skincare • selfcare • lifestyle

9.10.2017

Review: Balanced Guru Nourish Me Facial Serum



I am excited to review the Balanced Guru Nourish Me Facial Serum that I got from Musely. I had seen this brand all over Instagram lately which sparked my curiosity. I had tried the Detox Scalp Treatment with positive results so this made me want to try more from this brand. If you would like to read what I think of this formulation and how it worked on my skin type and skin concerns, just keep reading.

About Balanced Guru:
Balanced Guru's motto is to create wholesome products that are organic, cruelty-free and safe for our bodies and the environment. They aim to create prodcuts using Eastern wisdom and modern Western science that will help balance your beauty through physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.

The Claim:
This serum claims to moisturize without clogging pores, help nourish and reduce the appearance of fine lines. This organic formula is for all skin types, even expecting or nursing mothers.


Patch Testing:
Every product I use goes through a very detailed patch testing period. I always patch test and I recommend patch testing to everyone. Although there is an argument out there that patch testing doesn't actually work seen here on The Beauty Brains, patch testing has saved my skin from some pretty serious negative reactions. Although I do agree with TBB (and love this pod cast btw) that patch testing does not work against evaluating whether a certain product will cause breakouts, patch testing will help determine if your skin is allergic to the ingredients. This type of negative reaction is seen in the form of itching/stinging, intense flushing, burning, rash or hives.

I introduce new skin care products to my easily irritated skin by patching testing. Patch testing can look different for everyone but for me, I test products in stages. For this serum, I applied it to my more sensitive areas which happen to be my neck, chest and behind my ears for a few days. I then apply this to a small portion of my face and increasing the size of the area every day. If all goes well, I begin to use the product all over. 


Packaging:
This is a dark amber, 1 oz / 30ml glass bottle with a dropper top. All packaging is made from recycled materials, and the box & label are biodegradable.



Full Ingredients:
Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil*, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed (Rosehip) Oil*, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil*, Lecithin*, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil*, Corthellus Shiitake (Mushroom) Extract*, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil*, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil* Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract*, Lycium Barbarium (Goji) Fruit Extract*
*Certified Organic Ingredients
The main reason I decided to try this serum (aside from wanting to explore this brand after my positive experience with the Scalp Therapy) I've been pretty obsessed with facial oils. So, let's explore the oils in this formulation.
Evening Primrose - is a good source of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps nourish and keep skin healthy, hydrated and plump. Linoleic acid is vitamin F, an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid(EFA). One critical role of linoleic acid is that studies have shown it to help strengthen and maintain a healthy acid mantle of our skin or of referred to as our moisture barrier. Linoleic acid can do so much for the skin like moisturize and soften, heal and is an anti-inflammatory so it helps fight acne. One of my favorite functions of linoleic is that it has the ability to help other active ingredients tpermeate the skin barrier. I call this process a carrier unit, helping others get to a final destination.
Argan - is another great oil high in linoleic acid and has hydrating and moisturizing properties. Argan oil can regulate sebum (oil) production and is a great oil for those with acne because it is healing. It is also great for soothing skin post shave! My son has oily and acneic skin and he warms 3 drops of argan oil into his hands and pats it on his face after shaving. This helps calms irritation, reduce inflammation and can prevent scarring. Argan oil is so versatile and can be used on the face & body, lips, cuticles and works well as an eyelash conditioner.

Rosehip - harvested from seeds, this oil also contains essential fatty acids plus vitamins C & E. What makes Rosehip oil stand out is that it contains a form of vitamin A called B-carotene, which is said to have the ability to penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin. More, it can stimulate collagen production due to the high content of vitamin C, making it a great anti-aging oil for its ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Also, because this is high in these vitamins, studies have shown it to help fade discoloration, combat free radical damage plus it can improve the texture and tone of the skin. Rosehip is also very hydrating and moisturizing, helps decrease redness and irritation so this is a great option for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.

Jojoba - the same can be said for jojoba oil because this is also very versatile and can be used in a multitude of ways. Jojoba is a liquid wax, yes wax, produced by the jojoba plant (simmondsia chinensis) native to California, Arizona, and Mexico. People refer to jojoba as an oil because 
Aside from being hydrating and moisturizing, other benefits of jojoba is it contains vitamins E & B. Plus, it is high in copper and zinc which help protect and heal, making it another great option for acne. 

Baobab - is other great oil rich in omega 3, 6 & 9. Baobab is so full of nutrients including vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as dihydrosterculic acid, malvalic acid, arachidic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Baobab is also popular as a home remedy for stretch marks

Other ingredients acai and goji fruits which are potent antioxidants, chamomile for calming, mushroom extract for nourishing and anti-aging benefits. 



Formula, Texture & Scent:
This is an oil serum that has a light golden color and has a herbal and nutty scent. This does contain lavender oil which I happen to love but the smell is not overwhelming. This does have a thicker feel due to the high content of argan oil. Personally, I find argan oil heavy. I also find that it takes awhile for argan oil to absorb. Although this serum does contain other oils, I still find this formula a bit heavy. 
Performance:
My skin during this time of year (late summer) leans more combination, often sensitive, red and easily dehydrated and irritated. I have found that this serum is a bit heavy and takes so much time to absorb. Also, this does not seem to have a very elegant feel. If you are a person who loves facial oils and uses them often, you begin to gain an appreciation for oils and formulas that just feel really nice. You start to notice oils that are higher quality and feel more refined. Because of the heavy feel, this product has been difficult to use. By itself, it is just too heavy for my combination skin. However, I have found that mixing this serum oil with another serum, essence or lightweight moisturizer seen here and here work much better than using this alone. Mixing this with another product really helps cut that heavy feeling. Even better, my favorite way of incorporating this serum is by adding it into my powdered clay masks. I have been slightly obsessed with clay mask powders over the summer because, with the heat, my skin has been more oily and acne prone. While I love clay masks, they can be drying. Adding a few drops of this serum oil, clay masks are no longer drying yet are still very effective at drawing out toxins. This serum not only adds hydrating and moisturizing properties, it adds nourishing ingredients, potent antioxidants and helps decrease redness.  I also find that this calms and soothes my skin, especially during a recent negative skin reaction. This really helped balance and heal my compromised moisture barrier. 

Final Thoughts:
Although too heavy on its own, adding a few drops into a clay mask, essence, or serum, I have become quite fond of this product. I do feel that while the formulation isn't as elegant as other oils I have in my skin care stash, this works very well as adding extra hydration. I have found that while on the heavy side, this has not caused any breakouts or clogged pores. I think that while this product claims to be for all skin types, I feel that those with dry or dehydrated skin would appreciate this serum more so than those with oilier skin types. If you do have oilier skin, less is best and try mixing this into another skin care product. 


Where to Purchase:
$23.00 on Musely - On Sale now for $18.00!
$22.99 on Balanced Guru

Stay Beautiful ðŸ’œ

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