Dermalogica Brighten Up! Kit: Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Dermalogica Microexfoliant and Dermalogica Total Eye care Review

 After halfheartedly nixing the repurchase of my most favourite Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser of the year 2014, I wanted a Cruelty-Free replacement. I already repurchased Himalaya Aloe vera Facewash but it failed to conform to my squeaky-clean-non-stretchy requirements. Before using the Dermalogica Microexfoliant, I had already prepared an identical exfoliant at home using rice flour as a base. I wanted to try the original product as well, so I purchased this online from Flipkart

Dermalogica Microexfoliant alone retails around 975 INR for 13grams, so this kit definitely is worth the price.

Usage:
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel: 45 days, once in the morning.
Quantity: 50ml

Dermalogica Microexfoliant: Thrice a week or after cleansing on dull skin days.
Quantity: 13g

Dermalogica Total Eye care SPF15: Used twice (hence I am skipping the review)
Quantity: 4ml

Price for Dermalogica Brighten up! Kit: 1945 INR

Cruelty-Free Status: Cruelty-Free [Listed on PETA and Leaping Bunny certified but acquired by Unilever since June 2015]

Paraben Free? I can still read 'Paraben' in the ingredient list of Cleansing Gel and Total Eye care listed in the end, in minor quantities.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel Review:
The texture is distinct, a cross between liquid and gel. It does not lather more than required and starts to break down with water. A pea sized is enough for cleansing morning skin might require more if using post makeup removing.
The results are squeaky clean without over-drying, just as they assert. And the effect radiates with a light on my forehead, nose and cheekbones after cleansing. I wish the sebum did not take the luminosity away. I have used 60% of the product, and get ahold of whenever my skin appears dull.
My skin was oiliest with little acne during the phase I switched to Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel.
Sadly, this cleanser did not help in reducing acne or even clearing them nor do they assert the same.

Recommendation: Try it for the especial texture and the luminosity it imparts from the first use. I am certainly using this for special occasions and dull days.

Dermalogica Microexfoliant Review:
The texture resembles finely milled Rice flour except there is bead like granules that dissolve on massaging.
This unlike rice flour does not feel gritty; imagine oatmeal mixed with rice flour in equal. This foams when it comes in contact with water, just like Baking powder with water.
Anybody with sensitive skin should probably prefer this over cream scrubs. I dislike regular scrubs with the results that my skin is irritated and often rosy post usage. Also, I have abandoned products with non-dissolving micro-beads as they have been fatal to fishes and other aquatic creatures. Ban the Bead!
And going by the ingredients list, I prepared a mixture that works the same except the texture is gritty though non-irritant and non-foamy.

1 TBS Oatmeal finely sifted through muslin
1/4th TBS Rice flour
1/4th Licorice powder [jesthamadh (Marathi) /yeshtimadhu (hindi)] (key to brightening skin)
½ TSP Wheat flour
a pinch of Baking powder (not baking soda)
 

This mixture works the same except Dermalogica Microexfoliant contains Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, a surfactant used in cleansing products, including bath soaps, bubble baths, and shaving cream, detergents, and shampoos. (Source: cosmeticsinfo.org)
It instantly brightens the complexion though fails to clarify blemishes. What I dislike is the packaging, so I neatly taped all the dispensing holes to avoid flying away or wastage.

Recommendation: If you find most of the scrubs irritating on your skin. This could be the gentlest option and is easily available online.
I may repurchase the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel but not Dermalogica Microexfoliant. I am saving these both for especial days. And for exfoliation, I prefer oatmeal and honey over counter bought scrubs. I have already switched to Derma prescribed facewash for acne, I would definitely update if I repurchase.

Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF15 First Impression:
I switched to Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF15 after I ran out of my Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate. [3ml lasted me for more than two months, heavy texture]
Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF15 is lighter and absorbs faster, just a few pats and it vanishes. No greasy residue and barely there feeling, I have not used it under concealer yet.
But next morning after cleansing, my under eye area is plumper, smoother and feather soft to touch. I like it better than Fresh Black Tea Age Delay.

**Update: I tried to search for this particular Kit, but it was a February 2015 edition, free with the purchase of £50. The products are available separately. check the SOURCE