The Body Shop Expo Mini Haul + Strawberrynet Haul + others

I visited The Body Shop warehouse sale at the Expo and this is a mini haul. Their skincare products do not really work for me and I am not into their body products due to their not-so-friendly ingredients.

- Eye Colour 38 Spearmint at 2 for $12 ( original $18.90 each )
    = manufactured in May 2012
- Eye Colour 44 Golden Meadow
    = manufactured in Feb 2012
- Shimmer Cubes Palette 24 $19.90 ( original $36.90 )
    = manufactured in Jan 2012
- Organic Cotton Pads 3 for $10

- Calvin Klein Mineral Based Loose Powder $17 ( from Strawberrynet.com )
- Elizabeth Arden Hydrating Mask $13.50

- Sukin Botanical Body Wash $11.90
- Ci:Labo Trial Kit Set $25

Review : Lovemore White Peach Juicy Sleeping Pack

Product Description
Natural fruit enzyme make the skin moist and shiny, refine pores, make your skin smooth and elastic. Deeply moisturise skin and brighten your complexion.

This was a complimentary gift that came with my purchases of several facial sheet masks during my trip in Taiwan sometime back. I believe it is not widely available as I do not seem to find much information online.

Glopy with a gel-like texture that is fluid enough to get absorbed into the skin easily, it has a heavy peach scent which I do not fancy.
It failed to hydrate my skin sufficiently and I hate the overpowering scent on my face which took some time for it to dissipate.

Source : Maystar

The 515 Chemicals Women Put on Their Bodies Every Day (Infographic)

Source : MindBodyGreen

9 Natural Solutions for Acne-Prone Skin

Oils Beneficial for Acne-Prone Skin

You want to be sure to choose those oils that will not clog pores—the following options are all non-clogging options.

What’s great about natural oils is that they not only hydrate without clogging pores, but they provide antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory properties—both key steps in reducing acne outbreaks.

These oils can also help fight bacteria, calm irritation, soothe sensitivities, balance oil production, and hydrate without clogging pores or leaving a greasy feel on your skin. Plus, they work naturally with the skin to support collagen and elastin production, rather than breaking down or drying skin cells, like most conventional, drying, acne products do.

1. Tea tree oil: This oil is a heavyweight champion when it comes to getting rid of bacteria, which is why it’s great for acne-prone skin. In fact, studies have found it to be as effective at treating acne as benzoyl peroxide, so why use harsh ingredients? Just be sure to use it diluted in some water, or try an organic natural acne treatment.

My personal favourite has got to be Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil. It has helped me tremendously over the years ( since 2014 ), whenever I get the zit during that time of the month. I have been recommending this oil to my acne-prone friends and colleagues as well as on Instagram. Read my review : Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil 100% Pure Multipurpose Oil. 

I hope you like this as much as I do. It is 100% pure with no other fillers, unlike other brands and most importantly, it is affordable and lasts a long while. Shop the 10ml size here and the 50ml size here. Try out the 10ml size first and if you works well for you, you can then consider the 50ml size to prevent any wastage. But of course, the 50ml size would be cheaper per ml as compared to the 10ml size. 

2. Lavender oil: This oil has a great reputation for wound healing, and is also known to be effective against bacteria and oxidating free radicals. It’s been found to be specifically effective against the bacteria that causes acne, and is found in many natural acne formulas. Because it’s so soothing, it can calm any redness and inflammation.

Unfortunately, since Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil has worked very well for me, I have not venture to using other oils. I do use Lavender Oil in my bedroom to induce sleep. My favourite is Now Lavender Oil which you can get on Iherb. Quote OKI787 to get 5% discount if you are a first time customer. Shop here. I enjoyed shopping on Iherb because of the wide ranging and affordable choices and you get free shipping if your order is over US$40. 

3.Jojoba oil: This oil is very similar to our own skin oil (called “sebum”), and therefore can “trick” the body into making less sebum. Less sebum may mean less oily skin, and less acne. Jojoba mixes easily with our skin oils, and can cleanse and purify. It takes several days to weeks of regular use to see the results, so be patient. You can shop here. 

4. Hemp seed oil: Considered a natural acne solution, hemp oil is a natural moisturizer and can help heal acne scars. It has natural essential fatty acids that help heal skin lesions, balance dry skin, and fight skin inflammation—yet it’s non-greasy. You can shop here. 

5. Borage oil: This oil has a natural compound that can have a strong anti-inflammatory action on your skin. Supplementing your diet with borage oil can help reduce overall inflammation. Topical application may also be effective—borage oil is also a natural source of salicylic acid, which is regularly used in anti-acne skin care. Most products use the chemical form, however. Your skin will adapt to the natural form much better. Shop here. 

6. Evening primrose oil: This oil has a great reputation for taming inflammation. It also contains essential fatty acids that help balance and firm skin, making pores less visible. Evening primrose also helps dilute skin sebum so it’s less likely to clog pores.

I used to take Evening Primrose Oil supplement to relieve menstrual cramps but it did not help. I have not tried it for acne purposes. Shop here, this brand is a popular choice on Iherb for EPO.  

7. Chia seeds: These are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, and can help regulate hormones and stabilize insulin. Don’t apply these to your face—instead, incorporate them into your diet to gain the acne-reducing benefits. They’re great in smoothies!

Chia seeds are a staple in my kitchen where I will add it to my overnight oats, smoothie and as chia seed pudding. This is my favourite brand - shop here. 

8. Chamomile: This plant is strong in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties—the perfect combination for reducing acne. In fact, you may already find this ingredient in some over-the-counter acne products. Unfortunately, they often have other harsh chemical ingredients as well. To enjoy the benefits of chamomile, make a face wash with 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flower heads in one cup boiling water, then apply the solution to the face with cotton balls. You can also chill a chamomile tea bag and press it lightly against pimples, or use cooled chamomile tea to cleanse skin. Shop chamomile supplements here and the chamomile tea here. Yogi is a favourite brand of mine, for tea. 

9. Echinacea: Research shows that Echinacea can help kill acne-causing bacteria and counteract inflammation. Look for Echinacea toners and face masks. Shop for the supplement here. To my understanding, Echinacea is not recommended for long term usage. 

What to Avoid

In addition to using the oils listed above, be sure to avoid the following, as they can make acne worse:

1. Dimethicone: This is a pore-clogging ingredient found in many skin care and cosmetic products today. It can be hard to avoid, but it’s worth it—many people have found that their acne cleared up after they stopped using products containing dimethicone.
2. Clogging oils: These include wheat germ and mineral oils.

Source : Cincovidas

Review : Daisymee Peach White Aqua All Day Lotion

Product Description
For a beautiful translucent glow, Daisymee Peach White Aqua All Day Lotion has all natural peach and peony ingredients to enhance cell elasticity, you will experience increased blood circulation in the face and your skin will feel soft and tender like a baby peach. Apply daily and continue for 28 days to see the visible result of snowy-white, hydrated and glowing skin.

Retailing at $24 for a 80g product, this was one of the products received as part of my July Glamabox. The packaging certainly looks lovely and cute. It resembles a peach. Just looking at it makes me happy.

I am new to the brand and has never heard of it, prior to receiving the product. Apparently, a very popular Korea make-up artist uses it on her celebrities' skin before make-up application. You can read more about it here.

Using natural peach essence, it is said to brighten and clarify while peony flower and other root extracts enhance elasticity and improve circulation, leaving skin healthy, smooth and soft the entire day. Since skin cells regenerate after 28 days, continual use is recommended for maximum results.
You can check out the rest of Daisymee products here.

I have to say that I dislike the product and discontinue using it after a mere 2 weeks because the peach scent is just suffocating and overpowering. Since I started using organic and natural products, I dislike having too heavy fragrance in my products and hence the scent in this lotion turns me off.

I wouldn't even call it a lotion because the texture is not runny or milky, just glooey gel texture that  takes some time for it to get absorbed into the skin.
It left the skin tacky and sticky for a while before it gets totally absorbed. While it does keep the skin feeling refreshing and cooling, it has minimal hydration on optimal skin days.

Key Ingredients :

Source : Glamabox , Daisymee

Review : Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Lotion

Product Description
NARUKO Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Lotion is made up of the selectively chosen organic Raw Job's Tears grains from Nantou, Taiwan, where the most advanced supercritical CO2 extraction technology is located. The raw ingredients of Raw Job's Tears help to moisturize and whiten skin and to increase its ability to absorb moisture. Best For: All skin types. Highly recommended for sensitive and oily skin, especially skin that is sun burnt, has freckles, dark spots or uneven skin tone.

Designed to nourish and brighten the skin while increasing its moisture content and containing antioxidants to protect against free radicals, this milky lotion is meant to be used on cotton pads and swipe it on the face. I am not used to this method of using a milky lotion as I tend to use toner with cotton pads, rather than a lotion. With its creamy texture, I need to spread it out on the cotton pads before using it, else the lotion may be a messy glob as I move the cotton pad all around my face.

Job's Tears in Naruko products are touted to provide 5 main effects for the skin :
- whitening
- moisturizing
- anti-aging
- repairing
- soothing

All Naruko products are parabens-free and there is no artifical fragrance and colouring as well as no animal testing involved. Hence, this whitening lotion must be used up within 6 months after opening, and within 2 years for unopened products.

2 months down the road, there is about 1/3 left in the bottle with once or twice-daily usage.
I am currently using the lotion as a toner, before serum and moisturiser.

It comes in a red slightly opaque bottle with a decent opening that dispenses the milky lotion easily onto the cotton pads. The lotion made the skin soft, smooth and supple to the touch, immediately after absorption. My skin felt nourished and pampered. It also helps to hydrate the skin.
After using it for 2 months, my face looked less dull, with a subtle radiance.

You can check out my reviews on its toner and whitening mask from the same range.

Note that despite its stance about being preservative-free ( different from parabens ), phenoxyethanol can still be found in its list of ingredients.

Source : Amazon

Review : Dr. Bronner Magic Lemon Lime Organic Lip Balm

Product Description
Certified to National Organic Standards our lip balms are based on pure organic oils and beeswax free of petrochemically modified ingredients. The organic avocado oil and beeswax provide excellent lip protection while the organic jojoba and hemp oils assist moisturization. Only the finest organic essential oils are used for fragrance.
Containing some of the finest ingredients to moisturise the lips area, this is my first product from the brand, after hearing so much about his all-in-one products, made famous by his Magic Pure Castile Classic Soaps.

The other flavours include Ginger, Peppermint and Naked. Naturally, Lemon Lime sounds more yummy to me, than the others. This lipbalm is USDA Organic Certified and there is no animal testing involved.

I bought the 4g lipbalm for US$2.99 during my business trip in Minneapolis sometime back. You can get it for the same price on Iherb as well. Quote OKI787 to get US$10 or US$5 off your first purchase, depending on the amount spent.

I simply love the scent and the taste. A sweet balmy lemon + lime taste that is not artificial.It glides on the lips well, melts and moisturises chapped lips beautifully. There is no greasiness, stickiness or leftover residue after each application.

Everything certainly sounds awesome, until I discovered something weird on my lips after using it for several months. Whiteheads appeared on the outline of my lips which is something that has never happen to me before. I believe that the oils in the balm may be too nourishing for my lips that resulted in the clogging.
Yes To Carrots lipbalms still remain as my favourite as of now.

It scored 4.9 from 16 users on Makeupalley.

INGREDIENTS:
Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Organic Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Organic Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Tocopherol

Source : Bronner

Natural Ways to Get Beautiful Right Now

1. Dry-skin brush
Use a bristled brush and stroke your skin while still dry a few mornings a week before you shower. This simple morning routine increases circulation of lymph and blood and removes dead skin cells!

2. Sauna

Sweating is good for us and a dry sauna helps the body excrete toxins. The skin is one of the body’s elimination organs and when we allow it to breath by removing dead cells (dry skin brush) and sweat it can do its job a lot better.

3. Exercise

Get the blood flowing with some kind of exercise of your choice. It will bring color to your skin and the increased amount of endorphins and confidence looks good on you! Include some exercises like Pilates or yoga for good posture.

4. Green Juice

A green juice is like a loaded liquid multi vitamin! Cucumber is hydrating, especially for your skin, and the greens are alkalizing and aid the body’s detoxification process. Try this as your one-a-day multi and see what happens.

5. Eat fat and make an oil change

We need god fats to maintain a skin that’s well hydrated - that stays plump, dewy and wrinkle free. Eat avocados, salmon, chia seeds, sardines and coconut oil and ditch the processed oils (canola, sunflower, corn, soy etc.) – they are much more likely to oxidize and cause inflammation in the body – and is therefor not a beatifying food at all.

 

6. Lather your skin with oils

Avoid the toxic perfumes, parabens and additives and lather your skin up with 100% pure oils like coconut, jojoba, argan oil and Shea butter. Jojoba oil is especially great for oily skin as it help balance out the skins natural occurring oils.

7. Eat the rainbow

Fruit and vegetables with bright colors are also high in antioxidants that help fight free radicals in out body. Free radicals are a main source of aging for our skin and body, so beat it at the cause with natural foods, not with fillers and expensive topical magic potions.

8. Cut the sugar

By now you’ve probably heard that sugar is toxic and can lead to a range of chronic diseases. But it also causes inflammation, which make you age faster, cause wrinkles and even acne. Stick to fruits and sweet vegetables as your main sources of sweetness.

 

Source : MindBodyGreen

Review : Coast To Coast Coastal Refreshing Body Exfoliant

Product Description

Slough away dry, lack-lustre skin with this tropical blend of nutrient rich Tasmanian Sea Kelp, exfoliating Bamboo and nourishing Organic Macadamia Oil. Soothing Sea Parsley and healing Rosewood will leave skin smooth and glowing, without stripping the skin’s natural oils.

There was a 1 for 1 promotion for its 50ml sizes so this scent was one of my purchases. Hailing from Australia, Coast to Coast is to said to use powerful natural ingredients which is made up of a complex balance of organic ingredients, native botanicals, herbal extracts and potent essential oils.

It does not contain artificial colours, fragrances and no animal testing is involved. They use natural and organic ingredients that have been grown, harvested, handled, processed and stored without the use of any pesticides, synthetic chemicals, phosphates, growth stimulants or antibiotics.

Key Ingredients in the Coastal range :

Tasmanian Sea Kelp
Rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Niacin, skin nourishing minerals, trace elements and an abundance of amino acids. It's high silicon content helps to nourish and protect skin against moisture loss and can do wonders for evening out skin texture and tone.

Sea Parsley
Rich in immune boosting chlorophyll, anti-oxidants and skin soothing nutrients. It's anti-irritant qualities make it ideal for sensitive skin types.

Wild Rosella
Found in Northern Australia and produces a protein that assists in revitalising the skin with a high anti-oxidant concentration plus vitamins A, C and E.

Marine Collagen
Rich in immune boosting chlorophyll, anti-oxidants and skin soothing nutrients. It's anti-irritant qualities make it ideal for sensitive skin types.

Gentle on the skin, this exfoliant is hardly abrasive, with its creamy texture, filled with little beads to get rid of dead cells.
The scent is smells nice and is soothing on the senses. After each exfoliation, skin is left feeling slightly smoother and softer.

A 250ml size retails for $43.

Ingredients :
Purified Water (Aqua), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palm Kernel Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Bamboo (Bambusa Arundinacea) Extract, Glycerin, Tasmanian Kelp (Macrocystis Pyrifera) Extract (Wild Harvest), Sea Parsley (Apium Prostratum) Extract (Wild Harvest), Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil, Macadamia (Macadamia Integrifolia Seed) Oil (Organic), Olive (Olea Europea) Oil (Organic), Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis) Oil, Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Oil, Geranium (Pelargonium Graveolens) Oil, Rosewood (Aniba Rosaeodora) Oil, Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus) Oil, Tocopherol, TEA Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Source : CoasttoCoast

Review : Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

Product Description
With Napiers aqua formula containing Lady’s Mantle, often called “a woman’s hydrating herb,” this refreshing gel cream supplies instant moisture to the skin while forming a protective layer that wraps the skin in comfort.
It does not contain Mineral oil, Synthetic fragrance, Synthetic dyes, Synthetic preservatives and Animal-origin ingredients.

I owned a 3ml sachet of this best-selling product from the Korean brand "Belief". It has been said to have 150 years of history, with receipes from Duncan Napier, a respected botanist and herbalist. You can read more about him here.

The brand is built upon 5 truths:
True Ingredients: Only carefully selected ingredients are used. True, rare and natural herbs.
True Formula: Belif uses Napier's traditional herbal processing methods proven for preserving efficacy of the herbs.
True Benefit: Belif places their emphasis on the quality of product instead of fanciful packaging.
True Safety: No synthetic preservatives, dyes, fragrances, mineral oil and ingredients of animal origins are used.
True Timelessness: The formulae used are relevant now and for a long time to come

Containing the original 'True Herbal Formula' along with the 'Aqua Formula' to ensure total hydration and locked in moisture, this refreshing gel-type cream has a lemongrass scent with a slight slippery  texture. It promises to replenish 18% of the water content in our skin.

Personally, I enjoyed using the product as it hydrates my skin with its gel formula. I like that its in gel form which is non-greasy and sinks into the skin rapidly, leaving soothed, comfortable and supple feel.

Meant for oily/combination skin, a 50ml tub retails for $55 but for severely parched skin, it may not be able to quench the thirst. The moisturizing bomb may be more suitable then.

Ingredients:
'True Herbal Formula':-
Oat seed – moisturizing, skin calming
Calendula – anti-bacterial
Catnip flowering tops – skin calming
Raspberry leaf – relief of red spots, increases skin resilience
Wild Indigo – skin calming
Chickweek – relief of itchy skin

'Aqua Formula':-
Lady's mantle – anti-trouble and sebum control
Horsetail – skin calming
Chickweek – anti-oxidation
Nettle – moisturizing and mineral supplement
Plantain – skin calming and reinforcing elasticity.

Click Here For More Reviews And Purchase Details

Source : Belif , VanityTrove

Collective Haul - Avalon Organics, Giovanni, One Love Organics

One Love Organics Sample Pack ( US$4.95 from One Love Organics )
Kate Eyebrow Pencil BR-5
Loreal Color Infallible

Avalon Organics Lemon Bath and Shower Gel ( 2 for $18 )
Avalon Organics Rosemary Bath and Shower Gel
Odbo Ginseng Mask
Odbo Vitamin C Essential Brightening Mask

Bioderma Sensibo H20 $29.90
Giovanni Smooth As Silk Shampoo 250ml $10.30
Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner 250ml $10.30
Giovanni Wellness System With Chinese Botanicals Shampoo 250ml $12.10
Giovanni Wellness System With Chinese Botanicals Conditioner 250ml  $12.10

10 All-Natural Hair Remedies for All Hair Types

Brittle Hair

Add protein to your diet, like eggs, poultry or beans to keep your hair strong and growing.

Fine Hair

If you have thin hair, banana, egg, and oils work wonders. The banana is one of nature's best remedies, while the egg is a mighty protein that will give your hair the strength, shine, volume, and texture of your dreams. Oils add strength and moisture.
Strengthening Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Banana
- 1 Egg
- 1 tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 2 oz. H20
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in blender; apply and leave on for 30 to 45 min or 15 to 20 min with a thermal heat cap; thourougly rinse out all mixture from hair; wash with shampoo; condition and do a final rinse with cool water close the hair cuticle to seal in the moisture.

Hair Loss

Vitamins B-6 and B-12 should be your new best friends if you want to get your hair's growth cycle back in gear. Eat dairy and meat products such as milk, yogurt, and poultry to get those B benefits

Frizzy Hair

Rinse with the cold water to close the hair cuticle to make the hair looks sleek and also helps to tame frizz for a smoother finish.

Split Ends

Straight hair is prone to split ends and should be treated gently. Brush out your hair before wetting and applying any treatment to prevent knots and breakage

Coarse Hair

Mayonnaise and avocados are natural deep conditioners that will give your scalp a little TLC, in addition to promoting hair growth.
Rehydrating Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Avocado
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp. Honey
- 2 oz. H20
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in blender; apply and leave on for 30 to 45 min or 15 to 20 min with a thermal heat cap; thourougly rinse out all mixture from hair; wash with shampoo; condition and do a final rinse with cool water close the hair cuticle to seal in the moisture

Dry Hair

Add a little bit of honey to your conditioner as it is a humectant that will seal in moisture and deliver the deep cleanse your hair is craving.

Oily Hair

Stay away from applying too much of any product to the scalp, as it causes overproduction of oils. Also, keep clear of any deep conditioning products-a basic conditioner in small quantities added to the ends of hair will do the trick.

Dry Scalp

Try using the terrific trio of oils (coconut, jojoba, olive) to send an itchy scalp and dandruff packing.

General Maintenance Hair Mask
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 Egg
- 2 tbsp. Honey
- 1 oz. H20
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in blender; apply and leave on for 30 to 45 min or 15 to 20 min with a thermal heat cap; thourougly rinse out all mixture from hair; wash with shampoo; condition and do a final rinse with cool water close the hair cuticle to seal in the moisture.
Source : Yahoo

Review : Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF15

Product Description
Creating a Visible Difference in your skin means giving it the right amount of hydration and protection all day. This gentle, oil-free lotion helps protect skin from UVA/UVB rays while providing the right amount of hydration all day long. Our special Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Compound also works to refine, and retexturize skin.
Non-acnegenic and dermatologist tested.

Key Ingredients :
Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Compound: Refines, clarifies and retexturizes your skin.
Retinyl Linoleate: An exclusive retinol derivative that gently and effectively retexturizes skin, improves skin tone and skin clarity, and helps repair the appearance of sun damage. Skin is left firmer and smoother looking.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Found naturally in the epidermis, this ingredient lubricates and attracts moisture to the skin.
Vitamin C Derivative: This stabilized form of Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps brighten the appearance of your skin.
Tocopherol Acetate: This Vitamin E derivative has antioxidant properties to provide free radical protection and help condition skin. Glycerin: Provides optimum hydration to replenish and revitalize skin’s appearance.
Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: Provides broad spectrum sun protection.

The last product from my Visible Difference stash, this lotion retails at $85 for a 50ml size. One is supposed to see a difference in their skin in as little as 6 days, as touted in their bold claims.

At the end of my sachets usage experience from each 2ml sized products ( Cleanser , Serum and Moisturiser ) my skin definitely feels smoother and plumped up with moisture. This line is meant for combination skin which works for my skin type, a cross between combination skin and dehydrated surface.

The balancing lotion sunscreen is basically a moisturiser with an added benefit of having SPF. With a SPF15, it is definitely too little to protect the skin under our humid local weather so as always, I will recommend one to layer a sunscreen on top of the moisturiser.

It has a similar floral scent that is not too heavy on the senses. The texture is lotion-like and non-greasy with a slippery feel that gets absorbed into the skin pretty quickly.
It manages to hydrate my skin moderately well, with just a tad of flakiness on bad days.

In terms of ingredients, it uses Oxybenzone and Octinoxate to provide sun protection, however do note that while there is full UVB protection but there is only partial UVA protection.

Octinoxate 6%
Octinoxate is the most widely used UVB blocking agent in the skin care industry. However, when Octinoxate is exposed to sunlight, "it is converted into a less UV absorbent form hence it is not very stable. This conversion can be partly prevented by certain other UV blockers, particularly bemotrizinol (Tinosorb M).
Note that if Octinoxate combined with Avobenzone, it degrades even faster.

According to the EWG, Octinoxate is a moderate hazard, primarily because it can lead to developmental and reproductive toxicity through enhanced skin absorption. It can produce estrogen-like effects and should not be used by pregnant women and children

Oxybenzone 3%
Oxybenzone primarily functions as a photostabilizer and sunscreen. It also helps preserve the integrity of other cosmetic ingredients, preventing their deterioration under the sun. For this reason, Oxybenzone is most often used in conjunction with other sunscreen agents.
According to the Environmental Working Group, it has been shown that the product penetrate the skin and cause photo-sensitivity. As a photocarcinogen, it has demonstrated an increase in the production of harmful free radicals and an ability to attack DNA cells.
The FDA has approved the use of Oxybenzone as a safe and effective OTC sunscreen ingredient, but only in concentrations up to 6%
It contains Advanced Filagrinol Complex™ which is a blend of botanical extracts (including Sage and Melissa Extracts, Squalene, Nuteline, Oligopeptides and AQUAXYL™ ) to act as a catalyst to provide a continuous supply of moisture to your skin, while also conditioning and firming the look of skin as well as Sodium Hyaluronate and Sea Algae Extract to supplement your skin’s own natural moisturizing components and smooth skin. Oligopeptides to support your skin’s own natural collagen to improve the appearance of elasticity and firmness.

Source : Elizabeth Arden, Feelunique

Review : Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum

Product Description
See a Visible Difference in as little as 6 days* when using the new Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum together with the spa-inspired skincare regimen. This serum uses Elizabeth Arden's retinyl complex to gently retexturise skin while preparing skin to receive the
benefits of your unique skin type regimen. Reveals healthy, glowing skin tone.

Active ingredients:
- Retinyl Linoleate: An exclusive retinol derivative that gently and effectively retexturises skin, improves skin tone and skin clarity, and helps repair the appearance of sun damage. Your skin is left firmer and smoother looking.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Found naturally in the epidermis, this ingredient lubricates and attracts moisture to your skin.
- Vitamin C Derivative: This stabilised form of Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and helps brighten the appearance your skin

I received Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference sachet package as part of my Bellabox goodies, which consisted of the exfoliating cleanser, the skin serum and the Balancing Lotion Sunscreen.
This Skin Balancing Regime is recommended for combination skin and for those seeking optimal balance in oil control, hydration and treatment. The regimen offers gentle exfoliation and toning while working with the skin’s natural repair process to create ideal moisture. Skin feels revitalized and looks healthy throughout the day, resulting in refined looking pores and a fresh glow.

Milky white in colour, the lotion texture is slightly sticky and oily with a nice floral scent that dissipates upon application. It sinks into the skin with a slightly tacky after-feel and moisturises the
skin moderately well. The 2ml sachet is too little to assess any long term effect for now.

The 30ml size retails for S$99.

Source : FeelUnique

Review : Elizabeth Arden Skin Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser

Product Description
When your skin is a combination of normal and oily, it’s important to use a cleanser that can do the job without overdoing oil control. That’s because healthy skin needs vital moisture to look and feel great. We’ve used 100 years of spa experience to create this multi-tasking foam that uses micro-beads to gently clean and remove dead skin without upsetting the delicate balance your skin requires. Leaves your skin feeling revitalized and looking healthy throughout the day, Be sure to follow with a toner for refined looking pores and a fresh, soft glow.

Key Ingredients
Micro-Beads: Gentle, round micro-beads remove dead skin cells without damaging your skin.
Tocopherol Acetate: This Vitamin E derivative has antioxidant properties to provide free radical protection and help condition and restore your skin.
Glycerin: Provides optimum hydration to replenish and revitalize your skin’s appearance.

I received a sachet of this cleanser as part of my August Bellabox. My skin can never take well to foaming cleansers but I do like exfoliating cleaners which I have used before, under Biotherm and I like it very much.

Meant for normal and oily skin and being a foaming cleanser, I was not really keen on it, except for the exfoliation part. Foaming cleansers usually left a squeaky clean feeling and making my skin too dry. Surprisingly, despite having the exfoliating beads in it, its not drying but leave the skin feeling soft, supple and smooth. Still, there was a very slight flakiness around my nostrils.

The beads are tiny and hardly abrasive. It gives a good deep cleanse to the skin at the end of the day.
However, I avoid the cleanser on my eczema flare-up days or when my skin is irritated or dehydrated.
I like to use it on clogged skin, oily skin or optimal skin, just to exfoliate away the dead cells for a fresh new look.