Mintd box – Conscious Skin Edit – April 2021

Where I got it

It has been a year ago I started subscribing to Mintd Box, and I am proud to say that I have only missed one. All of their boxes really do wow me – the range of brands, the curating of the products, and the value of the products do take my breathe away each time. This box is a gift from Mintd Box, but I would purchase this with my own money in a heartbeat because it had two brands that had been on my wait list to try.

Their subscription boxes are usually £70 and with shipping, it comes to £77.50. Which is approximately NZD$150. This box is worth £220. If you missed out on the box at the subscription stage, you can often purchase these boxes in the Gift Store for £95 excluding shipping. Mintd box often has sales for their boxes, so if you are on a tight budget, wait for a sale and get them in the Gift Store.

What I got

“We are exploring a conscientious approach to skincare, embracing powerful natural ingredients that are great for our skin and the environment. We have curated a box that enables us to align our skincare routine with our beliefs and values; incorporating clean, natural, sustainable products that ensure what we use is a force for good.

Revive skin and complexion with a non-abrasive skin peel, banishing dullness and improving texture. Enjoy a blend of sustainably sourced, organic ingredients selected to create award-winning formulations that leave skin renewed. Tackle free radicals in the atmosphere with a mighty serum boasting turmeric and vitamin E as its star ingredients. Drink in moisture with a combination of hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids in an oil-free gel moisturiser. Soften, smooth and plump lips with a nourishing honey and vanilla balm.”

Verso skincare antioxidant turmeric booster (£80.00 for 30ml). Fight off damaging antioxidants with the help of the Verso Antioxidant Turmeric Booster, a facial serum that contains both turmeric and vitamin E to tackle the free radicals in the atmosphere which can leave your skin looking old and tired before its time. The formula also contributes to the skin’s natural hydration levels, improving them over time to leave skin looking younger and feeling smoother.  This intensely nourishing serum also offers protection from UV damage while helping to decrease surface inflammation. The Verso Antioxidant Turmeric Booster also includes oils from the Nordic countries, as well as oat lipids which offer additional hydration and gentle, restorative benefits.

Ingredients: AQUA, PEG-8, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, DIMETHICONE, AVENA SATIVA KERNEL OIL, AVENA SATIVA KERNEL FLOUR, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TETRAHYDRODIFERULOYLMETHANE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, PARFUM, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHEROL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1, UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OIL, SQUALANE, POLYSORBATE 60, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER

Odacite Bioactive Rose Gommage (£58.00 for 50ml). This treatment uses the term ‘gommage’, which is borrowed from the French language and means to ‘erase’. Here, it refers to an innovative form of exfoliation that lifts away impurities and dead skin in a gentle way. A blend of papaya and pineapple enzymes work to refine the skin. Together, these powerful natural ingredients help to reduce the appearance of pores and create a more luminous finish to the skin. Soothing rosewater delivers nourishing hydration, while hyaluronic acid helps to maintain a healthy moisture balance.

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena [Rose] Distillate, Glycerin*, Carica Papaya [Papaya*] Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya [Papaya*] Fruit Extract, Ananas Comosus [Pineapple*] Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate [Hyaluronic Acid], Glucomannan [Konjac Flour] Powder, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Bicarbonate [Baking Soda], Aqua [Water], Melia Azadirachta [Neem] Extract, Coccinia Indica [Ivy Gourd] Extract, Solanum Melongena [Eggplant] Extract, Aloe Barbadensis [Aloe] Extract, Ocimum Sanctum [Tulsi] Extract, Curcuma Longa [Turmeric] Extract, Corallina Officinalis [Seaweed] Extract.

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-free gel moisturizer (£36.00 for 50ml). The green juice your cells have been craving, FARMACY’s featherlight Daily Greens Oil-free Gel Moisturizer is fuelled by moringa and papaya to deliver lasting moisture without smothering your skin. Completely non-greasy and perfect for combination or congested complexions, this fresh, dewy cocktail of hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids – both powerful moisture magnets – works to replenish cells’ reservoirs; plumping and helping to ward against tightness without any rich, oily butters that lead to clogged pores if your skin’s over-oily. With powerful phytonutrients, including purifying moringa, papaya and willowherb to minimise shine while attracting impurities, this also brings rapid relief when the skin’s stressed or upset – calming any redness while alleviating minor irritations.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Moringa Oleifera Leaf Water, Inulin, Betaine, Niacinamide, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Fructose, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Cellulose Gum, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Hydroxide, Eucalyptol, Xanthan Gum, Piperonyl Glucoside, Cellulose, Glucose, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Fruit Extract, Silica Silylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Gluconolactone, Eugenol, Citral, Triethyl Citrate, Beta-Caryophyllene, Geraniol, Limonene.

The Organic Pharmacy Lifting Eye Gel (£30.00 for 10ml). Lift and refresh tired eyes with this intensive treatment that targets puffiness and dark circles and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Suitable for vegans. Reduces puffiness and dark circles. Plumps fine lines and wrinkles. Cooling effect. Clinically proven to significantly reduce the number (-34%), surface (-40%) and length (-34%) of wrinkles as assessed after 28 days of once a day application.

Ingredients: *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Aqua(Water), *Glycerin, **Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Chondrus Crispus Extract, *Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, *Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, *Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, D-Limonene, Linalool, Eugenol *Ingredients from organic farming ** Made using organic ingredients

Vis Viva skincare honey & vanilla hydrating lip balm (£16.00 for 10ml). This nourishing balm is infused with humectants and emollients to hydrate and seal in moisture for beautifully soft, smooth, plump lips. Honey infuses the skin with moisture and antioxidants, while conditioning ingredients like allantoin and willow bark extract gently exfoliate and soothe the delicate skin on the lips. Naturally scented with organic vanilla extract.

Ingredients: Lanolin, Squalane, Mel (honey), Caprylic/Capri Rriglyceride, Cera Alba (beeswax), Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Allantoin, Tocopherol.

How I find it

Verso skincare antioxidant turmeric booster. This brand has been on my wish list to try, but since the price point is way too high, I decided to forget about it. I did try a small sample from Mecca, but wasn’t wowed by it so I haven’t thought about it since. Being able to try it now is something I wouldn’t have thought. I seriously hope that it’s not amazing because I would be so sad if I finished it and cannot afford a new bottle. To be honest, I am always confused about antioxidant products and what it does for my skin. I don’t know when I need to use an antioxidant serum and what I am supposed to see if it worked or not.

To my surprise, the serum lacks colour. I was expecting a hint of yellow or even a tumeric scent. In fact, it smells quite nice! It has a dropper packaging and a dropper-full of serum is enough to cover the entire face and neck. It feels like a light lotion, and absorbs easily without leaving any sticky film on the skin. My skin drinks it in and so far, I am not seeing any reactions. I will continue using these and report back (possibly on my IG).

Odacite Bioactive Rose Gommage. Odacite has also been on my radar for about a year now, and the only thing that’s stopping me buying it, it the shipping price of the retailers that stock these. I had my eyes on either Ceremonial Cleanser and the Synergie Immediate Skin Perfecting Beauty Masque but the shipping was well over NZD$30, one retailer even at $45! Even though this Rose Gommage may not be the exact product I want from the brand, but it’s a good start!

This gommage mask can be used two ways. After applying the mask you can either: 1. Just before the mask dries complete, use dry fingers to rub the mask off. 2: once the mask dries completely, rinse it off under running water. The rose-scented gel mask is cooling and spreads evenly. Comes with a mask brush and I only need two pumps for the entire face. I would say I feel the hydrating effects immediately, and the exfoliating is really quite gentle. My skin can take mcuh stronger exfolation, but this is actually great to use when my skin is feel a little compromised, but still need gentle exfoliation.

Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-free gel moisturizer. I have combination oily skin, so this got me at oil-free and gel. The fresh green tint to this gel-cream is so appealing to the eyes. I do own their eye cream and Honey Mask, but have yet to try their best-seller Honeymoon Glow. This oil-free gel moisturise is cooling on the skin and I am so so glad that this doesn’t react with my other serums and sunscreen. Most of the time, I have issues with gel-textured moisturisers and they tend to pill or bunch up with either my serum or the sunscreen I put on top. This does not give me that at all and just sinks into my skin easily and leaving no sticky feeling or a film on top. My skin doesn’t need anything heavier on top and just feels balanced.

The Organic Pharmacy Lifting Eye Gel. I have not heard of this brand before so I knew nothing about it. I am not usually a big fan of eye gels and eye creams, so I’m really not sure what to think of this. However, with a little bit of research, this brand has a wide range of products dealing with different skin concerns, men skincare, also body care products. They are made in London and have spa locations too. They are science-driven using organic ingredients for effective skincare.

In all honestly, The packaging does not appeal to be at all. I seldom use eye creams or eye gels, but I would give this a go as it looks quite cooling and light on the eye area. A few rolls around the under eye area gives me this cooling effect and light hydration. I cannot really see or feel any lifting effect, but I will keep using this to see more results.

Vis Viva skincare honey & vanilla hydrating lip balm. Another new brand I have never heard of. After a little bit of research, this brand focuses on repairing or nourishing the skin’s natural protective barrier, therefore their products are strong on nourishment and repair. The lip balm has a honey-like colour and is really thick and sticky-looking. It has some common lip balm ingredients like lanolin and beeswax. A little goes a long way and I can tell this will last me a very very long time. The thick lip balm gives me a slightly shiny finish and I also used this on my cuticles and that works a treat too!

Overall

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure of the sustainability and environmentally-friendly side of this box. I have not dug deep into each of these brands and products to see what their brand ethos are and how they are created. The description also uses the word “natural” and “clean” for the brands and products which I actually do not fully agree with. I love using plant-based products, but that does not mean I swear by “natural” ingredients. I also love the efficacy of artificial ingredients, or “chemical” ingredients as some people call it. However, I do appreciate brands being more environmentally friendly, in regards to packaging, how they source their ingredients, the ethical labour, the love and patience of creating these products, etc. 

Overall, I really enjoyed all of the products in this box, maybe except for the Organic Pharmacy Lifting Eye Gel which I really do not care for and I couldn’t really see any results, and the hydration to the eye area is very light and temporary. My favourite would have to be the Odacite Bioactive Rose Gommage Peel and the Verso Antioxidant Turmeric Booster. OK, the Farmacy Clean Green Oil-Free Gel Moisturiser as well! They are all such a joy to use and my skin really enjoys it.

I am really looking forward to the next box which is Mintd Box X Rodial. This is one of those special edition boxes and the value is £305 I believe. Check out Mintd box’s IG account and follow me (@kittiemui) as well so you get to see me unboxing it when I get my hands on it!