Review of Ishtar Skinlights skincare range including- Ultralase Mandelic Gluconic Face Wash, Skinbiotica Daily Defence Serum, Brighten Up Dark Spot Corrector, Bioactive 2.5% Retinol and Multi-Ceramide Concentrate.

I had heard of Ishtar Skinlights quite some time ago, I think the first thing that struck me was the unusual name. I still don’t know what it means- what is an Ishtar, how does it light skin? I finally got round to trying them out when they messaged me. So, you must know that some of the products are gifted, but some of them I went and bought myself. I was so impressed with the bits I tried that I ordered myself some back ups and some other bits. Before I gush, I need to say that this is not sponsored, the links are not affiliate and some of the products are gifted. Head to the end of the post for a discount code!

Now I’ve given the products a really decent trial (when you’re using anti pigmentation treatments, a good length trial is always in order). It’s finally time I to do a proper blog review with before and after pictures. Here are some facts about the company-

• Ishtar Skinlights started in 2003
• They’re based in Truro in Cornwall, UK
• The products are free from SLS, parabens and pthalate
• Cruelty free
•  Ships via Royal Mail in the UK and offers worldwide shipping
• Uses sustainable energy and donates to tree planting and community projects
• Based on high strength well studied active ingredients

If you can’t be bothered to read any further I just want you to know this- Ishtar Skinlights is a lovely lovely brand and their skincare is fantastic.

Seriously have a look at their site. There are so many products with tempting names and ideas behind them, you might have a hard time picking. I’m sure the lovely Ishtar Skinlights people would help you out with some skincare advice if you message them. They are a really nice bunch. Onto the products themselves-

Ishtar Skinlights Review- Ultralase Mandelic Gluconic Face Wash

This is my holy grail cleanser now. There are two types of cleanser I use- an oily one for taking off makeup and sunscreen and a non foaming acidic one for restoring pH and gently exfoliating. I was using Cosrx Good Morning low pH gel but it has lemon and tea tree which can be drying. Ishtar Skinlights Ultralase is absolutely my first choice now for second cleanse. For more about cleansing head to my big cleanser post.

The packaging is nice and functional, pump bottles throughout to keep the products safe from air degradation. All the products are contained in similar airless pumps in boxes with orange and yellow designs.

The ingredients list goes-

Aqua, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (and) Glycerin (and) Lauryl Glucoside (and) Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Mandelic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Trimethylglycine, Isopentydiol, Polyacylate Crosspolymer-6, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Capryl glycol, Phenethyl alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.

The cleansing agents are gentle and non irritating, no SLS or SLES in sight. It contains 6% Mandelic Acid and 6% Gluconic Acid and has a pH of 3.5. This means that Ultralase face wash is capable of exfoliating the skin. Gluconic acid and mandelic acid are fantastic acids for regular exfoliation- they are gentle enough for sensitive and acne prone skin and exfoliate and hydrate at the same time- this equals smooth glowy skin.

Ultralase Mandelic Gluconic  Face Wash has a particular sharp odour that I’m enjoying. It has a gentle foaming action and stings somewhat, as you would expect from pH 3.5. I use Ultralase once a day, any more than that might cause irritation. I don’t use any other acid toners or serums and feel that Ultralase is all the acid exfoliation I need. For an acid product to effectively exfoliate it needs to be above 5% and the pH need to be below 4. Ishtar Skinlights have very helpfully put the pH and percentage on the bottle- this is the mark of good skincare.

Since I’ve been using Ultralase I swear that my skin is smoother and that a few stubborn blocked pores on my chin have vanished. As I’ve said, this is something I’m going to keep a back up of at all times.

It’s perfect and not overly priced at £13.95 from Ishtar Skinlights. Ultralase is most suitable for acne prone and or congested skin and useful for those seeking anti ageing effects.

Ishtar Skinlights Review- Skinbiotica Daily Defence Serum

Designed to soothe irritation and calm redness, Daily Defence has some similarities with NIOD’s Modulating Glucosides. It contains some of the same active ingredients and has the same function- to soothe skin.

Ingredients include-

Aqua, Arabinogalactan, a-glucan Oligosaccharide, Rosmarinyl Glucoside (and) Caffeyl Glucoside (and) Gallyl Glucoside, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Isopentyldiol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Hydrolized Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Sorbic acid, Alcohol, Benzoic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Phenethyl alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.

Here is an analysis from Skincarisma.com–

The only ingredient that is potentially troublesome is the preservative, but I think preservatives in general all have that issue.

The Arabinogalactan and the A-Glucan Oligosaccharide are probiotics, to feed the skin’s good bacteria. This is valuable as the good bacteria help ward off evil bacteria that cause skin issues.

Rosmarinyl Glucoside, Caffeyl Glucoside and Gallyl Glucoside are the glucosides à la Modulating Glucosides. These glucosides reduce inflammation, for acne, eczema and rosacea sufferers they are definitely worth trying, here’s a study.

Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract is known as Willowherb extract, this is highly thought of as an anti inflammatory, anti oxidant bacteria killing wonder ingredient.

Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract is also known as Butchers Broom, a traditional remedy for inflammation.

Spilanthes Acmella is a very interesting plant called the toothache plant. I can’t even list all the cool things it does- kills pain, is an anti inflammatory, it can even work as a natural botox.

Daily Defence is a lovely soothing serum. It has a sort of runny gel like texture and an amazing natural smell (there is no added fragrance of any sort, it’s just the scent of the natural ingredients). It’s calming and soothing and helps particularly with a bit of eczema I get on my neck. Most suitable for eczema, acne, rosacea and dermatitis sufferers.

Daily Defence is £14 for 30mls from Ishtar Skinlights

Ishtar Skinlights Review- Brighten Up Dark Spot Corrector

I have some before and after pictures of Brighten Up, I’ve put them together so you can see the difference- keep scrolling.

The ingredients go like this-

Aqua, Sunflower Seed Oil, Papaya Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Polyglycerol-4 Laurate, Saccharide Isomerate, Bisabolol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate (Chromabright ™), Green Tea Extract, Beta-Glucan, Algin, Xanthan Gum, Isoamyl Laurate, Isoamyl Cocoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

The ingredients are lovely-

Sunflower seed oil is rich in vitamin E, which is good for inflammation and acne, Papaya seed oil is nourishing, moisturising and gently exfoliates.

Brighten up contains 4% Niacinamide, which is a clinically therapeutic level. Niacinamide helps with lots of skin issues- pigmentation, aging, hydration, inflammation, acne, so that alone is worth buying the product for.

Bisabolol comes from chamomile and soothes skin, it’s why we use chamomile lotion on sunburn.

The active ingredient Chromabright is quite a new ingredient that reduces pigmentation and helps protect from the sun.

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant.

Beta Glucan is derived from oats and soothes skin.

Here are my before and after pictures-

I think that there are definite improvements. It could be that it was just the difference in seasons, I believe the Brighten Up helped bring the pigment down. I don’t know why I’m so red in the before picture, maybe I just washed my face?? It’s certainly not sunburn, I’ll have you know!

Brighten Up Dark Spot Corrector is like a light moisturiser, it does sting slightly on application, I always get that with niacinamide containing products. Considering the ingredients I would happily buy this again and again. It’s a multitasker disguised as a skin brightener- it moisturises, soothes skin, reduces inflammation and has a good concentration of actives to help with pigmentation.

Pigmentation always takes ages to treat and any sun or heat exposure will bring it back, Brighten up is a super kind and gentle pigmentation treatment that you can totally use long term. It’s £21 for 30mls from Ishtar Skinlights.

Ishtar Skinlights Review- Multi Ceramide Concentrate

Multi Ceramide complex is Ishtar Skinlight’s moisture barrier support moisturiser/treatment. It’s £15 for 30mls from Ishtar Skinlights, it’s cruelty free (as is everything else) and vegan.

It has the same pump bottle packaging as the other products, which is ideal for prevent degradation of the product in air and light. It has the same sweet, planty non fragranced smell that I really like. The ingredients are fabulous-

Aqua, Squalane, Isopentyldiol, Phytosterol Ester, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 3-II, Ceramide 6, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Glycosphingolipids, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Lecithin, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Ceramide 6-II, Sorbitol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Panthenol, Carbomer, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl alcohol, Dehydroacetic acid, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Phenethyl alcohol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate.

Here’s the Cosdna entry-

Squalane, which we know is a plant derived, saturated non comedogenic oil. Our sebum is 13% squalene so it’s generally well tolerated for all skin types. It has some really advantageous effects- it’s an anti oxidant, a moisturiser, a protector against UV damage and cancer and an occlusive. Here’s an interesting study.

Phytosterols are fatty substances derived from plants that, like squalane, are naturally present in skin and do it the word of good- reduce inflammation and restore skin.

White tea extract is the least processed type of tea, making it rich in anti oxidant catechises, richer than green or black tea.

There are several of the skin’s natural moisturising factors in Multi Ceramide Concentrate- Cholesterol, Ceramide 3, 3-II, 6 giving the skin what it needs to protect itself.

Rice bran oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids is highly moisturising and nourishing.

Also Panthenol which is also called vitamin B5, used in skin care for it’s ability to bring moisture into the skin to condition and hydrate.

From my geeky understanding, Ishtar Skinlights Multi Ceramide Concentrate is pretty bloody lovely. Suitable for those with dry or irritated or eczema prone. Acne sufferers could benefit, particularly those who are treating their acne with something irritating. It would be handy if you have any temporary skin issue, like sun burn or post chemical peel.

Here is a texture shot of the different Ishtar products-

Ishtar Skinlights Review- 2.5% Microencapsulated Retinol Serum 

I did also have the 2.5% Microencapsulated Retinol Serum  but I gave it to a friend to try for me because I use Tretinoin and I can’t use the both together. The ingredients are, again, fabulous. The retinol is in high concentration but it’s coated in little capsules that keep the retinol stable and fresh, then release it into the skin to do it’s good work. It also contains hydrating Prickly pear and firming Spilanthes Acmella. The lucky friend I donated to said that it’s been fab and caused no peeling or irritation. It sounds brill.

2.5% Retinol serum is £15 for 30mls from Ishtarskinlights.com

All in all Ishtar Skinlights is ticking all the boxes-

• It’s ethical,
• They give percentages and pHs
• It’s not expensive
• They don’t put crap in their products, like alcohol and fragrance
• They pair strong actives with ingredients that calm skin down
• Their website has really specific instructions like “leave 20 minutes before applying a vitamin C product”

I’m very impressed and I can thoroughly recommend checking out their website, there are so many amazing sounding products. Head to IshtarSkinlights.com. It’s not stocked anywhere apart from their site at present but they do ship worldwide. For a 10% discount on your order enter Ish10 (with capital I).

Also I found out why they’re called Ishtar Skinlights- it’s after the goddess of the morning and evening star, isn’t that lovely?