Review on Beauty Credit CoEnzyme Q10 Eye Patch

Product Description

Hydrogel eye patch which contains coenzymeQ10 and gelatin delivers resilience and elasticity to dry and nonelastic eye area to regenerate and moisturize your eye area.

CoEnzyme Q10 Eye Patch contains CoEnzyme Q10 anti-oxidants that fight against ageing. According to Beauty Credit , it helps to maximise the effects of eye cream through the use of hydro-gel as compared to an ordinary eye patch. It also firms sagging skin around eye areas.

Products with CoEnzyme Q10 are usually quite popular as it helps to fight against free radicals which causes aging. Refer to my article.

However, we also need to take note that CoEnzyme Q10 like Vitamin C can be inactivated by oxygen in the air.

I was hoping this product will be effective on me, since it contains the ingredient Q10 but well, I was disappointed. It gives a cooling, refreshing feel when laid on the undereye area but it does nothing more. It neither de-puff my eyes nor reduce any dark circles.

This eye patch is not the traditional eye mask where its wet and dripping with essence. This is a hydrogel patch which essentially meant a dry cresent-like patch to be laid on the under-eye area. The pair of patches comes packed in individual sachets and once teared open, it reveals 2 foam-like white patches pasted on both sides of a transparent sheet. It fits snugly on my undereye area as its quite sticky.

I will not be getting this product again but if you are keen to try, try getting it in Korea, its so much cheaper than getting in Singapore. I got it at $15.90 in Singapore.

Ingredients commonly found in beauty products

I stumbled upon Liz's blog while searching for some beauty products and here are the detrimental ingredients commonly found in beauty products.

ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS (AHA)
An exfoliant, commonly recommended by dermatologists and beauty salons, a high percentage of it not only removes dead skin cells but also your skin's protective layer. Long-term use can leave your skin more susceptible to UV rays, leaving your skin more exposed to the sun's damaging effect and, hence, skin cancer.
Your skin becomes thinner and more sensitive.

BENZALDEHYDE
Regular use of products with this ingredient can cause irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs, nausea and pain. Long-term use can result in kidney damage.

COLLAGEN
Extracted from animal skin, it cannot penetrate the pores, hence collagen of this origin only clogs the pores and keeps the skin from functioning properly.

DEA, MEA, TEA (Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, and Triethanolmine)
Found in shampoos, soaps, facial cleansers and any personal care products that foam, the three are hormone-disrupting chemicals and known to cause cancer. A recent report proved that DEA and MEA are readily absorbed into the skin.

Ethanolamines (Monoethanolamine aka MEA, Diethanolamine aka DEA, Triethanolamine aka TEA): common pH stabilizers; when exposed to oxygen/air form nitrosoamines, which may be irritating and/or toxic. The amount of nitrosoamines formed during typical use of skin care products with ethanolamines is unclear.


FORMALIN
This substance is used in labs to preserve dead bodies. Usually found in nail polish, shampoos and skin creams, it causes allergic reaction when in contact with skin and its fumes are linked to asthma and cancer.

FRAGRANCE
Many of the compounds found in fragrances are carcinogenic or toxic. Most of the ingredients used for fragrance on a label are synthetic. Clinical observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioral changes.

There are over 200 synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics. There is no way to know which particular ones are in your product, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance." Safety of most synthetic fragrances is an open question. Best to avoid them since they provide no skin benefits. True, it is good to have a nice smelling cream. However, apart from the questionable safety, frangrance may mask spoilage of your product, an effect you would want to avoid.


LANOLIN
While purported as a good skin ingredient, lanolin is actually a fat derived from wool. It is known to cause irritation and rashes to the skin.

MINERAL OIL
Found in lipsticks, lotions, makeup removers and liquid foundations, mineral oil is actually crude oil derived from petroleum. It coats the skin like a film, preventing pores from breathing, hence may interfere with normal perspiration and other skin functions

PARABEN
Used to prolong the shelf life of products, paraben may be widely used but it is also known to be toxic. Regular use can result in allergic reaction.

Parabens (e.g. Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl Paraben): Used as preservatives; inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life of products. Methyl paraben may degrade releasing methanol, a potentially toxic chemical. However, the amounts of methanol that might be released from methyl paraben in skin care products are too small for any known systemic effects. Most people don't have an obvious skin reaction to parabens. However, more research is needed to determine whether they are truly nontoxic or may cause low level skin damage in the long term.


PROPYLENE GLYCOL
This ingredient can cause skin rashes and contact dermatitis. It has also been shown to cause damage to the kidney and liver. Commonly found in beauty creams, cosmetics, and cleansers.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS)
Found in cosmetics, toothpaste and shampoos, too harsh levels of SLS will dry out the skin. When combined with other chemicals, it can also form carcinogenic compunds. SLS is actually used in labs to deliberately cause skin irritations for research purposes.
Avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate unless time of contact with the skin is very short. Even skin cleansers should rather be without it.


SYNTHETIC COLORS
A popular dye used in mainly lipstick, these are believed to be carcinogenic especially Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5 & 6, and Red 33. Many contain coal tar, arsenic and lead.

Whether synthetic colors are completely safe or mildly damaging in the long run is unknown. Since they serve no useful purpose, they are best avoided (except perhaps when avoiding them means foregoing an otherwise great product). They are labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number, e.g. FD&C Red No. 6 or D&C Green No. 6.


TALC
Found in loose and pressed powders, blushes and baby powder, talc is a potentially harmful ingredient when inhaled.

IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA AND DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
Used as preservatives to prevent bacterial growth although ineffective against fungi. Known to be a relatively common cause of contact dermatitis. Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Germall 115 may release formaldehyde, a potentially toxic chemical. Potential for low level skin damage in the long term is unproven but appears likely.

Review on Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster

As my face is pretty sensitive and flushes easily, this Dermalogica Gentle Soothing Booster was recommended by my beautician for me to use on a daily basis. The booster range in the Dermalogica products is to be used before moisturiser. Its like a serum, an extra step to boost the efficacy of the product, be it hydrating, redness, etc.

This is a concentrated, oil-free complex of ultra soothing botanicals and healing honey that calms and hydrates irritated and sensitized skin. Whats so great about this is that other than its oil-free, it also does not contain any artifical fragrance or colour to provoke the skin.

When its stated as oil-free, I was expecting the texture to be light and watery consistency form but in actual fact, its actually like a layer of oily film which I do not really like.

Because its in watery oily form-like, a little bit goes a long way and you just need to squeeze out abit and apply to the areas on your face where its prone to redness.
In my initial application, I applied too much and I felt that my face is like soaked in oil even though in actual fact, its not. Still, I do not really like the texture.

In terms of effiacy, well, I was abit naive in the sense that I thought it will soothe the redness immediately after application but its not meant to work this way. You will need to apply on a regular basis before you can see an improvement in the flushed areas of your skin. Eventually, you will notice that your sensitive areas are not that prone to redness anymore.

However, note that if your skin is triggered by external aggressors, those areas will turn red again, so in a way, with all sensitive skin concerns, you need to know what triggers your skin sensitivities.

Key Ingredients :
Red Raspberry Extract - soothes aggravated skin and strengthens capillaries
Honey - attracts and retains water, binding it to your skin.
Calendula, Chamomile and Cornflower Extracts - reduce irritation by calming redness and moisturizing the skin.

Full Ingredients :
Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Water (Aqua), Honey (Mel); Extracts Of Calendula Officinalis, Chamomile, (Anthemis Nobilis), Linden (Tilla Cordata), Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus), Matricaria (Chamomilla Recutita), Hypericum Perforatum); Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Trip to Hong Kong

I was in Hong Kong recently, hence the 2 weeks gap before I posted the next post although its not an exactly a valid reason because I was there for only 4 days. *chuckles*

I was actually quite impressed with the cleanliness of the restrooms wherever I go because usually when I am overseas, I am put-off by the restrooms than anything else. Being my first time in Hong Kong, I wondered if the cleanliness of the restrooms is due to the flu pandemic or has it always been that way.
Nevertheless, I do found it a breeze to visit the restrooms there.

Shopping on the streets striked me that there are lots of shopping to do! At all corners and wherever you turn and thats on top of those street vendors peddling their food.



Ladies and gentleman alike made an effort to dress up, unlike in Singapore. I guess its also because of the cool weather where I saw a number of gentlemen dressed in their suits. You can hardly find that in humid Singapore.

Their skin complexion is pretty good, I hardly can find one with very bad case of acne. Beauty shops like Bonjour and Sasa are everywhere and its thronged by people at all times. Its so amazing! I guess thats how they get their beautiful skin.
Beauty Credit masks in Sasa was selling at just S$2 per piece which is so much affordable than getting them in Singapore.

I saw My Beauty Diary masks selling at just a mere HK51 for a box of 10 which is so affordable. I wondered if its even cheaper in Taiwan. Many blogshops in Singapore is selling a piece at $1.40 to $1.50 to make a quick buck. I actually bought some to try but its still kept in my drawer. Somehow, a mask which costs less than a dollar made me skeptical. I just kind of wondered what ingredients are in there. Will my skin break-out? Thats my largest concern.




I really love their egg tarts, the best one was at a street stall. Yummy desserts is another favourite of mine though I do not find the pricing that fantastic, abit expensive than my expectations since its so widely available in Hong Kong everywhere.

What disappointed me was that I did not manage to get any Hong Kong fashion back to the shores of Singapore. I was hoping to buy some clothes for myself but I guess their fashion just does not fit into my style.

And the rave reviews on Tung Chung outlets raised my hopes high only to have it crashing down when I was there because the prices are just too expensive to be seriously considered as factory outlet prices.
Even the sales in The Body Shop outlet was way more expensive than the regular prices in Singapore.
If any of you have a chance to be in USA, you must really hit their factory outlets, outstanding prices with outstanding pieces and thats really the true essence of what a factory outlet should be.

All in all, despite all the walking along the streets and eating all around town, its quite an interesting trip for me. My beauty loot is hardly worth much to comment on but I did find some wholesale shops near the hotel where I am staying. I am not sure of its authencity but I still bought Sebastian Potion 9 because its really so much cheaper than in Singapore.
Exit A out of Jordan MTR station, turn right and walk 2 blocks. You will see a row of shops selling beauty supplies. (224 Temple Street). You can read more about it here. 

Review on Biotherm Biopur One Minute Unclogging Mask

This one minute unclogging mask claims to exfoliate, renew and brighten your skin.

The 1st complete tailor-made program for combination to oily skin anti-shine-anti-visible pore - anti-imperfections.

According to Biotherm, the Biopour range is specially formulated for shine-free skin and less visible pores and is most suitable for combination to oily skin type.

Pore Targetting Technology : channels non-stop 12hr cleansing action deep within the pores
Saponine Water : to deeply purify
Copper and Zinc : regulates sebum production
Fresh Starch : absorbs shine and mattifies complexion
Pure Thermal Plankton : minimises irritations, neutralises skin

Saponine water , with properties similar to a natural soap to purify skin, and oil-regulating Copper and Zinc, plus white clay with shine-absorbing powers and exfoliating pumice stone are formulated into a creamy mask to uncog blocked pores, refine skin texture and visibly brighten the complexion.

Recently, my T-zone have become quite active, producing more oil and shine than usual so I decided to put this mask to the test. I used it twice a week and only on my oily T-zone just to see how well it fares.

When the mask is on the skin, it feels abit minty. The immediate effect after each mask session is matte, non-greasy and clean but about 2 hours later, my skin is still back to its oily T-zone state. However I do noticed that the zits have reduced on my chin area ( my chin area is most affected by zits ) after started on this mask.

If you are loooking for a mask with mattifying properties, I feel that it is still not that fantastic but refining skin texture, yes, I do feel that way and hope that with more sessions, I will be able to see an improvement.

Key Ingredients :
Saponine Water, Fresh starch, Pure Thermal Plankton