Don't Ignore Your Local Brands!! Jovees Carrot and Anjeer Sun Block SPF 45

I have been doing reviews for a couple of local brands like Arish, Somi's Ayurvedic Products of Keya Seth's Aromatherapy. There is another nice brand named Jovees which was launched in 2004, and has a whole range of skin and hair care products. But today I am going to review a brilliant product which I discovered (I am glad I did!). This is the Jovees Carrot and Anjeer Sunblock with SPF 45

 I was travelling and had misplaced my regular sunblock. I desperately needed to buy one. I went to a local chemist shop and asked for a good sunblock  and he gave me this. I had heard about Jovees off and on but I had never used any of their products. So I was skeptical. But I really had no choice. But what a pleasant surprise!!

The Product is priced at INR 165/- for a 50g tube.

In the photo above you can see the product claim and method of use. 
Let us now look at the ingredients:

Active Ingredients:

1. Ficus: It acts as a very good skin cleanser and helps in prevention and curing of skin problems like acne and pimples. It can also cure inflammations like abscesses, warts and boils.
2. Liquorice: Skin whitening properties, anti-inflammatory
3. Aloe Indica:treats sunburns and acne, moisturising and anti-aging properties 
4. Sandalwood: Anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, moisturising properties.
5. Daucus Carota or Carrot Seed Oil is a thin, yellow oil distilled from ground seeds is rich in Beta-Carotene. Not only beneficial for mature skin, sun damaged skin, or skin that is exposed to harsh weather conditions, it is also valued for its soothing, relaxing properties. Part of its strength is that it not only helps sun spots or other signs of age or damage fade over time, but it also helps to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place!
6. Wheatgerm: Wheat germ oil has several properties that make it an effective way to reduce damage done to the skin. Due to its high levels of antioxidants, it has the ability to repair skin cells that have been damaged by the sun, pollution or an unhealthy diet.It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and can soothe sunburns.

Product Swatches:

After Blending in

After product application on face.

My experience:

The product comes in a nice flip top tube, which can be carried easily in your purse. The dispenser allows you to control the amount of product you want, so there is no wastage. The texture is like a cream, as you can see in the swatch. The product has a gentle fragrance that disappears soon after application. It blends easily and has a nice, mattifying effect. Great for my oily skin. However, it does not leave the skin feeling dry and stretchy. I went for a week long village trip and spent most of the day out in the hot sun. When I got back people said I hardly had a tan. So great product! 

Pros:
1. Nice, handy packaging.
2. Mattifying effect on oily skin.
 3. Oil free formula
4. Does not over-dry skin
5. Water-resistant, so great for sweaty, humid weather.
6. High SPF , with UVA+UVB protection.

7. Lives up to its claim of protecting skin from tanning, after blending in, skin looks nice and fresh.
8. Reasonably priced.

Cons:
1. Not meant for those with dry skin, even though it says 'for all skin types' (checked with a friend with dry skin). However, you can mix it with a moisturizer of your choice when applying.
2. Does not list all the ingredients.

Product rating: 4.9/5. Only because its not really meant for all skin types.

Will I buy this product again?  YES, YES, YES. It is my Holy Grail Product!!!!!

Product Review: Somi's Glow Safe Sunscreen Lotion

Somi Gupta's products have been around now for over 5 years and I have used a couple of them for about 3 years. I am fan of her Glow Fresh Face and Body Grains.

Today I will be reviewing another of her products called Somi's Glow Safe Sunscreen Lotion. As I re-visited Somi Gupta's website, I dicovered that the packaging of the product has been changed. So the new Package is here:

The one I bought is so:

Product Claim:

Product Price: INR 140/- for 100ml

List of Ingredients:

1. Neelotpala Patra: Is said to  improve circulation, widely used in aromatherapy
2. Kur: Couldn't figure out what this is!
3. Chandan: Known for its cooling properties, great for oily, acne prone skin, reverses sun-damage to skin, anti-aging.
4. Benermul: Again don't know what it is.
5. sodium hydroxide: is an inorganic compound used to control the pH levels or serve as a buffering agent in cosmetics and personal care products
6. Carbomer: is used as a thickener and emulsion stabilizer
7. Propylene Glycol: is a humectant, which means it helps the skin to absorb moisture
8. Glycerin: is a wonderful moisturizer for all skin types.
9. Strearic Acid: Good emulsifying & thickening properties (stabilizes emulsions), gives soft waxy, pearly & cooling feel on the skin. 
10. Ethylene Glycol Monostearate: used as emulsifying agent in various face creams and cosmetic lotions
11. Light Liquid paraffin:  is a very highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics
12. Titanium Dioxide: It is an inert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and is considered to have no risk of skin irritation
13. Then a bunch of parabens as preservatives. 

Product Swatches:

After Blending

My experience with the Product:

The product  has a light foundation-like colour and texture, much like a tinted moisturizer. It glides well on the skin and is not too difficult to blend in. It has a nice gentle fruity, sandalwoody smell, but it goes away in a while. I have applied it regularly for a couple of months now and I have not noticed any more tanning than I usually get. My only issue is that it does not mention the SPF factor. But it seems in the neighbourhood of around SPF 15. Another point is that you are asked to re-apply every 2-3 hrs......... inconvenient , if you ask me. It also says nothing about being water or sweat proof, so what does one do during the hot, humid months? 

Somi Gupta also has a couple of talk shows (on Bangla Channels), where she says that the product can be used as a substitute for foundation. In that sense it gives very little coverage. Lacto Calamine has better coverage than this. However, Glow Safe does hold a face powder well.

Pros:
1. Nice Texture
2. Does not streak
3. Easy to blend into skin
4. Reasonable price
5. Pleasant smell

Cons:
1. Does not mention SPF factor
2. Needs to be re-applied every 2-3 hrs.
3. Does not give coverage like foundation as per its claim

4. Is not water or sweat proof

5. Not easily available outside West Bengal

Product Rating 2.5/5 

Mainly for its nice texture and easy blendability. If you are not looking for coverage and are not finicky about SPF numbers then you could go for it.

Will I buy this product again? No,  with all the nice BB creams around...............

There are 2 ingredients which I couldn't quite figure out............I'd love you to tell me about them so this could be a complete review!

Otherwise too,let me know if you find these reviews useful at all!! Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

See you!