Face Oils

Ranked from left to right

1. Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir

2. Sunday Riley Luna Oil

3. Human Heart Nature Pure Rosehip Oil

Partly for convenience, partly since I'm not sure what to try next, I've gone and bought another bottle of the Overnight Elixir.

Human Heart Nature: Pure Strength Shampoo

I bought this nearly a year ago, and I recently checked the website, so you might be looking at a different bottle, but this is review is for HHN's Pure Strength shampoo.

I've been using this shampoo sporiadically when it gets particularly hot or when I feel particularly Christmas-y. And I've been loving it but...

Human Heart Nature: Masterlist

Since I have another HHN product review that's way overdue, and I'm too meh to make, I've decided to post my masterlist of HHN instead.

Why do I buy HHN? Well, it's pro-Filipino and pro-poor... which is more than I can say for some brands. If you don't like to try new things a lot like I do, then HHN is a good brand to stay loyal to. However, I like trying out new things. :P

I'll hopefully add more to this in the future.

Supers:

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir

Sides:

Human Heart Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel
Human Heart Nature Natural Conditioner Strengthening
Human Heat Nature Balancing Face Wash
Human Heart Nature Pure Strength Shampoo

Shmuck:

Human Heart Nature Rose Hip Oil

Human Heart Nature Balancing Facial Wash

I've been using this on and off for when I travel, but I've finally been able to use it for more or less 2 weeks straight.

Human Heart Nature: Natural Conditioner Strengthening

For some reason, I've been trying a lot of more natural products, and Human Heart Nature is one of the most accessible, wallet friendly brands here in the Philippines. One of the things I've picked up from a local supermarket is their Natural Conditioner Strengthening which has the scent of Soothing Aloe.

Human Heart Natural Conditioner Strengthening in Soothing Aloe

This line is supposed to be strengthening for brittle, falling hair and is sulfate, silicone and paraben free and costs around P150 ($3.5) for 200ml on the website. I think this tube was a bit more expensive since I picked it up elsewhere, so watch the price where you buy.

Human Heart Nature Pure Rosehip Oil

Late one night, as I was moving from one room to another, I dropped my bottle of Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir... and it broke! There was still around a fifth of product left so I was very disappointed. Luckily, I already purchased my next oil.

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir (left) and Pure Rosehip Oil (right)

A photo before that fateful night.

Big and little, side by side.

Human Heart Nature

With Human Heart Nature being so accessible, either online or through several stores in malls nationwide, I'd never thought I'd want to visit its flagship store. Located at 463 Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, it's not the easiest places to go to, but I went because Human Heart Nature has their Switch to Goodness campaign which gives you a 30% discount of their products when you trade in clean containers of the same product type.

That was a really good incentive.

I got there and inside was something completely unexpected.

Human Heart Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel

Since I've been trying to get rid of all the clutter in my room, and save some cash, it's been more and more difficult for me to justify buying products. However, one thing I'll need probably forever are anti-acne products and at P200 ($4-5), the Human Heart Nature Acne Defense Solution Gel was something I couldn't pass on.

Unfortunately, as I've lost the box, I've taken the ingredients list from their website.

Ingredients as taken from the website: aqua (water), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf essential oil, levulinic acid (rice/corn-derived), glyceryl caprylate (coconut oil, palm oil and glycerin-derived), glycerin, dehydroxanthan gum, zinc lactate, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, p-anisic acid (anise seed-derived), phytic acid (rice-derived)

At first glance, it isn't expensive, but it actually comes out at P10/gram, so this isn't exactly cheap either. I used to use tea tree oil spot treatments either from zen zest or a private supplier and I'd consider this midpriced, though very affordable.  The pump bottle is a bit strange with the actual dispenser sticking out of the cover. It's not as hygienic but since I leave it on my dresser, it's not a big issue. I wouldn't recommend sticking this in your bag because while the cap insures that it won't spill, it could end up touching other things.

The gel looks cloudy when thick (as seen in the right side of the pic) but it's quite clear when thinner. It is easy to apply as it doesn't run at all, and I've had no problems controlling the amount of product dispensed from the bottle. While it takes around 10 minutes to dry fully, it does dry clear as a thin plastic-like film after dabbed on. However, I recommend using this product over a clean face since I can't really put anything over it after it dries.

It fares well enough on smaller zits and helps heal them a bit quicker than they would alone and with lest pigmentation afterwards. It is not very helpful for the larger ones though. The best thing about this product for me is that, unlike other spot treatments which remain wet for long periods of time (oils), bleach everything (benzoyl) or give weird colors (mario badescu/murad), I'm not afraid to go outside with this on. However, it does magnify larger, pus-filled zits in an unflattering way.

I don't think I'd rebuy this product simply because I find that the oils themselves have more uses than this gel does for the same price, and I'd like to find a product that targets both large and small zits. However,  I'd recommend this product if you're simply looking for a spot treatment for mild acne at a decent price.

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir

Last Christmas, I got a nice surprise from my favorite, C: a red paper bag bearing the Human Heart Nature logo.

A peek inside revealed a bottle of their Overnight Elixir. I'd been eyeing this since its release (P995 with the sunflower oil free), but I wasn't really interested in getting that freebie and I wanted to try it out first (only their physical stores give samples). Imagine my delight when I saw this baby!

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir Packaging

This is the "old' packaging of the HHR Overnight Elixir. Newer editions have a yellow, more cheerful pattern. If they haven't changed the scent or bottle packaging, I'd think this version of the packaging is more appropriate. I haven't checked if the newer bottles are different.

The box comes with easy instructions on how to use it. I prefer using 3 drops for my face and neck and apply it by massaging it in quickly. I didn't pay much attention to the label part because it felt too much like pro-organic marketing. However, those who like their products on the more natural side might prefer this for that reason.

They also provide a list of the active ingredients and what it's supposed to do. A lot of the product is sunflower oil (which may explain the new packaging). I didn't use the sunflower oil on my face but this product has several differences with its predecessor:

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir

The bottle is made of glass and contains a lot less product (1 oz). As you can see, the entire thing can fit between my thumb and index finger. The HHR sunflower oil was made of plastic and was prone to collecting dirt on the side. The way this product is packaged, it doesn't get filthy. However, this bottle is prone to breakage so I dare not move this around, and have had several mini-heart attacks while using it.

The dropper is very strange for me because you press the top of the dropper (pushed like a button, actually) to get the product. If you're familiar with the Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate, then this is very similar to it. To use: press once after unscrewing the bottle, then take the dropper out and let the drops fall naturally. The dropper can't pick up much product, but I need much less than what gets picked up.

Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir Dropper

The serum itself is clear to lightly straw-colored and on the runny side. It also doesn't spread as easily as the Body Shop Drops of Youth. The HHR Overnight Elixir needs 3 drops for a light application on both my face and neck after bathing. It absorbs slowly for a serum (even compared to an oil like the Bobby Brown Extra Face Oil): around an hour. I can't put any other skincare products over this during that time. In the meanwhile, it gives a nice glow as long as it's not applied too thickly.

Warning: This product is meant to be applied lightly! Don't put too much on your skin or you might break out.

The best part for me is the smell - which is a mix that includes rosemary and lavender- that helps put me to sleep at night. I wake up with soft, moisturised skin which lasts through the morning wash. Because of this, I end up not using anything on my face but sunblock after cleansing (even if I know I'm not supposed to) without any visible repercussions.

I would buy this when I run out, but since I need so little - this will last a very long time - I won't need any replacement anytime soon. This is the oil that I placed in the Bobby Brown sample bottle, and while I'm on my second refill already, I still have around 3/4 left.

For those who want to buy it, you can get it cheaper (and sometimes with freebies) at their website. Promos change and appear sporiadically.

Edit: Reviewed Human Heart Nature's Pure Rosehip Oil too :)