Saturday, August 2, 2014

Manomai: Skin Care Based on Your Blood Type


Did you know it only takes 26 seconds for your blood stream to absorb what you apply topically? 

That is why it is important to think about what ingredients are in your skin care and other beauty products you apply topically. 

I came across Manomai when I first started beauty blogging, and truly became fascinated with their approach to skin care. I reached out to them, and they kindly agreed to send me a press sample to review for you guys. 




Manomai's founder is a believer in Dr. Peter D'Adamo's Blood-type Diet, which basically consists of eating the right foods for your blood type, in turn making you healthier and lose weight. She wanted a moisturizer that aligned with her beliefs in the Blood Type Diet, but also met her strict guidelines: pareben-free,  mineral oil-free, fragrance free, cruelty-free, and artificial color free.

So, she developed 4 moisturizers with 4 special blends to uniquely match each of the blood types -- the Around-the-Clock Facial Serum.  Cool, right?! 

Manomai says each Blood Type group have different weakness when it comes to their skin. For instance, people with O Blood Type, like me, have typically "oily [skin] with larger pores. Type O's skin has an impressive ability to withstand the cold but the ability to protect itself from the sun is not very good. Compared to other blood types, Type O’s skin is more likely to dry up". (Pretty dead on! I hate my pores, and you guys know I always complain about being dry!)  Therefore, to combat O Blood Type dryness, the Around the Clock Facial Serum for O Blood Types contains seaweed extract (Algae Extract) which is rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids to keep skin healthy and youthful.


How to Apply.

Although, the Around-the-Clock Facial serum is called a serum, it can be used alone or applied underneath your favorite moisturizer morning and night. To apply, I take two pumps of the serum in between my fingers to warm it up a bit. Then, I gently pat the serum onto my face with my fingertips like I discussed in my Serum 101 article. I let it dry for a couple minutes, and then I pat on my moisturizer.


WHAT I LOVE:

NO ADVERSE EFFECTS. The first thing I consider when I review any beauty product is whether the product caused any adverse skin effects like breakouts, rashes, itchiness, etc. The Manomai Around-the-Clock Serum did not cause any breakouts or rashes. Despite its range in potent ingredients, it worked seamlessly with the skin products in my current routine, and I did not experience any interactions. 

Two pumps of the Around-the-Clock serum
is all I need for my entire face and neck.
SUPER LIGHT. I like how light the Manomai serum feels on my skin. Manomai is based out of Thailand where it is very hot and humid. So, it totally makes sense that they create a moisturizer that is not heavy and can be worn comfortably in even the stickiest and sweatiest climate. 

FEELS LIKE SKIN. The Manomai formula is fluid and silky and doesn't make your skin tacky or greasy so it's great to wear by itself on those #barefaced days! When it dries, it just feels like your own skin, but firmer and smoother. So, it's also perfect to layer under your moisturizer and SPF. 


NUTRIENT AND VITAMIN-RICH INGREDIENTS. Each formula is uniquely developed to target the ailments of each blood type group, but all are extremely well-rounded and nutrient-packed. For example, the O Blood Type formula contains a mouthful of potent extracts like seaweed, guava leaf, willow bark and cherry extract. It also contains jojoba oil and organic argan oil to promote cell regeneration, skin suppleness and elasticity, and prevent dryness. 


WHAT I WOULD CHANGE.

The Around-the-Clock formulas are superb, but the pump has room for improvement. The pump is a little stiff, but has a spring, so when you pump it almost splatters out. I would love to see the serum come with a smoother pump that allows for more control on how much you pump out.

Secondly, the jar the serum comes in is this beautiful, frosted GLASS! When I was going to take pictures and videos for this review, I dropped the serum onto my wood floor and the bottle broke. I am so heartbroken! All that wasted product!! I did my best to swipe up what I could and quickly slathered my arms and legs -- I did not want all that precious serum to go to waste.... :( I would love to see the serum come in a thick, luxurious plastic that can withstand a few drops every now and then. 


RECOMMENDED: All-in-all this is a high-quality moisturizer and serum that potentially will change the way we conceptualize skin care. For my O blood type, the Manomai Around-the-Clock serum agreed with my skin. It is a well-rounded serum that is chock full of beneficial nutrients that work to combat almost every skin ailment from dryness to fine lines. It has also been approved by the FDA-Thailand. 


To purchase the Around-the-Clock Facial Serum visit Manomai.com.



What do you think? Should we do away with the traditional normal, oily, combination skin categories, and evolve to blood typing skin care? 









List of ingredients: Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Argania spinosa kernel oil (Organic Argan Oil), Butyrospermum parkii butter (Shea Butter), Olea europaea fruit oil (Olive Oil), Hydroxystearyl alcohol, Hydroxystearyl glucoside, Prunus cerasus fruit extract (Cherry Extract), Psidium guajava leaf extract (Guava Leaf Extract), Xanthan gum, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil (Jojoba Oil), Salix alba bark extract (Willow Bark Extract), Glycerin, Leontopodium alpinum extract (Edelweiss Extract), Camellia sinensis leaf extract (Green Tea Extract), Algae extract (Algae Extract), Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Diisopropyl adipate, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), Citric acid