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 Iām 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 didnāt have much for the Phyto Botanical Gel. I wasnāt familiar with the ingredients and what they do. Still, anything that says it helps with hyperpigmentation and soothes the skin, Iām game for it.
Description:
This botanically-based formula is an advanced lightening gel to treat hyperpigmentation by evening the skinās 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). Itās genetic and something I canāt run away from. Although I donāt 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 Laboās 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, Iām 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 youāre wondering if this will turn your face green, Iām happy to assure you it will not.
The only problem I have with this serum is the scent. I donāt 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 colourās not enough to look like the juice). Thank goodness itās not very strong because I canāt be stuffed using something on my face that will make my gag reflex go on overdrive.
Iāve been using this serum for a number of months now and while I canāt say I noticed any reduction in the colour of my freckles yet, I did notice a more even skin tone. It didnāt 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 Trilogyās 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, Iād say itās a decent serum to use. Itās good for skin hydration and great for calming redness and sensitive skin down. Itās 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 havenāt disappointed me thus far, and Iām 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 itās 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 Iām not a fan of.
Iām glad you said that it didnāt turn your face green because when I saw the bottle, I was like, āOh! Thatās really green.ā Iāll probably skip this as I donāt do well with unpleasant scented products.
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Yeah this oneās 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 itās not for the serum working quite well on my skin, I would have stopped using this altogether. Iām 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 foā shoā
The green tint is very interesting. It didnāt look off putting, Iād just never seen a product like that before. Thanks for sharing!
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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 Iām 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 itās 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, Iād say discard it. I donāt know the efficacy of the product once itās oxidised and even though people say itās still okay to use, I wouldnāt 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 thereās so many to choose, where do i start?! Nevertheless, i love reading your reviews, TOP!!!
Hahahahaha well Iām doing my job as an enabler and I guess itās working? Woohoo KPI achieved!
Iāve wanted to try out some of these serums for ages, they sound so amazing! Thanks for the review!
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My pleasure, Kimberley. I like Cosmetic Skin Solutions for their no-nonsense, effective and very affordable serums. Thereās little fluff, just active ingredients that are proven to work on the skin. Just my kind of serums