REVIEW: Naturallogic Luna Red Wine Probiotic + Antioxidant Mask

 
Winters are most welcome here in Mumbai, which otherwise perpetually battles humidity and the harsh sun. But winter skin is definitely not welcome! I have dehydration-prone skin which worsens during the winter season, hence, I'm drawing up a list of Winter Skin Saviours, starting with...

The most delectable, nutrient and antioxidant-rich Luna Red Wine Probiotic + Antioxidant Mask by Naturallogic, a genius creation by the sweetest woman ever, Toni. When I had placed my very first order with Toni, she kindly included a deluxe sample size of this mask with my order as I was dying to try it. That was quite generous of her since this mask sells out within no time. Once it's gone, it's gone!, So, thank you, Toni. 🙏

LUNA is a seasonal, Limited Edition mask that is available only once or twice a year. You can mark your calendars for Spring 2019, because that is when Toni will be bringing us this manna from heaven!

Why am I so obsessed with this? Well, let's dive deeper!

HYDRATION POWERHOUSE

LUNA goes on the skin like a dream, specifically like a cream. It's so soft and pliable that I apply it on every bit of my facial skin and neck, even under the eyes because I want every pore of mine to be suffused with its hydrating properties and antioxidant goodness. You guys, this is DA BOMB when it comes to infusing skin with hydration that lasts. I typically look for hydration in serums and moisturisers but this is the only mask that beats even serums/moisturisers in moisture retention. Once I wash it off, I'm left with baby-soft skin, and I really mean baby-soft skin, with the most radiant, healthy glow one can get. I don't even feel the need to apply a moisturiser after washing this off. But for my peace of mind and to protect my skin after using the mask, I apply the Earthwise Beauty Resiliency Serum (previously Carrot-a-Day Serum) as it is lightweight yet potent. I think the serum works beautifully on top of skin treated with LUNA. I imagine this mask would give too much of a glow during summer season, but being dehydrated-prone, I see myself welcoming this in my routine whenever my skin would feel dry and lacklustre.

ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE

As for antioxidants, LUNA is made from fermented red wine grapes. The probiotic goodness of the grapes separates and settles beneath the wine that Toni and her family harvest as part of the seasonal wine crafting process. The good stuff in the mask forms over the course of several lunar cycles, and is collected at each new moon. How fancy is that! But more importantly, how time-consuming and exacting is this process. I appreciate green beauty and clean beauty for exactly this—artisans who care about what goes on the skin! By the way, I have this mask on, as I'm typing this blog post and I have to say, it tastes amazing too; couldn't help but lick up some of the goodness. 😊

This is what Toni says about the mask on her website:

Due to the way fermentation causes exponential nutrient bioavailability, it is enormously rich in naturally occurring resveratrol, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, fatty acids, amino acids, mannoproteins, antibacterials, antimicrobials, lactic acid + polysaccharides.  It reaches deep into skin's surface layer, infusing it with these nutrients while deeply hydrating + moisturizing, cleansing pores, neutralizing free radicals, gently yet powerfully exfoliating + breathing vitality + life into thirsty skin. It creates an unbelievable exfoliated, bright, plumpy, fleshy, healthy glow. 

I was sold the moment I read all this, because it basically means that the mask is a skin elixir and a multitasker.

Apart from all that ferment-y goodness, LUNA also includes raw honey, raw cacao and many other gorgeous ingredients. Just check out the inci list.

INGREDIENTS:
Fine Red Wine Lees*, Kaolin Clay, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Nut Butter)*, Raw Honey*, Raw Cacao*, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil*, Rubus Idaeus(Raspberry) Seed Oil*, Macadamia Integrifolia (Macadamia Nut) Seed Oil, Rosa canina (Rosehip) Extract*, Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry) Juice*, Lonicera (Honeysuckle) Extract*, Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Absolute
​
* certified organic
​** wild harvested

I cannot wait for LUNA to be released this year. I will be getting a full size for sure, apart from other Naturallogic goodies such as my favourite, the Balance Daily Moisturiser and maybe the Flourishing Cleanser and maybe the Ancient Earth Exfoliate mask too. 😻

REVIEW: Merumaya Treatment Toner™ with Vitamin C

Say the words 'treatment', 'toner' and 'vitamin C' in a single sentence and you'd have me hop around with excitement. That's exactly what my intentions were going in with this toner from UK-based brand Merumaya. So, let's get to know this toner well.

Why I purchased it
As mentioned in the beginning of this post, the three magical words got me excited. I'm always looking for something more in a toner apart from the basic function of wiping away any leftover residue post cleansing and bringing the ph of the skin to the optimal value of 5.5. I want my toners to be almost pre-serums or essences. And this one seemed to fit the bill, as per Maleka's (the brand owner) description on her site and the many positive reviews.



Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Betaine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maris Aqua, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Cellulose Gum, Hydrolyzed Algin, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Linalool, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate Parfum (Fragrance).


Star ingredients
Betaine: This ingredient stood out for me as I have seen it in several K-beauty skincare products. Betaine is a naturally occurring amino acid which acts as an anti-irritant and is responsible for maintaining moisture. It is also a non-sticky ingredient, a must-have in my books as I constantly struggle with high humidity in Mumbai.

Vitamin C: The finicky antioxidant that you want to own for its brightening, collagen-building, sun protective qualities, but also one that requires utmost protection as it's highly prone to oxidation. In short, Vitamin C provides great skincare properties but if exposed to light or air, turns a pale yellow to a vivid orange depending on how much oxidation has taken place. Oxidised Vitamin C not only stops providing skincare benefits but also causes damage to the skin, according to some reports. This toner contains Ascorbyl Glucoside, a stabilised, natural vitamin C which activates on contact with the skin, providing slow and sustained benefits.

Sodium Hyaluronate: Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid again is a naturally occurring substance found in our bodies which helps retain suppleness and is a magnet for moisture as it can hold 1000 times its weight in water. This ingredient unfortunately depletes with age which is why babies look young and supple and older people lose that quality.


Packaging and user experience
The 128 ml product comes in a see-through plastic bottle that has a press-down lid--and this is where the product let me down. While the brand says that the toner contains a stabilised form of vitamin C, mine has turned a pale yellow after a couple of months' use--this despite having stored it away from light and air, in a closed cabinet. Thankfully, I had already finished using 3/4th of the product as I love it that much but I think the see-through packaging is a complete let-down especially because the vitamin C seems to have oxidised. The yellow colour is more pronounced at the neck of the bottle. See below...

UPDATE: 
On publishing this blog post, Maleka, the incredibly helpful owner of Merumaya, provided a clarification regarding the yellowing of the toner's content. This is her comment:

"First I thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on our products. I really do appreciate it. I sent it off to one of our team of Cosmetic Scientists for his response to your comments about Vitamin C degradation. "Any yellowing is down to the acids rather than the Vit C. Acids are prone to a bit of yellowing. We know it's not Ascorbyl Glucoside as that ingredient only becomes Vit C (ascorbic acid AFTER contact and reaction on the skin. So it won't oxidise in the bottle. I hope that helps all your followers to feel perfectly reassured that what we said is true. It is encapsulated. Thanks again and I hope you will keep trying and sharing your thoughts about our products - you write exceptionally well. Fluid, factual and yet very personal. Regards to you all Maleka x Founder of MERUMAYA"

I thank Maleka for being so proactive with responding to reviews and concerns stated by users such as me. This is what sets her brand apart from the run-of-the-mill ones who don't even bother to show a face let alone address concerns. So, all in all, we don't need to worry about the 'yellowing'.

User experience wise, there is not a single fault that I can find with this product. The press-down lid is user-friendly as is the lightweight plastic bottle. The toner carries the same signature Merumaya scent present in all other products in this line, which is a delight to the olfactory senses.


Price and where to buy
The toner is priced at 16.5 GBP, which translates to 1395 INR. Like its sister toner, the Merumaya Gentle Exfoliating Toner reviewed here, this one is also pricey when compared to most Indian toners. But I feel the value this toner provides is much more than the average toner you'd find in the Indian market. Both toners can be bought at merumaya.com


Worth the hype?
The Merumaya Treatment Toner is completely worth the hype. Go for it if Vitamin C is something you like to incorporate in your routine minus all the typical inconvenience associated with it.

I feel like I have covered quite a few toners over last several posts. I hope to write about other exciting products very soon. Stay tuned!