Valentia Pure Glow Moisturizer

Hi all,
I was contacted again by the Valentia brand to try something new from their line of skincare,
this time it was the Pure Glow Moisturizer. This product retails for $25 US dollars and is 4oz or 120 mL.  The moisturizer comes in a brown glass bottle with a great pump to really dispense the right amount of product.  At first when I saw the price tag, I was uneasy, but then when you look at the product size itself, it's a fair amount.  Valentia actually advertises this as a 4-6 month supply, which already seems quite accurate, as I've been using this product for just under a month and barely made a dent.

This particular item is Vegan, Organic, made in the USA, Cruelty Free and made with natural ingredients. According to the website, the moisturizer is made with Ginseng and Kojic Acid for dark spot fading, and Hyaluronic Acid, Safflower and Shea Butter for moisture replenishment.

The product claims in the short term (with my own commentary):
- Provide all day hydration: This is a lighter moisturizer, which would be great come spring and summer, but with the current fall/ winter cold, I found this not strong enough to keep away minor dry skin.  I did enjoy it, but would pull this back out once it's warmer weather.
- Instantly restore radiance: I hesitate with this one, as I feel like I don't quite see a "radiant" complexion as soon as I apply this. How does one really measure radiance? My skin didn't look particularly dull or feel gross, so if we go by that definition... sure it's radiant.
- Tight skin feels nourished: I've got to admit, I hate when companies put claims like this... on a MOISTURIZER. Duh, I'm putting on moisturizer to nourish my skin after it has been properly cleaned. But, I would mention that my skin soaked in the formula, and didn't feel dry or tight one hour, four hours, and even 8 hours later.

For the long term (also with commentary):
- Lightens dark spots: I can't state if I see a change yet, as these types of products, as the claim even states, are long term. Check back on my Youtube channel empties to see how that one works out!
- Evens skin tone: Again, less than 30 days doesn't give you much time to truly test this one out.
- Diminishes fine lines: I'd be interested to see how it claims to do this... again later time and date.

So my initial thoughts on this product are positive and I would consider purchasing this product, even with the $25 price tag. You get a lot of product for this price, and I'd argue that one does end up spending about this much in the drugstore for a 4-6 month supply as well. You can buy it on their website or off Amazon.

Thanks to Valentia for sending this product to me, and as always, these are my unbiased reviews of these products.  My links are not affiliated and I do NOT earn any commission off these products, I added them just to make shopping a weee bit easier! :)

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Derma E ICANTWHEAT Gluten Free Skincare & Giveaway

As a person who has absolutely no allergies, 

I have never had to worry about what I eat, drink, lay on, touch or put on my face. 

But becoming a teacher, I've have a WHOLE eye opener.  

Most recently is a wave of gluten allergies. 

For a person like me, I think gluten...okay, that's in breads and pastas etc. 

There are now whole sections devoted to gluten free lifestyles. 

One thing I hadn't been aware of, is that gluten can be present in makeup and skincare. 

But Derma E apparently has not only gone gluten free, but is Vegan and Cruelty Free. 

With the current movement of a LOT of beauty bloggers and vloggers to cruelty free lifestyles, 

here is a brand that would cater to you too!

They are also paraben free, GMO free, Mineral Oil Free and the list goes on. 

If you would like to read up more on that aspect check out their website here

I remember seeing Derma E only in my hour away Whole Foods, but has recently expanded into 

Ulta, CVS and many online stores. 

I've tried Derma E products before, and have wanted to purchase one product in particular

(...Microdermabrasion Scrub I'm looking at you...) 

But recently, Derma E contacted me to be a part of their ICANTWHEAT campaign, and sent me a few products to try out based on the new evaluation system on their website.  

At first, I was a skeptic about the evaluation, I thought that it would be a gimmick to sell the most expensive products. But I tried it. 

Overall, the evaluation is painless and fast, and more or less highlighted what I already knew about my skincare routine. I need something for acne specifically and for dry skin. 

The price range on the products was about around the $15 mark, which is still rather comparable to many drugstore lines. 

There were 8 suggested products for my concerns, ranging from a Toner Mist to Night Cream to Face Scrubs. 

What was also interesting is that these products were not put together from just one brand or line of their skincare.  It was completely mix and match, showing that we really don't need to follow only oily-combo skincare because there are other products for our concerns available.
So let's actually find out what I got, and if they actually worked for me. 

From my evaluation I picked out four products that were most interesting to me:

1. Purifying Toner Mist:

Claims: A pH balanced formula that instantly refreshes, rebalances and fortifies skin against environmental pollutants.

Reality: Well, it does lightly moisturize the skin. This product works in the similar manner to that of a setting spray, except this is a super light moisturizer.  This is great for my days when my skin is normal, and doesn't require protection from wind, snow etc (ie winter). My skin didn't show dry spots, didn't feel itchy or tight.  I used this in the mornings, and this product has a light, refreshing citrus-ish scent to it. I rather like it. I had no breakouts from this, and my makeup didn't run around my face either! You could probably use this throughout the day or if you travel on a plane and need that little extra moisture.

Will I repurchase: Yes, but only for the summer months. This isn't enough for my typically combo skin during the dead of NYC/ Chicago winters.

2. Purifying Gel Cleanser:

Claims: This fragrance-free, sulfate-free, pH balanced formula lathers away sweat, oil and toxin buildup for a refreshed, glowing complexion.

Reality: We all hope that a cleanser will get rid of sweat and oil (and for us makeup loving gals...anything else we left on our faces from makeup). I can't vouch for toxin buildup as how can I measure that? It is fragrance-free (like REALLY no fragrance). It starts out like most typical charcoal cleansers...black. Then with a little rubbin' and water, turns milky white and washes away. I was a little more surprised with the fact that this REALLY smells like nothing. nada. goose egg. My skin type typically needs a cleanser that has salicylic acid for my acne, but this cleanser didn't do anything bad for my skin. It didn't make me feel necessarily glowing either. But it cleaned my face, and didn't leave it tight, so it did its job.

Will I repurchase: Probably not. I just wasn't really wowed by this particular cleanser. Yes, it works, but I don't feel like I LOVE it.

3. Very Clear Moisturizer:

Claims: A skin-balancing formula that provides essential nutrients to help clear and prevent breakouts, reducing redness and irritation.

Reality: The product was a heavier moisturizer (ie. probably going to be a good winter product) which did not clog my pores.  I always have very rose-y cheeks, so I can't vouch for the redness reduction. But then I look at the product on the irritation claim and I just have to mention that this product is VERY, scratch that, EXTREMELY heavily scent.
It smells like Lysol floor cleaner (the yellow bottle), and is so potent that it makes my eyes water.
The scent does not go away either, I keep getting whiffs of it, and have a headache.
Out of all the products, this one is the one I would say stay away from.
I can't recommend this product for the fact of the fragrance of it, and when I read the package, it states that it is "formulated with a specialized herbal anti-blemish complex of tea tree, willow bark, salicylic acid, rosewood, lavender and chamomile."  You'd think this would smell more like an herb garden, but no, it is that chemical cleaner scent.

Will I repurchase: Sorry guys, I can't do it. I can't recommend a product that causes such a reaction.  It could be a miracle product but the scent deters me, I just can't deal with the headache it produces.

4. Glycolic Facial Cleanser:

Claims: This gentle, fragrance-free, pH balanced formula deeply cleanses and rejuvenates without stripping skin of its natural oils.

Reality: Okay, so a little background story. Once upon a time, about 4 years ago, I tried a product that had glycolic acid as a main ingredient in it (it was a peel). I haven't touched anything since that experience because I ended up with such a bad reaction, with skin that was essentially burned. (a la minor sunburn with tightness and peeling). Maybe it was supposed to do that, but it was so scary and painful I never tried anything with glycol in it. BUT, silly me though, hey... maybe for review sake I'll try this thing out. Guys. This stuff is good.
It is actually gentle.
It doesn't burn. It doesn't sting.
It's actually fragrance free. (really truly!)
My skin felt clean, not tight, but refreshed.
I think I like this better than the Purifying Gel Cleanser.

Will I repurchase: Yeah, I think so. It's a good sized bottle for a good price. You don't need a lot of the product, and it left my skin feeling really nice. It did what it would claim to do.

So 2 out of 4 products I'd repurchase for sure, not bad.
Skincare is a difficult thing, because while we may get something for the skin type, it might not work due to natural chemistry, or we just don't like the product.
I plan to do follow up posts for each product,
as I feel that with skincare, it does take a much longer time to see results.

Derma e is a great brand, and if you are transitioning to a more natural, cruelty-free, gluten-free lifestyle, this is a brand you should check out.  Actually, even if you don't care about those things, you should still check out the various lines.  Just try out the evaluation, even if you know what skin type and needs you have, you might get introduced to a new product that you will eventually like.
(Also this evaluation doesn't make your email clogged up with newsletters from the brand, it just sends you the one time suggestions)

Additionally Derma e is running a giveaway! 
The prizes!
1 person will receive a $150 gift certificate to Derma e
1,000 people will win a Gluten Free Sampler Kit (3 foil packs) plus a special coupon code.

If you are like me, and never win anything...
and just feel like you want to browse what is available Derma e is also providing a coupon code for me to share with you guys!
Use ICANTWHEAT for 25% off your order
(expires 11/20/2015)
I'm totally using this for the Microdermabrasion Scrub fyi.

FTC: This is a sponsored post and products were sent to me for HONEST reviews. I write honest reviews on the products.