Brand's® Innershine® Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract Review

WHAT IS IT: Brand's Innershine Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract

THE PRODUCT(S):

Brand's Innershine Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract: Touted as the definitive "beauty shines from within" drink, the new InnerShine® Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract is rich in Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes (OPCs), an active ingredient that enhances skin elasticity and keeps it firm. Combined with powerful anti-oxidants and anthocyanins from five premium berries specially selected from Europe and America, InnerShine® Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract offers a dual approach in maintaining youthful and glowing skin.

The color actually looks like Ribena, but the taste is definitely more berry than Ribena.

Grape seed extract is a potent source of proanthocyanidins, a naturally occurring powerful antioxidant. Proanthocyanidins, or PCO (a highly specialized group of bioflavonoids), have been extensively studied since the late 1960s for their powerful vascular wall strengthening properties and free radical scavenging activity. Proanthocyanidins are also present in red wine, and the bark of the maritime pine.

In 1834, French explorer Cartier was trapped by ice during an expedition to the Saint Lawrence river. Forced to survive on limited food, he began to develop scurvy, a severe deficiency in vitamin C. Fortunately, he managed to survive by taking tea made from the bark and needles of pine tree, as told by a native American. The methods of extracting PCO from pine bark and grape seed were patented in 1951 and 1970 respectively, by Masquelier (Murray, 1995).

Key uses:

• Antioxidant supplementation
• Circulatory problems
• Atherosclerosis prevention
• Capillary fragility and easy bruising
• Varicose veins
• Poor vision and eye problem
• Degenerative disease (e.g. Cancer)
• Wound healing

Source: Brand's World

VERDICT: To be honest, there's been a slew of products meant for face, skin and complexion on the markets. Ranging from powder collagen, to beauty products with collagen as a main ingredient. And now, Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extrac by Brand's® Innershine®. Although the more expensive collagen method may seem to work, partly because it's more expensive and also because it's "collagen" a.k.a the very main stuff that goes downhill in our skin. But it may take longer to work or even be effective. Personally, I wouldn't want to spend a few hundred dollars each month just for the sake of buying collagen powder to nom on, just for the sake of beauty or feeling good.

Then, along came Brand's® Innershine® Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract. A few years prior to drinking anything from the Brand's® Innershine® series, my colleagues always commented on how sick and "yellow" my skin looked. And without fail, every morning (and even afternoon) shifts, it's always the same "Are you ok? You don't look well.. o.o". Despite feeling absolutely fine, my complexion and skin color tells a different story.

Finally, one weekend, I was at the supermarket (it's actually NTUC, I wish I was rich enough to grocery-shop at Tanglin's Marketplace) and I happened to chance upon products by Brand's® Innershine® and thought, "Nah.. It's only less than SGD$40.00. No harm trying, at least it wasn't SGD$100-ish". And after 1 week, I was rather impressed.

No more "Are you ok? You don't look well.. o.o" as an actual greeting line when I go to work. In fact, nobody even thought I looked sickly at all, now THAT is really impressive. And recalling back when I was still a very lazy bum who have no interest in facial products, such as a proper face washing regime or even a daily facial wash I'd stick to. It's only the Berry Essence with Grape Seed Extract I was taking, no other skin supplements, and definitely no facial products were involved.

And this little miracle bottle is practically fuss-free of all things. It's actually small and portable enough for you to bring to work or school in the morning, if you prefer to have one after waking up as some sort of a wake-up booster drink. Besides, it doesn't take up much space in your handbag, schoolbag, backpack or even slingbag, dang! How genious is it? It's also affordable, a box of 6 bottles cost only an affordable SGD$24.90.

As it's rather concentrated, I normally mix half a bottle with a glass of water. 1 bottle = 2 times your regular beauty regime a day. It helps in decreasing the outbreak of acne on your skin as this product is doing good for your skin after consumption. What's more, your digestive system is working better than before and at night when it's time to snooze, you actually do have a better sleep routine as well. Guess this little gem doesn't just work wonders on just your skin alone.

Contrary to what was perceived and reviewed, this doesn't taste sour. It could be because it's concentrated, I reckon. And the berries are really good for our body and system. And probably the first time ever I actually did sleep like a baby without the usual tossing (left and right like a human burrito), no waking up in the middle of the night without warning and for nothing in particular.

PRODUCT RATING: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: Goodness without the hefty price-tag attached!

WHERE TO REDEEM A SAMPLE: As this product has been out for quite a while, so I'm rather sure there won't be samples to try at supermarkets. However, it comes in a box of 6, so you could split the cost between 1 or 2 more of your friends who might want to give this a try.

• 2 people for a box = S$12.45 per person which is 3 bottles each
• 3 people for a box = S$8.30 per person which is 2 bottles each

Let me know if this works wonders for you too, I'd die to know if it works well for you just as it did for you.