Only recently did I discover that The BodyShop has an online store in India.
While I’ve been a huge fan of their scrubbing gloves, their round cotton wipes and their candles ( they have, much to my disappointment, discontinued the candles ), I wanted to try more things from their store because I like their “Community Fair Trade” practices.
One of the things that caught my eye were these Vitamin C Facial Radiance Capsules. I think many girls have a “thing” for twisting off ends of capsules to let out the goodness – I certainly do. The produst currently retails for INR 2,000 from the online website.
It is a tiny glass jar with 28 capsules. One capsule per day just before you go to bed is what the instructions mention. The instructions also mention that you should ideally use the capsule after cleaning your face and before applying your moisturizer / night cream.
I’ve been using this stuff for 5 days now and I like it. I don’t know if it’s making any difference to my skin at a cell-level but it sure does feel good. I’m thinking of using this during the day under my makeup. While the box says that this product is for “dull” skin, my skin’s biggest problem is tiny marks due to sun exposure and of course persistent acne marks ( I take Sotret for my acne problem but I’m not a fan of heavy long-term medication. )
The product feels really good on my skin. I have combination skin but most of it is oily and this product glides on with no hint of additional oil being added. In fact, it feel powdery once applied to my face. The contents of a capsule are liquid of course.
Full list of ingredients :
Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Citrus Sinensis Oil, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propyl Gallate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Linalool, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
The silicone definitely works it’s magic although it’s temporary. Smooth, soft and supple skin instantly. I’ve heard some girls use 3-4 capsules per day and I can absolutely understand why.
As you an see below, decent quantity in one capsule but it’s only good enough for my face – can’t stretch it to my neck, which is a pity. I don’t like neglecting my neck – front and back.
There’s a bit of shine / sheen in the contents of the capsule – I’m not sure what those particles are but they are not visible once spread on my entire face. Even my fingers feel smooth once I’ve applied it. I’ve noticed that if I empty the entire contents of a capsule onto my finger and then apply it to my face, the capsule is only good enough for the face but if I take out small quantities from the capsule and spread it in a step-by-step fashion, then I can usually squeeze out some for my neck as well.
Probably better to mix it with your night cream or moisturizer if you’re going to be using it at night. For day time use, you could mix it with your sunscreen. To me it feels like a cosmetic product and I’ve been thinking of trying it out as a primer under my makeup because all the other products that are sold as primers further worsen my skin’s ability to hold makeup.
My skin routine currently includes:
Morning : wake up, spray my face with rose water, leave it to dry. Soak a cotton pad in the same rose water and wipe my face and neck with it. Followed by an application of cold-pressed aloe vera juice which I allow to dry. Followed by sunscreen regardless of whether I’m stepping out of the house or not.
Afternoon : a spray of rose water to freshen up.
Bed time : a spray of rose water, leave it to dry. Soak a cotton pad in rose water and wipe my face and neck with it. Followed by one twisted capsule of BodyShop’s Vitamin C Radiance. Followed by a couple of drops of Kumkumadi oil. I also take my Sotret dose at bed time.
Depending on when I shower, I use a moisturizer as well.
Apart from this, I take a supplement of Selenium and another multi-vitamin tablet and I try to eat at least one portion of dry fruits including almonds, cashewnuts and walnuts each day – very good for the hair and skin. Green tea and lots of water alongwith organic farm-fresh vegetables ( I order from iSayOrganic.com )
I’m going to be using these Vitamin C Radiance capsules till I finish the jar and will then decide if I would like to re-stock. Currently I’m not sure I want them to be part of my routine – I have read some reviews online where this product has reacted with very sensitive skin and some girls did not find any noticeable change on their skin after using this product. I have also read reviews where girls have been using this product for over two years and swear by it. I’m guessing it really depends on your own skin and also the condition in terms of age / quality etc. If you’re oldr, you might find this product more beneficial.
They do feel really good to me and I’ve always been a fan of BodyShop’s sourcing and attitude towards farmers although I have never seen their manufacturing / sourcing in-person on the ground.
It would be lovely to do a story about the entire supply chain – where the products are grown, how they are harvested, the manufacturing facilities, the packaging and how they educate their customers.
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