As a dermatologist my customers keep asking us about using face washes with fruit extracts and their potential advantages or side-effects. So thought of putting some of the knowledge gathered over the years into this article. And I get lots of patrons asking me to evaluate some good Kiwifruit face washes available in India.
A facewash with kiwifruit, but that’s not all
Let’s start at the skin surface!
Our skin has dead cells, dirt and other microorganisms on the outside. Astonishingly we have 15 to 20 layers of dead cells over our skin! These dead cells are formed of a fibrous protein called keratin. And our skin replenishment system is pretty automatic and kind of perfect – humans shed our skin every 27 days (well, approximately so). Average humans have about 20 sq feet of skin on their body and it also happens to be the largest organ in the human body.
Now, let’s talk about dead cells.
Some of the dead cells on the very outside surface get wiped off by regular bathing. The rest of the dead skin cells and layers need some action – Enzyme action! Enzymes work on breaking up the keratin in outermost dead cells and help in gentle exfoliation.
And here comes the kiwifruit!
Kiwi fruit extracts are rich in an enzyme called Actinidin, that gently exfoliates dead skin on the outermost layer.
Kiwi fruit extracts also have a fair amount of Polyphenols which are helpful in slowing skin ageing signs like fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermatologists and skincare companies have been studying fruit, flower and other bio extracts for skincare usage for years now. Enormous knowledge has been collected, and the skincare benefits of kiwifruit have also been studied deeply.
But just the kiwifruit extracts won’t make much difference as there are many other things to a good face wash. Let me throw some light there too.
Vitamin C
An elixir for almost all visible skin problems, this is a must have for all good skincare products, especially the ones that are used for cleansing. Your ideal face wash should have naturally sourced Vitamin C. This ingredient helps in reducing dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin texture and dryness. Its a brightening agent and also helps increase resistance to the sun’s UV rays. Vitamin C is an absolutely necessary ingredient today and a favourite for skin care formulators.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an excellent moisturiser which has skin healing properties. Its topical usage helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If applied regularly, it can also diminish the appearance of scars over time. Its also helps fight typical and common skin diseases.
Vitamin B3
Also known popularly as Niacinamide, its a powerhouse for skin brightening and reducing visible signs of ageing. It is also some handy in treating sensitive, redness and acne troubled skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
A very good humectant, it binds 1000+ water molecules to a single of its own. But there’s an important point, I must dwell upon. This magical ingredient comes in two forms – Hyaluronic Acid; and the salt of Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate). I have used both and Sodium Hyaluronate is my pick, as its molecular size is smaller than Hyaluronic acid, which makes it deep penetrating and easily absorbed.
What options are available to buy easily (I have put my choices against what’s available at Amazon India, so that you all can buy easily, and have also put some direct links, for some brands which have eStore. I always prefer to buy from company eStore as you get fresh products)
Let’s look at some products available in the market today
Number 1 Recommendation
Hada Secrets Japan Arta Kiwi Face wash
Hada Secrets is a well known Japanese brand that is now available in India. They are my first choice, as they have everything that’s needed in a face wash. Another factor that goes in their favour is that they have used a very mild cleansing base – which is made completely from coconut oil derived ingredients.
Their face wash has kiwi extracts, Hyaluronic Acid, all Vitamins (C, E, B3), AloeVera, plant-based Glycerin and the base is perfect (100% sulphate free).
They also claim to have special formulation called soft-lather-cleansing (their foam doesn’t dry the skin).
They are also economically priced at INR 345 (100 gms)
Buy at Amazon or buy directly at www.hadasecrets.com (in INR)
Number 2 Recommendation
This product has Kiwi Extract, Neem Extract, Chamomile Extract, Almond oil, Vitamin E.
Its also economically priced at INR 599 (200 gms) at Amazon.
This product’s one negative is beads and granules – something I never prefer and recommend as a Dermatologist, especially for sensitive or redness prone skin.
Number 3 Recommendation
This product has Sodium LaurethSulphate, which for many Dermatologists is kind of acceptable but I wouldn’t recommend for people with even slightly sensitive skin. It has Glycerine and no other natural product, that I could write about.
Also, this product has some beads – which is something I always never recommend for patrons with sensitive skin. No matter what brands claim, these beads and granules can sometimes be extra harsh and instead of gentle exfoliation, they can sometimes cause harm.
Price is INR 205 (100 gms) (economical). Buy directly at Amazon or www.lakmeindia.com
