Review: Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash and Face Pack

I am Miss Oiliness and my skin is prone to all problems that come with this skin type. I am always on the lookout for trying out some products that can help me combat these problems. I was presented with the opportunity to try out two products from Himalaya Herbals: the Purifying Neem Face Wash and the Neem Face Pack. Although this brand is new to me, I realized, through doing some back research that this company has been around since the 1930's. More about this review after the jump. 

According to their website, "Himalaya Herbals is a range of 100% natural and safe products with rare herbs collected from the foothills of the Himalayas. Each product combines the best of Ayurveda with years of dedicated research." So those are the keywords: Himalaya and Ayurveda. I didn't even have to check the microprint to know that these babies are from India.

This would be a double review since I believe that using related products in parallel will yield better results. These samples were provided by Sample Room but in now way does it affect my opinion whatsoever. I will relate my personal experience with this product when I used it for a duration of more than 2 weeks.

 -Overview-

Product Name: Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash

Sizes: 15 ml/50 ml/100 ml

Price: 25/ 79 / 129 in Philippine Peso

Available at: Leading Drugstores and Department Stores Nationwide

Ingredients:

Ingredients: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate and Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Perfume, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone, Sodium Metabisulfite, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cl 19140, Cl 42090

       What the Label Says:

Specially formulated to give you clear,problem-free skin, a soap-free, daily use wash gel that cleanses your skin by removing excess oil and impurities without over-drying. Neem, well-known for its purifying and antibacterial properties, kills problem-causing bacteria. Combined with Turmeric, it helps control acne and pimples, leaving your skin soft, clear,refreshed and problem-free. 

-First Impressions-

-Packaging: It comes in a plastic and transparent tube that allows for easy control while dispensing the product and also allows you to see the product inside so you’ll easily know if you’re running out of it.

-Product is in green gel form which feels very light on the skin and you can tell that it won’t be clogging your pores.

-The smell reminds me of a hospital room where the place is doused with a lot of disinfecting products. It’s quiet faint actually and fades upon product application.

-The Verdict-

I used this products for two weeks. As far as the product claims are concerned, it didn't cause me any breakouts. It also didn't dry out my face so I did get the soft, clear, refreshed and problem-free skin. However, I did have high hopes of it keeping my face less oily but unfortunately, it failed on that part. Maybe my skin is just stubbornly oily so maybe it could work on other people's skin. I would wash my face early morning and by mid-day, like 10 am, my t-zone would already be greasy.

-Rating-
3.5 Out of 5 
Hurray for keeping the breakouts at bay but nay for not helping me with my oily problems.

   -Will I Purchase or Not?-

It would be a no. My reason would be that there are other available products in the market in the same price bracket that works both in killing my pimples and also minimizes the oiliness in my face. Case in point: Ponds Acne Clear. Among the ingredients that I always look for when buying anti-pimple products is Salicylic Acid which is missing in Himalaya's Neem FaceWash's ingredient list.

Recap

Things I loved about Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash:
      - It didn't cause me breakouts

      - Comes in gel form which doesn't feel heavy on the skin

      - Affordable

      - Practical packaging

    - Natural ingredients. I Wiki'd the main ingredients of this product: the Turmeric and  Neem and I learned about all their uses in the medical and cosmetic industry.

It would have been cooler if:

      - It kept the oil at bay

      - It smelled rather differently. Or if it came fragrance-free.

 -Overview-

Product Name: Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Pack

Sizes: 50 ml/100 ml

Price: 85/135 in Philippine Peso

Available at: Leading Drugstores and Department Stores Nationwide

Ingredients:

Ingredients: Water, Kaolin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract,Propylene Glycol, Bentonite, Fuller's Earth, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Perfume, Sodium Methylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

       What the Label Says:

A purifying mask that helps to regulate excess oil secretion,cleans clogged pores and prevents the recurrence of pimples. Neem, well-known for its purifying and antibacterial properties,helps in controlling acne and pimples, and their recurrence. Combined with Turmeric, it helps remove acne-causing bacteria. Fuller's Earth (Multani Mitti) cools and soothes the skin, improving skin texture and leaving you with clean, problem-free skin. 

-First Impressions-

- It comes in similar packing with the Face Wash but this one isn't transparent.

- It's a mud pack that has a scent that to me resembles crushed leaves.

Verdict

If the Face Wash variant couldn't completely sweep me off my feet, this one sort of does. It's the first time that I've ever put anything in mud form on my face but this one didn't make me feel iffy. I was comfortable with it: although it stings a bit at first. But more importantly for me, it did minimize the oiliness in my face.

Rating

4 Out of 5

For reasons mentioned above.

Purchase or Not?

Yes!

Recap

Things I loved about the Himalaya Herbals Neem Face Pack:

      - It fulfilled my expectations of the product based on the label.
      - Affordable.
      - Natural Ingredients. In addition to Neem and Turmeric, this one has Fuller's Earth which according to Sample Room has skin lightening, cooling and anti-inflamatory properties.

It would have been cooler if: 

       - If it was just fragrance-free.

That's me, wearing the mud pack. How about you, have you tried these products? Share your thoughts.

XO,

Carissa

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