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Cuticle & Nail Treatment

This is a really fantastic nail product and convenient to carry around in the handbag, as it’s no bigger than a pen. Its’ very effective against dry and brittle nails and helps keep nails in good condition during the winter months, when nails seem to suffer the most. Have you ever noticed how healthy your nails look on holiday? Well that’s because the Vitamin D from sunlight is beneficial to the nails.

Ingredients
It’s a combination of:-
Vegetable oils - Safflower seed, apricot kernel, wheat germ, coconut oil
Synthetic oils - paraffin liquid and cyclopentasiloxane
Vitamins – E, A, C, pro-vitamin B5 and Aloe

Application
The fluid mixture is applied via twisting the base to dispense the mixture through the brush so it can be brushed onto nails and cuticles. It’s then massaged in until completely absorbed, would also be effective if a nail hoof was used to push the cuticles back.

Effectiveness
The vitamins and vegetable oils are effective because the cuticles are softened and the gently massaged back, so you won’t see dried, cracking cuticles, the nails absorb the oils and become healthier and less brittle. I’ve personally found this more effective than paint on nail hardeners as me and nail polish tend to part company within hours! However this product could be improved by adding something like papaya extract as this would “eat away” the dead cuticles more effectively.

Rating
Value for money – good costs £5 - £6 and is available from Superdrug, Savers, Boots and anywhere with the Sally Hanson nail range, it also lasts a very long time.
Effectiveness – because the nails are less brittle, and cuticles are not cracking and stuck to the growing nail, stronger, healthier nails are achieved which are less likely to split and break off
Pampering factor – because it is so small and easy to carry in the handbag, its convenient to whip out and use on a train, stuck in traffic, waiting room etc, and give yourself a bit of nail massage
Recommended