Review : Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

Product Description
A gently exfoliating toner for more even, brighter and clearer skin. Cult-favorite Glow Tonic by Pixi removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy glowing skin and a refined texture that looks and feels smooth. The hypoallergenic formula is made with botanical extracts, including aloe vera and ginseng, to soothe sensitive skin.

I received a 15ml travel size sample from one of Sephora's events and is so glad to have tried out the product. It is said to firm and tighten normal to dry, dull and ageing skin and the oxygenating tonic removes dead skin cells, leaving skin healthy and radiant. With 5% Glycolic, the fluid hydrates the skin, and Aloe Vera and Ginseng help to soothe during application.

Glycolic acid is part of the group of active compounds known as AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids). Derived from cane sugar: It has the smallest molecules in the group so is able to penetrate skin deeply and easily, making it the most effective for treating fine lines, acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness etc.

Review : Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

Product Description
This active yet gentle cleanser with 5% glycolic acid exfoliates to reveal a glowing, healthier-looking skintone. Mud deep cleans and detoxifies pores while hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and avocado oil plump and nourish the skin. Leaves complexion feeling smooth and purified.

I hardly ever use "acids" on my face - AHAs ( Glycolic, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid ) and BHAs ( Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid ), because of the fear of how it will react with sensitive skin like mine although I do come across lactic acid in my cleansers every now and then. 

AHAs are primarily used for mild hyperpigmentation like age spots, melasma and scars, enlarged pores, fine lines and surface wrinkles and uneven skin tone. BHAs are primarily used for acne and sun damage. It dries out excess oils and dead skin cells to unclog pores. 

Review : Morishita Ravis Overnight Eye Mask

Product Description
Ravis Overnight Eye Mask can be used continuously for 6-8 hours without absorption of skin moisture. With the exclusive patented pure plant hydrophilic gel texture and the introduction of hydrogel patented technology, all you need to do is just to put it on and sleep. The moisturizing ingredients can be penetrated the stratum corneum, focusing on care of the eye bags, to prevent the emergence and deepening of fine lines.

Effects:
✓ Strong moisturizing essential oil ingredients, deep into the skin stratum corneum
✓ Provides hyaluronic acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Q10
✓ Crescent shape, for eyes’ fine lines
✓ With a slight bump design, strong adhesion, not easy to fall off

I am always in need of eye masks to keep my peepers looking good so when I chanced upon the Morishita Ravis Overnight Eye Mask, a drugstore brand from Japan, I thought why not?

Food That Age You

Food that age us include :
- Carbonated drinks
- Sausages
- Coffee
- Potato Chips and Fries
- Sugary Pastries
- Red Meat
- White Rice and White Bread

Caffeine which is present in coffee will cause stress hormones to shoot up and stay at abnormally high level for hours after consumption.

The powerful stress hormone "cortisol" contributes to premature aging and excessive caffeine is also dehydrating. As what I found out from a beautician in Aster Spring, you need to compensate with 3 glasses of water for each cup of tea or coffee drank.

Sugary pastries which are often made with hydrogenated oils contain trans-fat. Combination of sugar and trans-fat is bad news for liver and pancreas resulting in overworking our organs, leaving us more exposed to free radicals.

Free radicals caused by chemical reactions in our body require antioxidants to fight them, else we may age faster.

Sugar triggers a natural process called glycation, which is the same chemical reaction that turns brown when you cook it. The sugars bind with tissues to form harmful molecules, called advanced glycation end products (ironically known as AGEs), which damage elastin and collagen -- two substances your skin needs to stay supple and elastic. AGEs also damage the kidneys, brain and other essential organs.

Other foods with a high glycemic index, like white bread, pasta and potatoes also cause the formation of AGEs, because they are quickly converted to sugar in the bloodstream. To make matters worse, AGEs also make the skin more susceptible to sun damage, which in turn accelerates the glycation process.

Food that keep us young include :
- Green Tea
- Tomatoes
- Nuts and Seeds
- Yoghurt
- Salmon and other oily fish
- Berries
- Olive Oil

Green tea packaged in tea bags have gone through numerous processes destroying its goodness, therefore its recommended to drink loose leaf green tea.

Tomatoes contains
- lycopene : helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines
- Vitamin C : helps to strengthen collagen fibres

Nuts and seeds with great sources of Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids helps to keep skin elastic and reduce signs of aging.

[ Recommended Reading :
8 Anti-aging Superfood To Look Younger
18 Health Food For Beauty
How To Get Rid Of Neck Wrinkles
Culprits Of Premature Aging
Hacks To Prevent Premature Aging ]

Credits to Leslie Baumann, M.D

Review : A'pieu My Skin Fit Sheet Mask ( Buckthorn )

Product Description
Contains Sea Buckthorn for skin soothing care. It makes sensitive and rough skin clean and radiant.

Sea buckthorn is a plant where the leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits are used to make medicine. Some people apply sea buckthorn berries, berry concentrate, and berry or seed oil directly to the skin for preventing sunburn; for treating radiation damage from x-rays and sunburns; for healing wounds including bedsores, burns, and cuts; for acne, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, skin ulcers, and skin color changes after giving birth; and for protecting mucus membranes.
In food, sea buckthorn berries are used to make jellies, juices, purees, and sauces while in manufacturing, sea buckthorn is used in cosmetics and anti-aging products.

A'pieu My Skin Fit Sheet Mask ( Buckthorn ) is my last mask of the Skin Fit series. You can check out other reviews such as A'pieu My Skin Fit  Sheet Mask ( Broccoli ), A'pieu My Skin Fit  Sheet Mask ( Olive ), A'pieu My Skin Fit  Sheet Mask ( Honey ), A'pieu My Skin Fit  Sheet Mask ( Rose ) and A'pieu My Skin Fit Sheet Mask ( Quinoa ).