Sparkled Beauty

Winter calls for warm things (hot drinks, blankets, sweaters, etc.). Warming up your skin with a massage is another option, especially when you can do it at home.

These Lotus Aroma massage oil and gel arrived at my mail box just in time. I was sore with multiple snow shoveling occasions, so I dove right in to give my body a treat.

Aroma Lotus' products are free of Sodium Lauryl/ Laureth Sulfate, Petroleum-based mineral oils, genetically modified oils (GMO), Paraben, Silicone, synthetic alcohol, dyes, synthetic fragrances, Phthalate.

The massage products have food-grade preservatives, are vegan, gluten free and eco-friendly with close to 100% botanical-derived active ingredient. They have high content of natural essential oils but are non greasy and do not stain. Good for all skin types, including highly sensitive,

This massage oil is unscented, so you can add your own blend of essential oils to your liking.

The oil is a blend of 3 vegetable oils through cold press extraction to preserve the oils' nurturing properties:
- Sweet almond (moisturizing, softening)
- Grapeseed (soothing, regenerating with antioxidant, vitamin E) and
- Sunflower (essential fatty acid, omega 6, vitamin E).

The oil works as it is supposed to - absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy film, relaxes my muscles and gives the skin a bit of warmth.

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed oil, Tocopherol.

The massage gel is formulated with two vegetable oils (sweet almond and grapeseed), meant more for short and kneading massages.

This Sweet Orange & Mandarin version is a blend of Orange, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon and Bergamot essential oils. Very refreshing.

I find the gel (which feels more like a lotion) is easier to use, less messy, but other than that, the effect is pretty similar to the oil.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) oil, Water, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed oil, Glycerin, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum) oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapfruit) Peel oil, etc.

The oil is clear, so it is hard to see on my palm here. And like I said, the gel appears to have the lotion-like texture.

I currently do not have any essential oil on hand other than Tea Tree, so the gel gets a bit more love than the oil. Sometimes I use the gel like a moisturizer without any massage action at all :)

Lotus Aroma massage oils and gels are available at Lawtons and selected health food stores. Each bottle has 180ml/ 6oz, retails $19.

I have noticed Lotus Aroma's essential oils at Lawtons but did not venture much further, until I was sent a few of their skin care products to test out.

It is comforting to know that Lotus Aroma products are vegan, appropriate for all skin types (including sensitive), with food grade preservatives. No gluten/ parabens/ silicone/ dyes/ irritants/ synthetic fragrance and petroleum-based mineral oils.

All 3 products in this post smell herbally/ medicated, which might not suit all occasions. Best for when you feel like you are coming down with something or are super tired. They bring back your senses :)

First up is the Radiance anti-wrinkle day serum from the Anti-aging line (left), 1oz/ 30ml, $46. The goodness scale: 100% botanical-derived active ingredients, 50% organic ingredients, 99.5% natural formula.

The serum is fortified with:
- Sorgho, Evodia fruit and Algea extract: tone and maximize the density of skin tissues
- Hyaluronic Acid: plumps up the skin
- Sea Mayweed (a skin prebiotic): promotes microcirculation and soothes the skin
- Jojoba oil: provides pliability.

I use about a dime sized amount for the whole face (not the eye area). Since it is a thicker gel, the serum does take a little longer to fully absorb. Once dries, it offers a smooth and matte finish. Works great with all my foundation and BB creams, making me look like I have great skin.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Propanediol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, etc.

I enjoyed this serum for what it has and what it offers, but the price tag kills me.

Then the Exfoliating cream for the face & hands from the Spa line (right), 1.7oz/ 50ml, $16. With pure Lemon, Rosemary & Peppermint essential oils, Indian bamboo and Wild Rose beads, the cream is meant to detoxify the skin, softening and smoothing.

This is a creamy scrub, but not as gentle as described, to the point I have to limit myself to once a week usage. It is great at what it does (removing dead skin cells and stimulating microcirculation) and my skin feels like it is already moisturized after I wash off the scrub (thanks to the Shea butter and Jojoba oil), just don't apply much pressure with it for the face.

This scrub has 100% botanical-derived active ingredients, 40% organic ingredients, 99.5% natural formula.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Canola Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Powder, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Flower Water, Cetyl Alcohol, etc. 

Check out the textures of both products below.

And lastly, the Bergamot & Ylang Ylang Bath & body wash - soothing, moisturizing, 12oz/ 360ml, $16.

Still with 100% botanical-derived active ingredients, 40% organic ingredients, 99.5% natural formula, this body wash is nice. However, I cannot use it as often as I need to, since the scent is a lot more intense and takes longer to fade on the skin.

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil, Juniperus Ashei (Cedarwood) Oil, etc. 

My favorite from this bunch is definitely the day serum but I will have to hope for an amazing sale to be able to restock once the bottle runs out.