My few forays into organic skincare has been a bit of a touch and go. Many were not easily available in Malaysia and I only found so-so results from using them. It must be because I don’t have very very sensitive skin. In fact my skin can be pretty hardy considering the torture I put it through sometimes, in my mad scientist experiments and product testing. Not tested on animals but on me! That should be my tagline eh? haha…
Anyway, I purchased a travel set of Mukti’s skincare from Bodybar Natural Skincare to test to see if I liked them enough to switch over. The set consisted of a gentle facial cleanser, mist toner and a balancing cream. Having been using the Mukti skincare range exclusively at night for a month or so, I think I’m ready with my view on the products.
Mukti Botanicals Organic Skincare
Mukti Botanicals is a line of organic skincare from Australia that uses ingredients that are certified organic by the Australian Government. According to the pledge at Mukti’s website, they state that they “only utilise the purest & highest grade certified organic and natural ingredients, therefore, a little of our product goes a long way.”
I cannot vouch for their organic certification, but I can vouch for a little going a long way. I really like the Mukti Rosehip Eye gel (product not packaging) and I can safely say that a little goes a long way.
Mukti Gentle Foaming cleanser – Link
I’ve only used one other organic facial wash – the Sukin Organics Facial Cleanser. Being organic, both brands do not contain sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and thus, any foaming is very minimal. I do find that the Mukti facial wash foams up more than the Sukin one does and it smells amazing! There is a strong citrus note which is very refreshing in the morning and relaxing at night. I love just breathing it in as I wash my face.
The Mukti gentle foaming cleanser cleans without drying but those who aren’t used to it might feel like there’s a layer on your face. There’s nothing to be concerned about. Just apply your skincare as normal after that and you are good to go. I don’t know the retail price of the cleanser because mine is a travel sized bottle.
Ingredients: Certified Organic Aqueous Extracts of Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis), Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita), Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), Nettle (Urtica Dioica), Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis), Sage (Salvia Officinalis) & Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium); Guar Gum (Cyamopsis Gonoloba); Cocobetaine (Coconut derived); Salt (Sodium Chloride); Vitamin B5 (Panthenol); Vitamin E (Tocopherol); Certified Organic Essential Oils of Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia), Petitgrain (Citrus Amara), Geranium (Geranium Maculatum) & Peppermint (Mentha Piperita); Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract; Citric Acid.
Mukti Floral Hydrating Mist Toner (link)
I used this toner day and night. I like the scent, which has hints of citrus and the spritz bottle makes it very easy to use. It is also a nice handy size that fits into your handbag if you want a quick refreshing spritz during the day. I don’t carry it around but I could if I wanted.
This toner is suitable for all skin types and I find that yes, it does help hydrate. On purpose, I spritzed this hydrating toner on my skin without following up with moisturizer in the day and I didn’t feel like a dried out husk. Good! I also find that applying moisturiser on damp skin helps with absorption so this mist toner helped keep the skin hydrated after cleansing.
A 50ml bottle retails for RM48. Due to the bottle being solid, I can’t tell how much is left which is irritating for me. I like to know when my products are nearing their last legs so I can replenish. I understand that organic products need to be protected from the sunlight but it doesn’t stop me being a wee bit irritated. However, after a month’s use twice a day, I think there’s still quite a lot more product in the bottle, so I reckon a bottle will last at least 1.5-2 months.
Ingredients:
Certified Organic Rose (Rosa Centifolia) Hydrosol; Certified Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice; Glycerin (Vegetarian); Rose (Rosa Centifolia) Oil; Certified Organic Essential Oils of Geranium (Geranium Maculatum), Petitgrain (Citrus Amara), Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) & Orange (Citrus Sinensis); Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract.
Mukti Balancing Facial Creme (link)
I’ve been using the Balancing Facial Creme for a month with no problems whatsoever. I only use it at night however. I tried using it in the day, but I found it was too thick to layer my Eucerin sunscreen on top of this so I ditched the cream and stuck to just my sunscreen.
The Mukti Balancing Facial Creme comes in a pump bottle and pumps out rather thick. Like the eye cream, there are problems with air bubbles. I’m told that the reason for putting the products in pump bottles is to preserve the products from oxidization as they are all organic.
The smell of the creme is quite strong but it smells of essential oils in particular geranium and is very relaxing. I squirt out a pump each to dab on my forehead, cheeks, nose and chin and then, I use a pressing/dabbing motion to spread and pat the cream into the skin. It sinks in very quickly and leaves no oily residue at all. I think it would be good for those who have combination/oily skins.
I did however, feel that the Balancing Facial Creme was not quite moisturizing enough for me at night. I don’t wake up with my skin feeling tight, nor am I developing lines, but I just did not feel it was enough. I might try the Hydrating cream the next time – I’ll see. In the meantime, I’m using Yes to Carrots and I’m loving it!
A 30ml bottle of the facial creme retails for RM88. A little on the pricey side, but again, only very little is needed so a bottle can last you at least 2.5 months if you use it twice a day and maybe even more if used only once a day like I do.
Ingredients:
Certified Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice; Certified Organic Macadamia (Macadamia Ternifolia) Oil; Certified Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii); Cetearyl Glucoside (Vegetarian); Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract; Certified Organic Oils of Rosehip (Rosa Canina), Evening Primrose (Oenothera Biennis), Hazelnut (Corylus Americana), Avocado (Persea Gratissima), Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca); Sclerotium Gum; Glycerin (Vegetarian); Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract; Certified Organic Essential Oils of Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), Sandalwood (Santalum Album), Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata) & Geranium (Geranium Maculatum); Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis).
Is Mukti Botanicals skincare good?
This is the first time I’ve stuck to one brand of organic skincare and I like the smell of it. Its relaxing and its quite economical due to the concentration of the product. You don’t use much every time which means that the product can last a while.
I have found that my skin seems to be looking more even toned – less blotchy when its hot and smoother. Can I attribute it to the Mukti skincare? I cannot say, because I’m not using this line nor organic skincare exclusively. It might be helping or it might just be a combination of factors.
Will I switch over to organic skincare? I’m not sure. I have a lot of skincare left to go through so if I do switch it won’t be any time soon. If you have very sensitive skin or skin that reacts with the commercial skincare available, you might want to give organic skincare a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Mukti Botanical Organic skincare line is now available in Malaysia at Bodybar Natural Skincare.
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Update: I discovered I was allergic to an ingredient in the Mukti skincare line that caused the skin on my hands to go crazy with contact dermatitis.
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Have you tried organic skincare? Do you like it? Share your thoughts below!
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
I’m sad that I can’t use much commercial skincare, my attempts have always resulted in adverse skin reactions like peeling, bumps and etc. Sensitivities acting up. Thanks for reviewing this, I should go check it out. I can’t decide whether this or Sukin, though I think Sukin wins in terms of price?
Hey Karen, Don’t be sad – you might be saving a lot of money LOL… Seriously, use anything that can help your skin, commercial or not – I’ve only tried the Sukin foaming cleanser. It was nice – doesn’t smell as nice as Mukti but it was ok. I did not try any other products because we don’t get Sukin here and I got mine from Singapore.
Organic skincare is the same as the conventional ones – it depends on your luck. I’ve had good results with John Masters Organics but for others like Lavera, it’s average. I think using direct ingredients work better…
Hi Sesame, Yep, organic skincare has been so-so for me thus far with most brands I have tried. I guess I might have to give direct ingredients a go… if I can find them and if I’m hardworking enough!
Time for me to check out Mukti then! Imma having a bad skin month. *so sad*
Hi Rinnah, If you have sensitive skin it might help, but remember Yuan? Can’t really tell huh?
I’ve been using Mukti for abt 2 weeks now and I love it. I bought all individual bottles as the travel set did not have the oily/combi skin one. I’m using the Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Refreshing Hydrating Mist Toner and Aloe Vera Moisturizer. I like the Foaming Cleanser a lot as it really cleans thoroughly. To me it smells really strong but it’s ok for me. I can really say that it had controlled my oiliness on the T-zone in just few days. I noticed that my pores had been less obvious than before and now I use less of blotter sheets. It does keep my face feeling light and less oily throughout the day. I’m quite satisfied!
I did bought 2 of Yuan Soaps 1 that has patchouli which I bought for my BF where he has this condition on his feet. You cannot call it athelete’s foot as it cracks and dries out at the same time… Kinda weird. Even creams and medication fr Dr’s doesn’t really help. The soap is doing really well and it has dried up the skin and the cracks has healed and truly it smells gorgeous. The smell is quite strong but hey I love herbs! hehe
The other soap is the Laundry soap which I’m loving so much. I use it to wash my BF’s socks coz normal laundry soap takes forever to rinse and the it does leave some residue on the socks and this causes his feet to crack bcoz of the alkali I guess… Also using the soap is much milder on my hands… Not too drying. Smells great =)
I hope this review helps ppl with this problem. Love to help 🙂
Hey NotCute, thanks for the input! Glad its working out for you.
great to finally see a review on this brand. but to whatever skincare that we r switching to, it depends alot on luck/skin. i have wasted so much gold searching for something that really suits me. =/
Hiya prettybeautiful, I fully agree with you. Just because its organic doesn’t mean its going to work wonders on our skin or that we should switch everything at one go. Your skin might just go nuts!
Hi Paris, thanks for the review!
Some additional info and typo correction:
– Mukti Foaming Facial Cleanser (normal size) is 120ml for RM68.00
– Mukti Floral Hydrating Mist Toner is RM45.00 (not RM48.00)
– Mukti Balancing Facial Creme is RM78.00 (not RM88.00)
Karen – Sukin is definitely cheaper in terms of price but do consider that Mukti is 100% organic with no preservatives so for super-sensitive skin, it really makes a big difference. However, if price is the biggest factor, Sukin is indeed cheaper. Bodybar also carries Organic Indulgence where the prices are comparable to Sukin, come check it out 🙂
Rinnah – Hope to see you at the store!
¤nOtcUte¤ – Great to know you are loving Mukti and that the Yuan soaps are helping your bf’s condition. I’m a great big fan of both Mukti and Yuan, I literally can’t live without them because I have hyper-sensitive skin.
prettybeautiful – I totally agree with you. Even if it’s natural and organic, you still have to find the right one for you. But getting the basics right is important.
ok, i have a question, do people like us who have oily/combination skins have to use richer/more hydrating cream in colder countries? I will be travelling and I am afraid I might wreck my face by maintaining the same regime in Malaysia.
Hi Reese, Personally, I’d say don’t change unless you really need to. Much depends on how long you will be in a colder climate. Your face won’t be wrecked by your usual regime but it might if the new richer creams don’t suit your skin. I’d say bring your regular products but be prepared to top up on a more hydrating or thicker face cream if you find your skin feeling taut and dry.
Reese…. my view is it depends what time of oily/combi skin you have and how dry/windy the destination is.
If it’s extremely dry/windy then it’s recommended to use a richer moisturiser anyhow (at least when you are outdoors).
If it’s oily t-zone and normal/dry on other areas then you might be able to get away with your usual moisturiser but it may be worthy to use a slightly richer moisturiser (around the drier areas).
If it’s oily inside and dry outside, it would probably be good to add on a serum or light hydrating lotion/mist to your usual regime to help hydrate the outer layers of the skin yet minimizing any risk of breakdowns from oiliness.
The cheapest (and possibly the safest) way is to switch from foaming cleanser to a milk/lotion cleanser and change nothing else. This is least traumatizing to the skin because it’s the least changes (presuming you currently already use a milk/lotion cleanser of some sort). And then just put on a thicker layer of your usual moisturiser as required.
The air on the plane is very very dry. It would be good to spritz on a hydrating mist continuously throughout the flight.
That’s just my view… but in summary…. you know your skin best so you’d know better what works 🙂 Safe trip and hope your skin won’t break out!
Thanks to both Michelle and PB for your advices!
I’ve tried going into the organic skincare thing, but somehow it just doesn’t work for me. I either don’t see any changes, or I get contact dermatitis. Is it the LACK of ingredients which is playing with my skin here?? I thought it should be the other way round!
Hi Tine, You said it about contact dermatitis! I’m so happy to solve my mystery hand condition! Article coming right up! 🙂
You are welcome ParisB and thanx. Yeah I do agree with ParisB. You must find out with trial and errors. If it doesn’t work out for you then you should get something else. Even before getting Mukti I didn’t know whether it works or not but I’m glad it did. Still I’m yet to find other brands coz sometimes I still get some irritations and I’m not sure what I’m allergic to.
Thanx Michelle. One day must meet you coz I still think that the Aloe Vera Moisturiser a bit drying for my cheeks and I don’t dare to try the Rose Hip Eye Gel coz after reading Vivawomen’s blog saying that Rose Hip Eye Gel is quite strong for the eye area as I have Milia Seeds… T_T… but then my dark circles are really scary. Even with good sleep I still look like a ghost coz of my pale face.
Oh Michelle I’m Jenny fr FB 🙂 [I think I should change my nick… hehe =P]
Great review, Paris B.. definitely helps. I’m starting on Mukti products too.
To others: If you are going to try out Mukti’s products, why not try Ask Beauty Therapist from Mukti Forum site. She is definitely marvelous. I completed the consultation card and within a day got her feedback. I feel this is the best online beauty consultancy place to seek advice before trying out the product. Just remember, using 100% certified organic products will save your money in the long run, provided that ur skin can take it i.e. no allergic reaction etc.
i love Mukti products!!
Thanks for your review here i tried it and it works well for me.
i used to have very bad acne skin, but combined with doctor’s prescription, my face stays clear after just few months on medication.
now i’m no longer using medication but just using Mukti skin care.
i love the rosehip eye gel too. Tried Madara eye cream after that but i cant wait to go back to Mukti.