Accessible. Affordable. Effective. Nip + Fab was created to be all these with their (ever-expanding) skincare and body care lines. Each line is formulated with a cocktail of advanced ingredients to target different concerns – from their wrinkle-freezing Viper Venom range, to their Bee Sting Fix, which uses bee venom to help plump the skin by tricking the skin into thinking it has been lightly ‘stung’ (definitely not a vegan option). They also frequently introduce new collections, the latest being Kale Fix – a range packed with kale and watercress to reinvigorate, soften, and hydrate (and one I’m looking to try out next). In the meantime, I wanted to review a few products from their Glycolic Fix and Dragon’s Blood Fix ranges. Let’s start with the more exotic sounding line – Nip + Fab’s Dragon’s Blood Fix.
Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Range
Formulated with Dragon’s Blood (i.e. sap from the Croton Lechleri tree) and hyaluronic acid, this line intensely hydrates, calms, protects and plumps the appearance of skin. The range includes: Dragon’s Blood Fix Mask, Dragon’s Blood Fix Pads, and Dragon’s Blood Fix Serum. So far, I’ve testing out the mask and serum.
Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Mask
The Dragon’s Blood Fix Mask is a hydrating gel mask formulated with multiple skin perfecting complexes, which when combined, help to ‘reduce the look of wrinkles and refine the skin’s appearance for a brighter, more youthful looking complexion’. It contains Salicylic Acid to cleanse pores and exfoliate, along with Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin to keep skin hydrated. TEGO Cosmo C250 works to brighten the skin and fade age spots, and Dragon’s Blood forms a protective film on the skin to protect against environmental aggressors.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/Eau), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, 1-Methylhydantoine-2-imide, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Parfum (Fragrance), Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Salicylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Linalool, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial), Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Sorbic Acid
The Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Mask only takes 10 minutes to do it’s magic, but can also be left on overnight for a more intense treatment. Its gel-like texture makes it super quick and easy to apply. The longer you leave it on, the more it absorbs (only don’t forget to rinse off the excess in the morning if you leave it on all night, or it will lead to lots of oilies throughout the day). As it absorbs, the Dragon’s Blood Fix Mask noticeably plumps and smooths my skin as it hydrates. I’d probably continue using this for my dry skin, except for the fact that it contains a few ingredients on the ‘naughty’ list, particularly Lilial, Geranoil, and Benzyl Salicylate, which are known allergens and toxins. The good news is that these compounds come in towards the end of the ingredients list, meaning there’s a relatively small amount in the formula. However, I still prefer to avoid them whenever possible, especially in masks that I leave on my skin for 7+ hours overnight.
Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Serum
The Dragon’s Blood Fix Serum is an almost gel-like serum that provides intensive hydration through Hyaluronic Acid and Velvet Flower, resulting in smoother, plumper looking skin. Dragon’s Blood forms a light, protective film on the skin to protect against environmental damage, while Gransil EP-9 absorbs any excess oil and smooths the skin.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water/ Eau), Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Tapioca Starch, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodum Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Amaranthus Caudatus (Velvet Flower) Seed extract, Linalool, Dehydroacetic Acid, Croton Lechleri Resin Extract, Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial), Laureth-12, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Polymethylsilsequioxane, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Sorbic Acid
Similar to the mask, the Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood Fix Serum smooths the skin and adds a little extra boost of hydration. The added Polymethylsilsesquioxane (a silicone ingredient) gives the skin a silky feel, allowing for smoother makeup application. I particularly love the serum’s texture – it has a gel-like consistency that frankly feels and applies more like a primer than a serum. Between the moisture boost and the priming effects, the Dragon’s Blood Fix Serum was slowly becoming a favorite of mine, until I discovered that it contains the same allergens/toxins as the mask (Lilial, Geranoil, and Benzyl Salicylate), though also in small amounts. Still, I think I’ll be sticking with my favorite all-natural serum.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Range
Moving on to the Glycolic Fix Range, this line is described as the ‘ultimate exfoliating range’. It uses glycolic acid as the key ingredient to deep cleanse and purify skin for a smoother, more radiant complexion. The range includes: Glycolic Cleansing Fix, Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads, Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme, Glycolic Scrub Fix, and Glycolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel. I’ve tried out two products from this line – the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads and the Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
The Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads are designed to smooth, refresh, and brighten skin for a more youthful appearance. The pot contains 60 circular pads that are soaked in exfoliating glycolic acid (2.8%) to resurface skin, witch hazel to tone, hyaluronic acid to moisturize, and blue daisy to calm skin. The pads can be used once or twice daily, across the face, neck, and decollete.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Disodium EDTA, Globularia Alypum (Blue Daisy) Extract, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
Cleansing pads were never really part of my skincare routine, until I found these little multi-taskers. With glycerin, glycolic acid, and sodium hydroxide (a.k.a hyaluronic acid) among the top ingredients, the Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads enhance my skincare routine by providing extra exfoliation and hydration. They also make great lazy-day fixes when you want to cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and hydrate, in one step. The best part? Unlike other pads I’ve tried, these actually feel good on the skin. The formula is so gentle on the skin, and doesn’t cause any irritation or stinging from the acids or alcohol. Luckily, the ingredients profile looks good too!
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub
The Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub is a 3-in-1 micro exfoliant that’s formulated with 3% glycolic acid and salicylic acid which work side-by-side to deep clean pores, polish, and reduce blemishes. It’s infused with a zesty grapefruit scent to invigorate and awaken your senses.
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Triethanolamine, Polyethylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Parfum (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Trideceth-6, Dehydroacetic Acid, Geraniol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Linalool, CI 42090 (Blue No. 1)
Although I’m deeply committed to using my FOREO Luna for exfoliation, I do get lazy some days and reach for a quick scrub. Since first testing it out, I’ve found myself grabbing the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub almost every night now. I love how good it feels on my skin, and how well it smooths away my dry spots. It gently exfoliates with smaller-sized granules, plus it contains shea butter, sweet almond oil and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate. However, one of the most prominent ingredients – triethanolamine – raises some concerns as there’s apparently strong evidence of it being a potential toxin. If it wasn’t for that, I would have gladly added the Glycolic Fix Scrub to my ‘re-purchase list’.
Final Thoughts
Considering their effectiveness and fairly decent ingredient profile, the Nip + Fab Dragon’s Blood and Glycolic Fix skincare lines are worth checking out – some products more than others. The real gem out of the four I’ve tried out are the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Pads – they make the perfect multi-tasking treatment with high-quality ingredients. Prices are relatively budget-friendly too – just a tad higher than drugstore brands. Just be aware that the container sizes are on the smaller size (especially the mask and scrub), however, this works in your favor if you end up not liking them, or, if you prefer to re-stock more frequently to keep your products fresh.
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