Tried Out Beminimalist Products For The First Time And Liked A Few
If I had to give an introduction…When I first saw the ad of minimalist products pop up on my phone screen in 2020, I just went, ‘hey! they just blatantly copied one of my favourite brand.’ And the brand in question is a cult favourite - The Ordinary.The Ordinary is a cult favorite and liked by celebrities and skin care enthusiasts alike for all the right reasons and it’s a shame that the brand is not readily available in India! And if you ever want to order it from their official website, you need to pay heavy customs duty, that makes a hole in your pocket.And that is how this relatively new skincare brand BeMinimalist used the goodwill and popularity of The Ordinary and gained attention. The brand provides quite the similar range of products and even the packaging has an uncanny similarity. But they also provide a promise of quality and transparency. And also the claims about their products seems impressive.I have been using The Ordinary products and then with a sudden unavailability of the same I thought of giving The Beminimalist products a try. I saw beauty influencers go hullabaloo over it and I thought giving it a try might be a good discovery and it wasn't really giving me a pocket pinch. So I picked up a few of their popular products and here are the ones I liked!-------------------------------------------------------------SALICYLIC ACIDBefore I jump into the review, let me put some light on what is salicylic acid and how it benefits the skin -Salicylic Acid is mainly a chemical exfoliator known as BHA, an age old remedy that works by dissolving dead skin cells and sebum from the inner walls of the pores, revealing fresh skin underneath.2% of the concentrate is just the right amount for starters and in my opinion for long term use. Because these active ingredients act well on skin, there's always a chance that you might overdo it and that might cause some damage. So its always a good idea to keep the active ingredients mild.Salicylic Acid 2% Claims : - Our salicylic acid easily penetrates the pore lining and scoops out the dirt, debris, and sebum (clinically proven to work better than oil-based traditional salicylic acid), so skin looks clear and baby-soft- Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula made with aloe vera juice instead of water present in other serums to soothe the irritation generally associated with exfoliation- Formulated with RonaCare Salicylic Acid Extra Pure from Merck, Germany, a global natural chemistry companyThe highlight of the product is - It is Fragrance free, Paraben free, Oil free and has a pH level from 3.5-4.0.Price - INR 545/- for 30ml. Availability : (click on your preferred site)- AmazonMy Views : I started using it when I found a few painful cystic acne on the face and it worked pretty well in drying it up without leaving a scar. I had used the serum for a month on a clean face and neck after toner and waited for 5 minutes before applying moisturizer and sunblock.I do not have blackheads but the product would work really well on blackheads too as it works really well as a mild exfoliator. But its important that we don't overdo acids. I stopped using it after my pimples subsided and have restricted to using it twice a week. I have sensitive skin and so I restricted the amount to three drops only and trust me it suffices for face and neck both. I would rate it a - 3.5/5------------------------------------------NIACINAMIDENiacinamide suddenly gained hype and for all the right reasons. It is a form of Vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient. The deficiency of niacinamide could lead to disorder of skin, kidney and brain. Because we are talking about using niacinamide tropically for skin concerns here...niacinamide helps build keratin, which is a type of protein that helps to keep skin firm and healthy. It creates a lipid barrier which helps to retain moisture in the skin and also reduces inflammation. Niacinamide by helping retain moisture in the skin further helps in minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.Niacinamide 10% + ZincClaims :- Promote protein synthesis.- Reduce melanin concentration.- Improve skin complexion.- Balance sebum production.- Reduce inflammation.The highlight of the product is - It is Fragrance-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, oil-free and has a pH level from 5.5 - 6.5Price - 599/-INRAvailability: (click on your preferred site)- AmazonMy views :I had used Niacinamide by The Ordinary before and I kind of had high hopes from the same from The Minimalist but it failed to deliver up to my expectations. But again it is not totally a bad buy. The niacinamide by Minimalist had worked great for my friend and the results were visible! So I wouldn't really write this product off.Now that it seems to be getting difficult getting hands on The Ordinary products, I might give it a try again... But previously I did not notice any visible change on my skin. I would rate it a - 3/5----------------------------------------------------VITAMIN CVitamin C, a potent antioxidant which helps in preventing free radical damage is a must in your skincare routine. There are various benefits of using Vitamin C in your daily skin routine and to mention a few -- helps remove early signs of aging and wrinkles- boosts collagen - helps reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots- helps reduce damage from too much sun exposure- will leave your skin with a healthy glow- helps treat melasmaVitamin C 10% + AG 1%Claims :- 'Made with stabilized Vitamin C derivative “Ethyl Ascorbic Acid” that has 86% pure Vitamin C content. That is much higher than 40-50% content present in other Vitamin C derivatives. At a pH ~ 4.0 it is highly stable and effectiveMade in Centella water to soothe & hydrate skin. Also contains 1% Acetyl Glucosamine (AG), an amino-monosaccharide (simple sugar) and a precursor of hyaluronic acid, that provides skin moisturization, boosts natural Hyaluronic Acid synthesis, and regulates natural exfoliationWhat comes out depends on what goes in. Formulated with high grade COS-VCE (Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) by CosMol Korea, a leading global supplier.'Ingredients -Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Lactic AcidPriced at - 699/-INR for 30ml.Availability - - AmazonMy Views :I started the incorporation of Vitamin C in my skin routine with Klairs (which happens to be of the best Vit C serum that is) and so my expectations from a Vit C serums are pretty high! None of the Indian brands gave my the confidence to use it on my skin, but the reviews of The Minimalist Vitamin C have been constantly good from everyone I knew, used it. So I did try and I was not really disappointed. It would be harsh to compare the results I got with using Klairs but still good for an Indian skincare brand.Did I see the brightness and the glow I expect from a Vit C serum?! Yes and No! It takes it's own sweet time and is not harsh on skin, the results are good but not as I would expect from A Vitamin C serum( but that's just me being too tough on it).It is a good option for first timers who are looking for pocket friendly yet effective serum!I would rate it a - 3.5/5-------------------------------------On the other news...The Ordinary has made it's entry in India through Nykaa! Read the full article