Review : Sanctum Hand and Nail Repair

Product Description
Inspired by the elements of the sea and hinterland surrounding Byron Bay, Sanctum is created from only the finest certified organic and natural ingredients. Sanctum Hand and Nail Repair is a must have for super smooth, good looking hands and cuticles. Enriched with Vitamin E and the Oils of Macadamia, Jojoba and Olive, this light non-greasy lotion deeply penetrates to help protect, nourish and hydrate. Returns lost moisture and vitality to tired, weary hands.

The 30gm travel-sized hand lotion has a lotion-like consistency that is so runny that once you tilt the the tube, the contents just flow with ease. Which simply meant that the initial usages had been a mess as I was not prepared for such fluidity in a hand lotion product.

It is 80% certified organic with 100% natural derived ingredients which is good news for those who are into organic products. However, the thin lotion like texture spreads so easily that it just literally disappeared into the hands once massaged in.
I hardly could feel that my hands have been moisturised. I needed to re-apply again.

Ingredients :
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, aqua, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol, calendula officinalis flower extract*, glyceryl stearate, ethyl macadamiate, glycerin*, sodium stearoyl lactylate, glucose, lavender (lavandula angustifolia) oil*, jojoba (simmondsia chinensis) oil*, calendula officinalis flower oil, macadamia ternifolia seed oil*, olive (olea europaea) fruit oil*, tocopheryl acetate, tocopherol, oak (quercus robur) bark extract*, lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase, rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) leaf extract, linalool
*Certified Organic

Source : Iherb

Review : Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer

Product Description
RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer contains a unique complex of ingredients proven to remodel your skin by building and preserving collagen, firming skin and protecting against moisture loss. The feather-light, silky texture provides substantial hydration. The active ingredients in the RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer are proven to make a visible difference in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone, and skin firmness.
This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.

The 1.77ml sachet I owned provides me for about 6 usages which I have been using in the night, due to the retinol ingredient in it. It is the 14th ingredient in the list.

Vitamin A derivatives, including retinol, rapidly break down when exposed to the sun and air. Hence they are recommended to be in pumps or tubes with tight-fitting caps. Once opened, these products do not keep well and should be used within a couple of months.

Note that retinol will have the opposite effect when its exposed to the sun and made the skin age faster. It is also not recommended for pregnant ladies or ladies who are breastfeeding.
That said, retinol is a useful and proven ingredient when used properly. ie. in night time products.

This moisturiser with retinol contains a specialized complex of ingredients proven to reduce signs of aging. The formula is packed with ingredients that work to build and preserve collagen, prevent moisture loss, restore essential ingredients to protect skin's barrier function, and reduce inflammation with potent antioxidants.

The antioxidants help skin defend itself against damaging free radicals and helping to generate healthier skin cells while retinol is a proven cell-communicating ingredient that works to improve skin tone and restore normal cell function.

Milky white in colour, the moisturizer has a lotion-like texture that has a lightweight finish without any greasiness. It glides onto the skin beautifully, leaving a smooth and supple look.
I have not experience any form of flakiness since wearing this moisturiser at night, it just leave the skin feeling smooth and soft to the touch. Note that I am using this on optimal skin days.

It scored 3.9 from 88 users on Makeupalley

Ingredients:
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate (emollient), Glycerin (skin-identical ingredient), Ethylhexyl Stearate (thickener), Cocoglycerides (emollient), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (antioxidant emollient), Squalane (emollient), Sodium Polyacrylate (film-forming agent), Lecithin, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (cell-communicating ingredients), Ceramide 3 (skin-identical ingredient), Retinol (cell-communicating ingredient), Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (antioxidants), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (anti-irritant), Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tocopheryl Acetate (antioxidants), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (anti-irritant), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Oil (antioxidants), Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol (slip agents), Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, (film-forming agent), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).

Click Here For More Reviews And Purchase Details

Source : Paula's Choice , PC SG , Webmd

8 Foods That Make Your Skin Glow

Pumpkin Seeds

A seed with a powerful skin-beautifying effect, pumpkin seeds get their power from both the beauty mineral, zinc, and essential fatty acids including omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9. Like hemp seeds, they help reduce inflammation in the body. Try them sprinkled on salads, in smoothies, or simply by the handful.

Radishes

Raw food advocate David Wolfe claims these are one of the most beautifying of all foods. Radishes contain a number of minerals and compounds that benefit the skin. They are high in sulfur, silicon, and Vitamin C, which work together to create glowing skin by boosting collagen, strengthening skin, and stimulating the circulatory system. Slice radishes into salads, or have as a snack on their own or with a dip.

Avocados

This healthy-fat creamy fruit delivers a healthy dose of vitamins on its own and is considered nature's moisturizer for good reason. Rich in antioxidant carenoids, it is also high in vitamin K, the most essential nutrient to combating dark under-eye circles.

Even better: when you pair avocado with a carotenoid-rich food, such as tomatoes, carrots, or bell peppers, it can help you absorb up to five times more of the antioxidants lycopene and beta carotene.

Hemp Seeds

These tiny little seeds are composed of a massive amount of protein, including the sulfur-bearing amino acids: methionine, cysteine, and cystine, which are used to build strong hair, nails, muscle, and skin.

They also have the ideal ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids (1:3), and even include omega 9, which are all strong antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the cause of many of our skin woes, including blemishes and wrinkles, so adding hemp seeds to your diet can help reduce or prevent those skin issues. Enjoy them on their own, sprinkled in salads, or blended in smoothies.

Kale

Full of vitamins and minerals that your skin needs to stay healthy. With essential nutrients like vitamin K, A, C, B6, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, this is often considered as nature's multi-vitamin. Aiming for four cups of dark, leafy greens like kale everyday is a great way to start seeing healthy changes in your complexion.

Pineapple

This fruit favorite is full of fiber which stabilizes blood sugar and contributes to healthy digestion - and good digestion means beautiful, glowing skin. Pineapple is also naturally high in vitamin C which brightens skin tone, increases healing time, and reduces redness. The best time to eat fruit is in the morning or on an empty stomach. Avoid eating fruit directly after a meal as it can be held back, causing bloating and stomach cramps.

Quinoa

This delicious grain is gluten-free, fiber-rich, and full of protein. Skin proteins like collagen and elastin keep our skin plump and youthful, so getting a good dose of this macronutrient is essential to firming up your new, glowy complexion. Quinoa is also a good source of magnesium, which is a vital component in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body. Low intake of this element has been associated with skin disease and disorder, so feel good about serving up this hearty grain.

Walnuts

Raw forms of these nuts are extremely high in omega 3. Only half a cup delivers 94.5% of your daily value. Omega 3s contribute to healthy oil production meaning a smooth complexion, less breakouts, and vibrant skin. These healthy fats are also highly anti-inflammatory, meaning a reduction in redness and younger-looking skin.


Source : Mindbodygreen, Examiner

Review : Paula's Choice Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser

Product Description
Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser offers the ease of a water-soluble cleanser with the texture of a milky cleansing lotion. This lightly lathering formula feels supremely silky and quickly removes all makeup (including eye makeup). It rinses completely, leaving skin beautifully soft without a trace of dryness. This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.

Recommended for extra sensitive skin and those with redness and rosacea, this face cleanser claims to be able to soothe sensitive skin and does not leave skin dry or tight.

I received a complimentary sachet of this cleanser with my Paula's Choice purchases. I stopped using it after 3 nightly usages because it does not suit my skin.

With the Moisture Boost term coined in the product name, I thought it would be a hydrating cleanser that is suitable for my skin type but unfortunately, it is not.
This is a cleanser that appears to be light and mild with a lotion texture that does not foam much. I used it as a normal cleanser and not as a make-up remover. It cleanses in a gentle manner but after each wash, my skin feels tight and taut, with a desperate need of moisture.

After the 3rd night of usage, the sides of my nose starts to get red and slightly warm which is why I decided to stop it completely.

In terms of ingredients, it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) as the key cleansing agent. While it is a milder ingredient as compared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), but the process to make SLES as a milder ingredient may be a problem itself.
It produces a chemical called “1,4-dioxane” as a byproduct. 1,4-dioxane is a known cancer causing agent and a leading groundwater contaminant, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It readily penetrates the skin, and is included on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known or suspected by the state to cause cancer or birth defects. You can read more about it here.

It scored 3.6 from 15 users on Makeupalley.

Where To Purchase : Shopee

Ingredients :
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (gentle cleansing agent), Methyl Gluceth-20 (skin-conditioning agent), Glycol Stearate (moisturizing thickener), Glyceryl Stearate (moisturizing thickener), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (soothing agent, anti- inflammatory), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (water-binding agent), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (very mild cleansing/lather agent), Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate (cleansing agents), Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA (water-binding agents), Hydroxyethylcellulose (thickener), Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol (preservatives), Propylene Glycol (slip agent), Citric Acid (pH balancer), Phytic Acid (chelating agent to soften hard water), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).

Review : My Beauty Diary Mexico Cactus Mask

Product Description

Moisture Surge and Seal:
Cactus flower essence is enriched with natural nutrients that form a hydrated protection shield on the skin surface to enhance moisture and effectively reduce water loss within skin. Emulate how cactus in extremely severe enviromental conditions are able to retain and seal water content in their leaves. Combined with Date essence found in desserts, this mask boosts moisture retention in skin and cells as well as softens texture for a smooth, radiant, and plump look!

Soothing and Moisturizing:
Calendula officinalis essence, aloe essence, and rare cactus flower essence is the perfect combination for soothing, comforting, and intensive repairing of skin. Your skin will feel refreshed and brightened for that silky radiant look.

A friend helped to purchase a box of this Mexico Cactus Mask from Taiwan. I really enjoyed using MBD range of masks because it truly works though its far from being natural. And its pretty affordable too.

Cactus is well-known to retains water well so having it in the name of a mask probably tells alot on what the mask can do for your skin. - Retains water, Moisturises and Soothes!

Made of japanese-imported multi-layer, cotton sheet material, the texture is thin but sturdy. It adheres quite well but the essence still drips slightly after layering it on the face due to the sheer wetness of the mask. The cotton sheet material boasts of using nano-technology to make it soft and adheres closer to the skin so that nutrients can be delivered.

I like that it delivers results. My skin feels comfortable, refreshing and much hydrated after each treatment. It feels smooth and supple too.

Shop My Beauty Diary Mexico Cactus Mask (2016 version )
My Beauty Diary Mexico Cactus Mask


Source : Nattacosme , prettyncute