Glacial Mud Sample Kit Review

Sample box of Alaskan Glacial Mud Co.'s face mud

I received this cute sample kit of Alaskan Glacial Mud Co's Purifying Glacial Mud Masque. Let's take a look at what's inside the sample kit...

Inside the kit is 3 sample packets of Alaska Glacial Mud -- the "Relaxing Vanilla," the "Unscented," and the "Lavender Peppermint" -- and an application brush.

A close-up along with the informational paper

The mud masques are made with "mineral-rich, pure glacial clay from the waters of Copper River Delta in Alaska and enriched with a special combination of certified organic and wildcrafted botanical extracts from the Pacific Northwest." The mud also contains 60 trace elements, which are delivered to the skin for healthy skin cell regeneration.

 

The Lavender-Peppermint and Vanilla Lavender are very similar in scent. In fact, I found that all three masks seemed to be pretty much the same as far as how they look, feel, and "work" goes.

The only real difference I noticed was that the peppermint one had more of a neat cooling effect when applied to my skin. Each of the three different muds were magnificent and felt pleasant on my skin.

 

The mud masques have a perfectly fine, gritty texture for exfoliating away dead skin and dirt. 

My skin was left feeling cool, and deeply cleansed. Using the masques is a really pleasant and relaxing experience and I looked forward to every shower.

The masque is fairly gentle, especially since the grit is so fine and does such a great job at removing dead skin cells and impurities. I love the exfoliation this mud provides, but find that with my combination skin, it's best not to use it too roughly on my skin everyday. I like using it to gently massage my face every other day so that I don't over-do it and cause the dryness of my combo-skin to become a bit dryer.

However, I do feel like this mud is great for all skin types, including combo-skin as long as you don't get carried away and scrub harshly, which some people with dry skin tend to like doing because we get confused and think the rougher we scrub, the better our skin will be. 

Keeping in mind that rough-scrubbing is bad, this is the most pleasant mud I've ever used on my face and I love how soft and smooth my skin is after using. 

I also like that it does remove some of the extra dry flakes while helping balance out the overly-oily T-zone area.

The Alaska Glacial mud masques are the perfect addition to my daily routine and I feel like they cleanse my skin so deeply and thoroughly that I don't even require soaping it up first. In fact, cleansing with soap first and then using this felt like overkill as the mud cleans very well.

This mud is also gentle on sensitive skin and contains no irritants, only safe, effective, and healthy ingredients (my favorite thing about it!) 

Active Ingredients:

 Glacial clay and silt - exfoliating and detoxifying natural deposit with more than 60 nourishing major and trace elements, including Mg, Cu, Z, S, Ag, Si, Ca, Na, K and Fe that promote anti-aging, help skin hold moisture and form collagen resulting in radiant skin.Certified organic and wildcrafted botanical extracts including kelp, nettle, horsetail, elderflower, yarrow, cranberry, blueberry and vitamins e and b5.

Talk about amazing ingredients, huh? I loved using these muds, knowing that they were not only detoxifying and cleansing my skin, but also delivering very healthy and beneficial vitamins and nutrients and minerals.

I have to say, I'm impressed with the awesome ingredients Alaskan Glacial Mud Company chose to include because I feel like it's so necessary to give your skin the vitamins, minerals and nutrients the rest of the body needs and it's so rare to find skincare products that will take care of every bit of your skin's needs. 

I feel confident that using the mud was basically taking full care of my skin and that was amazing. Not having to spend an hour a night adding all sorts of extra products to my skin, knowing the mud basically did it all was really gratifying.

Benefits: 

 -  Anti-Aging

-Contains "immuno-protective properties"

- Moisturizing

- Detoxifies

- Exfoliates

- Softening 

 - Allergy-free

- Safe on sensitive skin, non-irritating

 -Human-tested 

-  No synthetic fragrances, colors or fillers. No propylene glycol, no pthalates or parabens

- No animal by-products or testing
- Sustainably hand-carved glacial mud 

- 10% profits donated to wilderness preservation, habitat restoration, environmental defense and education in the Copper River Watershed.

To sum it up, I could absolutely use this mud on a regular, even daily basis and feel confident and comfortable that my skin's needs are being fully met, and in a healthy, safe way!

 Disclaimer: I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advice of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.

My Pearl of the Day -- NutrBiotic Anti-aging Peptide Creme

 NutriBiotics Anti-aging Peptide Creme is a light, thin white creamy moisturizer with some of the most amazingly effective ingredients I've seen in moisturizer. As the name suggests, the Peptie Creme contains peptides, which help stimulate and revitalize tissues.

Below you can see the creamy contents inside the Anti-Aging Peptide Creme container. Some of my favorite things about NutriBiotic's Peptide Creme (aside from the fabulous benefits for my skin) is that it hydrates, leaves my skin texture very smooth and not only works well under makeup, but it helps improve application. My makeup goes on better, not so cakey and a little more even after I've used the Peptide Creme before applying the makeup. Then there's the non-sticky, non-greasy residue thing. That alone is enough for me to scream with joy! If you already have somewhat oily skin and despise the feeling of left-over residue from a skincare product, like me, you know where I'm coming from when I say this alone is enough to make me jump for joy.

More good news: the Peptide Face Creme is paraben free! As you may not know, parabens have been linked to all sorts of awful health problems. If I can avoid them, I do.

Close-up of Peptide Creme

 

The Peptide Face Cream is antioxidant rich, contains skin-beneficial ingredients such as aloe vera leaf juice, peptides, sunflower seed oil, ginseng extract, grapefruit seed extract, tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E), rosa canina seed extract, green tea leaf extract, sweet almond oil, olive fruit oil and retinyl palmitate, for examples. Most of the ingredients all work to prevent signs of aging, and are antioxidants. Many are also natural antibacterials.

P.S. I've said this before, but feel the need to do so again: usually, ingredient lists are listed in order. For instance, if ingredients closer to the beginning of the list will be the ingredients that are contained in the product the most. Example: NutriBiotics lists  palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 second on the ingredient list (next to water), so this signifies that this is the second most ingredient in the product. So, if you happen to see the ingredient at or near the bottom, it means it's not likely to contain very much of said ingredient. If this makes sense... 

What I'm getting at is that this Peptide Creme is a good, efficient creme because the peptides are listed in the beginning of the list. A lot of companies like to pull what I call "scams" and claim on the label "contains peptides," but you look at their list of ingredients and see peptides are last on the list. It's safe to then assume that the product doesn't contain enough of the ingredient to even benefit your skin.

 Now that that's out of the way, let's go deeper into the ingredients in the Peptide Creme!

If you're as interested in what ingredients will do for you as I am, you may appreciate the brief information I've included for just some of the beneficial ingredients below. If not, you can skip to the rest of this review. And good news, the Peptide Creme contains more than 2 of the ingredients that I always, always, always look for in a skincare product -- aloe, ginseng, and at least one type of oil (either olive or others. Peptide Creme has Sweet Almond as well as Sunflower Seed Extract!)

 Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4: Rejuvenates skin. Helps reduce wrinkles. It's said to be as effective against wrinkles as retinol, but this peptide isn't as irritating to skin. It stimulates skin synthesis, can repair skin damage from sun, anti-aging. If you're interested, here's a link to a study that showed this ingredient to improve "photo-aged human skin."

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Aloe is a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so it's surely good for skin! It helps soothe, reduce redness and irritation (and so much more.) It'll help with breakouts, dryness, softens skin and is a fabulous remedy for anti-aging and even helping with wrinkles that are already there.


Sunflower Seed Oil: When applied topically, sunflower seed oil has been proven to improve hydration. It's easily absorbed and nourishes skin.

Ginseng Extract: Another anti-ager! Can reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. Keeps skin looking freshy, glowy. Ginseng is an antioxidant and stimulant, and those properties also work when applied to skin.

Grapefruit Seed Extract: Also an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial. It's rich in Vitamin C and E, is an antioxidant, acts as a natural preservative, prevents or can help treat many skin issues, promotes skin elasticity, etc.

Tocopherol Acetate: Tocopherol Acetate is Vitamin E, and Vitamin E has many benefits for the skin including: conditions and nourishes skin, anti-aging, also an antioxidant! It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It's bioavailable, so it's easily absorbed by skin.

Rosa Canina Seed Extract: helps diminish scars and marks, is anti-aging, hydrates skin. It also contains Vitamin C and can help with pigmentation problems, is an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, etc.

Green Tea Leaf Extract: Another antioxidant rich source. Stimulates microcirculation, protects skin from damage caused by free radicals, decreases wrinkles, may help prevent collagen break-down.

Sweet Almond Oil: Another ingredient rich in Vitamin C! Relieves dry skin, lightens darck circles, soothes skin and irritation, etc.

Olive Fruit Oil: Another antioxidant! Helps skin maintain elasticity, relieves dryness, inflammation and acne. Contains Vitamin E & K,  helps repair skin cells. Has about 100 other benefits.

Retinyl Palmitate:  Has very big benefits for skin, especially since it has the ability to penetrate skin (and work!). Works as a genlte exfoliator. Some of the benefits include: producing new skin cells that replace those previously damaged by acne, is a serious anti-ager, repairs the lower layers of skin where collagen and elastin are found, creates cell regeneration, speeds up collagen production.

Here is the list of ingredients for the Peptide Face Creme:

Water (aqua), palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, vegetable glycerin, acetyl hexapeptide-8, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, glyceryl stearate, octyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, polysilicone-11, gamma-aminobutyric acid, ginseng extract, portulaca oleracea extract, centella asiatica (brahmi) extract, cetearyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, natural fragrance, panthenol, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, tocopheryl acetate, mixed tocopherols, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed oil, borage officinalis seed oil, rosa canina seed extract, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, allantoin, ethylhexylglycerin, olea eruopaea (olive) fruit oil, lecithin (soy), and retinyl palmitate.

An even closer close-up

Pearl Of The Day: Naturopathica Pumpkin Enzyme Peel

                 Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel     

If Pumpkin Pie is your favorite warm, comforting and delicious scent, then you’re going to be just as delighted as I was to try a Pumpkin Pie Enzyme Peel for your face.  As much as I adore this pumpkin facial peel (and not only because it smells tasty), there’s only one problem, I crave pumpkin pie every time!

Okay, guys, another skincare “fad” recently has been pumpkin, mostly due to the enzymes in pumpkins and well, enzymes are good for skin. So I was beyond pleased to get my hands on Naturopathica’s amazing Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel, even more pleased after using the stuff. 

So, what does it do?

The pumpkin Enzyme Peel is good for normal to oily skin. I have combination and one of my favorite things about this peel is that it’s literally the only thing that has not dried my skin out! I was able to leave it on well over the 3-5 minute recommendation without an dryness. It actually seemed like it may have hydrated my skin somewhat. 

The active ingredients in the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel include: Pumpkin, Cinnamon Bark, Pumpkin Enzymes, Oregano and Rosemary Extract. 

These are all very beneficial for skin. The Pumpkin is good for exfoliation, has anti-oxidant properties and is a mild retinoic acid substitute. 

The Pumpkin Enzymes work to break down and remove dead skin cells. This is what leaves you with such smooth skin.

Cinnamon bark, Oregano and Rosemary have anti-septic properties. 

Full ingredient List:

 Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin), Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Wine, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Lactic Acid (L), Glycerin, Aqua/Water/Eau, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum (Cinnamon) Bark Extract, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Root Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Ginger Oil, Potassium Sorbate.

As you would expect the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel is a bright orange color and looks very much like the innards of a pumpkin pie. Smells a lot like one, too, which just makes the experience even more lovely. I will have to apologize for not taking a photo of the actual Peel. I guess I got carried away once I opened the sample packet.

Results:

I was able to get two uses out of Naturopathica’s Pumpkin Enzyme sample packet. And believe me, I used every last bit of the stuff. As I was showering a few minutes ago, I found myself tearing the packet open just to get the very last bits of the Pumpkin Peel that was stuck in the corners of the packet. No way was I tossing that packet with any of the stuff left over. 

Not only am I in heaven over the smell of Naturopathica’sPumpkin Enzyme Peel, but I’m also pretty happy with the results I seen from using the sample. Here’s how I’d describe them:

Clean, smooth and fresh looking skin. And I’m being serious. I noticed a very big difference in the texture of my skin, which is something a lot of products have claimed to do – enhance skin’s “texture.” I’ll have to say, I never quite knew what that meant… or what it was like to actually experience those claims until I used this Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. 

The Pumpkin Enzyme Peel would likely be very beneficial for acne and other inflammation of the skin. I can’t say I totally noticed a change in acne, but if I continued using the product, I would certainly think it could benefit blemishes. I noticed that a slight spot on my cheek that I’ve had from acne in the past seemed to look a lot less noticeable. Mostly, I noticed my skin had a lovelier appearance, in general. A really clean, super smooth appearance as well as minimized pore size. Putting my makeup on was a different experience than what  I am used to – everything was so smooth! Not just to the touch, but it looks incredibly smooth, if this makes sense. 

It’s also possible that the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel did contribute to my face not breaking out the very day after going crazy poking and prodding at tiny bumps. I often get to picking and always end up with a big red bump in the area I had been picking the very next day. I’m thinking the Pumpkin Peel could’ve been part of what prevented the crazed red bumps from my crazed night of picking. 

These things, folks, are why Naturopathica's Pumpkin Enzyme Peel is my Pearl of The Day. Even if it has had me looking up pumpkin pie drink recipes lately. I think I'll have to try this one before I die of pumpkin desire. P.S. consuming pumpkin is good for your skin, too!

As for the Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex and the Plant Stem Cell Serum, I'm very fond of those as well. The Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex  contains antioxidants, Vitamin A, C and E, and Kudzu. The ingredients are designed to reduce the signs of aging. 

The impressive active ingredients in the Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex are:

Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide and Ascorbyl Palmitate are combined in a liposome delivery system for increased penetration and stability to inhibit free radical damage.

The Vitamin C serum goes on clear, smooth and doesn't leave this funny-feeling almost sticky and shiny residue left behind on my skin, as most "serums" have done in the past. My skin feels nice, smooth and looks good.

The Plant Stem Cell Serum -- also great about going on without leaving visible residue behind -- also contains antioxidants. Along with it, butterfly bush to protect skin from harmful UV damage. Echinacea is a key ingredient that improves collagen synthesis -- to reduce wrinkles.

The results are smooth, firm, soft, glowing skin

All three are very effective and have some of the most amazing ingredients I've ever seen as far as effeciacy goes in skincare products. Very, very impressive.

Reasons to Love Naturopathica Products:

-          Barbara Close, a clinical esthetician, aromatherapist and herbalist created the company Naturopathica.  Naturopathica uses high-performance, natural and active skin care ingredients that are proven effective, non-irritating and 100% good for the skin.

-Naturopathica products are never tested on animals.

-Naturopathica uses a holistic (the best, in my opinion) approach to skincare.

Ultramarine Nutrient Serum

 The Ultramarine Nutrient Serum is another lovely product from Skin Actives. It comes in a very convenient bottle with a eye dropper style lid so you can easily grab the amount you need in a second. In the second photo you can somewhat see the consistency, texture and color of the Serum. It is white like a moisturizer and somewhere between a thin moisturizer and serum in texture. It's smooth and leaves no greasy or sticky residue behind. 

 This too is a product that can be used by children to the elderly and both male and female. Very versatile and a product that can benefit the whole family. 

 INGREDIENTS:

 Distilled water, Lactobacillus/kelp ferment filtrate (and) Porphyridium extract (and) Laminaria japonica extract (and) Arthrospira extract., Sodium PCA, Alpha Bisabolol (natural), Coconut Endosperm, Natural Active Peptides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Guaizulene, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben.

  The Ultramarine Nutrient Serum applies and dries quickly and easily and can be used before applying makeup as it will not react negatively or roll up in those tiny balls like some moisturizers and serums. I like that this Nutrient Serum never leaves a thick residue on my face. It can be used for dry skin, combination, oily and normal so this will fit most skin types wonderfully. I can't think of any skin type or person that couldn't benefit in some way by the Nutrient Serum.

Like the Ultramarine Sea Kelp mask, this too can be used as aftershave or as a mask. I like to apply some any time I need it, night or day and leave it on all day or night. Since it will go on without peeling or drying you out or leaving residue, it's great for a quick application while giving your skin what it needs.

The Ultramarine Nutrient Serum is amazing for any inflammation, redness or irritation. I just had this enormous cyst like bump come up on my nose and it's terribly painful and it's the type that does not go away no matter what. I decided to try some of the Nutrient Serum on the area as well as another inflamed bump and the huge cyst-like bump has drastically gone down in swelling and I am telling you, it's unbelievably miraculous! That huge bump had the entire side of my nose swelled up and it hurt so bad just to touch it. I applied the serum maybe 12 hours ago and there's no sign of that sucker! No swelling, no soreness, nothing! I love this stuff.

I used to get these cyst-like nightmares on my nose as a teen and goodness they're awful. I've never ever found anything that would actually help those until today. It's pretty amazing! I have no idea what it is that worked such a miracle.

I also added some of the Antioxidant Booster to the area a while after letting the Nutrient Serum absorb and that may have had some great effects on the bump as well. All I know is that if it done something that major, then there's truly no telling what else it is capable of. I won't hesitate to use this stuff daily. 

It also works as an antihistamine as well as helping with atopic dermatitis, inflammation and sun damage. This, my lovelies, is some powerful stuff! Once it cleared my awful bumps, I was recommending it immediately. The 12 year old has some break outs recently and I can't wait to try this out on his forehead! 

Here's what Skin Actives has to say:

" The objective of our marine serum is to alleviate inflammation and soothe the skin. It helps with mosquito bites, after shaving and sun after-effects.

This is the perfect nutritive base for users with oilier skin types. It is the perfect base for KGF, EGF, and our other water soluble actives. It provides all the advantages of our Sea Kelp Ultramarine but is easier to work with in terms of dissolving actives. It can be layered with our ELS Base Serum to achieve a perfect wet/dry balance. This serum has a beautiful blue tinge, thanks to Guaiazulene, which also gives it anti-inflammatory benefits."

The Ultramarine Nutrient Serum can be used alone or mixed with other actives like the Antioxidant Booster. ALA will not dissolve in this product though.

I absolutely recommend this lovely serum to anybody who wants healthier skin or has inflammation or anything I've mentioned here. Even if all it does is clear up those awful red bumps, I'll be totally satisfied. I'm positive that it'll help in so many ways and will update y'all each time I have results!

You can find the Ultramarine Nutrient Serum at Skin Actives as well as products for any skincare need you may possibly have! Have fun and if you do use any of the products from Skin Actives, share your results! I'd love to have some recommendations from you guys. I've used several of their products, but am always happy to try more!

*For more info on sponsored reviews see my disclosure page. Honesty pledge can be read at the top of this page!*