How I Choose My Skincare

Skin type

Oily to combination, sometimes sensitive (redness and inflamed) due to environmental stress, or extreme temperature changes or no reason at all)

What I usually look for in Skincare

As natural as possible with plant extracts and luxurious oils

Cruelty free

Organic (with certificates)

Vegan (is bonus, though I'm fine with bee's product and goat's milk)

No alcohol (usually listed as alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethanol, ethyl alcohol. Fatty alcohol such as cetyl alcohol are fine)

Parabens (metylparaben, propylparaben, etc.)

Sulphates

Phthalates

Collagen (break me out)

Mineral oil (clogged pores)

Silicone (dimethicone, etc; although I did give an exception to makeup product such as primer and foundation)

and Other controversial ingredients.

So, these are what I normally look for when buying skincare. I can say that I'm quite a fan at reading the ingredients. What about you?. Please comment down below. 

Thank you. 

Review: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Beautiful Day Cream

In my previous post, I reviewed about Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Moroccan Beauty Oil. Here we shall take a look at the lines' daily moisturizer. 

Brand info: Andalou Naturals are US brand that focusing on natural and organic skincare product. All of their products are formulated without alcohol, parabens, non GMOs ingredient, mineral oil or other controversial ingredient and they are cruelty free, vegan with certified organic. 

1000 RosesⓇ Beautiful Day Cream

from Andalou Naturals website

The Product: Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Beautiful Day Cream is daily moisturizer that is light and will leave matted, non-greasy residue on your skin. On the skin, the cream glides easily with watery feeling. It combined the ever moisturizing ability of Aloe vera with rosehip and pomegranate oil with a touch of beautiful scenting rose water distillate and plant extracts. Plant stem cells was added to increase the skin's resilient and boosting its anti-aging property. 

Ingredient list: 

Key Ingredients
PhytoCellTec® Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica Apple and Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells
 
Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Purified Water (Aqua), Vegetable Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Olive Squalane, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Plant Stem Cells (Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Soothing Complex: [Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Boswellia Serrata (Boswellin) Extract], Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Distillate*, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Juice*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract*, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract*†, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rose Isolates, Vanilla Isolates, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil* 

*Certified Organic Ingredients †Fair Trade Ingredients

Main ingredient: Are all the same for every 1000 RosesⓇ line.

PhytoCellTec Ⓡ Alpine Rose, PhytoCellTec Ⓡ Malus Domestica Apple, PhytoCellTec Ⓡ Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells are all cultivated plant stem cells biotechnologically produced and sustainable because only a small amount is needed to be used as cosmetic ingredients. 

Each of the stem cells in Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ are originated from Alpine rose, apple and grapefruit as stated above hence the names of the plant at each of the stem cells.

According to the developer, 

"Every stem cell contains specific epigenetic factors whose task is to preserve the stem cells' multi-potency and its ability to self-renew. Their researchers have discovered that plant stem cells contain epigenetic factors similar to those of adult human stem cells. Applied in the right way, they have a positive impact on the vitality of skin stem cells and their proper functioning".

Overall from their research findings, the stem cells were found to protect the skin from UV radiation, protect from damage due to environmental stress and delays skin aging by improving vitality and longevity of skin stem cells. Read here for more info on PhytoCellTecⓇ. 

How to use: Simply take a little amount from the jar and apply after toner or serum. The product basically non-oily, I usually found myself applied generously on my face. The product is formulated for day time uses however, I like to use it everyday and night. 

Colour: White; 

Scent:  Roses with a little hint of berries. However, do not worry as the scent comes from natural essential oil and not synthetic fragrance oil; 

Texture: Very light, feels velvety, lotion-like moisturizer. 

Overall, the cream absorbed easily into skin leaving a moist, non-oily or greasy residue. 

Personal thought: I've been using it for more than a month, and just like Moroccan Beauty Oil, I find that I love everything about it. My skin was moisturized during the day and glowing in the morning (Since I'm using it day and night despite that it is actually a day moisturizer). I'm using it with oily serum to compensate the non-oily aspect of the cream. However, for me, I think it is better to get Heavenly Night Cream instead. I preferred my moisturizer to be a bit on oily side. 

Will buy it again?:  Possibly. This is a great moisturizer but there are a lot skincare product out there to explore and I only have one face (;-P)...you get what I mean. 

You will love it if:

• You loves strong rose scenting product.
• You loves very light moisturizer.
• You have an oily skin.
• You have sensitive skin.

You will hate it if:

• Prefer mild to no scent product.
• You have dry, flaky skin. 

Where to get: iHerb

Key in this code FAR5765 during checkout to receive a 5%-10% discount. 

Click the link to learn about Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Absolute Serum.

Review: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Moroccan Beauty Oil

I really love rose oil or rose theme product. You could say that I'm basically a rose addict. I searched high and low for any rose cream or rose serum and I came upon Andalou Naturals at iHerb and managed to snag three of Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ series and couldn't wait to try them. The 1000 RosesⓇ line are specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin. This review will come in three part. 

Please click here to read about Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Beautiful Day Cream.

Brand info: Andalou Naturals are US brand that focusing on natural and organic skincare product. All of their products are formulated without alcohol, parabens, non GMOs ingredient, mineral oil or other controversial ingredient and they are cruelty free, vegan with certified organic. 

1000 RosesⓇ Moroccan Beauty Oil

from Andalou Naturals website

The Product: Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Moroccan Beauty Oil as its name implies is a facial oil blend to perfection. They blended carrier oil such as sunflower and jojoba oil with luxurious, high anti-oxidant and Omega-3 containing nutritious oil such as rosehip, pomegranate, argan, sea buckthorn and plant extract to produce this clear, colorless oil. 

Ingredient list: 

Key Ingredients
PhytoCellTec® Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica Apple and Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells 

Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Tocopherol, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil* Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil*, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil*, Argania Spinsosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil*, Plant Stem Cells (Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Soothing Complex: [Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Boswellia Serrata (Boswellin) Extract], Bisabolol, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract*†, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract*†, Rose Isolates, Vanilla Isolates, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil* 

Certified Organic Ingredients †Fair Trade Ingredients

*I have no idea about the plant stem cell thing, because they didn't stated description about the ingredient in their website. So I have to ask Mr. Google about it. 

Main ingredient: Are all the same for every 1000 Roses line.

PhytoCellTecⓇ Alpine Rose, PhytoCellTecⓇ Malus Domestica Apple, PhytoCellTecⓇ Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells are all cultivated plant stem cells biotechnologically produced and sustainable because only a small amount is needed to be used as cosmetic ingredients. 

Each of the stem cells in Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ are originated from Alpine rose, apple and grapefruit as stated above hence the names of the plant at each of the stem cells.

According to the developer, 

"Every stem cell contains specific epigenetic factors whose task is to preserve the stem cells' multi-potency and its ability to self-renew. Their researchers have discovered that plant stem cells contain epigenetic factors similar to those of adult human stem cells. Applied in the right way, they have a positive impact on the vitality of skin stem cells and their proper functioning".

Overall from their research findings, the stem cells were found to protect the skin from UV radiation, protect from damage due to environmental stress and delays skin aging by improving vitality and longevity of skin stem cells. Read here for more info on PhytoCellTecⓇ. 

How to use: Simply pump a few drops, warm between your hands and apply on clean wet/dry skin. A little goes a long way and too much will be a bit oily. I usually applied generously before sleeping but sparingly during the day on wet face. However, I do apply in large amount for my hair (smell roses for days). 

Colour: Colourless; 

Scent:  Roses with a little hint of berries (might be a little to strong if your're not preferring scenting product). However, do not worry as the scent comes from natural essential oil and not synthetic fragrance oil; 

Texture: Very light, non-sticky oil. 

Overall, the oil absorbed into the skin like sponge, however, it you apply to much, it'll leave a little bit oily residue on your skin. 

Personal thought: I've been using it for more than a month, and I've find that I love everything about it. My skin was moisturized during the day and glowing in the morning. Small wrinkle under the eyes and a few acne scars are disappearing and I couldn't be more happier. I almost finished the bottle and already thinking of getting a new one soon.

The oil is so light that I used in on my hair, hands, face, body and under the eyes. 

Will buy it again?: 3X YES, that's huge coming from me who usually doesn't buy the same skincare product the second time. 

You will love it if:

• Loves strong rose scenting product.
• Beauty oils are your passion.

You will dislike it if:

• Prefer mild to no scent product.
• You couldn't cope with oily residue when applying too much. 

Where to get: iHerb

Key in this code FAR5765 during checkout to receive a 5%-10% discount. 

Click the link to learn about Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Beautiful Day Cream.

Review: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Absolute Serum

In my previous post, I reviewed about Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Moroccan Beauty Oil and Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Beautiful Day Cream. Here we shall take a look at the lines' serum. 

Brand info: Andalou Naturals are US brand that focusing on natural and organic skincare product. All of their products are formulated without alcohol, parabens, non GMOs ingredient, mineral oil or other controversial ingredient and they are cruelty free, vegan with certified organic. 

1000 RosesⓇ Absolute Serum

from Andalou Naturals website

The Product: Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ Absolute Serum is the serum in 1000 Roses line. Different from the other, this product contained Vitamin C in its ingredient and Rose flower distillate as one of the major ingredient (technically, the one listed the first are the major component in any product) and less oil component (listed later), making the product is less oily. 

Ingredient list: 

Key Ingredients

PhytoCellTec® Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica Apple and Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells 

Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Purified Water (Aqua), Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Distillate*, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Olive Squalane, Lecithin, Plant Stem Cells (Alpine Rose, Malus Domestica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Bisabolol, Soothing Complex: [Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Boswellia Serrata (Boswellin) Extract], Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil*, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract*†, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract*†, Tocopherol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rose Isolates, Vanilla Isolates, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil* 

*Certified Organic Ingredients †Fair Trade Ingredients

Main ingredient: Are all the same for every 1000 RosesⓇ line.

PhytoCellTecⓇ Alpine Rose, PhytoCellTecⓇ Malus Domestica Apple, PhytoCellTecⓇ Solar Vitis Grape Fruit Stem Cells are all cultivated plant stem cells biotechnologically produced and sustainable because only a small amount is needed to be used as cosmetic ingredients. 

Each of the stem cells in Andalou Naturals 1000 RosesⓇ are originated from Alpine rose, apple and grapefruit as stated above hence the names of the plant at each of the stem cells.

According to the developer, 

"Every stem cell contains specific epigenetic factors whose task is to preserve the stem cells' multi-potency and its ability to self-renew. Their researchers have discovered that plant stem cells contain epigenetic factors similar to those of adult human stem cells. Applied in the right way, they have a positive impact on the vitality of skin stem cells and their proper functioning".

Overall from their research findings, the stem cells were found to protect the skin from UV radiation, protect from damage due to environmental stress and delays skin aging by improving vitality and longevity of skin stem cells. Read here for more info on PhytoCellTecⓇ. 

How to use: Simply pump a few pumps on the back of your hand and apply after toner or essence. The product are lightweight and non-oily. The product is formulated for day time uses however, I like to use it everyday and night. 

Colour: White; 

Scent:  Roses with a little hint of vanilla. However, do not worry as the scent comes from natural essential oil and not synthetic fragrance oil; 

Texture: Very light, feels velvety, a very thick essence. Definitely not the normal watery/essence-like serum. It's almost as thick as Beautiful Day Cream.

Personal thought: I've been using it for more than a month, and just like the other products in the 1000 Roses line, I find that I love everything about it. Overall, the serum absorbed easily into skin leaving a moist, non-oily or greasy residue. See in the picture above ↑, my palm becoming less dry. 

Will buy it again?:  Possibly.

You will like it if:

• You loves strong rose scenting product.
• You loves non-oily serum.
• You have an oily skin.
• You have sensitive skin.

You will dislike it if:

• Prefer mild to no scent product.
• You prefer watery to essence-like serum. 
• Dry or flaky skin.

Where to get: iHerb

Key in this code FAR5765 during checkout to receive a 5%-10% discount.