Do forgive my paltry efforts in coming up with snazzy yet SEO-friendly titles eh? 😛
When I bought the Vitamin C+E Serum from Cosmetic Skin Solutions, I picked up another serum as well, which is the Phyto Botanical Gel. I figured heck if I’m going to be paying shipping fees, I might as well throw in a few more items into the shopping cart to try out.
As much expectations as I had for the Vitamin C+E serum (and it did meet and exceeded those expectations), I didn’t have much for the Phyto Botanical Gel. I wasn’t familiar with the ingredients and what they do. Still, anything that says it helps with hyperpigmentation and soothes the skin, I’m game for it.
Description:
This botanically-based formula is an advanced lightening gel to treat hyperpigmentation by evening the skin’s tone and reducing skin discolouration. Botanical extracts cucumber and thyme help reduce skin redness and irritation, providing calming, soothing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Kojic acid, alpha-arbutin and uva-ursi induces skin lightening and depigmenting properties. Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates for smooth, firm and hydrated skin.Ingredients:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Kojic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin, Glycerol, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi (Bearberry Extract),Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Thyme Extract, Cucumber Extract, Algae extract, Pullulan, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol,Tetrasodium Edetate, Fragrance
At the moment, I have a light case of hyperpigmentation (darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin, e.g. freckles and sun spots). I have a sprinkling of freckles on my cheeks. My mum however, has a severe case of hyperpigmentation (think freckles that mate with each other to create bigger, uneven spots). It’s genetic and something I can’t run away from. Although I don’t have any problems with the freckles on my skin now, if I can keep it under control, I would.
The serum is a light gel that spreads slightly sticky on the skin. The texture is somewhat similar to Dr Lewinns Super Hydrator serum or Hada Labo’s Moisturising Lotion (just not as thick) whereby it leaves a slightly tacky feel to the skin. It absorbs quickly to the skin and when it does, I’m left with nice, bouncy skin.
Even though the liquid is green and it does go on the skin green, the colour disappears to the skin. If you’re wondering if this will turn your face green, I’m happy to assure you it will not. 😛
The only problem I have with this serum is the scent. I don’t find it particularly pleasant. Every time I use it, it reminds me of the chlorophyll supplement juice I used to take and gag on (as though the colour’s not enough to look like the juice). Thank goodness it’s not very strong because I can’t be stuffed using something on my face that will make my gag reflex go on overdrive.
I’ve been using this serum for a number of months now and while I can’t say I noticed any reduction in the colour of my freckles yet, I did notice a more even skin tone. It didn’t brighten my skin but it does hydrate it well.
What I also like about the serum is that it soothes the skin whenever my skin acts up and the sensitivity around my cheeks and chin increases. I usually count on Trilogy’s Very Gentle Calming Fluid to remedy that, but now I find that the Phyto gel does the same thing as well. Its anti-inflammatory properties help heal my breakouts quicker too.
All in all, I’d say it’s a decent serum to use. It’s good for skin hydration and great for calming redness and sensitive skin down. It’s the kind of serum that will not work miracles nor give you instant physical results but does the work behind-the-scenes slowly but surely.
Cosmetic Skin Solutions haven’t disappointed me thus far, and I’m looking forward to my next order with them to try out yet another serum and to restock my depleted Vitamin C+E.
The Phyto Botanical Gel Advanced Formula + retails at US$29.85 for 30ml and is available on the Cosmetic Skin Solutions website.
What I like about it: Soothes the skin when it’s sensitive and hydrates it well
What I do not like about it: Not keen on the scent. Smells a little and looks a lot like chlorophyll juice which I’m not a fan of.
I’m glad you said that it didn’t turn your face green because when I saw the bottle, I was like, “Oh! That’s really green.” I’ll probably skip this as I don’t do well with unpleasant scented products.
Angela @ The Unprofessional Beauty Blog recently posted..Girls’ Generation Sunny I Got A Boy Inspired Makeup Tutorial: Rockin That Royal Blue
Yeah this one’s green, really green. I like to add the drops to my palm first and then apply it on my face. It goes on green but the colour disappears immediately.
Honestly, if it’s not for the serum working quite well on my skin, I would have stopped using this altogether. I’m just not that keen on the scent. At all >.<
Your a trooper for sticking with it for as long as you have despite the smell. A true beauty blogger fo’ sho’ 🙂
The green tint is very interesting. It didn’t look off putting, I’d just never seen a product like that before. Thanks for sharing!
Kaye recently posted..How To Create A Blog Header (Like I Did) – Part 1
Hahahah heck if it works wonders on my skin, honey I would probably smear poo on my face. Okay. Maybe not 😛
Tine, you are an enabler. T_T
I got the Vitamin C+E serum after reading your review, but I ordered the professional size. It works pretty good, but a bit of a hassle to keep it in the fridge because Malaysian weather is not friendly to this serum at all. Now I’m planning to try another one of their serums and eye gel, since they are currently offering a 5% promo code. 🙂
Hee hee well I try 😉
Ah yes, a good place to keep it would be the fridge. I had mine (regular 30ml) sitting on my dresser. Even though it’s not exposed to sunlight (I keep the bedroom blinds closed), the serum oxidised after about 6 months. If yours started to change from clear to orange or brown, I’d say discard it. I don’t know the efficacy of the product once it’s oxidised and even though people say it’s still okay to use, I wouldn’t risk it, not at high concentrations of Vitamin C.
Oooh another product thats worth trying it out ! Girl, whenever you do a review you tempt me to try them out and there’s so many to choose, where do i start?! Nevertheless, i love reading your reviews, TOP!!!
Hahahahaha well I’m doing my job as an enabler and I guess it’s working? Woohoo KPI achieved! 😀
I’ve wanted to try out some of these serums for ages, they sound so amazing! Thanks for the review!
Kimberley recently posted..Adore Beauty Haul: Alpha H & O&M
My pleasure, Kimberley. I like Cosmetic Skin Solutions for their no-nonsense, effective and very affordable serums. There’s little fluff, just active ingredients that are proven to work on the skin. Just my kind of serums 🙂