Monthly Archive for June, 2009

Review: Adovia / SeaOra Deep Cleansing Mineral Body Wash

Published
by
LadyC
on June 28, 2009
in Adovia and Dead Sea Reviews
. 0 Comments

Did you know that Peppermint is considered by many to be the world’s oldest medicine? Further, in the world of essential oils and their benefit in healing, Peppermint Oil is thought to be the first necessity in an herbal first aid kit.

The menthol content makes it perfect for clearing sinuses, treating migraines, and even soothing itching skin. It is also believed that ingesting peppermint leaves or capsules helps with irritable bowel syndrome, and nausea. Further, the scent of peppermint is said to aid in promoting clear thinking, focus, and restoration of mental fatigue. Read that: Stress relief, people!

Adovia SeaOra Mineral Body WashBasics: The label on the bottle promises all this: “deep cleansing effect, revives skin, restores softness, refreshing natural scent, revitalizing and rejuvenating, for bath & shower, amazing rich lather.” The label speaks the truth. This product is everything it promises to be.

Extravagances: Wowee, this stuff smells good! For those of you that have used essential oils before, you may note that the smell of a Peppermint Essential Oil is not the same sweet smell that you experience with popular grocery store toothpastes or gum. It is a much earthier smell – kind of like eucalyptus. There is a medicinal quality to it, for sure, but it is so fresh and clean. Plus the fact that there is oil in it does leave your skin very soft. Soft like you don’t really have to moisturize right out of the shower. Don’t get me wrong, while you do have a slickness about your skin when you use this soap, you will not feel ‘scummy’.

Imperfections: Be warned, this is not the mall shower gel… all dense and thick. It is a thinner product… so it is really easy to use too much. The promise of a rich lather is a promise well kept, and a little bit goes a long, long way. Just don’t over-pour this one.

To Sum it Up: I suppose with the awesome healing effects of the dead sea (Dead Sea Minerals are the 5th ingredient), and the soothing properties of peppermint, this is a winner product for those of us trying to do the “right thing” by our bodies. Imagine getting up in the morning and using this as a pick-me-up rather than that desperate grapple for a cup of coffee. (yeah, I know, I’m not giving up my coffee addiction either. but still, it’s a nice idea!)

This product is no longer manufactured. Click here for other great Adovia / SeaOra products

Review: Swisa Beauty Dead Sea Facial Peel

Published
by
LadyC
on June 21, 2009
in Dead Sea Reviews and Swisa Beauty
. 1 Comment

Nope, that’s not a baby’s bum… it’s my face!!! Soft right?

I continue on my quest, friend, and I believe my shovel has struck a treasure chest with this one. I’m still early in my trials (only used it 6 times, so far), so I’ll have to come back to you with the long-term effects… but for know, the treasure is definitely GOLD!

Swisa Beauty Peeling MaskBasics: It is a simple, 1-step process facial treatment. It comes in a small plass jar (I’ve decided to coin the term “Plass” as the glass-like plastic jar that many cosmetic products come in). The container is quite pretty, and again something you wouldn’t be shamed to have sit on your counter or cosmetics shelf. Inside the jar is a slightly perfumey, cloudy gel that you “gently [massage onto your face & neck in] upward, circular motion until desired exfoliation is achieved.” Rinse, pat dry and enjoy your supple, smooth skin immediately.

Extravagance: It Rocks!

Um… I cannot think of a way to say this that isn’t a little graphic… but after about 30 seconds in my case, I realized that as I was massaging (in an upward, circular motion) these little clumps of dead skin started rolling up under my fingers. I was literally rolling skin off of my face. Eww. I presumed that was the “desired effect” and rinsed my face. My face was a little tiny bit red at first, but evened out in just moments. Okay then, next time I decided to work it a little longer – the net result? Tiny rolls of grotesque looking dirty stuff coming off my face. The shame! I thought I was so clean, so on top of my skin care. After that, baby butt soft skin. This stuff works, and I can’t tell you why. Once I had used a second time, I had a little onslaught of blackheads finding their way out of my skin. A necessary evil, if you ask me.

Imperfections: I was flying a little blind with this one, as the instructions are vague, to say the least. Seriously, the only marker you are given is to massage until “desired exfoliation is achieved.” So, I reckon that falls somewhere between ‘none’ and ‘I’ve just peeled off my face!!’ Here’s the real instructions (according to me):

1. Wash and dry your face

2. Gather up about a dime sized dollop of gel in the palm of your hand

3. Using the fingers on your other hand, start massaging small bits into your cheeks, forehead, chin & neck

4. First use you’ll start noticing dead skin rolling off in about 30 seconds (it’s less dramatic after a couple of uses). The entire massage time – about 2 minutes. I’d suggest testing out your skin with shorter massage duration the first couple times to be sure that you are not over doing it.

5. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

To Sum It Up: I promise you will notice smoother, clearer, cleaner skin after your first use. Use it 2 or 3 times a week to keep a fresh face all the time. Now, I’m holding on to hope that I’ll start seeing the “anti-aging” effects that the packaging offers. Will let you know!

Swisa Beauty Dead Sea Facial Peel

Swisa Beauty Dead Sea Facial Peel

Review: Adovia Mineral Body Lotion Cucumber & Melon

Published
by
LadyC
on June 20, 2009
in Adovia and Dead Sea Reviews
. 0 Comments

Man, oh man do those dead sea folks know how to do lotions! How do they always get it so right?

Adovia Mineral Body Lotion Cucumber and MelonBasics: A mineral body lotion, with Dead Sea Minerals, Shea Butter and GreenTea.

Extravagance: Hello Cucumber & Melon! When you first apply, you’ll really only smell the melon. It is a much more dominant scent, and frankly I’m not sure what cucumber does for the skin. Then… as the lotion absorbs, you start getting hints of… well, freshness. I think that’s the cucumber.

It has a very long-lasting scent on the skin. It is a little more aromatic than I am prone to wearing, but I have to tell you, this stuff smells lovely! It is not overwhelming, or perfumey… it just loiters throughout the day.

Imperfections: Forgive me, but I cannot name one.

To Sum it Up: If you always buy the mall store cucumber & melon, but then wish it were… well, better… check this stuff out. It is done well! It may be a little bit feminine for some of you fellas (who am I to say), but guys, this one is not: Dead Sea Premier Milk and Honey Body Butter

Adovia Mineral Body Lotion Cucumber & Melon

Adovia Mineral Body Lotion Cucumber & Melon

Review: Seaora / Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

Published
by
LadyC
on June 14, 2009
in Adovia and Dead Sea Reviews
. 0 Comments

What a lovely emollient! Somehow luxurious upon first use… slick and smooth, but not greasy or… well, gross.

Adovia Moisturizing Day CreamBasics: First ingredient – water, both demineralized & Dead Sea. Seems a good start for a moisturizer! As with all of the products I’ve tried from the Seaora (Adovia) line, this is nice, natural & non-irritating!

Extravagance: I love the way this cream smells. It has that signature Seaora (Adovia) scent. I cannot place it, but it brings back fond memories of my childhood – specific to a beloved Auntie that always loved me and accepted me (even through the ugly teen years). I picked through the ingredients to try my best to identify the scent – and here are some possible elements of this deeeeeeeelishus olfactory delight: Bergamot Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Chamomile… and maybe even Papaya.

Imperfections: It’s a day cream without sunblock. This goes against my very being (I exagerate), but it seems unfair. I love this cream, but I must must must use sunblock – I live in California & have a fair complexion. Grrr.

To Sum it Up: Yay! This is also an amazing night cream – thick and effective without leaving an oil slick on your face! And, though there is no claim of such on the packaging, I’ve found that it is evening out my blotchy red tones. Woohooooo!

Seaora / Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

Seaora / Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream

Review: Adovia Dead Sea Mud Soap

Published
by
LadyC
on June 10, 2009
in Adovia, Dead Sea Reviews, Mud and Soap
. 1 Comment

Soap. What can anyone say about soap? Seriously.

Some soaps smell super perfumey. Some leave a slick residue. Some break you out. Some don’t last very long. Some soaps suck.

This one… I can’t say ANY of those things about this soap.

Adovia Dead Sea Mud SoapBasics: Well, uh, it’s soap… with “Pure Dead Sea Mud and Minerals.” That’s a good start. 1st ingredient: Dead Sea Mud. It is virtually unscented (there’s a slight smell, but it’s not a “scent” per se… like, you don’t smell like this soap when you get out of the shower. It’s last ingredient is fragrance. I can’t smell it. Also, it washes off sooooooo clean. When you use it, you actually feel like you just got out of the shower. Not a joke… I mean, I feel really clean. And, the bar lasts for a very very long time. It doesn’t just turn into a gooey mess, and wash down the drain. Plus, it’s black.

Extravagance: IT DIDN’T BREAK ME OUT! Okay, you have heard me complain about my stupid sensitive, acne prone skin for a while now. I used this on my face for a month… and no major catastrophic breakout. Yipeeeeeee!

Imperfections: It is a tiny bit drying for me. I moisturize faithfully, and my skin is buttery soft… so nothing dramatic here. My husband, who also used the soap daily, is not a big moisturizer, and his skin loves this soap.

To sum it up: Yep! If you are a fan of the Dead Sea Mud – here’s your chance to get the fab results with a lot less mess.

A note to those of you with skin conditions: I think this stuff would be GREAT for you as well. It’s very mild. One thing to consider is the last ingredient (fragrance); the actual ingredient listing is “natural extract” so it may be worth a try. Let me know.

Here’s a full list of the ingredients, in case you want to know:

Dead sea mud (silt), 80% palm/20% palm kernel oil, dead sea salts, magnesium, sodium, potassium, demineralized water (aqua), natural extract (fragrance).

Adovia Dead Sea Mud Soap

Adovia Dead Sea Mud Soap