Skin Detox with Derma E | Purifying Detox Scrub* and Charcoal Mask*

Can you guys believe it's already into the first week of February? It's no secret that a huge goal that everyone makes for the new year is to get healthy. I've always been obsessed with skin care, so having healthy skin is a constant goal of mine too. We should strive for all around health, not just what we put into our body, but what we put on it too!

I was kindly sent the Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub* and the Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask*. These are two products from Derma E that have been on my radar for the longest time. I've been testing them out, and I'm ready to share my thoughts on them! Derma E also included two sample packs of the Amazing Grass Green Superfood, which was super awesome!

What I love the most about Derma E is that they are a very ethical brand. All of their products are 100% vegan and cruelty free, free of GMOs, parabens, gluten, mineral oil, dyes, etc. and are made with a high percentage of natural and organic ingredients. They are also eco friendly and made with 100% recyclable materials.

Both of these products contain activated charcoal, which works amazing for my skin. It's a perfect ingredient to help Detox you skin!

Purifying Daily Detox Scrub *

I'm going to start with my favorite of the two products, and it's the face scrub.

This is a gentle and natural face scrub meant for exfoliating and lifting impurities and micro pollutants from your face. It contains some awesome and powerful ingredients like activated charcoal, green tea, apricot powder, and some potassium, mineral, and antioxidant rich seaweeds. It's ideal for oily skin, but safe for sentive skin. You can read more about the ingredients and what their purpose is here.

My skin is combo-oily, but has been on the dryer side (thanks winter!) and this worked wonderful for me. It's not a super abrasive scrub, and it's very gentle so I can see why this would be safe for reactive skin. It has a nice fresh, soothing, and slightly cooling feeling to it. It works very well to both exfoliate and cleanse my face. I always feel refreshed after using it, and like I mentioned before, charcoal works amazing for my skin. I'll definitely be repurchasing this later after I've finished it up.

Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask*

This mask is a 2-in-1 mask with exfoliating properties. You let the mask sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes until it dries, and then add a little water to your face and then you can use it as an exfoliator. To me, this one was a little more rough than the scrub. This mask was designed to rid your pores of toxins and Detox your skin from harmful micro pollutants. It also is made with a ton of awesome ingredients such as activated charcoal, apricot seed powder, kaolin and bentonite clay, and also a ton of potassium, magnesium, and antioxidant rich seaweeds. It also claims to be best for oily skin, and safe for reactive skin as well. Kaolin clay is another ingredient that works very well for my skin! If you want to read more in depth, click here!

To me this mask was just okay. I liked it, but didn't love it. It actually worked really well on my skin, and every time I use it my face felt clean and fresh. However it's one of those masks that had a slight 'burning' sensation when you first put it on. It doesn't last long but it can be a bit uncomfortable. The mask dries down super fast, and made my face feel super tight, and also uncomfortable. When I take the mask off, I wet a wash cloth and gently exfoliate while removing the mask. My face also gets super red after I use it.

Dispute the few issues I had with it, it gave me good results (other than my face being red), and I will finish it up, but probably not repurchase. I personally wouldn't recommend this if you have sensitive skin.

Overall I was happy to try out these products, and they worked well for my skin. I didn't suffer for any breakouts, and if anything these helped heal and breakouts that I had. I definitely loved the Purifying Detox Scrub* and it has become a staple in my skincare routine!

Have you tried either of these products from Derma E? What is your favorite Derma E product?

*This post is sponsored by Derma e and powered by Brandbacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own!*

Valentia Night Revive Retinol Serum* Review

Hey! How was your weekend?

Today I'm sharing a new addition to my night time skin care routine. I've been testing out the Valentia Night Revive Retinol Serum*, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Last month I was able to test out Valentia's Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer (reviewed here), so I was anxious to try out more of their products and was happy when I was accepted into the Brandbacker campaign for this!

I mentioned this in my last Valentia post, but what I love most about this brand is that they use all natrual ingredients, they are vegan, and cruelty free!

About the Night Revive Retnol Serum from Valentia's website 

"A potent blend of Retinol, with essential vitamins and botanicals specifically chosen to enhance Retinols efficacy work together to create the serum your skin care dreams are made of. Retinol works down to the cellular level to stimulate collagen production and diminish even the deepest of wrinkles. Vitamin C helps Retinol penetrate deeper into the skin, while Vitamin E and Squalane nourish and hydrate, counteracting the drying effects of Retinol and maximizing anti-aging benefits. This transformative retinol serum will turn back the clock, giving you visibly smoother, rejuvenated skin. "

This serum claims to diminish wrinkles, stimulate collagen, improve skin tone, manage breakouts and skin conditions. 

This serum comes in a nice glass bottle, just like their Moistuizer does. It has a dropper applicator, and the product it's self is a milky white color which surprised me because most serums I've tried have been clear. It's suggested to lightly shake the bottle before applying, because natural ingredients can separate. The directions states to use an SPF on your face as you are using this. It's also suggested that if the Retinol irritates your skin, use every 2-3 nights until your skin adjusts. I personally have no irritation, so I use this every night. 

My Thoughts-

I honestly have nothing bad to say about this serum. I love that it sinks into my skin fast, and it's not slippery or tacky like some serums are. I use about 3 drops and combined with my night cream or coconut oil, my face feels nice, smoothe, and hydrated. A lot of serums break my face out but I had no problem with this one. I was a bit nervous because I've never used a product with Retinol in it before, but I'm happy to say it didn't irritate my skin. 

In really enjoying products from Valentia, and this serum had perked my interest in the brand even more!

Check out Valentia on Facebook and Instagram for more information on their products! 

*This post is sponsored by Valentia and powered by Brandbacker. All opinions are my own!*

Derma e Hydrating Day + Hydrating Night Cream* Review

Derma e has always been a brand that's been on my radar. They recently gave their brand packaging a new and beautiful makeover, and I was generously sent the Hydrating Day Cream* and Hydrating Night Cream* to test out and announce their new packaging. 

 The Hydrating Night Cream* was sent to me in their updated packaging, and the Hydrating Day Cream* in their old packaging. Can we just admire the beautiful detailing on the new one? 

The new packaging has a slightly frosted jar, and the label is clear instead of the colored one so it can see the product inside. It looks more clean and appealing to me! 

On both the box and the product jar, there's an awesome list stating how the brand is cruelty free, gmo free, gluten free, soy free etc. This is a definite plus in my book. I'm all for brands like this. 

About Derma e 

"DERMA E didn’t start out in the beauty aisle or the board room.

Instead, we started out in a local health food store in Southern California. Our first product was a jar of 12,000 I.U. Vitamin E Moisturizing Crème. People were amazed at the results it had on their skin, and word caught on.

Over the years, we’ve introduced many extraordinary products, each one rooted in our belief that skin health can be visibly improved through the right combination of potent vitamins, wholesome nutrients and good, clean hydration."

Be sure to check out Derma e's Website  for tons of more information! 

Both creams are a thick consistency and have similar scents. I don't know how to exactly describe them, but they smell a bit like candy (think sweet tarts?) and they have to be the best smelling face creams I've ever had. The Day Cream is a little bit stronger than the night one. 

They also included a USB with information about the products and designs for their new packaging. 

Day Cream* 

This product promises to hydrate your skin are reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It has a ton of anti aging antioxidants like green tea, vitamin e, vitamin c, and aloe. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid to bind moisture to your skin, which will help to plump, smooth, tone, and rehydrate your skin. Also idea for dry skin. 

My Thoughts

-This is a very thick and mositurizing day cream. It's texture is thick and my skin definitely feels mosturized throughout the day. For my combination oily skin, I don't find this is ideal for applying makeup over top. The cream is so thick that I find my foundation just sitting on top of it and looking cakey. But this is amazing for me on days that I don't wear makeup, so this is perfect for most days during the week when I'm staying at home and giving my skin a break for makeup. And like I mentioned earlier, it smells amazing. I do love that this product contains aloe, green tea, and different vitamins too. 

Hydrating Night Cream*

This is basically the same as the day cream without the green tea, and it promises to plump and hydrate you skin, had Hyaluronic Acid, etc. with a richer formula for night time. 

My Thoughts

-This is definitely my favorite out of the two products because I love a thick and hydrating moisturizer at night time. It sinks into my skin fast leaving it feeling hydrated and soft. It's scent is lighter than the day cream, but also smells amazing. 

So far I'm pleasently surprised with both these products. Im happy the brand is vegan, non gmo, and free from a lot of harmful ingredients! This is definitely a brand that I want to try more from, especially their microdermabrasion scrub!  I definitely don't think the day cream is suited for super oily skin girls, but if your skin is super dry then I'd definitely recommend both the night and day cream. 

I'm also happy to say that you can find Derma e in a ton of different stores including Ulta, Whole Foods, Target, Sally's Beauty Supply, GNC, CVS, and Walgreens!

Have you tried any products from Derma e before? Which ones are your favorite? 

*This post is sponsored by Derma e and powered by Brandbacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own!*

Valentia Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer*

Hello! 

Today I'm sharing my thoughts on a new moisturizer that I've been testing out. I was lucky enough to be able to try the Valentia Pure Glow Brightening Moistuizer*, which was sent to me from Brandbacker. 

What I like most about Valentia is that their products are vegan friendly, cruelty free, and made with natrual and organic ingredients. If you guys know me at all, then you know products like this are right up my ally, and I try to use mostly natural and organic skin care. This is also free from toxins and paraben free. 

About the Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer from Valentia's Website 

"Packed with brightening power, this moisturizer helps to lighten pigmentation marks and enhance the radiance of your overall complexion. With energizing antioxidants like Ginseng and Kojic Acid to control melanin production, dark spots are faded and collagen production is enhanced, revealing firmer more even skin. Skin moisture is replenished and protected with Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Safflower and Shea Butter. Tired and dull looking skin is restored to unveil a healthier, more vibrant glow!"

My Thoughts-

-As I mentioned before, I love that this is made with natural and organic ingredients and is cruelty free. That's a huge plus in my book. 

-It comes in a nice glass bottle with a pump. I love pumps on products because it's easy to use and sanitary. 

-This moisturizer is super light weight, and I find that two pumps will hydrate my skin. I don't think this is the most mositurizing moisturizer I own, but it's perfect for the day time. I like something more heavy at night. 

-When I put this on my skin, it does brighten my complexion, but I don't see any radiance or glow so if your an oily skin girl, I don't be afraid of those claims. I think this would work great for all skin types.

Overall I am really enjoying this moisturizer, and I'd love to checkout more products from Valentia. 

Have you heard of Valentia before? If so, which products have you tried? 

Check Valentia out on Instagram and Facebook for more info of their products.

*This post is sponsored by Valentia and powered by Brandbacker. All opinions are my own!*